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March 13, 2008 - After 32 years of service to the Legislative Analyst’s Office, including nearly 22 years as the Legislative Analyst, Elizabeth Hill advised Legislative Leadership and Members of the Joint Legislative Budget Committee late yesterday that she will retire at the end of this legislative session. Ms. Hill, the fourth Legislative Analyst in the office’s 67 year history, expressed her thanks for the opportunity to serve the Legislature in this nonpartisan capacity advising the body on fiscal and policy issues. Here she answers questions from the media.
February 26, 2008 - In an interview on the California Channel's "California Conversations" Elizabeth Hill answers questions the state's fiscal condition and the LAO's alternative budget plan.
February 26, 2008 - Legislative Analyst's Office presentation on the proposed 2008 budget; presented to the Senate Budget and Fiscal Review Committee:
February 20, 2008 - Elizabeth Hill discusses highlights from our 2008-09 Analysis of the Budget Bill and Perspectives and Issues.
February 20, 2008 - In contrast to the administration’s across-the-board reduction budget-balancing approach that fails to prioritize state spending, we offer an alternative approach for the Legislature’s consideration. By making more targeted reductions; eliminating or modifying ineffectiveness or nonessential programs; and adding ongoing revenue solutions, we believe this approach offers the Legislature a better foundation to begin crafting a 2008-09 budget that focuses on essential services. This piece provides an overview of the key components of this alternative approach. Our alternative budget would end the 2008-09 fiscal year with a $1.3 billion reserve, and remain balanced through 2012-13.
February 20, 2008 - Our annual detailed examination of the Budget Bill based on the Governor's Budget. It includes hundreds of findings and recommendations related to education, health and social services, criminal justice, transportation, resources, capital outlay, information technology, and local government.
January 14, 2008 - Elizabeth Hill's Initial Assessment of the 2008-09 Governor's Budget.
January 14, 2008 - The Governor has put forward an aggressive agenda for the special session and the 2008–09 budget. The Legislature should focus first on those areas where time is of the essence—where early decisions will allow state programs to achieve desired savings in the current year. The special session should also be used to lay the groundwork for achieving budget–year savings—for instance, by developing any program restructurings and taking any necessary actions on the current–year Proposition 98 minimum guarantee. In contrast to the Governor’s approach of across–the–board reductions, in our view the Legislature should (1) eliminate or further reduce low–priority programs in order to minimize the impact on higher priority programs and (2) examine additional revenue options as part of a more balanced approach. Making tough choices now will allow the state to move closer to bringing its long–term spending and revenues into alignment.
November 27, 2007 - Presented by Elizabeth Hill to the Senate Budget and Fiscal Review Committee, November 27, 2007.
November 14, 2007 - Elizabeth Hill describes California's Fiscal Outlook, 2007-08 Through 2012-13