Julie Small Sacramento Correspondent
- Phone: 916-930-9623
Julie Small covers state government, prisons and the California Supreme Court for Southern California Public Radio.
Before joining KPCC, Julie spent 7 years as the deputy foreign editor for Public Radio’s critically acclaimed "Marketplace." She helped shape the show’s coverage of Asia during China ascendency and India’s growing economic influence. She was the Los Angeles producer of a two-week live broadcast from China in 2006 and produced some other series on counterfeit goods, and the effect of the Iraq War on European-US trade relations. She also produced the "Marketplace Morning Report" for a stint.
Small is a former staff reporter for the Los Angeles Times. She's also reported for NPR, "The California Report," and "Weekend America."
Small earned her master's degree in Journalism from the University of Southern California Annenberg School of Communication.
In 1996 she helped launch a national campaign for redress for Japanese-Latin Americans interned by the U.S. government during World War II. The group won a settlement from the U.S. Department of Justice in 1998.
When she’s not walking the halls of the state capitol, Julie spends her free time enjoying life with her family in the San Francisco Bay Area, but she misses her home town of Los Angeles.
Stories by Julie Small
Two Months Late, California State Budget Fails Again
A vote on the state budget that is two months late fell two votes short of passage yesterday in Sacramento. Senate Democrats introduced a budget compromise that included most of what Governor Schwarzenegger suggested last week, including a temporary sales tax increase along with additional cuts and budget reform to curb future spending. KPCC's Julie Small reports that not a single Republican senator took the bait.
Governor Says He Will Sign Some Bills Without a Budget
Governor Schwarzenegger's reneging on his threat to veto any bill that comes across his desk until there's a budget. Now he's telling lawmakers he'll make an exception for some measures that need to go on the November ballot. KPCC's Julie Small reports the deadline for that is drawing near.
Republicans Want to Institute Spending Cap in Sacramento
The state budget is a month-and-a-half late. That's what happens when lawmakers try to soak up $15 billion of red ink. But the big deficit is only one reason the budget is so late. Republicans in Sacramento are the other reason. KPCC's Julie Small reports they're leveraging the budget standoff in an effort to get what they call "real budget reform."
Kelso to Make Major Announcement about Prison Hospitals
Federal receiver Clark Kelso was appointed to overhaul the prison medical system. He wants to build new hospitals and clinics for inmates. He also wants $7 billion to pay for it. So far lawmakers have said no. KPCC's Julie Small tells local All Things Considered host Shirley Jahad that Kelso could take action tomorrow against the state.
Schwarzenegger Administration Sues Controller to Force Pay Cut Order
Governor Schwarzenegger launched a legal battle Monday to enforce his executive order to cut the pay of state government workers. But the State Controller John Chiang has refused to issue checks that bring their wages down to $6.55 an hour. He says there's plenty of cash on hand. KPCC's Julie Small says now the Controller will have to defend that position in court.
No Compromise in Sight on State Budget
After a week of wrangling over the budget in Sacramento, state lawmakers have gone home empty-handed. Governor Schwarzenegger tried to light a fire under them by refusing to sign any bills until they send him a budget. But Democrats and Republicans are so far from a compromise they've stopped meeting to discuss it. KPCC's Julie Small reports that some lawmakers predict the gridlock could last until next month.
Schwarzenegger's State Worker Order May Face Legal Challenges
The budget standoff has turned into a standoff over whether to cut state workers' pay. Governor Schwarzenegger wants to pay more than 100,000 state workers $6.55 an hour, the federal minimum wage, until a budget is in place. State Controller John Chiang says he won't do it. Now the administration may take Chiang to court. KPCC Morning Edition host Steve Julian talked with State Capitol reporter Julie Small about the latest developments.
Schwarzenegger Floats Idea of 1 Percent Sales Tax Hike to Balance Budget
The State Capitol was buzzing Tuesday with word that Governor Schwarzenegger wants to hike the state sales tax. The plan would increase the tax by one cent on every dollar. KPCC's Julie Small says it's an effort to shave down California's $15 billion budget deficit, and get a budget passed.
Challenges to Governor's Layoff Order Continue
Governor Schwarzenegger's executive order to cut state workers' pay and lay off more than 10,000 employees led to a California Senate committee hearing Monday. Senators wanted to know whether the move was necessary, as the governor claimed, to make sure California has enough cash to pay its bills. KPCC's Julie Small says public employees begged to differ.
State Employee Union Sues to Stop Layoffs and Pay Cuts
One of the unions that represents state workers is suing to stop Governor Schwarzenegger's executive order to lay off 22,000 employees. That order also cut the wages of full-time state employees. Attorneys for workers will try to block that action too. KPCC's Julie Small has more.
Schwarzenegger Orders State Worker Pay Cuts, Layoffs
Governor Schwarzenegger signed an executive order Thursday to cut state worker's wages, lay off thousands of part time and seasonal employees, and freeze overtime and hiring. Schwarzenegger said it's the only way to keep cash in California's coffers until the legislature passes a budget. But as KPCC's Julie Small reports, much of the Governor's order won't take effect.
Judge Refuses to Reverse Cuts in Medi-Cal Reimbursements
There's more bad news for doctors and hospitals that treat Medi-Cal patients. An L.A. judge says cuts in Medi-Cal reimbursements will stand. KPCC's Julie Small says health care providers went to court to block those cuts, but lost.
Farmworkers Rally for More Water for California's Farms
A thousand farm workers from the Central Valley rallied on the steps of the State Capitol today demanding more water for California's farms. Climate change, the drought, and court-ordered restrictions in water have forced farmers to let crops die and to plant fewer acres. KPCC's Julie Small reports that's cost many farmworkers their jobs.
California Institutes Larger Fines for Selling Real Estate Without a License
In California, it's illegal to sell a house without a real estate license from the state. But that hasn't stopped hundreds of people and companies from doing it over the last decade. Monday, Governor Schwarzenegger signed a bill that increases fines for the crime. KPCC's Julie Small reports the bill's author hopes that'll curtail the practice.
Report Recommends 'Peripheral Canal' Around Delta
The Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta supplies water to two-thirds of California's population. But climate change, drought, and threats to endangered fish have made it tougher to take water out of the Delta. A new report recommends building a "peripheral canal" to pump water around the Delta as the best way to send the water where it's needed. KPCC's Julie Small reports that's sure to rile some Northern Californians.
