July 2008 Volume 21 No. 14 Improving College Readiness and Basic Skills Outcomes By the Way . . . There are now 110 California Community Colleges Ask SSC . . . What Happens to Facilities Projects if There Is No Statewide Education Facilities Bond? Ask SSC . . . When Will Community Colleges Receive Apportionment Cash for July? Fifty Percent Law Modifications Delayed Frequently Asked Questions about the Cash Management Improvement Proposal Approved by the Budget Conference Committee Internal Revenue Service Raises Mileage Rate in Response to Rising Energy Costs Is It Time for Multiyear Budget Certification for the State? - An SSC Editorial Economy and Revenues Are Tracking May Revision 2008-09 Lottery Projections Released Liquidity Problems Touch School Agencies By the Way . . . Secretary of Education Hosts Sacramento Dialogue on Education Reform Ask SSC . . . Are School Agencies Nonprofit Organizations for Federal Tax Purposes? Poll Reflects that Education Is of Lesser Importance than Economy Ask SSC . . . Can a Cash Donation to the District Have Donor-Imposed Restrictions for Use? Federal Action Extends Unemployment Insurance Benefits Surprise, Surprise—New Fiscal Year Begins Without a State Budget
June 2008 Volume 21 No. 13 Guidance on Retiree Benefits Reporting (GASB 45) Provided by System Office Budget Conference Committee Approves Modifications to the SBMA Conference Committee Begins Work PERS Real Estate Investment Tanks By the Way . . . Two Laws Effective July 1, 2008, that Districts Should Know About By the Way . . . Health Savings Account Parameters Set for 2009 Ask SSC . . . What’s the Status of the Governor’s Cash Management Improvement Program Proposal? PERS Approves 2009 HMO Premium Rates Court May Order State to Pay Billions for Prison Construction UCLA Still Says No Recession
May 2008 Volume 21 No. 11 By the Way . . . Extension of the Higher Education Act By the Way . . . PERS Employer Contribution Rate Confirmed Study Reflects High Utilization of Community Colleges in California Budget Hearings Legislative Analyst’s Office Analyzes May Revision May Revision and Community Colleges Speaker-Emeritus Offers Legislative Reform Plan Karen Bass Sworn In as Assembly Speaker BY the Way . . . Ken Marzion Named Interim Chief Executive Officer of PERS By the Way . . . PERS Holds the Line on Health Care Premiums By the Way . . . Assembly Committee Assignments Made By the Way . . . Denise Ducheny Replaces Jack Scott as Chair of Senate Budget Subcommittee on Education EdFund Sale Is Postponed May Revision and STRS California Lottery Lowers Estimated Payout to Education Ask SSC . . . Is It True that STRS Members Who Retire after 2011 Do Not Get the Longevity Bonus?