Staff
Helen Kerstein
(916) 319-8364
Forestry, Parks, and High Speed Rail
Frank Jimenez
(916) 319-8324
Highways and Roads, Recycling, Agriculture, and Toxics
Luke Koushmaro
(916) 319-8355
Mass Transportation, Traffic Enforcement, Statewide Planning and Infrastructure
Rachel Ehlers
(916) 319-8330
Deputy Legislative Analyst: Environment and Transportation


Publications

Transportation

To browse all LAO publications, visit our Publications page.



Handout

Governor's Traffic Congestion Relief Plan Issues to Consider

May 24, 2000 - This is assessment of the Governor's Traffic Congestion Relief Plan presented to the Conference Committee on Transportation Infrastructure Finance and Development. The assessment identifies a number of issues that require legislative consideration, including: the need for ongoing funding, local flexibility in the use of funds, and coordination with air quality programs.


Report

California Travels: Financing Our Transportation

May 11, 2000 - What is being done to address California's transportation problems? What are the fund sources and how much money is currently available? How are these funds distributed and who decides how dollars are spent? This graphically intensive publication seeks to answer these and other related questions.


Report

Legislative Oversight of Transportation Programs

February 17, 2000 - The transportation departments within the Business, Transportation and Housing Agency have generally disregarded legislative direction to provide program and expenditure information. We recommend that the Legislature withhold action on the budget of the Secretary for Business, Transportation and Housing pending submittal of previously requested supplemental reports by the various departments.


Report

Intercity Rail Program

February 17, 2000 - Intercity rail service has increased in recent years. Before the state invests heavily in intercity rail service expansion, we recommend that a comprehensive passenger rail study be conducted in order to determine the state's priorities for rail transportation.


Report

Caltrans Project Delivery

February 17, 2000 - Caltrans' project delivery has improved, but is still hampered by vacancies, its use of project management, and fragmentation of state and federal funding. We recommend steps to expedite delivery of transportation projects.


Report

Governor's Transportation 2000 Initiative

February 17, 2000 - We conclude that the initiative results in no new funds for transportation, outside of rail and ferries. Rather, the initiative proposes to program $3.6 billion in additional transportation projects earlier than planned. These projects are unlikely to be delivered within the four-year STIP period.


Report

Analysis of the 2000-01 Budget Bill, Transportation Chapter

February 17, 2000 - Analysis of the 2000-01 Budget Bill, Transportation Chapter


Report

HOV Lanes in California: Are They Achieving Their Goals?

January 7, 2000 - We conclude that the performance of High Occupancy Vehicle (HOV) lanes is mixed. We recommend various measures to ensure that the freeway capacity utilized by HOV lanes is managed efficiently. These include creation of more High Occupancy Toll lanes and, where appropriate, conversion of underutilized HOV lanes.


Report

Public Transportation Account: Options to Address Projected Shortfall

January 4, 2000 - We project a shortfall for the Public Transportation Account (PTA). As a result of this shortfall, no PTA funds will be available for new transit capital improvement projects through at least 2005-06. We discuss various alternatives for addressing this shortfall, including a constitutional amendment to permit expenditure of gas tax revenues for transit rolling stock.


Report

Grant Anticipation Revenue Vehicles: An Option to Finance Transportation Projects

August 18, 1999 - Grant Anticipation Revenue Vehicles (GARVEE bonds) are a financing instrument that enables states to fund transportation projects based on anticipated receipt of future federal funds. (Cal Update)


Report

Analysis of the 1999-00 Budget Bill, Transportation Chapter

February 16, 1999 - Analysis of the 1999-00 Budget Bill, Transportation Chapter


Report

Smog Check Program - An Overview

February 16, 1999 - Smog Check Program - An Overview


Report

(1) Settlement on Contracting Out for Seismic Retrofit, and (2) Economic and Revenue Developments

January 21, 1999 - Settlement on Contracting Out for Seismic Retrofit (Cal Update)


Report

What the New Federal Act Means for California Transportation Equity Act for the 21st Century

August 26, 1998 - We review the 1998 Transportation Equity Act for the 21st Century (TEA 21) which reauthorized the federal transportation program. The TEA 21 authorized $217 billion to be invested in highway and transit infrastructure in the United States over the next six years.


Report

A Primer on the Vehicle License Fee

June 17, 1998 - The VLF is a fee on the ownership of a registered vehicle that provides nearly $4 billion in annual revenues. This report is intended to answer a number of questions related to the VLF.