Romy Varghese
Bloomberg
California, United States
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Past articles by Romy:
Tech’s Bust Delivers Bruising Blow to Hollowed-Out San Francisco
Job cuts and remote work are colliding to reshape the center of American innovation. → Read More
San Francisco Races Clock for Comeback With Tech Gloom Deepening
As economic headwinds mount, the city is stepping up efforts to bring back workers and tourists. → Read More
California Sees Record $97.5 Billion Surplus, Driven by the Rich
(Bloomberg) -- California Governor Gavin Newsom said Friday that his state has a record $97.5 billion operating surplus, as high tax rates on its wealthiest ... → Read More
California’s Newsom to Decide How to Spread Wealth From the 1%
California Governor Gavin Newsom is in the enviable position of having what could be a $68 billion budget surplus to bolster the world’s fifth-largest economy. But how he uses the windfall is becoming increasingly fraught. Soaring inflation and record gas prices are squeezing residents. Abortion rights are likely to be rolled back in conservative states, making California a haven. Turmoil in… → Read More
Will a Fast Train to Vegas Lure Road Trippers From Their Cars?
The planned Brightline West would help the U.S. catch up on high-speed rail. But to fill seats, it will have to win passengers in an autocentric country. → Read More
San Francisco Mayor Plans Europe Trip to Lure Overseas Tourists
San Francisco Mayor London Breed is planning a 10-day tour through Europe to advocate for travel to her city, which has been among the hardest-hit by declines in international tourism. → Read More
San Francisco Girds for Blow of Office Workers Never Returning
The tech hub is particularly vulnerable to a long-term shift to remote jobs. → Read More
Flush With Cash, California Has Problems That Are No Quick Fix
With cash rolling in from a projected $45.7 billion budget surplus, California Governor Gavin Newsom proposed a spending plan designed to address a paradox of the most-populous U.S. state: It’s thriving financially, yet beset with systemic challenges that threaten its long-term growth. → Read More
San Francisco Property Owners Fight Their Taxes After Covid Cooldown
The city’s slow rebound has businesses appealing their assessed values. → Read More
California’s Newsom Beats Recall Effort in Win for Democrats
California Governor Gavin Newsom beat back a recall effort, with voters resoundingly deciding to keep the first-term Democrat in office after a historic special election. → Read More
California’s Intensifying Recall Spurs Democrats Into Action
California hasn’t elected a Republican to any statewide position since before the advent of the iPhone. As Governor Gavin Newsom tries to beat back a recall, Democrats are confronting the possibility that may change. → Read More
California Sets Sept. 14 Date for Newsom Recall Election
California Governor Gavin Newsom has until Sept. 14 to keep voters on his side. → Read More
California Governor to Face Recall, Second Time in State History
It’s official: There will be a recall election of California Governor Gavin Newsom this year. → Read More
Union Demands Pose Yet Another Obstacle to California Housing, Advocates Say
Affordable housing experts say a new legislative requirement being pushed by unions will hamper the speed of construction during a critical shortage. → Read More
Newsom Floats $100 Billion Recovery Plan in Pre-Recall Budget
California Governor Gavin Newsom, battling an effort to oust him in a recall election, proposed a 19% increase in spending for the next fiscal year as he seeks to plow an unprecedented tax windfall back into the economy. → Read More
California Governor Proposes $100 Billion Recovery Package
California Governor Gavin Newsom plans a $100 billion economy recovery package, with the centerpiece a proposal to give $11.9 billion of direct cash payments to Californians. → Read More
California Meets Threshold to Set Recall of Governor Newsom
California has verified more than enough signatures needed for a recall of Governor Gavin Newsom, moving the state closer to an election later this year. → Read More
Uber, Lyft Rides May Be Taxed Under San Francisco Measure
(Bloomberg) -- Ride-hailing customers may be forced to pay a new tax in the city where the disruptive industry got its start.San Francisco’s board of supervisors voted Tuesday to put the question of taxing such rides on November’s election ballot. The measure, which was crafted with the cooperation of → Read More
A PG&E Bankruptcy May Be What California Needs for a Utility Fix
Once the San Francisco-based company has made a Chapter 11 filing -- in what’s likely to be one of the largest U.S. utility bankruptcies of all time -- California can jump into the case as a party and wield its power as one of the few entities that must sign off on the company’s final plan to emerge. → Read More
Billionaire Tim Draper Abandons Push to Split California Into Three
Billionaire Tim Draper is dropping his bid to split California into three. → Read More