Julie Small, Reporter
State controller gets ready to borrow due to budget deficit
06/03/2009
State lawmakers are struggling today to close the state's multi-billion dollar deficit by June 15th. State Controller John Chiang says there are hundreds of millions of good reasons to meet that deadline. KPCC's Julie Small caught up with the controller today in Sacramento to find out what's at stake.
State lawmakers battle over how to close the budget deficit
06/03/2009
Governor Schwarzenegger addressed a joint session of the legislature yesterday to urge speedy closure of the state's $24 billion budget deficit. The move was meant as a rallying cry for the legislature and the Governor to solve the problem together. But as KPCC's Julie Small reports, lawmakers went to war instead.
State ready to borrow from local government, local governments upset
06/01/2009
In years past, the state government made a habit of balancing its books by raiding local governments. That's why four-and-a-half years ago, Californians voted to block the state from doing so. But that measure included exceptions - exceptions like the one we're facing now, a $24 billion deficit. Local governments are struggling to pay their own bills - and they're begging state lawmakers to leave their budgets alone. KPCC's Julie Small has more.
California could regain control of inmate medical care
06/01/2009
We could be close to an end to California's long-running battle with a federal judge over prison medical care. Corrections officials and the federal receiver in charge of improving health care for inmates say they've worked out a deal for new medical facilities in prisons. It would cost the state $4 billion. But KPCC's Julie Small says in return, California gets back what it hasn't had for years - full control of prison medical care.
Schwarzenegger administration proposes deeper cuts to health and education
05/29/2009
The Schwarzenegger Administration proposed close to $3 billion in cuts to state spending today. That plus another $21 billion in cost-saving plans would plug the state's deficit and build a small cash reserve. KPCC's Julie Small reports it won't be pretty.
Deal reached on prison medical care
05/29/2009
State officials have apparently reached a deal with federal receiver Clark Kelso on the construction of new prison medical facilities. KPCC's Julie Small has been following the story and talks about the new plan.
Health care cuts could take health care from a million teens, children
05/27/2009
Health care advocates lined up in Sacramento today to testify against the governor's plan to eliminate the Healthy Families program. Ending state-run medical insurance for low-income families would help plug a $24 billion deficit. KPCC's Julie Small reports that if the legislature goes along with the plan, almost a million teens and children would lose their safety net.
California Supreme Court upholds Proposition 8
05/26/2009
A little more than a year after it declared same-sex marriage legal in California, the state Supreme Court today upheld the voter-approved ban on the very same thing. The justices ruled - by a 6-to-1 vote - that last November's Proposition 8 will stand. The decision reveals the state high court's reluctance to tamper with voter-approved constitutional amendments. The court also decided not to tamper the 18,000 or so same-sex marriages that happened under its previous ruling. Those marriages are legal - and will remain so. KPCC's Julie Small was on the steps of the courthouse in San Francisco when the justices issued their decision.
Legislative analyst says cuts, borrowing ahead
05/21/2009
Now that California voters have slapped aside a ballot-ful of budget-balancing schemes, everyone in Sacramento is trying to figure what to do now. The legislature's independent analyst today offered his opinion. He says it's time for the state government to borrow a lot - and cut even more. KPCC's Julie Small reports.
Legislators, governor meet to begin budget process
05/20/2009
California's legislative leaders met with Governor Schwarzenegger Wednesday to start tackling a $21 billion deficit. Lawmakers say voters sent a loud message when they brushed away five budget-related propositions on Tuesday's special election ballot. But KPCC's Julie Small reports that message contained few cues about what lawmakers should do now to balance the budget.
Julie Small covers the California legislature, state agencies and the governor. She's also reported extensively on prison overcrowding, criminal justice, health care, and agriculture.
Small joined KPCC after seven years as a foreign editor at "Marketplace," where she directed the show's Asia coverage. Julie also produced the "Marketplace Morning Report" for a stint and was the Los Angeles producer of the program's acclaimed live broadcasts from China in 2006.
Small is a former staff reporter for the Los Angeles Times. She's also reported for NPR, "The California Report," and "Weekend America."
Small holds a master's degree in Journalism from the University of Southern California. Go Trojans!
Before becoming a journalist, Small worked in the securities and investment industry as a registered sales assistant in London and Los Angeles. In 1996 she helped launch a national campaign for redress for Japanese-Latin Americans interned by the U.S. government during World War II. The group won a settlement from the U.S. Department of Justice in 1998.
Oh, and did we mention the dancing? Julie spends her free time grooving to salsa and samba – and enjoying life with her husband and two step sons in the Bay Area.
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