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.
Highway Maintenance and Repair Needs
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April 14, 2016 - Presented to Senate Budget and Fiscal Review Subcommittee No. 2 on Resources, Environmental Protection, Energy, and Transportation
Review of High-Speed Rail Draft 2016 Business Plan
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March 28, 2016 - Presented to: Assembly Committee on Transportation
Review of High-Speed Rail Draft 2016 Business Plan
March 17, 2016 - On February 18, 2016, the California High–Speed Rail Authority (HSRA) released a draft of its 2016 business plan, as required by state law. The plan provides updated information on the project and proposes changes to the project’s construction plan. In this report, we (1) provide background information on the planned high–speed rail system, (2) describe the major changes proposed in the draft 2016 business plan to the project, and (3) identify issues for legislative consideration.
The 2016-17 Budget: Transportation Proposals
February 23, 2016 - The Governor’s budget provides a total of $17 billion from various fund sources for all departments and programs under the California State Transportation Agency in 2016–17. This is an increase of $664 million, or 4 percent, over the estimated current–year expenditures. In this report, we assess the Governor’s budget proposals in the transportation area and summarize our major findings and recommendations.
Overview of Proposals to Address Transportation Challenges
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October 16, 2015 - Presented to: Conference Committee on SBX1 4 and ABX1 3
Overview of State Highway and Road Programs and Funding
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July 6, 2015 - Presented to: Assembly Transportation and Infrastructure Development Committee
Options for Addressing the State’s Transportation Needs
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July 2, 2015 - Presented to: Senate Transportation and Infrastructure Development Committee
Overview of Transportation Funding
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April 16, 2015 - Presented to Senate Budget and Fiscal Review Subcommittee No. 2 on Resources, Environmental Protection, Energy and Transportation
The 2015-16 Budget: Transportation Proposals
March 2, 2015 - In this report, we review the Governor's 2015-16 budget proposals for various transportation departments and programs, including the California Department of Transportation (Caltrans), California High-Speed Rail Authority (HSRA), California Highway Patrol, and the Department of Motor Vehicles. Based on our review, we make recommendations for legislative consideration and oversight.
Transportation and Resources Budget Overview
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February 25, 2015 - Presented to: Assembly Subcommittee No. 3 on Resources and Transportation
Overview of Transportation Funding
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February 23, 2015 - Presented to: Assembly Transportation Committee
The 2014-15 Budget: Capital Outlay Support Program Review
May 14, 2014 - In response to the Supplemental Report of the 2013-14 Budget Package, this brief presents our assessment of the existing COS program and makes a series of recommendations to improve the efficiency and accountability of the program. While we find that Caltrans has made minor improvements to the COS program in recent years, the program generally lacks accountability and is not operating efficiently. Specifically, we find that the COS program currently (1) lacks performance data to adequately measure program effectiveness, (2) is experiencing a substantial decline in workload that will result in significant overstaffing starting in 2014-15, and (3) allows for limited legislative and external oversight. Significant reductions to the size of the program and increases in the level of external oversight are necessary in order to ensure the state's limited transportation funds are used wisely. We recommend that the Legislature take a first step to address the COS overstaffing problem in the 2014-15 budget. In addition, we recommend that the Legislature take steps for the California Transportation Commission to perform specific oversight and project approval functions for projects that currently have limited oversight.
Funding for the High-Speed Rail Project
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March 27, 2014 - Presented to: Senate Transportation and Housing Committee
Overview of Transportation Funding
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March 13, 2014 - Presented to Senate Budget Subcommittee No. 2 on Resources,Environmental Protection, Energy and Transportation
The 2014-15 Budget: Transportation Proposals
March 6, 2014 - The Governor’s budget provides a total of $16.7 billion from various fund sources—the General Fund, special funds, bond funds, federal funds, and reimbursements for various transportation departments and programs under the Transportation Agency in 2014-15. This is a decline of $560 million, or 3.2 percent, below estimated expenditures for the current year. In this report, we review the Governor’s 2014-15 budget proposals for various transportation departments and programs, including the California Department of Transportation, the California High-Speed Rail Authority, the California Highway Patrol, and the Department of Motor Vehicles. We identify concerns with several of the proposals and make recommendations for legislative consideration. For example, we find that the Governor's high-speed rail proposals raise several issues. Specifically, we find (1) using cap-and-trade auction revenues for high-speed rail may not maximize greenhouse gas reductions, (2) there currently is not a funding plan to complete the project’s Initial Operating Segment, (3) it is unclear how much cap-and-trade revenue will actually be available for high-speed rail in the future, and (4) that bond funds approved in Proposition 1A for high-speed rail currently face legal risks.