California State Controller's Office

08/01/2026

In her The San Diego Union-Tribune piece, Controller Cohen highlights how California turned one of the state's largest charter school fraud cases into necessary reform. Through stronger financial oversight and accountability, AB 126 helps protect taxpayer dollars and strengthen public trust.

Full article: https://www.sandiegouniontribune.com/2026/07/27/opinion-how-california-turned-400m-fraud-into-lasting-reform/

08/01/2026

AB 126 bill strengthens financial oversight of California's local educational agencies by implementing key recommendations from the San Diego Charter School Audits Task force, chaired by Controller Cohen. Read the task force's reporthttps://www.sco.ca.gov/Files-EO/charter-school-audits-task-force-final-report.pdf

In her The San Diego Union-Tribune piece, Controller Cohen explains expanded educational reforms for fraud detection resulting from the task force, ensuring taxpayer dollars are protected. Read the piece: https://www.sandiegouniontribune.com/2026/07/27/opinion-how-california-turned-400m-fraud-into-lasting-reform/

07/31/2026

Have questions, concerns, or suggestions about California's property tax system or Alcoholic Beverage Tax?

The Taxpayers' Bill of Rights Hearing is your opportunity to speak directly to the California State Board of Equalization and help shape a better taxpayer experience.

📅August 26, 2026
📍Sacramento
📞Phone participation available

Learn more: boe.ca.gov/Meetings/HearTRA.htm

07/30/2026

Happy ! 🎉
SCO's inaugural Career Catalyst Internship Cohort have brought fresh ideas, curiosity, and dedication to public service while supporting teams across the State Controller's Office. Their contributions help us all move California forward so that everyone thrives.

07/30/2026

In honor of national intern day, sharing last week's visit of the State of California Franchise Tax Board's celebration for the completion of Phase 2 of the Enterprise Data to Revenue Project and tour of the campus.

This initiative modernizes tax administration to enhance fraud detection and improve services for California taxpayers. Thank you to the FTB team for the warm welcome and valuable insights!

07/29/2026

"Responsible financial stewardship begins with transparency."

Controller Cohen published 2025 payroll data for state departments, superior courts, and California State University (CSU) institutions on the Government Compensation in California (GCC) website. The latest update includes 400,700 positions and approximately $31.7B in total wages.

Read more and explore the latest data: https://www.sco.ca.gov/eo_pressrel_27579.html
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"La gestión financiera responsable comienza con la transparencia".

La contralora Cohen publicó los datos de nómina de 2025 correspondientes a los departamentos estatales, los tribunales superiores y las instituciones de la Universidad Estatal de California (CSU) en el sitio web Government Compensation in California (GCC). La actualización más reciente abarca 400,700 puestos y un total de aproximadamente $31.7 billones de dólares en salarios.

Leé el comunicado completo en: https://www.sco.ca.gov/eo_pressrel_es_27565.html

07/29/2026

In the latest The Kenneth L. Maddy Institute episode, Blake Zante and Controller Cohen discuss fiscal accountability, government transparency, and responsible stewardship of taxpayer dollars, including the recent release of CA's audited financial reality, the ACFR: https://www.sco.ca.gov/Cal-ACFR-24-25.html

Watch full interview: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sC1W7dYmnFw

07/28/2026

In Controller Cohen's The San Diego Union-Tribune piece, she highlights the importance of strong financial oversight, ensuring education funding reaches students and classes as intended. These reforms strengthen accountability, improve transparency, and better protect taxpayer dollars.

Read full article: https://www.sandiegouniontribune.com/2026/07/27/opinion-how-california-turned-400m-fraud-into-lasting-reform/

07/28/2026

At last week's California State Board of Equalization meeting, the Board continued its work to strengthen California's tax administration and explore solutions to the state's affordable housing crisis. The meeting included discussions on state-assessed property, Board operations, and how the Welfare Exemption can help support the development and preservation of affordable housing.

By examining ways to make this exemption more assessable and effective, we can help ensure tax policy works to advance housing opportunities for Californians.

07/27/2026

“Many of these reforms extend beyond a single education model. Strong financial oversight benefits every local educational agency and every California taxpayer.” – Controller Cohen

Read Controller Cohen's piece in The San Diego Union-Tribune about how California turned fraud into meaningful reform.

Taxpayers deserve assurance that public resources are protected.