Excerpt from Wall Street Journal, May 6 Boeing Co. has started selling off giant equipment from its military-jet plant in Southern California, in an unusual factory auction that will close a chapter in the region’s history as a center of U.S. aerospace manufacturing. For more than 20 years, the plant has produced the C-17 Globemaster III, a
The value of California’s merchandise export trade declined in March, falling 2.9% from the same month last year, according to a Beacon Economics analysis of foreign trade data released this morning by the U.S. Commerce Department. The state’s exports of goods to foreign markets in March totaled $14.98 billion, down from the $15.43 billion recorded
Excerpt from Wall Street Journal, May 7 Companies that build wind and solar farms are spinning off some of their renewable-power projects into stand-alone companies, creating a new avenue for green investing. Renewable-energy developers such as NextEra Energy Inc., SunEdison Inc., Pattern Energy Group LP, Abengoa SA and NRG Energy Inc. have transferred solar and wind farms, and in some cases other energy projects, to
Drought-related water cutbacks could affect several San Diego-area industries, according to one new study. Agriculture, breweries, dry cleaners, food manufacturers and construction firms could suffer in the face of water cutbacks, a National University System Institute of Policy Research (NUSIPR) study found, as those industries tend to use more water, though cutbacks will likely only
A coalition of public employee unions and other liberal groups, including many churches, launched a campaign Thursday to alter Proposition 13, California’s iconic property tax limit, and raise billions of dollars by hiking taxes on commercial property. The organization, Make It Fair, is headed by unions, including the California Teachers Association and the Service Employees
Every state budget cycle has its own narrative, but this year’s version is in a class by itself – approaching the traditional May 15 release date of the governor’s final estimates. An expanding state economy and a temporary sales and income tax increase are flooding the state treasury with money, at least $4-plus billion more
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California ranks 44th for economic competitiveness among all 50 states, according to the latest annual “Rich States, Poor States” report released by the Arlington, Va.-based American Legislative Exchange Council. The No. 44 ranking was an improvement over 47th place one year ago. The Golden State was ahead of New Jersey, Connecticut, Minnesota, Vermont and New
Excerpted from the Wall Street Journal Large companies across the U.S. are gearing up to improve tactical radio systems, expand distribution centers, produce more crackers and refurbish hotel rooms—all signs of increased business investment that could give another boost to the strengthening U.S. economy. The big spenders range from department-store chain Macy’s Inc. to Campbell
Excerpted from The Wall Street Journal At an annual meeting with analysts yesterday, IBM announced that it will shift $4 billion in 2015 spending to what it calls the “strategic imperatives” of cloud, analytics, mobile, social and security technologies. The spending plan prompted IBM Chief Executive Virginia Rometty to set a new financial target for