The 2019-20 Budget

Natural Resources and Environmental Protection

February 14, 2019

Assesses several of the Governor’s budget proposals in the natural resources and environmental protection areas; recommends various changes as well as additional legislative oversight. Provides a complete listing of our recommendations.

The 2019-20 Budget

Analysis of the Medi-Cal Budget

February 13, 2019

Describes the Governor's proposed Medi-Cal budget; advises the Legislature to consider renewing the managed care organization tax; presents issues for consideration related to the Governor's proposed expansion of comprehensive Medi-Cal coverage for young adults regardless of immigration status; and provides an initial assessment of the Governor's proposals to use Proposition 56 funding in Medi-Cal to extend and expand provider payment increases.

The 2019-20 Budget

Proposition 98 Analysis

February 13, 2019

Assesses the architecture of the Governor’s overall Proposition 98 budget and analyzes his specific proposals for K‑12 education.

The 2019-20 Budget

The Governor's Individual Health Insurance Market Affordability Proposals

February 7, 2019

Assesses the Governor's proposals to (1) create a state requirement that most Californians purchase health insurance coverage ("individual mandate") or pay a financial penalty and (2) use the revenues from this penalty to fund additional health insurance subsidies for households purchasing coverage through Covered California.

The 2019-20 Budget

Structuring the Budget:
Reserves, Debt and Liabilities

February 5, 2019

Considers the structure of the Governor’s budget to evaluate how well it prepares the state to address a future budget problem; assesses Governor’s major budget reserve and debt and liability proposals, offering alternatives for legislative consideration.

The 2020 Census: Potential Impacts on California

December 13, 2018

Provides information on what the Census is and how it's conducted; discusses potential effects of an undercount in California.

Evaluation of a Sales Tax Exemption for Certain Manufacturers

December 11, 2018

Fulfills the statutory requirement of Public Resources Code 26011.8(g) requiring our office to report on the effectiveness of a sales tax exemption program administered by the California Alternative Energy and Advanced Transportation Financing Authority (CAEATFA).

Taxation of Sugary Drinks

November 26, 2018

Provides information and perspectives for the Legislature to consider as it weighs its choices regarding the taxation of sugary drinks.

Rethinking the 1991 Realignment

October 15, 2018

Evaluates the extent to which one of California’s more notable realignments undertaken in 1991 achieves its intended benefits.

Evaluation of the Property Tax Postponement Program

October 8, 2018

Discusses property taxes in California, identifying groups most likely having difficulty paying those taxes; provides advantages and shortcomings of the current Property Tax Postponement Program; provides policy alternatives for legislative consideration.

Improving Access to Dental Services for Individuals With Developmental Disabilities

September 27, 2018

Analyzes the extent to which dental services are available and sufficient for individuals with developmental disabilities; finding that access challenges exist, considers options and makes recommendations for improving access.

The Salton Sea: A Status Update

August 29, 2018

The Salton Sea is California’s largest inland lake, located in Riverside and Imperial Counties. In this report, we discuss the changing conditions in and around the Sea, their statewide importance, and the Legislature’s role in overseeing projects to reduce potential negative effects on public health and wildlife.

Improving California's
Forest and Watershed Management

April 5, 2018

Provides background information on California’s forests; highlights shortcomings in the state's management approach and recommends actions the Legislature could take to improve the health of forests and watersheds across the state.

Related Content: Fact Sheet

Building Reserves to Prepare for a Recession

March 7, 2018

Provides an overview of revenue losses in past recessions; compares the Governor's reserve proposal for 2018-19 to past reserves and other states; presents a framework the Legislature can use to plan for a recession; concludes with alternatives for legislative consideration.