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SACRAMENTO – State Controller John Chiang has released his monthly report covering California's cash balance, receipts and disbursements in March 2014.
Revenues for the month totaled $6.4 billion, surpassing estimates in the 2014-15 Governor’s Budget by $470.9 million, or 7.9 percent.
“As employment in California nears its pre-recession peak, the state is seeing positive gains in many of its primary revenue sources,” said Chiang. “As we enter the important month of April, all eyes will be on the state's income tax receipts – and whether they size up against budget estimates.”
Last week, the controller launched a new tax tracker site, http://scotaxtracker.blogspot.com/ , logging deposits from the state's major taxes through the end of April.
The site is updated multiple times a day, always using the latest figures available from tax collection agencies.
March income tax receipts exceeded the latest expectations by $231.6 million, or 8.6 percent. Corporate tax receipts came in ahead of estimates by $130.6 million, or 9.5 percent.
Sales and use taxes were $22.4 million above, or 1.4 percent, expectations in the governor’s 2014-15 proposed budget.
The state ended the month with a general fund cash deficit of $16.7 billion, which was covered with both internal and external borrowing.
That figure was up from last year, when the state faced a cash deficit of $15.2 billion at the end of March 2013.
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As the temperatures rise in California, so do the gas prices.
The average pump price in California has been creeping upwards for weeks.
Today’s average price in the Golden State is $0.14 cents higher than a month ago, according to the AAA Northern California monthly gas survey.
Northern California’s average price for a gallon of regular unleaded gasoline is $3.98, that’s $0.14 cents more than last month’s AAA report on March 11.
For perspective, California’s average gas price, $4.05, is $0.03 higher on this date than it was a year ago.
“There is a reason why we typically see gas prices rise as the weather becomes warmer. Each spring, refiners must start producing their summer-blend gasoline by May 1, and that process is well underway,” said Bob Brown, AAA Northern California spokesperson. “Additional additives are put into to the gasoline to make it burn properly, so that it will meet clean-air standards. The cost of those additives is passed on to the consumer.”
Today’s national average price at the pump is $3.59 per gallon, which is the highest price in nearly six months. This price is $0.02 higher than one week ago and $0.10 more than one month ago. The national average price is the same as a year ago.
The national average continues to steadily climb and has now increased for 18 straight days.
In addition to warm-weather blends of gasoline coming into play this time of year, seasonal refinery maintenance has also helped to push up the pump price.
However, there is good news. Many refineries in the United States have come out of their seasonal maintenance cycles, lessening the impact of restricted output due to maintenance.
That said, demand for gasoline was at a three-month high in the United States just two weeks ago, according to the U.S. Energy Information Administration.
This higher demand has continued to breathe life into the upward trend in pump prices.
News from Libya might soon bring some relief. Libyan rebels have agreed to reopen two oil ports they previously closed. That announcement has now started to put downward pressure on oil prices.
Following an eight-month closure, the two ports will return a combined 180,000 barrels per day of crude oil supply to the global market. Also yesterday, for the first time in three days, the costs of both Brent and West Texas Intermediate crude oils dropped.
The least expensive average price in Northern California can be found in Marysville where regular unleaded gasoline is $3.82 per gallon. Of all the metro areas tracked by AAA in Northern California, Eureka has the highest price at $4.14 per gallon of unleaded regular.
To get the best mileage possible, AAA recommends keeping tires at the proper pressure suggested by the vehicle manufacturer, performing routine maintenance and making sure fluids are clean and belts and hoses are in good repair. The way you drive can also impact fuel economy. Smooth driving to avoid sudden stops and starts, combining trips and lightening your load also helps conserve gasoline.
AAA’s Fuel Gauge Report is the most comprehensive retail gasoline survey available, with over 100,000 self-serve stations surveyed every day, nationwide. Data is provided in cooperation with OPIS Energy Group and Wright Express, LLC.
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SACRAMENTO – The California Department of Food and Agriculture Bureau of Livestock Identification is announcing a vacancy on the Livestock Identification Advisory Board.
The board makes recommendations to the secretary relative to improvements and changes in the administration and enforcement of the hide and brand laws and regulations which are adopted pursuant to such laws; procedures which are followed by the Bureau of Livestock Identification; curbing of livestock thefts; the annual budget for the Bureau of Livestock Identification; and legislation designed to improve the functioning of the bureau.
The present board consists of two members that are beef cattle producers, two dairy producers, and two registered feedlot operators.
Any individual representing the livestock marketing business should send a brief resume by April 15 to the California Department of Food and Agriculture, Bureau of Livestock Identification, 1220 N St., Sacramento, CA 95814, Attention: Greg Lawley.
The Bureau of Livestock Identification is the sole state authority to register and inspect cattle operations.
The bureau maintains a brand registration and inspection program to protect cattle owners in California against loss of animals by theft, straying, or misappropriation.
The bureau's program consists of registration of livestock brands; inspection of cattle for lawful possession prior to transportation, sale, or slaughter; recording of information obtained by such inspections; and assisting local law enforcement with investigations and prosecutions involving cattle theft.
Additional information is available on the Bureau’s Web page, http://www.cdfa.ca.gov/ahfss/Livestock_ID/index.html .
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LAKE COUNTY, Calif. – Twenty Lake County business leaders, many from the tourism industry, along with City and County staff, participated in a marketing workshop on Wednesday, March 26, led by prominent tourism consultant and former director of tourism for the state of California, John Poimiroo of Poimiroo & Partners.
The Lodge at Blue Lakes hosted the all-day event.
Tony Barthel, owner of Featherbed Railroad Bed and Breakfast in Nice said, “That was an outstanding workshop. We came up with so many positive things that Lake County has to offer to visitors.”
Poimiroo pointed out several times how fortunate Lake County is to have so much water in Clear Lake, when other lakes and reservoirs in the state are empty or closed to the public due to low water levels.
The purpose of the workshop was to develop marketing strategies and tactics to inspire visitors to come and experience Lake County, thus improving our local economy.
Numerous topics were discussed including advertising, public relations, website development, social networking and changes to marketing strategies triggered by technological advances.
Discussions of branding and key messages were a vital part of the workshop.
Lake County Administrative Officer Matt Perry was at the workshop and attended a half-day followup session the next day, hosted by the Tallman Hotel.
“We learned valuable information and strategies on how to attract tourists to Lake County while gathering critical information from our business community,” said Perry. “John is extremely knowledgeable and practical in his approach and recommendations.”
“Many people left feeling energized, positive and excited to continue promoting Lake County,” said Melissa Fulton, chief executive officer of the Lake County Chamber of Commerce.
Several key tourism stakeholders participated including Grant Sedgwick of Resort Equities (prospective purchaser of Konocti Harbor Resort); Todd Wisniewski, resort manager of WorldMark at Clear Lake; Steve Denero, marketing director of Twin Pines Casino; representatives from both the cities of Lakeport and Clearlake; representatives of both the winery association and the winegrape commission; the Lake County Chamber of Commerce; many lodging facility owners; and other business leaders.
Poimiroo’s reoccurring theme was that Lake County needs to become relevant again as a vacation destination.
To explore and build on this concept, the county committed to looking into refocusing priorities for expenditures from the transient occupancy tax budget, which is revenue raised from the bed taxes collected from lodging establishments.
Because the majority of travel decisions are made based on information gathered from the Internet, a new, updated Web site with mobile friendly features, and other ways to reach visitors through technology were identified as top priorities.
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