2013 LEGISLATIVE YEAR IN REVIEW

摘要

Money cures many things, including issues in the state Capitol. With voter approval of Proposition 30, which increased sales tax and income taxes, and Prop. 39, which ended a $ 1 billion corporate tax break, the cycle of multi-billion dollar state budget deficits finally ended - at least for the short term. The economy also improved. Unemployment decreased, the stock market rebounded and home equities increased. Democratic legislators obtained supermajority powers and broader prospects - they could move legislation at will, place measures on the ballot and even override the governor. Yet these developments were tempered by more sobering realities. The adopted budget was balanced but had minimal reserves, and billions of dollars in unfunded pension and health care liabilities remained outstanding. Governor Jerry Brown resisted new spending and continued to prevail on most budget and policy matters.