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SACRAMENTO – Personal income tax revenues continued to surpass expectations in December, pushing the month’s total state collections $381.7 million, or 2.8 percent, higher than expected, State Controller Betty T. Yee reported Monday.
“It’s encouraging to see the state’s continued fiscal strength,” Yee said. “But as Gov. Brown stressed in his budget proposal last week, we need to be aware that the good times will not last forever. As the state’s chief fiscal officer, I will be closely monitoring revenues to detect signals of a downturn.”
Total revenues for December were $14.1 billion. Personal income tax for the month came in at $9.5 billion, $388.3 million more than expected when the budget was enacted last summer. Corporation tax revenues of $1.7 billion beat projections by $25.8 million, or 1.5 percent.
These gains were offset slightly by retail sales and use tax revenues of $2.4 billion, short of estimates by $35.8 million, or 1.5 percent.
For the first half of the fiscal year that began in July, total revenues of $51.1 billion exceeded projections by $884.6 million, or 1.8 percent, with higher-than-expected personal income tax revenues more than offsetting shortfalls in the corporation tax and the sales and use tax.
Personal income tax since the beginning of the fiscal year beat estimates by $1.3 billion, or 3.9 percent. The corporation tax fell short by $120.6 million, or 3.6 percent, while the sales and use tax slipped $262.5 million, or 2.1 percent, compared to projections.
This month’s edition of the Controller’s California Fiscal Focus analyzes the influence of low interest rates on state and local government borrowing. For more details on that and other fiscal trends, see the cash report..
The state ended the month of December with $11.1 billion in outstanding loans – $1.4 billion, or 11.4 percent, less than expected.
For the first year in 15 years, the state is covering month-to-month shortfalls exclusively through internal borrowing from special funds rather than external loans, such as revenue anticipation notes.
The improved fiscal condition of the General Fund, the source of most state spending, has saved the state tens of millions of dollars in interest costs.
For more details, read the monthly cash report.
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SACRAMENTO – The California Department of Food and Agriculture, on behalf of the Invasive Species Council of California (ISCC), seeks to appoint six members to the California Invasive Species Advisory Committee (CISAC).
The secretary of the California Department of Food and Agriculture, acting as administrative lead, is requesting nominations for qualified persons to serve on the CISAC.
The purpose and role of the California Invasive Species Advisory Committee is to provide advice to the Invasive Species Council of California on a broad array of issues related to preventing the introduction of invasive species and providing for their control and/or eradication, as well as minimizing the economic, ecological, and human health impacts that invasive species cause.
The ISCC is chaired by the secretary of the California Department of Food and Agriculture and vice-chaired by the secretary of the California Natural Resources Agency.
Other members include the secretaries from the following California agencies:
• Environmental Protection Agency;
• State Transportation Agency;
• Health and Human Services Agency; and
• Governor’s Office of Emergency Services.
The Invasive Species Council of California represents the highest level of leadership and authority in state government regarding invasive species. Its goal is to promote a consistent approach to invasive species at the state level.
The role of the CISAC is to maintain an intensive and regular dialogue regarding the aforementioned issues. CISAC provides advice in cooperation with other stakeholders and existing organizations addressing invasive species.
Prospective nominees of the CISAC should be knowledgeable in and represent one or more of the following communities of interest:
- Biology – industry representatives;
- Ranchers – educators;
- Foresters – tribal government representatives;
- Farmers – information/database managers;
- Academics/researchers – economists;
- Public health specialists – risk assessment analysts;
- Weed science – entomology;
- Nematology – plant pathology;
- Veterinary medicine – public health/ epidemiology;
- Federal government representatives;
- County agricultural commissioner representatives;
- Invasive species management specialists;
- Persons involved with global commerce;
- Non-governmental environmental representatives;
- Expertise in climate change and ecosystems;
- Public relations specialists;
- Lawyers specializing in invasive species policy;
- Public member.
Members will be selected in order to achieve a balanced representation of viewpoints, so to effectively address invasive species issues under consideration.
No member may serve on the CISAC for more than two consecutive terms. All terms will be limited to three years in length.
Members of the CISAC and its subcommittees will serve without pay. However, while away from their homes or regular places of business in the performance of services of the CISAC, members, to the extent funding is available, may be allowed travel expenses, including per diem in lieu of subsistence.
Nominations should be typed and should include the following:
1. A brief summary of no more than two pages explaining the nominee’s suitability to serve on the CISAC.
2. A resume or curriculum vitae.
3. At least two letters of reference.
Nominations should be postmarked no later than Friday, March 11, to the following address: David Pegos, Invasive Species Council of California, Executive Office, 1220 N St., Suite 221, Sacramento, California 95814.
For additional information, visit the Invasive Species Council of California’s Web site at www.iscc.ca.gov .
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MIDDLETOWN, Calif. – Yes, Jazzercise still exists and it’s right here in Lake County.
The company’s management team has been constantly evolving the Jazzercise method over the last 45 years and continues to do so, adding new moves, new beats and new classes which Lake County instructor Beth Rudiger and her team bring to their studio in Middletown on a daily basis.
The community is invited to join the party at Lake County Jazzercise in Middletown on Jan. 6 as the business celebrates the 10th anniversary of the first Jazzercise class in Lake County.
The festivities will begin with a team-taught Jazzercise class from 4 to 5 p.m. featuring Jazzercise routines from 2006 to 2015.
“Happy Hour” begins at 5 p.m. with champagne, sparkling cider, appetizers, a running slideshow, a raffle and a ribbon cutting at 5:30 p.m. by the Lake County Chamber of Commerce.
“Happy Hour” is open to everyone – no reservation needed – and come as you are. Because space is limited, participants must have a reservation for the class. If needed, a second class will be offered from 6 to 7 p.m.
The 10th anniversary party also features a special $10 Jazzercise sign-up offer that is available only at the Lake County Jazzercise Fitness Center during the celebration on Jan. 6.
For more details or to make a reservation for the 10th anniversary class, please call or email Beth Rudiger, 707-260-2900,
On Jan. 6, 2006, certified Jazzercise instructor Beth Rudiger taught the first Jazzercise class in Lake County at Tyrell Martial Arts in Hidden Valley Lake to six customers.
Over the following years, Lake County Jazzercise moved to the Community Center of Hidden Valley Lake, the social hall of the Middletown Methodist Church, the now-defunct P.A.C.K. Center, and, finally, in September of 2009, into its own studio space at 15642 Armstrong Street in Middletown. Class offerings grew from six classes per week to a high of 32 classes per week.
Now, classes are taught by seven Jazzercise instructors who work with Rudiger: Marla Drake, Keri Griffin, Brenda Breeden, Stephanie Diehl, Jamie McDowell, Ronda Backlin and Clattie Skiles.
Past Jazzercise instructors included MaryGrace McMahon, Reikor Deacon, Amanda Boman, April Fenk and Shaylah Hunt.
The current pricing and class schedule can be found at www.lcjazz.com .
Jazzercise customers are motivated and keep coming back for more because they get results. You won’t see a single leotard or legwarmer in class today. What you will see is sweat, swagger and high intensity, endorphin-packed workouts that leave the 80’s behind.
For more information about Jazzercise, visit www.jazzercise.com .
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SACRAMENTO, Calif. - Airbnb is projecting more than one million people will ring in the new year in an Airbnb, but insurance gaps may take the joy out of New Year's celebrations, if something goes wrong.
Although Airbnb provides $1 million in host liability coverage, many hosts don't know their homeowner or renter insurance policy may not provide coverage should New Year's festivities take a turn for the worse and it's important to make sure the home sharing company provides adequate insurance coverage and protection in the event of a loss.
A number of locations in California are popular destinations for travelers this year including the East Bay, Los Angeles, Tahoe and San Francisco.
As Californians ready their homes and pack their bags in anticipation of the new year, Insurance Commissioner Dave Jones is urging both hosts and guests to make an early new year's resolution to avoid possible liability and financial disaster by educating themselves about the insurance available through home sharing sites such as Airbnb and taking steps to close any potential insurance gaps.
"The best decisions are informed ones," said Insurance Commissioner Dave Jones. "Knowing if you have appropriate insurance and understanding your coverage before something happens is the first step in protecting yourself from a potentially devastating loss."
The rapid development of technology and sharing economy opportunities present a number of challenges, as traditional property and casualty insurance policies may not provide coverage when something goes wrong and property is damaged or someone gets injured.
The following tips will help make sure you are protected.
Insurance tips for hosts and guests
– Although Airbnb provides host protection liability insurance with coverage of up to $1 million, there are exclusions on the policy, so hosts should review the Host Protection Insurance page on Airbnb's Web site and contact Airbnb directly to find out what's covered and what's not.
– Insurance coverage questions arise when an insurer expects a person to be using the home in one way, but later finds out the conditions have changed. Be honest with your insurance company about how you're using your home and let them know if you plan on renting it out.
– There is a gray area when it comes to personal homeowner insurance coverage for home sharing hosts. Factors affecting its breadth and depth of coverage could include whether you're home while renting your place, how often you rent it and how many people you're hosting.
– Some insurance companies may provide coverage if you occasionally rent out a room, but making all or part of your home available for regular rental likely would be considered excluded business use.
– Homeowner policies do not generally provide coverage for business use and insurance companies may deny coverage for resulting claims. Review your insurance policy and check with your agent or insurance company directly to find out whether your policy will protect you if a paying guest is injured or worse in your home.
– If your insurer says they won't cover you, inquire as to whether you can add to your coverage with an endorsement or whether there are any other alternative coverage options available to protect you such as host coverage through one of the online rental sites.
– If you plan on frequently renting out a room or entire home, a separate landlord policy may be your best option. This will cover your home, property contents such as appliances and furniture, and lost rental income due to building damage, legal fees and liability protection.
– Consumers interested in hosting should check with the home sharing company directly to see what coverage they provide and to identify gaps that might exist.
– As a guest, if there is damage to your belongings during your stay, your own homeowner or renter policy should protect you, similar to when you rent a hotel room.
– Guests should also know that sites like Airbnb have user agreements that reserve the company the right to make a claim under your homeowner or renter policy for any damage or loss you cause to an accommodation.
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