California's nonpartisan Legislative Analyst just confirmed what critics have argued for years: state spending grew 10 points faster than revenue since the pandemic, producing structural deficits of $20–30 billion annually that show no sign of closing. The same period saw $20 billion in EDD fraud, an unpaid $21 billion federal pandemic loan, and enrollment projections showing California will lose nearly one million public school students by 2031. From BART's missing consultant invoices to San Francisco's first charter overhaul in 30 years, the through-line is the same: California's fiscal machinery is broken, and the bills are coming due.
The state's own nonpartisan analyst says spending outpaced revenue by 10 points. More taxation won't solve the problem.
Federal data projects a 15.7% enrollment collapse by 2031, the worst of any major state. Meanwhile, Idaho and Florida are growing. This isn't inevitable—it's what happens when the cost of housing skyrockets and the quality of education declines.
California's EDD lost $20 billion to fraud and still owes $21 billion on its federal pandemic loan — and that's only the tip of the iceberg.
Now they want a new tax, and can't find the invoice for the "equity" report they commissioned to argue enforcing fares was pointless
SF's 540-page city charter is the longest in the country, and it was built to protect insiders. Lurie is finally tearing it apart.
Fareed Zakaria just said the quiet part out loud: blue cities are out of control. But San Francisco might actually be charting a different course.
Housing NIMBYs already took 36% of GDP. Now the same playbook is blocking the AI economy. The states that figure out how to share the upside will win the future.
Public sector unions are picking their next governor. Porter, Swalwell, and Steyer are lining up to perform. One Democrat is not: Matt Mahan
California bleeds $20-35 billion a year. Steyer wants to raise taxes. Mahan wants to stop lighting money on fire.
Zohran Mamdani will increase net spending to defend 3 core policy pillars that are destined for failure