Sales Up Statewide
The State Board of Equalization collected $1.86 billion in general fund sales and use tax revenue last month, surpassing the state’s $1.74 billion budget estimate.
“This is good news for the State of California,” said SBE member George Runner. “Let’s hope that stronger tax revenues are a reflection of a recovering economy rather than merely the result of higher prices.”
Runner noted that October’s revenues came from sales taking place prior to the gas price spike of early October. Retailers must file returns monthly, quarterly or annually depending on the size of their business.
According to Runner, the state’s year-to-date general fund sales and use tax revenues are now meeting projections. From July 1 through October 31, the state received $6.5 billion in revenue, narrowly exceeding the state’s budget projection.
Energy News
– New York’s ConED Buying Another Solar Farms in Tulare County. Consolidated Edison Development has completed another purchase of a Tulare County solar-power project – the 20MW White River project in western Tulare county. The company already purchased two other nearby projects bringing the total to nearly 100MW.
– Solar power facilities may qualify for a partial exemption on sales tax says the state Board of Equalization this week even if if the power generated goes to the grid.
Water
-The City of Visalia is considering trading recycled effluent to the Tulare Irrigation District in exchange for Sierra run-off surface water from a canal. The surface water would replenish groundwater that feeds Visalia’s wells. The city is processing a environmental document.
-Tulare Lindsay Strathmore Irrigation District is connecting the rural colony of Tonyville tot he City of Lindsay’s water system according to an environmental notice. Tonyvile is an impoverished community of few blocks northeast of Lindsay.
Lindsay uses surface water from the Friant Kern canal as its key water supply with much of the surrounding ag land high in nitrates.
Roads
-Visalia’s Plaza Ramp Closure Moved to Nov. 27 . Significant progress on the Plaza Drive Interchange Project continues, although the closure of the eastbound on-ramp to State Highway 198 has been moved to Tuesday, Nov. 27. The delay avoids the busy Thanksgiving holiday and forecasted inclement weather conditions. The temporary traffic signal at the 3-way-stop at the Hurley/Shirk intersection was completed today in anticipation of the closure and will help with traffic flow during this time frame.