Malia M. Cohen public records

Controller Malia M. Cohen Publishes 2025 Payroll Data for State Government, Superior Courts, and CSU Institutions

SACRAMENTO — State Controller Malia M. Cohen announces the publication of 2025 payroll data for state departments, superior courts, and California State University (CSU) institutions on the Government Compensation in California (GCC) website. The data includes compensation details for more than 400,700 positions and reflects approximately $31.7 billion in total wages, $13.7 billion in retirement and health contributions, and over $45.4 billion in total compensation.

"Responsible financial stewardship begins with transparency," said Controller Malia M. Cohen. "This report provides Californians with a clear view of state payroll spending, supporting informed oversight and demonstrating our commitment to accountability in government."

Controller Malia M. Cohen Thanks Governor Newsom for Signing AB 126 (Committee on Budget) to Strengthen Financial Oversight of California Schools

SACRAMENTO — Today, State Controller Malia M. Cohen thanked Governor Gavin Newsom for signing AB 126, legislation that strengthens financial oversight of California's local educational agencies by implementing most of the recommendations developed by the San Diego court-ordered Charter School Audits Task Force chaired by Controller Cohen.

"Every dollar intended for California's students should reach the classroom and not lost to fraud, waste, or abuse. Public trust depends on strong financial oversight, and this legislation gives California better tools to strengthen accountability, improve transparency, and detect fraud before it diverts resources from the students who need them most,” said Controller Cohen.

Controller Malia M. Cohen Releases Salary Compensation Data on California's Local Government Workforce

"Public trust starts with public information," said Controller Cohen. "Every Californian deserves easy access to reliable information about how taxpayer dollars are spent at the city and county level. By publishing this data each year, we're giving the public the tools to explore, compare, and better understand compensation across local government."

Controller Malia M. Cohen Releases Updated Costs Needed to Fully Fund State Retiree Health and Dental Benefits

SACRAMENTO — State Controller Malia M. Cohen today released an updated report showing the state’s net liability to fully fund retiree health and dental benefits – also known as other post-employment benefits (OPEB) – has decreased to an estimated $77.8 billion. Given the current two-year temporary halt of state and…

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“While the year-over decrease in long-term costs for retiree health and dental benefits is welcome news, the responsible course of action for the state is to ensure that we are planning for these future costs by growing prefunding contributions with investment income,” said Controller Cohen. “Returning to prefunding will better position the state as a fiscal steward with an eye toward protecting future budgets and taxpayer dollars.”

Controller Malia M. Cohen Statement on Enactment of the 2026–27 California State Budget

SACRAMENTO — California State Controller Malia M. Cohen issued the following statement following enactment of the Fiscal Year 2026–27 State Budget:

California State Controller Malia M. Cohen Appoints Her Council of Economic Advisors

SACRAMENTO — Building on her release of California’s timely audited financial statements ahead of major budget decisions, California State Controller Malia M. Cohen today announced the formation of her Council of Economic Advisors to provide evidence-based insights, and practical and actionable policy recommendations on crosscutting issues that affect the state’s fiscal condition.

“While we continue to reimagine financial transparency in order to give Californians a clearer understanding of the state’s financial condition, we need to call upon expert talent that has its fingers on the pulse of what is driving global, national, statewide and regional markets, and how it affects our state’s…

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With Looming Budget Deadline, Controller Malia M. Cohen Issues May Cash Update with Continued Call for Fiscal Discipline

SACRAMENTO — State Controller Malia M. Cohen today released California’s monthly cash report which includes actual General Fund revenue receipts and expenditure data for the fiscal year through May 31. With the California Legislature working to pass a balanced budget by the June 15 deadline, Controller Cohen reinforced…

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“With the end of the fiscal year approaching and lawmakers hard at work to pass a balanced budget by June 15, state revenues have long been supported by all-time market highs and taxes paid by the highest income earners,” said Controller Cohen. “While current revenues remain strong, California’s fiscal outlook is still…

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Controller Cohen Announces Mailing of Notices to Californians Who May Be Owed Unclaimed Property

SACRAMENTO — California State Controller Malia M. Cohen today announced that the State Controller’s Office (SCO) is mailing letters to approximately 130,000 Californians who may be owed money through the State’s Unclaimed Property Program, as part of an ongoing effort to proactively reunite residents with lost or forgotten funds.

“Government works best when it delivers results for people, and returning unclaimed property is one of the most direct ways we can do that,” said Controller Cohen. “These funds belong to Californians, not the state. By using technology and available data, we are making it easier, faster, and more convenient for people…

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Controller Malia M. Cohen Joins 7 Other State Fiscal Officers to Warn Against Politicizing Credit Ratings, Urging Agencies to Resist External Pressure

SACRAMENTO — As first reported by ESG Dive yesterday, State Controller Malia M. Cohen joined 7 other state and local fiscal officers in expressing alarm over mounting political and ideological pressure on credit rating agencies to abandon independent risk analysis, warning that such interference threatens to drive up borrowing costs for states and undermine the fiscal tools governments depend on to manage budgets and fund essential services.

According to Controller Cohen, "Credit ratings are not political endorsements, they are financial risk assessments. When outside interests attempt to dictate what risks can or cannot be considered, they threaten the integrity of the rating process and the confidence investors place in our markets. States and local…

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Controller Malia M. Cohen Unveils California’s Audited Financial Reality Ahead of Governor’s May Revise

SACRAMENTO — Today, State Controller Malia M. Cohen released the State’s Financial Report, the Annual Comprehensive Financial Report (ACFR), providing a clear, independently verified snapshot of California’s financial condition for the fiscal year ending June 30, 2025.

“Before California debates the future, Californians deserve to understand the audited truth about the past,” said Controller Cohen. “Budgets tell Californians what leaders hope will happen. Audited financial statements tell Californians what actually occurred in in the last fiscal year. Today’s report carries an unmodified audit opinion.”

Controller Malia M. Cohen Reports Higher-Than-Expected Revenues While Warning of Long-Term Fiscal Risks

SACRAMENTO — Today, State Controller Malia M. Cohen released her monthly Cash Report which includes official General Fund revenue receipts and expenditure data for the fiscal year through April. While revenue collections continue to come in above budget estimates, Controller Cohen continues her call for fiscal prudence as any short-term volatility in tax collections could exacerbate projected structural deficits over the long term.

“While revenues are currently coming in above projections, California’s fiscal outlook remains closely tied to the performance of financial markets and a relatively small share of high-income taxpayers,” said Controller Cohen. “As lawmakers carefully craft the next state budget, this is the time to remain disciplined by prioritizing debt reduction, protecting reserves, and preserving the flexibility we need to weather economic uncertainty.”

Controller Cohen Issues Statement on Network Access for March 20, 2026

SACRAMENTO – Today, Controller Malia M. Cohen issued the following statement:

State Controller Malia M. Cohen Commends Financial Literacy Access and Executive Order Expanding Women’s Access to Capital

SACRAMENTO — California State Controller Malia M. Cohen today issued the following statement in support of implementing Assembly Bill 2927 (McCarty, 2024) which requires a personal finance course in high schools and Governor Gavin Newsom’s executive order to boost wealth building opportunities for women:

Controller Malia M. Cohen Calls for Emergency Session of the State Lands Commission

SACRAMENTO — Today, State Controller Malia M. Cohen, Chair of the State Lands Commission, called for an emergency session of the State Lands Commission in response to the Trump Administration’s orders directing Sable Offshore Corp. to restart offshore oil operations on California’s coast.

State Controller Malia M. Cohen Continues to Urge Fiscal Discipline as the State’s Revenue Collections Show Strength Through January

SACRAMENTO — State Controller Malia M. Cohen today released her January Cash Report which shows solid revenue collections for the fiscal year through January. With persistent global economic uncertainty remaining a concern, Controller Cohen continues to urge budget leaders to limit budgetary borrowing and reduce the size of projected multi-year deficits in order to best position the state to face potential revenue volatility.

“As the state’s Chief Fiscal Officer, I recognize that while solid cash receipts are welcome news for California’s balance sheet, our stature as a global economic powerhouse will always bring with it near- and long-term financial challenges,” said Controller Cohen.

Statement from Controller Malia M. Cohen on the Passing of Reverend Jesse Jackson

SACRAMENTO — Today, Controller Malia M. Cohen issued a statement on the passing of Reverend Jesse Jackson:

State Controller Malia M. Cohen and Assemblymember Avelino Valencia Announce February as Unclaimed Property Month in California

SACRAMENTO — State Controller Malia M. Cohen, together with Assemblymember Valencia, today announced the adoption of Assembly House Resolution (HR) 79 declaring February 2026 as Unclaimed Property Month, aimed at raising awareness and educating Californians about unclaimed property and how they can be reunited with their money or property.

“My office is safeguarding more than $15 billion in unclaimed property, representing over 84 million individual properties waiting to be returned to nearly 39 million Californians. In these uncertain times, taking a few minutes to visit claimit.ca.gov could mean reconnecting you or your loved ones with money that’s rightfully yours,” stated Controller Cohen. “I want to thank Assemblymember Valencia for authoring HR 79 to help raise awareness about California’s financial lost and found.”

Controller Malia M. Cohen Statement on Governor Newsom’s Proposed January Budget

SACRAMENTO — State Controller Malia M. Cohen today issued the following statement in response to Governor Newsom’s proposed 2026–27 January budget:

Mid-Year Cash Report Shows Higher Revenues and Spending; Controller Urges Fiscal Discipline

SACRAMENTO — For the first half of the state’s fiscal year, California State Controller Malia M. Cohen’s December Cash Report shows both General Fund revenues and expenditures have exceeded budget estimates, prompting Controller Cohen to advise budget leaders that deficits are expected to continue and will likely grow…

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“Our latest cash update shows that receipts for the fiscal year through December exceeded the 2025-26 Budget Act estimate by $11.2 billion, or 10.8 percent. At the same time, spending was higher than expected by $5.9 billion, or 4.6 percent which is a reminder that strong revenues alone do not resolve our underlying…

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Controller Malia M. Cohen Responds to Governor Newsom’s State of the State Address

SACRAMENTO — Today, State Controller Malia M. Cohen issued the following statement in response to Governor Gavin Newsom’s final State of the State Address outlining his Administration’s accomplishments while outlining his priorities for the year ahead.

Controller Cohen Warns Strong Revenues Mask Growing Fiscal Risks in November Cash Report

“It is true that revenues continue to outperform expectations, but we cannot allow several strong revenue years to obscure the broader fiscal reality facing California,” said Controller Cohen. “The Governor, the Legislature, and my office all have difficult decisions ahead. Even as receipts come in above projections,…

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Controller Malia M. Cohen Publishes 2024 Salary and Benefits Data for Public School Districts, Charter Schools, and County Offices of Education

“Transparency in government is one of the strongest tools we have to build trust with the public,” said Controller Cohen. “By publishing the 2024 salary and benefits data for California’s K–12 education employers, we are offering families, educators, researchers, and policymakers a clearer understanding of how public dollars support our schools. I want to thank the many districts and education partners who voluntarily submitted their information accurately and on time.”

Controller Malia M. Cohen’s October Cash Report Shows Revenues Continue to Trend Higher Than Projections

SACRAMENTO — Today, State Controller Malia M. Cohen released her monthly cash report covering the state’s General Fund revenues, disbursements and actual cash balance for the fiscal year through October 31, 2025.

“I remain cautiously optimistic about California’s fiscal outlook, as revenues continue to trend above projections,” said Controller Cohen. “But even with near-record revenues, our structural budget challenges persist. That’s why I continue to call for maintaining strong reserves and limiting reliance on budgetary borrowing. Sound fiscal management today ensures we have the flexibility to protect vital services and avoid drastic cuts if revenues decline.”

Controller Malia M. Cohen Reunites Orange County and 12 Cities with Unclaimed Property Checks

SANTA ANA — Today, State Controller Malia M. Cohen reunited 12 cities in Orange County and the county itself, with a combined $241,983.11 in unclaimed property checks. Controller Cohen made the announcement during a press conference hosted by the Orange County Auditor-Controller Andrew Hamilton.

“Today’s announcement is about partnership and purpose. My office has a responsibility to safeguard unclaimed property until it can be reunited with its rightful owners—and that’s exactly what we’re doing here in Orange County,” stated Controller Cohen. “By returning more than $241,000 to the county and 12 of its…

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Controller Malia M. Cohen Awards 46 Counties for Excellence in Reporting Accurate Financial Data

LAKE ARROWHEAD, CA — Today, State Controller Malia M. Cohen Awarded 46 Counties for the State Controller’s Office Excellence in Reporting Accurate Financial Data for County Financial Transactions Reporting at the 80th Annual County Auditors Conference in Lake Arrowhead, California.

“I want to congratulate this year’s award recipients for their outstanding commitment to accuracy, transparency, and accountability,” said Controller Cohen.