Balancing California’s Budget
Governor Jerry Brown has unveiled his REVISED proposals to balance California’s badly unbalanced budget. Unlike Republican proposals from the previous administration, which relied on cuts to achieve balance, Brown has proposed a more balanced mix of cuts and new or extended taxes. There’s plenty of pain to go around, however, so few will be pleased with the plan.
Major cuts are proposed for welfare, Medi-Cal, services for the developmentally disabled and higher education. K-12 education is mostly spared.
Resources
Visit the budget website at www.ebudget.ca.gov
Focus: Implications for Escondido from eliminating redevelopment agencies
Redevelopment agencies are targeted for elimination in the budget, and the state Supreme Court has supported the legality of elimination. That would end Escondido’s hopes of financing a new ballpark.
OPINION: Redevelopment given a welcome rebuke
Don’t be too sure agencies are really, truly dead
North County Times, January 8, 2012
OPINION: Leave Vader in the grave
North County cities will get along just fine without redevelopment agencies
North County Times, January 8, 2012
Redevelopment Ruling May Not Be End of the Story
KPBS Radio, December 30, 2011
State Supreme Court uphold abolition of redevelopment agencies
Los Angeles Times, December 29, 2011
State asserts power over redevelopment agencies
As creation of the legislature, the state claims it can change or dissolve them; supporters say voters prohibited that by passing Prop. 22 in 2010
Associated Press report in the Fresno Bee, November 10, 2010
Calif. Supreme Court to hear redevelopment case
Associated Press report in the Daily News, November 9, 2011
Ballpark revived by lawsuit, private sector help
Baseball league deadline; El Paso competition are obstacles
North County Times, August 26, 2011
Calif. high court to hear redevelopment fight
Associated Press story in the San Francisco Chronicle, August 11, 2011
Voters OK with ending redevelopment funds, poll shows
Los Angeles Times, July 21, 2011
Cities sue over California redevelopment bill
Associated Press in North County Times, July 19, 2011
Officials support sparing redevelopment agency
Could produce $150 million if kept alive
North County Times, July 19, 2011
State budget sinks city’s ballpark plan
North County Times, July 16, 2011
OPINION: Will redevelopment emerge in a new form?
New bills would expand scope of ‘Infrastructure Development Districts’
The Sacramento Bee, July 8, 2011
Redevelopment change likely headed for court fight
Associated Press in North County Times, July 1, 2011
Redevelopment heading directly to Supreme Court
Did Prop. 22 prohibit diverting redevelopment money?
Capitol Weekly, June 30, 2011
Redevelopment pushed to brink, for real
Voice of San Diego, June 27, 2011
Legislature leaves redevelopment agencies in limbo
Associated Press story in North County Times, June 19, 2011
OPINION: Redevelopment might really be a goner
North County Times, June 19, 2011
EDITORIAL: Redevelopment: a several-sided story
The San Diego Union-Tribune, June 19, 2011
North County Times, March 8, 2011
Los Angeles Times, February 19, 2011
Districts have waited years for their share of city property taxes
North County Times, February 19, 2011
The San Diego Union-Tribune, February 15, 2011
North County Times, January 11, 2011
Escondido ballpark could be affected
North County Times, January 10, 2011
News coverage about the budget
Gov. Brown’s cap-and-trade spending plan angers businesses
He aims to spend $1 billion from the auction of greenhouse gas emission credits to help shrink the budget shortfall. Industry groups call that a back-door tax hike.
Los Angeles Times, January 11, 2012
California tax revenue plummets in July, raising fear of trigger cuts
July income was $539 million lower than expected, leading many to doubt the state budget’s assumption of economic recovery and a $4-billion windfall. If revenues remain low, drastic education cuts will kick in.
Los Angeles Times, August 10, 2011
Pharmacies fight for right to challenge state Medicaid cuts
The Hill, August 5, 2011
California stakeholders urge feds to reject Gov. Brown’s Medicaid cuts
The Hill, August 4, 2011
State shaves funds for health, social services
Since mid-2008, billions of dollars have been slashed from programs that assist the poor, disabled and elderly. With the growing number of budget cuts, many of the aid recipients are getting hit on multiple fronts.
Los Angeles Times, July 30, 2011
Needy elderly will pay the price for cuts in Medi-Cal
35,000 seniors in California will soon have nowhere to spend their days. In terms both human and fiscal, it’s bad news.
Los Angeles Times, July 30, 2011
California voters see some bright spots in grim budget
Los Angeles Times, July 22, 2011
Californians would rather ease penalties than pay more for prisons
Los Angeles Times, July 21, 2011
California’s debt rating outlook raised by S&P
Los Angeles Times, July 8, 2011
EDITORIAL: Budgeting for California’s future
The second budget is also based on smoke and mirrors
Orange County Register, July 6, 2011
ANALYSIS: Is California’s past America’s future?
Washington Post, July 4, 2011
California’s $85.9 billion budget: here are the major provisions
The Sacramento Bee, July 1, 2011
Gov. Jerry Brown signs laws to ax redevelopment agencies, collect taxes from online retailers
Los Angeles Times, June 29, 2011
Democrats pass austerity budget for California
Universities, courts and the poor would be among those losing funding in the new California budget. Officials admit the plan would not restore the state to fiscal health.
Los Angeles Times, June 29, 2011
California Budget Deal Leaves GOP out in Cold
Passage without Republicans demonstrates party’s waning influence
The Wall Street Journal, June 29, 2011
Jerry Brown, Democrats agree on new budget plan
San Francisco Chronicle, June 27, 2011
Jerry Brown says Proposition 13 could be tested if budget talks fail
Los Angeles Times, June 23, 2011
Brown promises Democrats alternative budget plan
Los Angeles Times, June 21, 2011
ANALYSIS: Brown’s budget veto won’t break political deadlock
Governor’s action sends the issue back to a Legislature he’s been unable to unify.
Los Angeles Times, June 18, 2011
OPINION: No turning back in California budget mess
Jerry Brown risks being the third failed governor in a row. If he doesn’t find a budget solution, the consequences will be dire.
Los Angeles Times, June 18, 2011
EDITORIAL: Not so fast
North County Times, June 17, 2011
EDITORIAL: Budget vetoed, now back to work
The San Diego Union-Tribune, June 17, 2011
EDITORIAL: Budget veto: Brown’s stark choice
To balance the budget, the state must raise taxes or make deeper cuts in education and public safety.
Los Angeles Times, June 16, 2011
Gov. Jerry Brown vetoes ‘unbalanced’ state budget
The governor says the spending plan approved by Democratic lawmakers ‘contains legally questionable maneuvers, costly borrowing and unrealistic savings.’ He blames Republicans for the Legislature’s failure to forge an acceptable plan.
Los Angeles Times, June 16, 2011
EDITORIAL: In budget fight, blame all around
The San Diego Union-Tribune, June 16, 2011
EDITORIAL: More smoke and mirrors
North County Times, June 16, 2011
Budget plan buys Brown time to woo GOP lawmakers
A placeholder to meet the constitutional deadline, say observers
Associated Press, June 16, 2011
Legislature Approves Majority Budget Plan Ahead of Deadline
Sacramento Bee, June 15, 2011
Jerry Brown offers state budget update in new video
PolitiCal blog at Los Angeles Times, June 12, 2011
California Democrats set stage for budget fight
They send a yearlong bridge tax to floor against GOP opposition
Contra Costa Times, June 9, 2011
California budget talks hit an impasse over three-month tax extension
GOP lawmakers might agree to let voters weigh in on taxes that are set to expire July 1, in exchange for state spending restrictions, changes to public pensions and new regulatory policies. Gov. Jerry Brown wants to extend the taxes until an election can be held in September.
Los Angeles Times, June 8, 2011
Voters back Brown on tax ballot; not so much on taxes
62 percent want to vote, but only 46 percent support his plan
San Francisco Chronicle, June 2, 2011
Capitol Journal: An on-time budget for a change?
As the political landscape shifts around them, California lawmakers have several compelling reasons this year to deliver a budget when the state Constitution says they must.
Los Angeles Times, May 30, 2011
Sacramento lawmakers disagree on whether to take tax proposal to voters
The Sacramento Bee, May 29, 2011
OPINION: California Gov. Jerry Brown is too eager to embrace taxes
George Will in The Washington Post, May 19, 2011
ANALYSIS: California’s revenue surge might stymie efforts to stabilize finances
The $6.6-billion of unanticipated revenue may relieve some of the pressure caused by California’s huge deficit, perhaps weakening Gov. Jerry Brown’s argument for tax extensions.
Los Angeles Times, May 18, 2011
Brown releases revised budget plan with $6.6-billion windfall
Increased revenue from taxes on the wealthy would be used for schools and business tax credits. Brown says some tax hikes are still needed to wipe out the state’s red ink, but GOP lawmakers disagree.
Los Angeles Times, May 17, 2011
See a graphic explaining the current deficit
The Sacramento Bee, May 17, 2011
Gov. Jerry Brown not giving up on tax hikes to help California budget
The governor is expected to ask lawmakers to approve some tax hikes first and seek voter approval later.
Los Angeles Times, May 16, 2011
PPIC Poll: Voters favor election, mixed bag on taxes
Sacramento Bee, April 27, 2011
ANALYSIS: In California, a more rational approach to budget gap emerges
It appears more people are open to the idea of reducing the state’s deficit through tax hikes and spending cuts.
Los Angeles Times, April 27, 2011
OPINION: Tim Rutten: It’s time to pass California tax hikes legislatively
Gov. Jerry Brown needs to walk away from his campaign promise to submit any tax increase to a popular vote.
Los Angeles Times, April 27, 2011
Jerry Brown urges GOP legislators to resume budget talks
The governor says he’s ready to make a deal on pension and regulatory reform, and wants specifics from Republicans. They say they already gave him specifics.
Los Angeles Times, April 23, 2011
CA Teachers Association launches TV ad urging lawmakers to solve budget
The Sacramento Bee, April 19, 2011
Brown pushes for special election on budget
AP story in The Press-Enterprise, April 10, 2011
Jerry Brown plans to take his case for taxes to voters
With talks with the GOP over in Sacramento, the governor says he’ll go on the road, including to many Republican districts, to persuade Californians of the need for a vote on tax extensions.
Los Angeles Times, April 1, 2011
OPINION: Despite experience, Brown still flummoxed by Legislature
Daniel Weintraub in HealthyCal, April 1, 2o11
Wyland predicts billions in state spending reductions
North County Times, April 1, 2011
ANALYSIS: Budget talks fold, and California GOP’s influence fades further
Several major Republican priorities were within reach as four GOP lawmakers negotiated on Gov. Jerry Brown’s budget plan. When talks broke down, they lost a rare window of opportunity.
Los Angeles Times, March 31, 2011
Jerry Brown ends talks on bipartisan budget deal
The governor, who needs four GOP votes to place a tax extension on the June ballot, says Republicans are unwilling to back tax extensions and are asking for an ‘ever-changing list of collateral demands.’
Los Angeles Times, March 30, 2011
See Gov. Brown’s video statement on YouTube
California schools move closer to doomsday
Uncertainty looms as talks end on tax extension
TOP-Ed blog, March 30, 2011
Fate of Brown’s special election plan uncertain
Fate of governor’s special election plan uncertain after GOP lawmakers release list of demands
North County Times, March 28, 2011
Poll shows public support for Brown’s budget plan is slipping
A new survey by the Public Policy Institute of California shows 46% of likely voters backing the governor’s proposed five-year extension on some taxes, a drop from 53% two months ago. The treasurer’s office says delaying a vote on extensions to November could force the state to issue IOUs.
Los Angeles Times, March 24, 2011
California budget: Talks heat up as ‘time is running out’
Calitics blog in Los Angeles Times, March 24, 2011
Governor may seek November ballot initiative on tax plan
The Sacramento Bee, March 23, 2011
Field Poll finds support for Brown, but can he get a vote on tax extensions?
The Sacramento Bee, March 22, 2011
Brown checks in on budget over YouTube
Governor urges Californians to ask lawmakers to let them vote
North County Times, March 22, 2011
Watch Gov. Brown’s video on YouTube
Uploaded March 21, 2011
OPINION: Brown must use a stick on allies and a carrot on Republicans
Unions and environmentalists opposed to pension reform and regulatory relief must give if there’s to be any hope of gaining GOP votes for a tax election.
Los Angeles Times, March 21, 2011
Lawmakers take up second half of budget deficit
MercuryNews.com, March 21, 2011
Lawmakers OK billions in program cuts in California budget
The effort to reduce California’s budget shortfall of $26 billion had bipartisan support. Gov. Jerry Brown is still working to secure votes on more contentious parts of his plan.
Los Angeles Times, March 17, 2011
California’s Brown struggles to strike a budget deal on taxes, spending cuts
The Washington Post, March 16, 2011
The Sacramento Bee, March 16, 2010
PolitiCal blog in Los Angeles Times, March 16, 2011
Dan Walters in The Sacramento Bee, March 15, 2010
Difficult decisions must be made in the Legislature, but Republicans would rather cast blame than cast votes.
George Skelton in Los Angeles Times, March 14, 2011
Dan Walters in The Sacramento Bee, March 14, 2011
The New York Times, March 11, 2011
The Sacramento Bee, March 10, 2011
HealthyCal blog, March 9, 2011
Conference committee OK sets up vote in both houses; includes end of redevelopment
The Sacramento Bee, February 4, 2011
GOP in California Tax Talks
Lawmakers Weigh Support for Governor’s Budget Plan in Return for Concessions.
The Wall Street Journal, March 3, 2011
As deadline looms (for budget approval), hurdles remain
An excellent update on the status of California budget negotiations
The Sacramento Bee, March 1, 2011
California lawmakers give initial OK to Jerry Brown’s budget plan
The Legislature and the governor are still at odds on some healthcare spending and a proposal to eliminate redevelopment agencies.
Los Angeles Times, February 19, 2011
Democrats to pare back some of Brown’s cuts
The Sacramento Bee, February 18, 2011
Obama budget would mean more cuts for California
North County Times, February 15, 2011
California’s legislative analyst lists possible cuts without tax extension
“Few legislators in either party could stomach such deep cuts.”
The Sacramento Bee, February 15, 2011
Governor optimistic on tax plan’s odds
Contra Costa Times, February 9, 2011
Brown’s challenge on special election: Both Dems and Reps arguing “the voters have spoken” (VIDEO)
San Francisco Chronicle Politics blog, February 8, 2011
OPINION: Questions abound on Brown budget plan
The Sacramento Bee, February 8, 2011
OPINION: What Obama could learn from California’s Jerry Brown
The Washington Post, February 2, 2011
Brown argues for his budget plan in State of the State address
The California governor pushes his plan for spending cuts and tax extensions, and urges legislators to let the public vote on them. GOP lawmakers appeared unmoved on the tax question.
Los Angeles Times, February 1, 2011
EDITORIAL: Needed: a rethinking of state government
The San Diego Union-Tribune, February 1, 2011
Voters appear to want Brown’s special election
Contra Costa Times, January 27, 2011
Budget primer: CalWorks would be cut by 50 percent
Details on what the Governor’s budget would mean to 115,000 California families
HealthCal blog, January 25, 2011
OPINION: Is Brown evading pension reform?
Steven Greenhut of CalWatchdog.com in North County Times, January 23, 2011
Jerry Brown to declare California in state of ‘fiscal emergency
Los Angeles Times PolitiCal blog, January 21, 2011
UC leaders: Tough budget choices coming
The Oakland Tribune, January 20, 2011
Special interests with hands in the budget pie
The Sacramento Bee, January 17, 2011
Brown’s prison plan has a hitch: County jails are overcrowded, too
The Sacramento Bee, January 17, 2011
EDITORIAL: State Budget: all sides need to get real
The San Diego Union-Tribune, January 18, 2011
Polls show Gov. Brown a clear budget path
Capitol Journal in the Los Angeles Times, January 17, 2011
EDITORIAL: The budget smoke clears
North County Times, January 16, 2011
State budget: Cuts to wildfire fighting teams loom
San Jose Mercury News, January 14, 2011
Brown’s budget targets state-funded mandates
May stop state assistance for required actions
California Watch blog, January 14, 2011
OPINION: Time looms as Jerry Brown’s biggest hurdle
Sacramento Bee, January 14, 2011
Brown budget plan draws flak from right, left
Anti-tax activists call for state pension reform and warn GOP lawmakers not to put tax extensions before voters. Some Democrats lament cuts.
Los Angeles Times, January 14, 2011
Brown budget not as balanced between cuts and taxes as claimed
Los Angeles Times PolitiCal blog, January 14, 2011
Analyst says budget plan carries risks
The state’s nonpartisan fiscal analyst found plenty to like Wednesday in Gov. Jerry Brown’s budget, but he warned that the complex plan carries significant risks.
The Sacramento Bee, January 13, 2011
Brown’s tax pitch reflects poll-driven message
Los Angeles Times, January 13, 2011
Gov. Jerry Brown begins wooing GOP support for tax plan
Democratic Gov. Jerry Brown needs as few as four Republican votes in the California Legislature to place a measure on the ballot that would extend $9 billion in recent tax hikes — levies Republicans have opposed.
Los Angeles Times, January 12, 2011
Without child care, many women couldn’t work
HealthyCal blog, January 11, 2011
OPINION: Reacting to Brown’s budget
Robert Cruickshank in Calitics blog, January 11, 2011
EDITORIAL: Honest state budget didn’t deserve jeers
The San Diego Union-Tribune, January 11, 2011
OPINION: Brown’s budget faces the state’s ugly facts
Dan Walters in The Sacramento Bee, January 11, 2011
OPINION: A Lot Has to Go Right for Jerry Brown’s First Budget to Work
Greg Lucas in the California’s Capitol blog, January 10, 2011