Reports

Highlights for policy makers:
• Unemployment Rate Improves to 4.3%; Total Employment Gains 12,800
• Labor Force Participation Rate Level
• State Employment Growth Rankings
• Nonfarm Jobs Up 14,000
• Four Industries below 2007 Pre-Recession Job Levels
• Job Gains by Wage Level
• Two-Tier Economy Persists—Central Valley Unemployment Nearly Three Times as High as Bay Area
• Bay Area Provided 39% of Net Employment Growth Since Recession
• Seven California MSAs in the 10 Worst Unemployment Rates Nationally

The latest new vehicle sales data from California New Car Dealers Association shows that while Californians’ purchases of new cars and trucks remains above the 2 million mark, total sales have eased slightly from their 2016 peak.  Key findings from the data: 

• Total light vehicle sales in 2017: 1.051 million. Down 2.0% from 2016.
• 2017 Market share, cars:  48.7%. Down from 53.1% in 2016.
• 2017 Market share, light trucks: 51.3%. Up from 46.9% in 2016.
• California average price per gallon regular gasoline, 2017:Q4: $2.74. Down from $2.79 in 2016:Q4.

Highlights for policy makers:
• Unemployment Rate Level at 4.3%; Total Employment Gains 38,600
• Labor Force Participation Rate Eases Down
• State Employment Growth Rankings
• Nonfarm Jobs Up 52,700
• Six Industries below 2007 Pre-Recession Job Levels
• Job Gains by Wage Level
• Two-Tier Economy Persists—Central Valley Unemployment More than Twice as High as Bay Area
• Bay Area Provided 40% of Net Employment Growth Since Recession
• Seven California MSAs in the 10 Worst Unemployment Rates Nationally

Highlights for policy makers:
• Unemployment Rate Level at 4.6%; Total Employment Gains 101,900
• Labor Force Participation Rate Nears US Average
• State Employment Growth Rankings—California Returns to 1st Place
• Nonfarm Jobs Up 47,400
• Five Industries below 2007 Pre-Recession Job Levels
• Job Gains by Wage Level
• Two-Tier Economy Persists—Central Valley Unemployment More than Twice as High as Bay Area
• Bay Area Provided 39% of Net Employment Growth Since Recession
• Six California MSAs in the 10 Worst Unemployment Rates Nationally

The latest new vehicle sales data from California New Car Dealers Association shows Californians remain on track to exceed 2 million new light vehicle purchases in 2017, although sales are beginning to ease from comparable levels a year ago. Key findings from the data: 

• Light Trucks Continue to Exceed Half of New Vehicle Sales
• Total light vehicle sales in 2017:Q3: 518,080. Down 2.8% from 2016:Q3.
• 2017:Q3 Market share, cars:  48.7%.  Down from 52.8% in 2016:Q3.
• 2017:Q3 Market share, light trucks:  51.3%.  Up from 47.2% in 2016:Q3.
• California average price per gallon regular gasoline, 2017:Q3:  $3.05.  Up from $2.77 in 2016:Q3.

Highlights for policy makers:
• Unemployment Rate Level at 4.9%; Total Employment Gains 97,200
• Labor Force Participation Rate Matches Lowest Level from 1976
• State Employment Growth Rankings—California Rose to 2nd Place
• Nonfarm Jobs Up 31,700
• Four Industries below 2007 Pre-Recession Job Levels
• Job Gains by Wage Level
• Two-Tier Economy Persists—Central Valley Unemployment More than Twice as High as Bay Area
• Bay Area Provided 39% of Net Employment Growth Since Recession
• Six California MSAs in the 10 Worst Unemployment Rates Nationally

Highlights for policy makers:
• Unemployment Rate Level at 5.1%; Total Employment Gains 112,700
• Labor Force Participation Rate Matches Lowest Level from 1976
• State Employment Growth Rankings—California Rose to 3rd Place
• Nonfarm Jobs Up 52,200
• Six Industries below 2007 Pre-Recession Job Levels
• Job Gains by Wage Level
• Two-Tier Economy Persists—Central Valley Unemployment More than Twice as High as Bay Area
• Bay Area Provided 40% of Net Employment Growth Since Recession
• Eight California MSAs in the 10 Worst Unemployment Rates Nationally

Highlights for policy makers:
• Unemployment Rate Rises to 5.1%; Total Employment Drops 14,100
• Labor Force Participation Rate Remains at Lowest Level Since 1976
• State Employment Growth Rankings—California Drops to 7th Place
• Nonfarm Jobs Down 8,200
• Six Industries below 2007 Pre-Recession Job Levels
• Job Gains by Wage Level
• Two-Tier Economy Persists—Central Valley Unemployment More than Twice as High as Bay Area
• Bay Area Provided 44% of Net Employment Growth Since Recession
• Eight California MSAs in the 10 Worst Unemployment Rates Nationally

The latest second quarter new vehicle sales data from California New Car Dealers Association shows slowing growth in Californians’ purchases of new cars and trucks, although sales remain on track to exceed 2 million once again in 2017.

Highlights for policy makers:
• Unemployment Rate Rises to 4.8%; Total Employment Drops 24,900
• Labor Force Participation Rate Remains at Lowest Level Since 1976
• State Employment Growth Rankings—California Drops to 5th Place
• Nonfarm Jobs Up 82,600
• 6 Industries below 2007 Pre-Recession Job Levels
• Job Gains by Wage Level
• Two-Tier Economy Persists—Central Valley Unemployment More than Twice as High as Bay Area
• Bay Area Provided 44% of Net Employment Growth Since Recession
• 8 California MSAs in the 10 Worst Unemployment Rates Nationally

Highlights for policy makers:
• Unemployment Rate Continues Dropping to 4.7%; Total Employment Down 21,300
• Labor Force Participation Rate Remains at Lowest Level Since 1976
• State Employment Growth Rankings—California Remains in 3rd Place Behind Florida and Texas
• Nonfarm Jobs Down 1,400
• 6 Industries below 2007 Pre-Recession Job Levels
• Job Gains by Wage Level
• Two-Tier Economy Persists—Central Valley Unemployment More than Twice as High as Bay Area
• Bay Area Provided 44% of Net Employment Growth Since Recession
• 7 California MSAs in the 10 Worst Unemployment Rates Nationally
• Bay Area Paid 40% of Personal Income Tax in 2015 Tax Year

Highlights for policy makers:
• Unemployment Rate Continues Dropping to 4.7%; Total Employment Little Changed at 3,600
• Labor Force Participation Rate at Lowest Level Since 1976
• State Employment Growth Rankings—California Drops to 3rd Place Behind Florida and Texas
• Nonfarm Jobs Up 17,600
• 6 Industries below 2007 Pre-Recession Job Levels
• Job Gains by Wage Level
• Two-Tier Economy Persists—Central Valley Unemployment More than Twice as High as Bay Area
• Bay Area Provided 42% of Net Employment Growth Since Recession
• 8 California MSAs in the 10 Worst Unemployment Rates Nationally

Highlights for policy makers:
• Unemployment Rate Eases to 4.8%; Total Employment Up 27,800
• Labor Force Participation Rate Level Unchanged at 62.1%
• State Employment Growth Rankings—California Remains in 2nd Place Behind Florida
• Nonfarm Jobs Down 16,300
• 5 Industries Below 2007 Pre-Recession Job Levels
• Job Gains by Wage Level
• 2016:Q2 Jobs, Wage & Establishment Data Updated
• Two-Tier Economy Persists—Central Valley Unemployment Nearly Twice as High as Bay Area
• Bay Area Provided 42% of Net Employment Growth Since Recession
• 8 California MSAs in the 10 Worst Unemployment Rates Nationally

The latest new vehicle sales data from California New Car Dealers Association shows continued but slowing growth in Californians purchases of new cars and trucks.

This report analyzes the potential effects from recently adopted and currently proposed regulations having significant effects on the cost of new housing in California.  Specifically, these regulations considered include proposals that would require all housing in California to be built while paying workers at prevailing wage levels along with Zero Net Energy requirements, increasing local requirements for affordable units, and offsets, VMT reduction, and other measures related to the state’s climate change policies.