California economy

Gov. Brown opposes CA minimum wage hike

Opening another fissure with members of his own party, Gov. Jerry Brown has come down on the opposite side of a proposed statewide increase in the minimum wage. Changing course In an indication of the mood in the governor’s office, Brown’s

CA housing becomes political football

James Poulos July 9, 2015

To borrow one metaphor, California’s housing market has become a double-edged sword, reminiscent of the bonanza days before the 2008 economic crisis. That’s why, to borrow another, it has also become a political football. With residents increasingly priced out of the state’s coastal metropolises, politicians

CA incentives reel back film and TV production

James Poulos June 28, 2015

Hollywood could soon reclaim its once-shaky status as America’s production headquarters. After a near panic touched off by a nationwide spending spree on state incentives for film and television production, programs around the country have begun scaling back or shutting down altogether, leaving California

Climbing gas prices lower consumer sentiment

Josephine Djuhana June 9, 2015

Chapman University’s Anderson Center for Economic Research recently released California consumer sentiment survey results, demonstrating that although continued job growth and lowered unemployment rates are helping boost consumer sentiment, higher gas prices have done the opposite. According to a report on fuel

CA Employment Report reveals slow job growth, shrinking labor force

Josephine Djuhana May 28, 2015

The California Center for Jobs & the Economy has just released their “California Employment Report” for April 2015. Among the most notable highlights from this report: CA’s unemployment rate declines to 6.3 percent, still 17 percent higher than the national rate:

Ratification of new port contract adds stability to West Coast ports

Josephine Djuhana May 27, 2015

According to a release from the International Longshore and Warehouse Union, West Coast Longshore workers have voted 82 percent in favor of ratifying a new five-year contract with employers represented by the Pacific Maritime Association. “The negotiations for this contract

L.A. City Council votes to raise minimum wage to $15/hour

Josephine Djuhana May 20, 2015

In a 14-1 vote, the Los Angeles City Council voted to raise the minimum wage in the city of Los Angeles to $15.00 per hour by 2020. Small businesses were given an additional one-year “phase in” period, requiring a $15.00

CA Democratic Convention: Democrats divided on economic issues, trade pact

John May 16, 2015

Sen. Elizabeth Warren staked her claim as the progressive choice for president Saturday, with a rousing speech to delegates at the California Democratic Party’s state convention. The first-term Democratic Senator from Massachusetts earned a rousing applause and standing ovation from convention delegates

BOE: New services tax could boost CA revenue by $122 billion

Dave Roberts May 9, 2015

Placing a tax on business services in California has the potential to raise an additional $122.6 billion annually for state and local governments, according to a recent Board of Equalization study. A services tax could become a reality if Senate

Minimum wage debate heats up in Los Angeles

Joel Fox May 3, 2015

What if three different studies on the effects of a minimum wage increase in Los Angeles each came up with a different conclusion — who do you trust? That was a question asked at the Town Hall Los Angeles debate Thursday