Staff
- Helen Kerstein
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(916) 319-8364
Forestry, Parks, and High Speed Rail - Frank Jimenez
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(916) 319-8324
Highways and Roads, Recycling, Agriculture, and Toxics - Luke Koushmaro
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(916) 319-8355
Mass Transportation, Traffic Enforcement, Statewide Planning and Infrastructure - Rachel Ehlers
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(916) 319-8330
Deputy Legislative Analyst: Environment and Transportation
Publications
Transportation
To browse all LAO publications, visit our Publications page.
The 2018-19 Budget: Transportation Proposals
February 8, 2018 - In this report, we analyze the Governor’s budget proposals for various transportation departments and programs. We begin by providing an overview of the Governor’s proposed budget for each department and program. In the next section, we discuss two cross‑cutting state transportation issues: (1) funding from the tax and fee increases authorized by Chapter 5 of 2017 (SB 1, Beall), and (2) an update on the condition of the Motor Vehicle Account (MVA). In the following three sections, we analyze the Governor’s budget proposals for Caltrans, CHP, and DMV. In each of these sections, we provide relevant background, describe the proposals, assess the proposals, and identify issues and recommendations for legislative consideration. The final section consists of a summary of the recommendations we make throughout the report.
A Review of Caltrans’ Vehicle Insurance Costs
December 5, 2017 - In this report, we (1) describe various aspects of Caltrans’ vehicle usage, including the types of vehicles the department owns and its policies for employees to drive them; (2) provide an overview of the state’s vehicle liability self‑insurance program in which Caltrans participates; (3) examine the recent increases in Caltrans’ insurance premiums; and (4) identify options to contain the department’s premium costs. In accordance with the reporting language, we focus on Caltrans’ vehicle liability insurance costs in the report, though some of our findings could have implications for vehicle insurance costs for other state departments as well as state liability for other incidents besides vehicle collisions.
Overview of the 2017 Transportation Funding Package
June 8, 2017 - In April 2017, the Legislature enacted Chapter 5 (SB 1, Beall), also known as the Road Repair and Accountability Act. The administration estimates this legislation will increase state revenues for California’s transportation system by an average of $5.2 billion annually over the next decade. In this report, we (1) provide a brief background on the state’s transportation system, (2) describe the major features of the transportation funding package contained in the legislation, and (3) discuss issues for the Legislature to consider moving forward.
The 2017-18 Budget: Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV)
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February 22, 2017 - In this web post, we assess and make recommendations regarding the Governor's proposals for the Department of Motor Vehicles.
The 2017-18 Budget: Transportation Funding Package
February 17, 2017 - In this report, we (1) provide background information on the state’s major transportation programs and funding sources, (2) describe the Governor’s proposed 2017‑18 transportation package including how the increased funding would be allocated, and (3) provide a road map to assist the Legislature in making certain key decisions it will face in developing a transportation package.
The 2017-18 Budget: Department of Transportation
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February 14, 2017 - In this web post, we assess and make recommendations regarding the Governor’s proposal for Department of Transportation electric vehicle charging stations.
The 2017-18 Budget: California Highway Patrol
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February 9, 2017 - In this web post, we assess and make recommendations regarding the Governor's proposal for California Highway Patrol office replacements.
Highway Maintenance and Repair Needs
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January 24, 2017 - Presented to Senate Transportation and Housing Committee
Options for Increasing State Funding for Transportation
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January 24, 2017 - Presented to Senate Transportation and Housing Committee
Overview of State Transportation Funding
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January 24, 2017 - Presented to: Senate Transportation and Housing Committee
The 2017-18 Budget: Overview of the Governor’s Transportation Budget
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January 18, 2017 - The Governor’s budget for 2017-18 proposes a total of about $20 billion in expenditures for the state’s various transportation departments and programs. In this web post we provide an overview of the proposed transportation budget.
Road Charge Pilot Program Update
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September 15, 2016 - In 2014, legislation was enacted that requires the California State Transportation Agency to conduct a road charge pilot program to study the feasibility of charging individuals for each mile they drive as an alternative to fuel taxes. The road charge pilot program officially began in July 2016 and will continue through March 2017. In this post, we provide an update on the pilot program.
2016-17 Capital Outlay Support Budget Request
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May 15, 2016 - The Governor’s May Revision requests a total of 10,389 full-time equivalent (FTE) staff resources and about $1.9 billion for the Capital Outlay Support program at Caltrans in 2016-17. This includes a proposed increase of 877 FTEs and $156 million to support projects that would be funded from the estimated increase in transportation funding resulting from the Governor’s proposed funding package. While the Legislature has been considering various proposals to increase funding for transportation projects (including the package proposed by the Governor) as part of a special legislative session, it has not adopted any such proposals at this time. Thus, we find it is premature to approve additional COS resources as proposed by the Governor until a specific transportation funding proposal is adopted.
Highway Maintenance and Repair Needs
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May 4, 2016 - Presented to Assembly Budget Subcommittee No. 3 on Resources and Transportation
Overview of 2016-17 Transportation Budget
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April 14, 2016 - Presented to Senate Budget and Fiscal Review Subcommittee No. 2 on Resources, Environmental Protection, Energy, and Transportation