Economy

Fundamentals of CA Economy Strong, According to PPIC Report

By Maureen Cavanaugh / KPBS Midday Edition Co-Host, Hank Crook / Producer

Published July 15, 2009 at 5:38 AM PDT

This story was published more than 15 years ago.

Despite the state's current economic problems, the fundamentals of California's economy are strong, according to a new report by the PPIC. We speak to PPIC Researcher Jed Kolko about the strengths and weaknesses in the state economy. We also talk to Kolko about a report he did on who's moving out of California, and why.

Maureen Cavanaugh: With budget shortfalls, a climbing unemployment rate and the state issuing IOUs as payments, it certainly would be nice to hear something hopeful about the California economy. Well, the closest thing to hopeful we can get our hands on right now is a new report from the Public Policy Institute of California.

This analysis finds our state's long-term economic prospects to be fundamentally strong. And it finds that California's economy closely tracks the nation as a whole. So, there's no specific weakness in our economy that got us into the mess we're facing now.

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The PPIC report provides a long-term view of the state's economic trends, and in the process dispels some myths about California's economy.

Guests

Jed Kolko, associate director and research fellow with the Public Policy Institute of California.

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Economy California

Maureen Cavanaugh

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Maureen Cavanaugh has been a familiar voice for KPBS listeners for more than 15 years, serving in a variety of capacities including announcer, host, and producer. As host of KPBS Midday Edition, Maureen has interviewed a wide range of notables, such as comedienne Sandra Bernhardt, actor John Lequizamo, author Chuck Palahniuk, composer Marvin Hamlisch, artist Robert Irwin, and designer Zandra Rhodes. But of all the interviews Maureen has conducted, her most special was with His Holiness, the Dalai Lama. Before joining KPBS in 1997, she worked as a news anchor for KSDO and KOGO News Radio in San Diego. While working for commercial radio stations in San Diego and in Salt Lake City, Utah, Maureen reported on both hard news and lifestyle features. Maureen has received three "Golden Mike" awards from the Radio and TV News Association of Southern California for economic reporting and breaking news. She has also received a "Best of Show" and “Best Radio Newscast” awards from the San Diego Press Club and the "Flo" Award from Public Radio Program Directors Association for Best Public Radio Announcer in a large market. Maureen is a native of Queens, New York, but after more than 20 years in San Diego she feels she qualifies as a real Southern Californian.

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Hank Crook

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Hank Crook was the producer for "KPBS Midday Edition" as well as Friday's "Roundtable on KPBS Midday Edition" and KPBS TV's "San Diego Week" until 2011. He produced shows about a wide variety of topics. Some of Hank’s favorite topics include: local politics, economics, the environment and anything sports-related. Hank graduated with a degree in journalism from San Diego State University, and has been a professional journalist in San Diego since 2003. As an SDSU student, Hank served as an intern for the KPBS Radio newsroom. Hank grew up in San Diego, and is an alumnus of Point Loma High School. When Hank is not at work, he likes to exercise, listen to music, hang out with friends and manage his fantasy sports teams.

See stories by Hank Crook