California economy

Report: CA economic outlook grim, but actual performance not so bad

California again sits near the bottom of a state-by-state comparison of economic competitiveness, but its economic performance has been more middle-of-the-road, according to an annual study by the right-leaning American Legislative Exchange Council. Judging by 15 policy measures, all of which

Minimum-wage law’s opt-out provision unlikely to be used by governor

Chris Reed April 8, 2016

A California governor is asked to sign historic, far-reaching legislation that could have unknown consequences — and tells the Legislature he will only go along if there is an escape clause that can be used if the law causes economic

CA politicians and businesses push for restored Cuba connections

James Poulos March 26, 2016

Although they didn’t make the same headlines as President Obama, several members of California’s congressional delegation accompanied him on his historic visit to Cuba — underscoring the importance California officials and business put on the prospect of restored relations with

Google driverless car hits bus, stokes controversy

James Poulos March 4, 2016

The controversy over driverless cars shifted into high gear as an automated vehicle built by Google hit a passenger bus. “The crash may be the first case of one of its autonomous cars hitting another vehicle and the fault of

CA middle class fleeing to lower-cost states

James Poulos February 24, 2016

New data has brought a new urgency to the souring fortunes of California’s middle class. “Not only are Californians leaving the state in large numbers, but the people heading for the exits are disproportionately middle class working families — the demographic backbone of

Brown: State of the State is fiscal restraint

Matt Fleming January 21, 2016

With a cautiously optimistic tone, Gov. Jerry Brown preached prudence on Thursday morning during his annual State of the State address. The speech — courteous in its brevity, clocking in at under 20 minutes — touted accomplishments and initiatives, like

Uneasy balancing act for CA economy

James Poulos December 30, 2015

California headed into 2016 with a stabilizing economy that nonetheless left many residents uneasy. On the work front, the year finished out with weaker, but not alarming, numbers. “California employers added just 5,500 jobs in November, according to federal data —

CA set for nation’s highest minimum wage

James Poulos December 25, 2015

California will start the new year with a record-setting wage floor. “On Jan. 1 California will have the highest minimum wage in the country,” as Capital Public Radio noted. “California workers earning minimum wage will get an extra dollar an hour at

China beats Mexico on CA immigration

James Poulos December 23, 2015

While Mexico continued to drive the debate about immigration policy in the U.S., California experienced a significant demographic shift that could carry a political impact: more immigrants now flow into the Golden State from China than from south of the border. “About

Report: Wealthy tech firms create few jobs

Chris Reed December 22, 2015

Two years ago, a report from Oxford University’s Martin Programme on the Impacts of Future Technology made waves in the United States with its prediction that 47 percent of the 700 largest U.S. job categories could disappear in coming decades