The much higher voter turnout of a presidential election, coupled with a much lower threshold for qualifying initiative ballot measures, creates the opportunity for pro-tax-increase forces – such as public employee unions – to make their big move.
The proportion of working-age Californians who are employed or actively seeking employment — known as the labor force participation rate — is the smallest it has been since the 1970s. In October, the state’s rate, 62.3%, fell below the national rate of 62.8%. Both rates have fallen sharply since the recession.
Employers in the state are still adding jobs at a faster pace than the rest of the country. But annual job growth nationwide expanded to a nine-month average of 1.8% this year from 1.7% in 2013, while the California rate has fallen to 2.2% from 3% last year.
The U.S. Census Bureau and the U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis, through the Department of Commerce, announced today that the goods and services deficit was $43.4 billion in October, down $0.2 billion from $43.6 billion in September, revised. October exports were $197.5 billion, $2.3 billion more than September exports. October imports were $241.0 billion, $2.1 billion more than September imports.
Nonfarm payrolls rose a seasonally adjusted 321,000 in November, the strongest month of hiring since January 2012, the Labor Department said Friday. Hiring was broad across industries, led by gains in the professional and business-services sector.
“We have a problem,” said former California Gov. Gray Davis, a featured speaker at the summit. “Fewer people are working and those who are working are making less money.”
Southern California could be on an economic “collision course” fueled by low-paying jobs that offer little opportunity for upward mobility, economists said Thursday. . . Speakers such as former California State Senate Pro Tem Kevin de León and former Gov. Gray Davis were on hand for the release of reports that found two-thirds of projected job openings in Los Angeles County over the next five years will come from occupations that require a high school diploma or less and little to no work experience.
Economic activity in the Twelfth District continued to improve moderately during the reporting period of early October through mid-November. Overall price and wage inflation remained modest. Retail sales and demand for business and consumer services increased moderately. Overall manufacturing activity picked up, while agricultural conditions were mixed. Real estate activity advanced, but growth in the residential sector varied across the District. Loan demand increased moderately.
In January 2014, there were nearly 14,000 jobs in the Sacramento Region’s “core” clean economy. These core jobs were in a range of businesses that provide the products and services that allow the entire economy to transition away from fossil fuels and improve efficiencies in the use of natural resources.
In January 2014, there were nearly 60,000 jobs in Bay Area’s “core” clean economy. These core jobs were in a range of businesses that provide the products and services that allow the entire economy to transition away from fossil fuels and improve efficiencies in the use of natural resources.
Falling energy prices held overall inflation in check last month, offering relief to consumers squeezed by tepid wage gains and rising costs for food and housing.
California’s unemployment rate for October was 7.3 percent, which remain unchanged from the previous month even as the state increased payroll jobs.
Personal income is the income that is available to persons for consumption expenditures, taxes, interest payments, transfer payments to governments and the rest of the world, or for saving. Personal income for 2013 ranged from $3.8 million in Loving County, Texas to $466.1 billion in Los Angeles County, California. Per capita personal income—personal income divided by population—is a useful metric for making comparisons of the level of personal income across counties. Per capita personal income for 2013 ranged from $17,536 in Telfair County, Georgia to $121,632 in New York County, New York.
Small business owners are often left in the dark about the energy cost increases from environmental and climate change mandates. Latino-owned businesses are disproportionately impacted because many operate on a smaller profit margin, many don’t have as mu
Small business owners are often left in the dark about the energy cost increases from environmental and climate change mandates. Latino-owned businesses are disproportionately impacted because many operate on a smaller profit margin, many don’t have as much access to financing and many businesses are less established. For minority-owned or family businesses, absorbing new environmental costs could mean being forced to reduce hours or lay off workers.