California State Legislature Passes $92.1 Billion Budget Plan

Today, both houses of the California State Legislature passed a spending plan totaling $92.1 billion for the next fiscal year. By passing the state budget on a near party-line vote, minus a select few Democrats that voted nay, Senate President Pro Tem Darrell Steinberg and Assembly Speaker John Perez are now able to send the final budget along to Governor Jerry Brown for approval. Today, both houses of the California State Legislature passed a spending plan totaling $92.1 billion for the next fiscal year. By passing the state budget on a near party-line vote, minus a select few Democrats that voted nay, Senate President Pro Tem Darrell Steinberg and Assembly Speaker John Perez are now able to send the final budget along to Governor Jerry Brown for approval.

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Will Gov. Brown’s Dip in Public Opinion Hurt His Tax Hike Proposal?

The governor’s drop in public opinion can be attributed to the release of his May Budget Revise earlier last week, which detailed the dramatic growth of California’s budget deficit to over $15.7 billion, up from January’s projection of $9.2 billion.

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$16 Billion Deficit Underscores Need For Real Reforms

Governor Jerry Brown announced this week that the deficit has ballooned to a monstrous $16 billion dollars, an amount equal to 17 percent of the state’s entire general fund. So, California’s self-perpetuating job killing machine continues.

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State Tax Revenues Rise Last Fiscal Year

The U.S. Census Bureau released their 2011 Annual Survey of State Government Tax Collections report today, showing state revenue from taxes increased in all 50 states last year.

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Cal States Freeze Enrollment, Raise Executive Pay

California State University system plans to close its doors to qualified students for the 2013 spring term, while future fall enrollment numbers will depend on the outcome of a November tax initiative, say officials.

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Denying the right to choose light bulbs sparks spirited debate

As well-intentioned as they may be, new regulations attempting to enforce rules about energy efficient lighting have set off charges of life-altering interference almost as intense as that other “choice” issue sparked by the Supreme Court back in 1973.

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Federalism and marijuana policy in California

A battle between the town of Isleton, California and federal prosecutors over medicinal marijuana cultivation perfectly illustrates the stakes involved in the Tenth Amendment debate.

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