Treasurer John Chiang speaks on at the Local Governance Summer Institute at Stanford�s Institute for Research in the Social Sciences on July 27.

In Case You Missed It

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

August 5: Treasurer Chiang, Finance Director Cohen Act to Make Final Payment on 2004 Economic Recovery Bonds

Closing-out a troubled budget plan that was approved 11 years ago, State Treasurer John Chiang and Director of Finance Michael Cohen have made the final payment of $929.7 million on the State’s 2004 Economic Recovery Bonds (ERBs). Read the news release in English and Spanish.

July 15: Chiang Inaugurates Live, Call-in Access to Treasurer�s Office Board Meetings

In an effort to promote transparency, Treasurer John Chiang inaugurated a brand new service offering live, interactive, call-in access to board meetings of the principal boards, commissions and authorities of the State Treasurer’s Office. Read the news release in English and Spanish and watch a video message from the Treasurer. The call-in number for each meeting is (877) 810-9415. The participant code is 6535126. See a calendar about more upcoming meetings.

July 13: Treasurer Chiang Issues Statement Regarding Retirement Savings Program

Treasurer John Chiang praised President Obama's efforts to help California set up Secure Choice, a state-run retirement savings plan intended for private-sector workers who don't have access to retirement plans at work. Read the news release and learn more about Secure Choice.

July 2: California�s Credit Rating Upgraded to Highest Level in 14 Years

Treasurer John Chiang announced that Standard & Poor’s Ratings Services has raised its general obligation (GO) rating on the State of California to AA- from A+. Read the news release.

Top News Clips:

• State leaders make final payment on budget debt
  Los Angeles Times
  August 5, 2015
• California Pays off $14 Billion in Costly Debt From 2004
  Associated Press
  August 5, 2015
• Budget-balancing bonds of 2004 finally paid off
  The Sacramento Bee
  August 5, 2015
• California Pays Off Last Of Prop 57 Bond Debt
  Capital Public Radio
  August 5, 2015
• A Money Milestone: The End of California�s 2004 Deficit Debt
  KQED
  August 5, 2015
• State, NYC controllers urge Poland to return Holocaust victims' property
  New York Daily News
  July 30, 2015
• Poland, Make Restitution, Urge State Officials In Letter
  The Jewish Week
  July 30, 2015
• States, Cities to Ask SEC to Beef Up Disclosures for Private-Equity Firms
  Wall Street Journal
  July 21, 2015
• State Treasurer Gives Public Call-In Access to Board Meetings
  TechWire
  July 16, 2015
• Chiang starts live, call-in access to Treasurer's Office board meetings
  Central Valley Business Times
  July 15, 2015
• Recovery Best Seen in California and Texas as Debt Sales Shrivel
  Bloomberg
  July 14, 2015