In Case You Missed It

Just in case you missed it, here's a summary of recent news from the Treasurer's Office:

October 27: ScholarShare Enhances Online Experience with New Website

ScholarShare, California’s 529 College Savings Plan, launched a new website with intuitive visual design, personalized performance reporting, and enhanced security to meet the growing needs of its account holders. Read the news release.

October 21: Treasurer Chiang�s Affordable Housing Initiative Moves Forward

Thousands of Californians could get greater access to housing they can afford under a new initiative by the State Treasurer�s Office. Two state commissions chaired by California State Treasurer John Chiang have given final approval to regulations that make it easier to tap up to $6.5 billion in previously underutilized, federal government resources. Read the news release, a summary flyer and comments from stakeholders.

October 20: Treasurer Completes $961 Million GO Bond Sale, Producing $160 Million in Taxpayer Savings

Treasurer John Chiang has completed the sale of about $961 million in in tax-exempt State of California General Obligation bonds, including $850 million of tax-exempt refunding bonds and $106 million in taxable bonds to provide new project funding. The refunding bonds will save the State�s General Fund approximately $160 million over the remaining life of the bonds. Read the news release.

October 20: Morningstar Recognizes ScholarShare as One of the Top-Rated 529 College Savings Plans in the Country

ScholarShare, California’s 529 college savings plan, announced that it was named one of the top-rated 529 college savings plans in an annual study of U.S. 529 plans by Morningstar, an independent investment research firm. ScholarShare received a Silver Morningstar Analyst Rating, upgraded from its Bronze rating a year ago. Read the news release.

October 15: Treasurer Names Marc Lifsher as New Communications Director

State Treasurer John Chiang has announced that Marc Lifsher is the new Communications Director for the State Treasurer�s Office. Read the news release.

October 13: Governor Signs AB 1230 to Expand Access for the Disabled and Protect Small Businesses from Predatory Lawsuits

Treasurer John Chiang applauds Governor Jerry Brown's decision to sign Assembly Bill 1230, which will assist small businesses in qualifying for loans to retrofit existing facilities to comply with the Federal Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). The legislation, authored by Assemblymember Jimmy Gomez, will create the California Americans with Disabilities Small Business Capital Access Loan Program. Read the news release.

October 7: Treasurer Chiang Helps Sacramento Small Business Expand

Treasurer John Chiang helped a K Street restaurant expand by facilitating two loans with a combined value of $150,000 through a popular program that encourages banks and other financial institutions to lend to small businesses that would otherwise have difficulty obtaining financing. Read the news release and watch a video about the business.

October 1: Treasurer Chiang Releases Debt Affordability Report

Treasurer John Chiang issued the 2015 Debt Affordability Report, which offers insights into the State of California’s fiscal health, in particular its use of debt to finance critical public works projects. Read the report.

Top News Clips:

• John Chiang: How States Can Lead the Way to Retirement Security
  The Aspen Journal of Ideas
  September/October 2015
• Chiang Believes Disclosure Helps California Tackle Infrastructure
  The Bond Buyer
  October 21, 2015
• Challenging Private Equity Fees Tucked in Footnotes
  The New York Times
  October 17, 2015
• California Treasurer Chiang Says Private Equity Firms Should Disclose Fees
  ValueWalk
  October 14, 2015
• California Treasurer Wants Private Equity Firms to Disclose Pension Fees
  CFO
  October 13, 2015
• Disability Access: Brown OKs loan program after vetoing tax credits
  The Press-Enterprise
  October 13, 2015
• California Treasurer Seeks Laws on Private Equity Fee Disclosures
  Wall Street Journal
  October 13, 2015
• California Treasurer calls for private equity fee disclosure
  Reuters
  October 12, 2015
• Private equity firms might have to disclose all fees they charge public pension funds
  Central Valley Business Times
  October 12, 2015
• California $446M GO Sale Could Boost Vet Mortgages
  The Bond Buyer
  October 5, 2015
• California borrowing ratio down, still among highest
  The Sacramento Bee
  October 5, 2015