If it seems that wildfires are burning nearly all the time these days, that there’s no longer a definable fire season in California, you’re right. Fourteen of the 20 most destructive fires in state history have occurred since 2007, and California has 78 more annual “fire days” now than it had...
Walters: School Accountability Good for Some, Not Others?
Last year, in his final budget as governor, Jerry Brown proudly proclaimed a new policy to encourage the state’s 114 community colleges to pay more attention to how their students are faring. “By funding colleges based primarily on enrollment, the current funding formula encourages districts to strictly prioritize student access...
Walters: Slowing Economy Could Hit State Budget
Gov. Gavin Newsom’s first budget proposal, unveiled two months ago, took a surprisingly conservative approach, given his promises of high-dollar spending during his campaign for the governorship. While he proposed token appropriations to expand health insurance for the poor and pre-kindergarten care and education, his 2019-20 budget would devote most...
Trump’s Record $4.7 Trillion Budget Relies on Strong Growth
WASHINGTON — President Donald Trump proposed a record $4.7 trillion federal budget for 2020 on Monday, relying on optimistic 3.1 percent economic growth projections alongside accounting shuffles and steep domestic cuts to bring future spending into promised balance in 15 years. The deficit is projected to hit $1.1 trillion in...
Is Longer Day for Kindergarteners in Fresno Unified’s Future?
Fresno Unified parents are exasperated by having to take time off from work in the middle of the day to pick up their kindergarteners at school. And a majority of trustees want to see the district fix the problem. Trustee Carol Mills said she understands their frustration, and offered a...
Budget Talks Resume Amid Pessimism Over Border Differences
WASHINGTON — Budget negotiators will meet Monday to revive talks over border security issues that are central to legislation to prevent key parts of the government from shutting down on Saturday, but an air of pessimism remains after talks broke down over the weekend. They collapsed over Democratic demands to...
Walters: Newsom Raises the Housing Bar on Himself
Gavin Newsom began his governorship this month by promising to confront what he described as California’s most important issue, an ever-increasing shortage of housing. “This is the issue,” Newsom said as he introduced his first state budget. California’s chronic housing shortfall, particularly for low- and moderate-income families, and its soaring costs...
5 Keys to Picture-Perfect TV Buying for Super Bowl
Buying a TV can be thrilling, yet daunting. To maximize the exhilaration — while minimizing the uncertainty — experts say to pay attention to at least five things. You may be considering a new TV ahead of the Super Bowl, but these tips work throughout the year, too. Size Size alone...
California Pot Taxes Lag as Illegal Market Flourishes
LOS ANGELES — Deep in Gov. Gavin Newsom's new budget is a figure that says a lot about California's shaky legal marijuana market: The state is expecting a lot less cash from cannabis taxes. The Democrat's proposed spending plan, released Thursday, projects the state will bank $355 million in marijuana...
Newsom's First Budget Is $144B. And It Increases 'Rainy Day' Fund.
SACRAMENTO — California Gov. Gavin Newsom proposed a $144 billion general fund budget in his first spending plan Thursday, up 4 percent from the current year. The new governor's budget includes $13.6 billion to build the state's reserves and to pay down state debt and its growing pension liability. It's...