California Insider

The LAO releases an in-depth analysis of the governor's Prop. 76 here. The report says 76 could simply smooth out the state's spending or possibly reduce it over time, and could lead to either higher or lower spending on schools, but would most certainly give lawmakers and the governor more leeway in making that decision than the current constitutional formulas provide.

UPDATE: A trusted source says my quick summary of the LAO report distorts its bottom line. Upon re-reading it, I think he has a point. While it's true the report says Prop. 76 might or might not reduce spending over time, it clearly leans toward a conclusion that it would shrink spending, or at least the projected growth in spending.

The latest independent evaluation of the state's high school exit exam is here. Bottom line: stay the course, but give more help to special ed students and English learners.