Newsom’s budget assumes continued stability at the very top of California’s tax base. Reality check: proposals like the SEIU wealth tax are already prompting income, investments, and jobs to leave the state.

Learn more:https://www.sheehystrategygroup.com/news/2026/1/19/tom-sheehy-breaks-down-newsom-budget-with-assemblyman-josh-hoover

#cabudget #cagov #caleg

Since I recorded a Point of Order podcast with Assemblyman Josh Hoover in early January, recent state General Fund revenue updates from the Legislative Analyst’s Office have understandably reignited that discussion. The non-partisan LAO now estimates that near-term General Fund revenues could be roughly $5 billion higher across the current budget window than projected in the governor’s January budget.

And the January budget the Governor submitted to the Legislature had what most fiscal analysts and experts, including me, considered a very rosy revenue forecast. So these current revenue updates showing stronger revenues that the Governir projected just one month ago is meaningful news — and it is also a reminder of how quickly California’s revenue picture can change.

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Despite Governor Gavin Newsom and the California Legislature declaring, during this year’s May Revision, that the state was suffering from a “Trump Slump” — supposedly causing a significant revenue loss — President Donald Trumphad nothing to do with what state officials themselves have described as a structural deficit, meaning current-lawspending exceeds current-law revenues.

Sheehy Strategy Group Principal Tom Sheehy recently testified before the Assembly Education Committee, warning that proposed election changes would impose costly state mandates and undermine local control.

Learn more: 👉 https://www.sheehystrategygroup.com/news/2025/8/19/sheehy-testifies-on-local-control-before-assembly-education-committee

#SB249 #caleg #cabudget #cagov

SB 249 is an example of the state blatantly stepping all over local control of county elections. California’s local governments should be in charge of how they elect their own county supervisors, city council members, and education board members. The state has no business coming in and trying to micromanage the election rules that govern these local offices. Furthermore, when the state does that, it creates state mandated local programs, which ultimately must be reimbursed by the state general fund. Local control matters, let’s keep the state out of local government election processes and stop the micromanagement.#caleg #cagov #sb249

Is hiring a lobbyist in Sacramento worth it? Tom Sheehy of the Sheehy Strategy Group breaks down what makes lobbying in California so complex — and why experienced advocacy can be the key to advancing your public policy goals. Whether you're pushing legislation, protecting your interests, or navigating political challenges, this video outlines how a seasoned lobbyist can save you time, money and costly mistakes.

Learn about:
– When to hire a lobbyist (and when not to)
– How legislative and administrative strategies intersect
– What qualities matter most in a political advocate
– Real-world insights from California’s Capitol

Ready to explore how advocacy can support your mission?
Contact Sheehy Strategy Group: https://www.sheehystrategygroup.com/contact

#caleg #cagov #cabudget

In this podcast, Tom Sheehy testifies before the Senate Appropriations committee hearing on SB 249 by Senator Tom Umberg. Sheehy talks about the importance of local control and how cities and counties should have the ability to determine how local boards are elected, should not be micromanaged by the state. He also points out that this bad precedent of the state usurping local control will end up costing the state general fund millions of dollars that it simply cannot afford.

Sheehy Strategy Group is excited to introduce a new explainer video breaking down the role of California’s Governor. The Governor of California is the state’s chief executive officer, responsible for overseeing the executive branch and implementing state laws. Watch our video to learn more about this influential position and its impact on state governance.

#cagov #cabudget