California Navigates Fiscal Storm: Significant Budget Adjustments and Legislative Updates Amid Economic Shifts

SACRAMENTO, Calif. — California’s fiscal landscape has experienced a dramatic swing, moving from a substantial $97.5 billion surplus just two years ago to facing a daunting $45 billion deficit this year. Such a variance has transformed the state’s budgetary approach, impacting numerous sectors as state officials strive to balance the books. This sharp reversal is attributed largely to lower-than-expected tax revenues from corporations, personal income, and sales, necessitating significant reductions across nearly all state departments. In a decisive budget signed by Governor Gavin Newsom in June, approximately 8% of funding was trimmed, impacting education, healthcare, … Read more

Massachusetts Legislature Passes $56.2 Billion State Budget for Fiscal Year 2024

BOSTON – The Massachusetts 2023-2024 Legislature has approved and Governor Maura Healey has signed into law 108 bills out of the more than 6,400 bills filed for consideration. Of these, 16 bills have statewide implications, while the remaining 92 bills are local measures such as sick leave banks specific to individual cities or towns. Among the statewide-related bills signed into law is the $56.2 billion fiscal 2024 state budget, which includes provisions for universal free school meals, support for free community colleges, and funding for clean energy infrastructure in public schools. The budget also includes … Read more