[Source: KQED] When supporters of increasing commercial property taxes, reshaping property tax transfer rules and legalizing sports gambling began formulating initiatives to put before voters in November, California’s economy was riding high — unemployment was at historic lows and state coffers were flush with fat surpluses. With less than five months until Election Day, campaigns Read More…
Category: California News
Beware the temporary tax fix
[Source: Fox&Hounds] During these difficult times, with politicians scrambling for answers to the economic woes brought on by the pandemic, expect to hear about temporary solutions to address problems often in the form of a tax increase. If history teaches anything, temporary government solutions often become permanent. We already have one temporary tax proposed, AB Read More…
Burdens created by new leaves of absence
[Source: CalChamber] Even in the face of the coronavirus pandemic and a historic economic shock, the Legislature is considering legislation to increase the cost on employers of maintaining workers on the payroll. That is why these bills have been tagged as Job Killers. AB 3216 (Kalra) proposes to expand several existing leaves, including leave under the Read More…
New measure on November ballot could dramatically impact property taxes
[Source: Sacramento Business Journal] A titanic battle on the November ballot awaits commercial real estate interests and investors, seeking to stop the most dramatic change to their property taxes in more than 40 years. State officials announced Friday a measure known as split-roll had enough registered voter signatures to qualify for the Nov. 3 ballot Read More…
California’s budget cuts threaten environmental spending
[Source: Associated Press] California Gov. Gavin Newsom’s proposed budget cuts include canceling billions of dollars in climate change spending, a blow to environmental advocates who look to the state as a stopgap for the Trump administration’s weakening of federal protections. In January, Newsom proposed a $12 billion “climate budget” that, over the next five years, Read More…
Governor lays out plan for solving record state budget deficit
[Source: CalChamber] Governor Gavin Newsom has proposed solving a record budget deficit by tapping reserves, borrowing money from special funds, deferring spending and raising some targeted revenues. But the major budget solution to an estimated $54.5 billion deficit depends on spending federal funds already allocated to California and receiving federal funds not yet approved by Read More…
Coronavirus plunges California into worst budget deficit in state history
[Source: The Los Angeles Times] California’s government faces a $54.3-billion budget deficit through next summer according to an analysis released Thursday by advisors to Gov. Gavin Newsom, the deepest projected fiscal hole in state history. The estimate accounts for both an alarming erosion of tax revenues and a growing need for health and human services Read More…
Governor’s executive order on worker’s comp makes it more difficult to do business in CA
[Source: Fox&Hound] We fully understand why the Governor wants to help Californians impacted by the coronavirus pandemic. But, creating a rebuttable presumption shifts the burden to businesses who are struggling to keep their workers employed while also keeping their doors open. The Governor’s Executive Order opens up employers to significant abuse from employees. What’s to Read More…
Governor’s workers’ compensation order: presume COVID-19 illness arises from the job
[Source: CalChamber] Governor Gavin Newsom yesterday signed an executive order establishing a rebuttable presumption that any COVID-19 related illness of an employee who worked outside the home, not just those who are essential workers, was the result of employment for workers’ compensation purposes if certain requirements are met. The presumption dates back to March 19, Read More…