Reports

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.  Key findings from the data: 

• Total light vehicle sales in 2017:Q1:  506,745.  Up 0.7% from 2016:Q1.

• 2017:Q1 Market share, cars:  50.2%.  Down from 55.7% in 2016:Q1.

• 2017:Q1 Market share, light trucks:  49.8%.  Up from 44.3% in 2016:Q1.

• California average price per gallon regular gasoline, 2017:Q1:  $2.89.  Up from $2.61 in 2016:Q1.

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.

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. The analysis considers the effects on housing prices and rents, California employment and income, and related issues where increased housing prices will affect housing affordability, poverty, homelessness, overcrowding, and related issues in the state. The prevailing wage analysis is used to develop the core data and analytical base, while consideration of the other regulations
draws from related studies.

Highlights for policy makers:
• Unemployment Rate Eases to 4.9%; Total Employment Up 37,100
• Labor Force Participation Rate Level Unchanged at 62.1%
• State Employment Growth Rankings—California Remains in 2nd Place Behind Florida
• Nonfarm Jobs Increase 19,300
• 6 Industries Below 2007 Pre-Recession Job Levels
• Job Gains by Wage Level
• Two-Tier Economy Persists—Central Valley Unemployment Nearly 3 Times as High as Bay Area
• 8 California MSAs in the 10 Worst Unemployment Rates Nationally

Highlights for policy makers:
• Unemployment Rate Drops to 5.0%; Total Employment Up 13,800
• Labor Force Participation Rate Eased to 62.1%
• State Employment Growth Rankings – California Drops to 2nd Place Behind Flordia
• Nonfarm Jobs Increase 22,900
• 6 Industries below 2007 Pre-Recession Job Levels
• Job Gains by Wage Level
• Two-Tier Economy Persists – Central Valley Unemployment Nearly 3 Times as High as Bay Area
• 6 California MSAs in the 10 Unemployment Rates Nationally

Recent analysis by LAO stated that after factoring in housing costs, total annual costs for attending Community College in California goes from the lowest to the 7th highest in the nation for students not living at home with their families. The following LAO conclusions were based on 2013-14 data. California housing prices have escalated rapidly since then.

Highlights for policy makers:
• Unemployment Rate Eases to 5.1%; Total Employment Up 11,000
• Nonfarm Jobs Increase 3,700
• 6 Industries below 2007 Pre-Recession Job Levels
• Two-Tier Economy Persists
• 7 California MSAs in the 10 Worst Unemployment Rates Nationally
• California U-6 Unemployment Eases to 11.3%

The latest new vehicle sales data from California New Car Dealers Association shows continued but slowing growth in California’s purchases of new cars and trucks.  Key findings from the data:

• Total light vehicle sales in 2016 Q2:  542,565.  Up 1.8% from 2015 Q2.

• Market share, cars:  54.8%.  Down from 59.3% in 2015 Q2.

• Market share, light trucks:  45.2%.  Up from 40.7% in 2015 Q2.

• California average price per gallon regular gasoline, 2016 Q2:  $2.81.  Down from $3.50 in 2015 Q2.

 Highlights for policy makers: Unemployment Rate Eases to 5.2%; Total Employment Down 39,000 Labor Force Participation Rate Level Down to 62.5% State Employment Growth Rankings Nonfarm Jobs Increase 3,700 Five Industries Remain Below 2007 Pre-Recession Job Levels Two-Tier Economy Persists Eight California MSAs in the 10 Worst Unemployment Rates Nationally Legislative District Jobs Data Updated

 Highlights for policy makers: Unemployment Rate Drops to 5.3%; Total Employment Up 47,000 Labor Force Participation Rate Level at 62.8% State Employment Growth Rankings Nonfarm Jobs Increase 13,600 Five Industries below 2007 Pre-Recession Job Levels Two-Tier Economy Persists Eight California MSAs in the 10 Worst Unemployment Rates Nationally K-12 Enrollment Projections Updated Poverty Rates Commuting Data Update: Californians Still Rely on Single-Occupant Vehicles to Get to Work

The latest new vehicle sales data from California New Car Dealers Association shows continued but slowing growth in California’s purchases of new cars and trucks.  California consumers are now buying qualifying zero emission vehicles at an annual rate of 71,000, but will need to bump these purchases up to 175,000 a year in order to meet the state’s 2025 goal.  Key findings from the data are below.

• Total light vehicle sales in 2016 Q3:  531,514.  Essentially level with 2015 Q3 sales.

• Light vehicle market share, cars:  53.7%.  Down from 58.8% in 2015 Q3.

• Light vehicle market share, light trucks:  46.3%.  Up from 41.2% in 2015 Q3.

• California average price per gallon regular gasoline, 2016 Q3:  $2.77.  Down from $3.47 in 2015 Q3.

 Highlights for policy makers: Unemployment Rate Remains at 5.5%; Total Employment Up 90,900 Labor Force Participation Rate Improves to 62.8% State Employment Growth Rankings Nonfarm Jobs Increase 31,200 Four Industries below 2007 Pre-Recession Job Levels Two-Tier Economy Persists Seven California MSAs in the 10 Worst Unemployment Rates Nationally California in Full Employment? 3rd Quarter Housing Permits Down 1% 3rd Quarter Housing Prices 60.6% Above US Average

Highlights for policy makers: Unemployment Rate Remains at 5.5%; Total Employment Up 108,600 Labor Force Participation Rate Improves to 62.6% State Employment Growth Rankings Nonfarm Jobs Increase 30,000 Six Industries below 2007 Pre-Recession Job Levels Two-Tier Economy Persists Seven California MSAs in the 10 Worst Unemployment Rates Nationally Average Wage and Compensation Growth in 2015

Highlights for policy makers: Unemployment Rate Eases to 5.5%; Total Employment Rises 57,300 Labor Force Participation Rate Improves to 62.2% State Employment Growth Rankings Nonfarm Jobs Increase 63,100 Five Industries Below 2007 Pre-Recession Job Levels Two-Tier Economy Persists Eight California MSAs in the 10 Worst Unemployment Rates Nationally Broader Unemployment Measures Ease but Remain Above Pre-Recession Levels Farm Output Drops 14.3% in 2015

In February 2015, the Center completed a review of the many competing estimates of green jobs creation in California, entitled California Green Jobs: A Review of Current Estimates. As stated in that review, the policy interest in green jobs is not new to California.