California Budget Project

Steinberg Floats Income Tax Hike, Sales Tax Reduction

Jean Ross, director of the California Budget Project, which advocates for low-income residents, took aim at the rumored proposal on her blog. PolitiCal July 29, 2010

Budget +28: A Tax Swap?

Jean Ross of the California Budget Project wrote in a blog posting that such a proposal falsely assumes most Californians itemize their federal tax deductions; those who don't would fail to see the refund that would supposedly make this palatable. Capital Notes July 28, 2010

Extractors Should Pay for State's Resources

In an op-ed, Ellen Taylor, president of the League of Women Voters of the Claremont Area, cites a recent CBP report: "The California Budget Project published a new report, 'No Free Lunch: Tax Cuts Widen Budget Gaps,' which points out this long-standing myth that lowered taxes produces more business revenue is untrue." Inland Valley Daily Bulletin July 24, 2010

Why Tax Cuts Don't Work

The California Budget Project has an easy-to-digest prime report that lays out the reasons. LA Observed July 20, 2010

One State Budget Watcher Questions Tax Break Benefits

Jean Ross with the California Budget Project disputes the idea that such tax breaks generate enough economic growth in communities to pay for themselves. Capital Public Radio July 19, 2010

Why Cutting Taxes Won't Help California

In a report titled "No Free Lunch: Tax Cuts Widen Budget Gaps," the nonprofit, nonpartisan group actually argues that cutting taxes would hurt the state�s budget deficit. Total Buzz July 14, 2010

California's Stimulus Funding Starts To Run Dry

Ross said the federal government should extend stimulus funding to states "until we are on a clear pathway to a sustainable recovery." Sacramento Bee July 12, 2010

A new CBP analysis examines the economic evidence and finds that � contrary to longstanding myth � tax cuts don't pay for themselves.

Secret Tax Break Now Faces Union Effort To End It

On "The dollar savings for a small number of companies is nothing short of stunning," said Jean Ross, who has been tracking California's budget for two decades and directs the liberal California Budget Project. Sacramento Bee July 8, 2010

California Funding of Schools Ranks Near Bottom of U.S.

A new analysis by the California Budget Project says the state's funding of public education generally lags the rest of the country. Sacramento Bee July 2, 2010

Push for New School Finance System

On Wednesday, the California Budget Project released a report ranking the state 44th in the nation in per-pupil spending and 50th in the number of students per teacher. San Jose Mercury News July 5, 2010

California Funding of Schools Ranks Near Bottom of U.S.

A new analysis by the California Budget Project says the state's funding of public education generally lags the rest of the country. Sacramento Bee July 2, 2010

Lawmakers Are Putting Economic Recovery at Risk

That package [the economic recovery bill], according to an analysis by the California Budget Project, provided $85 billion in funds for California alone. Los Angeles Times June 30, 2010

Defeat of jobs bill in Senate costly to California

"It's honestly hard to see where you go to get $2 billion more to balance a budget that's in as dire straits as California's is," said Jean Ross, executive director of the California Budget Project, which advocates for low- and middle-income residents. San Jose Mercury NewsJune 25, 2010

A new CBP report examines what it costs - statewide and by county - for families to pay basic expenses.

Budget Debate: Cuts and Taxes Versus Cuts Alone

Executive Director Jean Ross describes the spending plans offered up by the Senate and Assembly majorities and the Governor. "The fact that California is the only state in the nation with a 'double supermajority' requirement � for passage of a budget and any tax increase � is always worth repeating and greatly complicates any effort to reach agreement on a spending plan." CalBuzzJune 25, 2010

Budget Project Issues 'Making Ends Meet' Report

In addition to giving Californians a way to benchmark their circumstances against state or county averages, the report seeks to highlight the cost of child care with an eye toward the current state budget crisis. San Francisco ChronicleJune 25, 2010

Typical Family Needs $82,000 Income To Make Ends Meet in Ventura County

"It's a reality check on what it costs to support a family in California, allowing only for the basics," said researcher Alissa Anderson. "They need well into the range of what's considered middle-income to make ends meet." Ventura County Star June 24, 2010

Research desk reports: Do millionaires flee high-tax states?

The California Budget Project notes (PDF) that California imposed a temporary tax increase on high earners from 1991 to 1995, and the number of millionaire filers increased by 33.4 percent. Washington Post Blog June 18, 2010

Op-Ed: Affordable Child Care Key to Jobs

Executive Director Jean Ross writes, "A recent round of proposed budget cuts is threatening to place some parents in a terrible Catch 22: They can�t work without child care, but if they can�t afford child care, they can�t work." San Diego Union-Tribune June 18, 2010