Stimulus would bring welcome relief to California - The state could get as much as $63 billion in federal funds, most of which will go for shovel-ready projects and tax cuts.By Richard Simon Reporting from Washington -- As the $819-billion economic recovery bill approved by the House on Wednesday makes its way through Congress, officials 3,000 miles away have their eyes on a Santa Monica Pier upgrade and other projects that have been awaiting funding.
Californians give thumbs-up to Obama, thumbs down to state officials - A poll finds 57% of state voters support Obama's stimulus plan. In contrast, three-quarters believe the state is headed in the wrong direction and Schwarzenegger's approval rating dips to 40%.By Evan Halper Reporting from Sacramento -- California voters are enthusiastic about President Obama's plans for steering the country out of recession, but their faith in state government's ability to manage its finances and fix California's problems has tumbled, according to a new poll.
L.A. County Federation of Labor endorses Chu for Congress - The chairwoman of the state Board of Equalization is vying to succeed Rep. Hilda Solis, Obama's pick for Labor secretary. The 32nd Congressional District covers East L.A. and the San Gabriel Valley.By Evelyn Larrubia U.S. Rep. Hilda Solis has not yet been confirmed as Labor secretary, but the race to replace her is in full swing.
Cal State students speak up over proposed slashes to financial aid - Students -- some with full course loads and multiple jobs -- address the Board of Trustees, protesting Gov. Schwarzenegger's proposed cuts and delays of Cal Grants.By Gale Holland Nathonas Duro, 21, rises Mondays at 6 a.m., takes her brother to school and is at her campus office job by 8 a.m. at Cal State San Bernardino, where she is a full-time student.
Solar panel installations in California through the roof in '08 - Homeowners and businesses had a record 158 megawatts of photovoltaic panels put on despite the recession.By Marla Dickerson Despite a credit freeze that's stunting renewable-energy projects throughout the country, 2008 was a hot year for solar power in California.
George Skelton: Californians aren't ready for the one-two budget punch - The heavy shoe is about to drop. Sacramento on Monday intends to begin stiffing people owed tax refunds, vendors who sell goods to the state and recipients of many social services.
State tax refund delay hurts low wage - With California's budget quagmire forcing an indefinite delay to state income tax refunds, taxpayers on the lower end of the income scale are most likely to feel the pain.
Governor threatens layoffs if state workers balk at -Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger warned Wednesday that if state workers don't accept twice-monthly furloughs, he will pursue layoffs to reduce salary costs by more than a billion dollars.
Schwarzenegger, other state officials want to dump prison health czar - The state brought a new dimension Wednesday to the legal struggle over prison health care reform with a motion to get rid of the court-appointed receiver and his proposed $8 billion construction plan.
Today's furlough hearing won't ease the uncertainty - State workers marked today on their calendars nearly four weeks ago when they learned that a Sacramento Superior Court judge would hear arguments about Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger's December order to furlough them two days each month.
Sacramento region's representatives vote party line on stimulus - At $819 billion, California Republican Rep. Dan Lungren figures that Democrats want to pass an economic stimulus plan that would cost the residents of his district more than $2,700 each.
Capitol Alert: Wednesday tidbits - The Little Hoover Commission, a government agency that analyzes the performance of other agencies, has issued a new report dedicated to "improving performance and outcomes at the state water boards.
Capitol Alert: Schwarzenegger, Brown want to end prison receivershipPosted by Shane GoldmacherGov. Arnold Schwarzenegger administration officials and Attorney General Jerry Brown will hold a press conference this morning announcing that they are seeking to end federal court oversight of the health care system in California prisons.
Tax-cut combination most popular Calif. budget - A combination of spending cuts and tax increases is the most popular solution for California's massive budget problems, according to a poll released Wednesday.
Calif. retailers group drops campaign donations - California's economic problems are starting to hit politicians where it really hurts - in their campaign treasuries.
Support wanes for budget supermajority- Despite the governor declaring a fiscal emergency and dire warnings issued by the state treasurer and state controller, Republican and Democratic legislators have been unable to reach the supermajority threshold needed to pass a budget. In the midst of a worsening crisis, this legislative inaction has now claimed its first casualty: public support for the two-thirds majority vote needed to pass a state budget.
State could get $10 billion stimulus school aid - An economic stimulus package working its way through Congress could provide $10 billion in federal relief over the next two years for California's public schools, raising optimism among educators that it might ease cutbacks caused by the state's budget crisis.
February looms - California's budget crisis is about to hit the next level of severity. For many weeks, state Controller John Chiang and Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger's Department of Finance have been warning that the state would run out of cash in February.
UC service workers agree to contract - The University of California has settled a bitter contract battle with nearly 8,500 service workers after a year and a half that included picketing and sit-ins.
Don't do it, Sacramento - The last thing beleaguered Californians need is even higher taxesConsumer confidence is plummeting. People are delaying purchases while struggling to pay off credit card debts. Consequently, business sales are slumping. Years of buying on credit and saving too little has left many people vulnerable. Retirement funds are evaporating. Housing foreclosures are mounting. Unemployment rates near double digits. Others wonder how much longer they will have jobs as layoffs are announced almost daily.
The CTA's gamble - Sales tax hike a harder sell than union thinksWith the Legislature and Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger prepared to make actual hard-dollar cuts in education spending, the California Teachers Association is flexing its muscle. CTA leaders say that if lawmakers don't back off, they are ready to begin a signature-gathering campaign for a ballot initiative to raise the state sales tax by a penny to provide an additional $5 billion to $6 billion a year to public schools.
Outlook for state's water is grim -Southern California water managers are growing increasingly uneasy with each winter day marked more by sunshine than rainfall.
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