The Brown administration moved up to today it's unveiling of the 2014-15 state budget, which at first glance seems relatively modest given the recent improvements in the state's economy.
From the Mercury-News' Jessica Calefati: "Gov. Jerry Brown will propose a $106.8 billion general-fund budget on Thursday that seeks to pay off a big chunk of the state's long-term debt while making modest investments in public schools, health care and the troubled bullet train, according to a copy of the budget leaked Wednesday to this newspaper and other news outlets."
"While the state's finances have improved significantly since the days of embarrassing, multibillion-dollar deficits, Brown said in the budget document that he believes the newfound fiscal stability could be short-lived and that restrained spending of scarce state resources is crucial."
A copy of the spending plan summary is available here, courtesy of the Bee.
Speaking of finances, California's exports are on the rise and and have reached pre-recession levels.
From the LAT's Marc Lifsher: "In November alone, Golden State businesses shipped merchandise worth $15.2 billion, a 14% jump over the same month in 2012, new government statistics show. That's more than twice the rate chalked up for U.S. exports nationally, up 5.9% year over year for November."
"Mexico was California's biggest single export market at $6.25 billion in September, October and November, followed by Canada at $5.21 billion, China at $4.08 billion, Japan at $3.34 billion and Hong Kong at $2.32 billion."
The head of California's prison system says the state is being forced to shift 4,000 inmates to private lockups unless the federal courts allow more time to put population limits into place.
From the AP's Don Thompson: "The state faces an April 18 deadline to reduce overcrowding in its 33 adult prisons. The judges have found reducing overcrowding to be the key step in improving inmate medical and mental health care, but Gov. Jerry Brown is seeking a three-year delay."
"Brown's budget proposal, prematurely leaked Wednesday, assumes that the court grants a two-year extension to meet the cap. Like Beard, the budget says that if the extension is not granted the state will have to spend more money on short-term capacity increases while likely cutting spending on rehabilitation programs in order to avoid releasing inmates early.
The Fair Political Practices Commission is demanding attorney Aldo Flores turn over bank documents regarding a contribution he made to Hernandez’s campaign.
Flores has refused and responded instead with a lawsuit against the FPPC alleging abuse of process. The parties will meet in court next week for a hearing on Flores’ motion to quash subpoenas filed by the FPPC seeking his bank records.
The state's political watchdog and Assemblyman Roger Hernandez's former attorney are locked in a fight over money laundering allegations against the lawmaker.
From the LA Daily News' Rebecca Kimitch: "The Fair Political Practices Commission is demanding attorney Aldo Flores turn over bank documents regarding a contribution he made to Hernandez’s campaign."
"Flores has refused and responded instead with a lawsuit against the FPPC alleging abuse of process. The parties will meet in court next week for a hearing on Flores’ motion to quash subpoenas filed by the FPPC seeking his bank records."
"The FPPC says it is investigating potential money laundering regarding the Hernandez for Assembly 2010 campaign committee, according to a motion it filed with Los Angeles Superior Court this week. In the Flores matter, it is looking into a $3,900 contribution the attorney made to Hernandez’s campaign."
