August 2008 Volume 21 No. 17 Surprise, Surprise—Audit Finds Textbook Prices Have Risen Significantly Board of Governors Appointees Pass First Confirmation Hurdle New Report Issued on California's Population Update on the State's Cash Flow Uh Oh . . . Prison Health Costs Could Exacerbate Budget Deficit Legislative Committees Take Up Suspense Files Rumors Persist Regarding a Budget Deal Budget Vote to Come Over the Weekend More on Redevelopment Agencies Looking for 403(b) Compliance Help? You Are Not Alone Ask SSC . . . Does the Governor’s Executive Order Apply to School District Employees? Governor Plays Hardball with the Legislature Governor Proposes Sales Tax Increase
August 2008 Volume 21 No. 16 By the Way . . . Poet Laureate Named Higher Education Act Extension Near Custom Textbooks--A Viable Strategy to Reduce Costs? Update on Deficit Factor for Growth June Revenues Exceed May Revision Estimate Senate Schedules Vote on State Budget By the Way . . . PERS Assures that the Budget Impasse Will Not Affect the Retirement Application Process Reaction to Expected Minimum Wage Order Budget Vote Cancelled Will There Be a Bond on the November 2008 Ballot? PERS’ Investment Strategy Helps It Weather Down Stock Market Ask SSC . . . How Will My Voluntary Demotion Affect My STRS Retirement Benefit? How Clear Is Your Crystal Ball? Estimating the General Fund Ending Balance Executive Order Signed By the Governor Ask SSC . . . How Does Same-Sex Marriage in California Affect Health Benefits? Using the SSC Dartboard for Projections of COLA
July 2008 Volume 21 No. 15 STRS Approves Audit Plan Digital Divide Widens Career Technical Education Initiative Annual Report Issued Basic Skills Learning Communities Supplemental Benefit Maintenance Account Changes By the Way . . . Brownley to Chair Assembly Education Committee A Further Look at the State's Cash Flow Ask SSC . . . Is There a Limit to the Number of Units a High School Student Can Concurrently Enroll in at a Community College? By the Way . . . Education Forum Scheduled in Santa Clara County Redevelopment Agency Funds Budget Conference Committee Adopts 2.43% COLA for K-14 Education Conference Committee COLA Balances Out the Package