July 2009

California decides not to increase workers' compensation rate premiums

July 23, 2009

California's insurance commissioner rejected a proposal from an insurance industry group to increase the cost benchmark for workers' compensation rate premiums.

Hawaii gets federal money to save teaching jobs

July 21, 2009

The Federal Government made available $129 million to Hawaii to save teaching jobs and help lay the foundation for education reform. The funding for Hawaii is made available under the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (Recovery Act) of 2009. This funding for Hawaii helps save jobs that were at risk of state and local budget cuts.

Top 10 metro areas with most job postings

July 20, 2009

Washington DC topped the 50 largest cities in the nation with the most job postings per capita. Washington DC had 133 job postings per 1,000 residents in the second quarter of 2009. Washington DC taking the first spot is not too much of a surprise because federal government hiring has kept up during this time.

California foreclosure filings up nearly 10 percent in June

July 19, 2009

Owners of more than 100,000 California properties received foreclosure filing notices in June 2009. This foreclosure filings figure is up nearly 10 percent from the filings in May. The number of foreclosure filings in California make it the highest in the nation, easily topping the second highest, Florida, by more than 50,000 filings.

Consumer Confidence Index June 2009

July 16, 2009

The Index that climbed considerably in May, retreated in June. The Index now stands at 49.3, down from 54.8 in May.

California budget crisis nearly puts Overstock.com affiliate advertisers out of business

July 01, 2009

Following the California legislature’s proposal to increase taxes and impose taxes on affiliates, Overstock.com announced that it will pull its affiliate advertising from California. Amazon.com also threatened to follow suit. In response to this, California Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger today reiterated his commitment to not raising taxes to solve the state’s budget deficit. He also announced Overstock.com will reinstate California-based internet affiliate advertisers.