Some news sources are reporting that California's budget
surplus may trigger an additional Golden State stimulus payment.
With California facing a $3.1 billion surplus, the state
may be looking at additional stimulus checks due to a spending
limit law passed by voters in 1019 and 79, known as the Gan
limit. The 1979 provision prohibits the state from spending
more per person, adjusted to inflation than it did in 1978.
Money left over after reaching that cap must be returned
to the taxpayers, half going to schools and half indirect
payments to taxpayers.
California's progressive tax structure has benefited from
a pandemic year in which investment gains grew substantially
despite high rates of unemployment in the state as a whole.
Because of the Gan spending limit, the state of California
is restricted in how it can utilize its spending beyond a
certain cap.
Because California has such a large budget surplus.
Once again, this leads new sources to now be reporting that
there is a possibility for some of those funds to be required
to be returned to taxpayers.
We will need to monitor the situation as it unfolds in order
to know if another stimulus payment can be expected next.
At this time, Cal OSHA will not be requiring cold vaccines
for private sector workers.
The state was expected to adopt a vaccine mandate for private
sector workers in a Thursday meeting but has instead chosen
to delay the decision until a ruling is made on the proposed
federal mandate.
The Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals announced a stay on the
federal mandate in a November 12 decision, and some experts
are expecting the legal battle to end in a Supreme Court
case. The federal mandate would have required companies with
100 or more employees to have a mandatory vaccination or
require face coverings and weekly testing.
Next, the House of Representatives has passed the social
spending bill.
The Build Back Better bill passed on Friday morning with
a 220 to 213 vote.
All but one Democrat voted for the bill, while no Republicans
voted in favor the bill, which includes access to hearing
AIDS for Medicare recipients, universal preschool for three
to four year olds and other childcare subsidies will now
go on to the Senate, where it will need the support of all
48 Democrats as well as two independents.
In order to pass next, California is petitioning the federal
court ruling on AV 32, and it's attempt to eliminate private
prisons and detention centers within the state.
California is petitioning the federal court block on a new
law that would end the state's use of private for profit
prisons and detention centers.
The federal appeals court ruling cites the overstep of the
state in attempting to regulate detainees in federal custody.
Lastly, care workers in California will be receiving a $500
bonus starting in January.
Over 500,000 care workers in California are eligible to receive
the $500 bonus from the state, according to a 2013 study.
There is a 33% turnover rate amongst low paid care workers
with many living paycheck to paycheck, the pandemic exacerbated
the care worker shortage as many care workers stayed home
due to school closures and other health concerns.
Over 19 prison guards received bonuses of $5,000 this summer
as a part of the same program, according to a document released
by the Department of Health Care Services from the State
of California.
Those who may be qualified include those who worked as caregivers
for at least two months between March 2020 and March 2021.
Both in home caregivers as well as those providing medical
home and community based services would qualify.
The state and the federal government will be splitting the
cost and in total, more than $280,000,000 will be paid out.