Promoting Employment Growth

In California’s Government Code, there is a section on state economic policy, specifically a policy for promoting employment growth. Government Code Section 15900 sets forth a legislative declaration that it is the continuing policy and responsibility of the state to foster and promote growth in employment, productivity, income, and purchasing power.

In addition, the Legislature declares that the state must use all practical means within its power consistent with its needs and obligations and other essential considerations of state policy, and seek the assistance and cooperation of industry, labor, the federal government and local government.

Government Code Section 15901 requires the Governor to transmit to the Legislature by April 15 each year an economic report to be designated as the “Economic Report of the Governor.” This annual report is required to contain the following:

• A review of economic developments during the preceding calendar year, including trends in employment, unemployment, income, construction, and major economic sectors providing a measure of economic growth.

• Forecasts of trends in employment, income, and investment for the coming year and trends in such major economic sectors as it is feasible to project.

• Additional material on the California economy that is pertinent and of general interest, with historical analysis and projections of use in economic planning whenever possible.

• Insofar as possible, summaries of state policies and actions that relate to the economic development of the state.

In addition, the Governor is required to present an economic message reviewing significant economic achievements of the past year, outlining problem areas, and defining economic policy, and make recommendations as may be appropriate for programs to further economic development to increase employment, income, and investment in the state.

Government Code Section 15902 authorizes the Governor to utilize all or part of other programs prepared in furtherance of the State’s economic development as he deems advisable, but all such programs must be designed and prepared so as to be consistent and in conformity with the intent of this chapter and with the policy and program established pursuant to the provisions of this chapter.