Skip to content

Budgets & Fiscal Policy

California's nonpartisan Legislative Analyst's Office just confirmed what critics have long argued: state spending grew 10 points faster than revenue since the pandemic, producing structural deficits of $20–30 billion every year with no end in sight. The same period saw $20 billion in EDD fraud, an unpaid $21 billion federal loan, and a BART transit agency that hired consultants to argue against fare enforcement—then lost the invoice. From Sacramento's budget hole to SF's 540-page charter, California's fiscal dysfunction is no longer a warning sign; it's the operating condition.

The Wealth Exodus Is Live: Watch California Die
Asset Seizure Taxes CA Ballot Measures

The Wealth Exodus Is Live: Watch California Die

February 11, 2026 · 5 min read

SEIU-UHW's asset seizure tax has already cost the state $16.4 billion per year in lost revenue—and it hasn't even passed yet.

Read more
The $593 Billion Pension Scheme Crushing SFUSD
Budgets & Fiscal Policy State Capacity

The $593 Billion Pension Scheme Crushing SFUSD

February 10, 2026 · 4 min read

Teachers and parents have a common enemy—and it isn't each other. It's a pension system running a 20-year scam.

Read more
California Taxes Affordable Housing Into Oblivion
Housing & YIMBY Budgets & Fiscal Policy

California Taxes Affordable Housing Into Oblivion

February 10, 2026 · 4 min read

Cities skim $300 million a year in fees from affordable housing projects, then wonder why we can't house families.

Read more
California Is Killing the Golden Goose
Budgets & Fiscal Policy State Capacity

California Is Killing the Golden Goose

February 06, 2026 · 5 min read

The Robinhood CEO says he loves this state. That's why his warning should terrify Sacramento.

Read more
The $921M Special Interest Machine That Controls California
State Capacity Budgets & Fiscal Policy

The $921M Special Interest Machine That Controls California

February 05, 2026 · 5 min read

Public sector unions collect nearly $1 billion a year to control Sacramento. Normal citizens? A trickle against a torrent.

Read more
Matt Mahan's Radical Idea: Stop the Fraud First
State Politicians State Capacity

Matt Mahan's Radical Idea: Stop the Fraud First

February 04, 2026 · 4 min read

$30 billion stolen in unemployment fraud alone. California's gubernatorial candidate says fix it before raising taxes.

Read more
California Finally Upgrades 1990s Tech, Saves Millions
State Capacity Budgets & Fiscal Policy

California Finally Upgrades 1990s Tech, Saves Millions

January 31, 2026 · 3 min read

For years, the state bled $20M/month in EBT fraud using ancient systems. The fix took chip cards and AI—things we've had for a decade.

Read more
Newsom Claims Victory While Homelessness Surges 26%
Homelessness & Drug Crisis Budgets & Fiscal Policy

Newsom Claims Victory While Homelessness Surges 26%

January 12, 2026 · 2 min read

The Governor touts a 9% drop in "unsheltered" homelessness. The actual numbers tell a very different story.

Read more
California Tripled Spending. Did Your Life Get 3x Better?
Budgets & Fiscal Policy State Capacity

California Tripled Spending. Did Your Life Get 3x Better?

January 12, 2026 · 2 min read

Per capita spending jumped from $4,350 to $12,940 while population grew just 11%. Where did all that money go?

Read more
California's $1 Trillion Self-Own
Asset Seizure Taxes Budgets & Fiscal Policy

California's $1 Trillion Self-Own

January 10, 2026 · 3 min read

Half of California's billionaire wealth has fled the state—and the wealth tax isn't even on the ballot yet.

Read more