Reuters – Sharon Bernstein
“California Governor Jerry Brown on Thursday proposed a new state budget that increases public spending in education, healthcare and infrastructure, the latest indication of the most populous U.S. state’s rebound from years of economic doldrums. Brown, a Democrat, proposed a new budget plan for fiscal year 2016-17 that topped $122 billion in spending from what is known as the general fund, the money appropriated by the legislature and approved by the governor each year, and a total state budget of $170.7 billion. The spending increase – 6 percent in the general fund and nearly 2 percent in the overall budget – reflects unexpectedly higher revenue at the end of 2015. But Brown warned against overspending and advised that the state stay focused on real needs.”(more)