The role of the Legislative Analyst's Office is to review state programs and make recommendations to the Legislature as to how the state can operate more effectively and efficiently. While most of our recommendations can be addressed in the annual budget bill, some involve recommended changes in law that require separate legislation. This report includes such recommended law changes that we have made in recent years. If you would like more information or assistance on any one of the proposed recommendations, please contact the person(s) listed at the bottom of each page. The deadline for bill requests to Legislative Counsel is January 21, 2005. The last day for bill introduction is February 18, 2005.
Consolidate Categorical Funding Into Block Grants
Increase Class Size Reduction Program Flexibility for
Educational BenefitAlign Student Achievement Standards for State and Federal Programs
Eliminate Statutory Authority Over Unspent Child Care Funds
Consolidate Revenue Limit "Add-Ons" Into Base Revenue Limits
Reform the Economic Impact Aid (EIA) Formula to Reflect District Needs
Certify Past Proposition 98 Calculations
Reform Charter School Categorical Block Grant
Enhance Charter School Oversight
Develop a Comprehensive Teacher Information System
Enact a Student Fee Policy for Postsecondary Education
Establish College Preparation Block Grant
Establish Consistent Statewide Financial Aid Policies
Link Private University Cal Grant to Public University Subsidy
Reexamine Existing Freshman Eligibility Standards
Enhance Incentives for Community Colleges to Provide Remedial Education
Expand CalWORKs Community Service
Reform Grant Levels and Eligibility
Establish Matching Grant Program for Proposition 10 Funds
Strengthen and Expand the State-Local Realignment Enacted in 1991
Require Certain Aged and Disabled Medi-Cal Beneficiaries To Shift to Managed Care
Maximize Opportunities for Savings in the California Children's Services Program
Modify Rate Structure for Facilities for the Developmentally Disabled
Help Restore Managed Care to Rural California
Clarify the Lanterman Act
Allow Supervision of Sexually Violent Predators By Parole Agents
"Remodel" the Drug Medi-Cal Program
Identify Areas With Shortage or Oversupply of Hospital Beds
Enact Changes in Responsibilities and Relationships With Local Governments
Enact Reforms in Prison Industry Authority
Modify County Fee Process
Realign Juvenile Parole Function to County Probation
Improve State Oversight of Local Air Districts
Establish Funding Principles and User Fees
Define and Oversee Environmental Water Account
Revise State-Local Cost Share for Flood Control Projects
Facilitate Water Transfers While Better Protecting Those Parties Affected by Transfers
Increase Likelihood That Locals Adopt Coastal Commission's Recommendations
Establish Policy on Funding Eligibility of Private Water Companies
Establish Administrative Cost Controls on Resource Bonds
Levy Fire Protection Fees
Enact Timber Harvest Fees
Clarify Land Acquisition Objectives and Review Goals
Improve Mine Enforcement and Oversight
Require Fees to Cover the Costs of Issuing Encroachment Permits
Repeal Proposition 42
Increase and Index the State Gas Tax
Conduct Ongoing Transportation Needs Assessment
Fund Transit Rolling Stock
Authorize Equipment Financing Program
Review Collective Bargaining Agreements
| Acknowledgments
The Legislative Analyst's Office (LAO) is a nonpartisan office which provides fiscal and policy information and advice to the Legislature. |
LAO Publications
To request publications call (916) 445-4656. This report and others, as well as an E-mail subscription service, are available on the LAO's Internet site at www.lao.ca.gov. The LAO is located at 925 L Street, Suite 1000, Sacramento, CA 95814. |