In a few short weeks, California voters will have the opportunity to reject several bad ballot measures which threaten their financial security. The worst of these by far is Proposition 5 because it would lower the vote threshold for local bonds from two-thirds to 55%. The two-thirds vote requirement for local general obligation bonds has… Continue reading Rob Bonta delivers a blow to ballot measure transparency
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Californians must reject costly bond measures this November
California politicians are addicted to debt. For voters and taxpayers, it’s time to schedule an intervention. Let’s pick November 5th. The amount of debt already assumed by state and local governments is easily in the hundreds of billions of dollars. In fact, if debt is defined as legally binding obligations that require future payment, this… Continue reading Californians must reject costly bond measures this November
California taxpayers spent $4 billion on 401,000 students no longer in the state’s public schools
California’s public schools were spared in the state’s 2025 budget, but that doesn’t mean the state’s school districts should breathe a sigh of relief. The final state budget, approved by lawmakers, aimed to close the $46.8 billion state deficit but left public school dollars unscathed—for now. “This budget remarkably insulates K-14 funding from cuts, abides… Continue reading California taxpayers spent $4 billion on 401,000 students no longer in the state’s public schools
California is late on its own financial health report for the 6th straight year
Welcome to CalMatters, the only nonprofit newsroom devoted solely to covering issues that affect all Californians. Sign up for WhatMatters to receive the latest news and commentary on the most important issues in the Golden State. Lea esta historia en Español California — a state whose officials love to tout it as the world’s fifth largest economy — is late… Continue reading California is late on its own financial health report for the 6th straight year
More than 1,200 LA-owned homeless housing units remain vacant two years after $800 million spending spree
It’s an odd location for the City of Los Angeles to have spent nearly $50 million to purchase a brand new, five story luxury apartment building for the homeless. The neighborhood around 1654 West Florence Ave in South LA consists of empty, dilapidated storefronts and abandoned, crumbling apartments. The few local businesses consist of liquor… Continue reading More than 1,200 LA-owned homeless housing units remain vacant two years after $800 million spending spree
California leads the nation in the number of jobs lost
Federal data shows that the Golden State has lost the most jobs in the nation since the beginning of 2024. According to the Federal Reserve of Economic Data, nearly 483,000 California residents lost their jobs in the first quarter of this year, which is about 30,000 more jobs than lost at the end of last year.… Continue reading California leads the nation in the number of jobs lost