Environment and Natural Resources Publications
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Balancing the Fish and Game Preservation Fund
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May 18, 2005 - Presented to Assembly Budget Subcommittee #3 on Resources and the Senate Budget Subcommittee No. 2 on Resources
A Primer: California's Wildland Fire Protection System
April 12, 2005 - California's wildland fire protection system involves multiple levels of government, requires significant levels of personnel and equipment, and relies on a complex series of interagency agreements. This primer is intended to assist the Legislature in understanding how wildland fire protection services are delivered and the major cost drivers affecting spending. We also make recommendations for increasing legislative oversight of state expenditures for wildland fire protection and for reducing these expenditures.
Department of Fish and Game: Funding Issues
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April 11, 2005 - Presented to the Senate Budget and Fiscal Review Subcommittee No. 2 on April 11, 2005.
Reorganizing the State’s Recycling Programs
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April 4, 2005 - Presented to the Senate Budget and Fiscal Review Subcommittee No. 2 on April 4, 2005.
Pesticide-Related Expenditures Across State Agencies
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April 4, 2005 - Presented to the Senate Budget and Fiscal Review Subcommittee No. 2 on April 4, 2005.
Overview of OEHHA’s Report of Long-Term Baseline Funding Requirement (Revised)
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April 4, 2005 - Presented to the Senate Budget and Fiscal Review Subcommittee No. 2 on April 4, 2005.
Recent Funding History for: Department of Forestry and Fire Protection, Department of Fish and Game, and Department of Parks and Recreation
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March 16, 2005 - Presented to the Assembly Budget Subcommittee No. 3 on Resources on March 16, 2005.
2005-06 Budget Overview: Resources and Environmental Protection
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March 14, 2005 - Presented to the Senate Budget and Fiscal Review Subcommittee No. 2 on March 14, 2005.
Water Policy Issues: CALFED Bay-Delta Program and Flood Management
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March 9, 2005 - Presented to the Assembly Budget Subcommittee No. 3 on Resources and Assembly Water, Parks and Wildlife Committee on March 9, 2005.
Pesticide Mill Assessment: Substantial Revenue Undercollection
February 24, 2005 - We find that there has been a substantial undercollection of pesticide mill assessment revenues, and we offer a couple of options for addressing this issue. We recommend that the Department of Pesticide Regulation and the Department of Finance report at budget hearings on the options.
Fire Protection Budget Issues
February 24, 2005 - We recommend the deletion of $10.8 million from the General Fund requested by the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection (CDFFP) for fire apparatus and helicopters because the proposal lacks details and the plan to purchase helicopters is premature. We also recommend the deletion of $9 million from the General Fund proposed for year-round firefighting staffing in Southern California because the proposal has not been justified. Finally, we recommend a number of actions to improve legislative oversight over CDFFP’s receipt and use of unanticipated federal funds.
Elimination of Energy-Related Agencies
February 24, 2005 - The Governor’s Reorganization Plan Number One (GRP 1), related to reforming boards and commissions, proposes eliminating two energy-related agencies—the California Consumer Power and Conservation Financing Authority and the Electricity Oversight Board—and moving their duties to the Energy Resources Conservation and Development Commission. We find that this proposal raises various issues, including potential conflicts of interest in the resulting organization and whether the reorganization is premature pending potential future changes in the energy market and a potential proposal to establish an energy agency.
Resources Bonds: Getting Funds Out-the-Door
February 24, 2005 - We find that there are significant amounts of resources bond funds that were appropriated in the current and prior years that have not been expended. We also find that delays persist in getting funds out-the door and that there has been a lack of demand for the specified use of some bond funds. We recommend that the administration report at budget hearings on various bond program implementation issues.
Reorganizing the State’s Recycling Programs
February 24, 2005 - In order to increase the effectiveness and efficiency of the state’s recycling programs, we recommend that such programs be consolidated into a new department within the California Environmental Protection Agency. We also recommend that the nonrecyling-related functions in the current agencies be transferred to other departments. This reorganization would generate special fund savings of at least $2 million.
Financing Flood Lawsuit Settlement
February 24, 2005 - The budget proposes to finance a pending $464 million settlement of a flood-related lawsuit against the state (the Paterno case) with a judgment bond. We think that there may be other ways to pay this settlement. We also find that the judgment bond proposal raises legal, policy, and fiscal issues for the Legislature to consider. We recommend that the Director of Finance report on various issues at budget hearings.
Environment and Natural Resources Staff
- Helen Kerstein
- (916) 319-8364
- Forestry, Parks, and High Speed Rail
- Sonja Petek
- (916) 319-8340
- Water, Coastal Development, and Fish and Wildlife
- 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
- Sarah Cornett
- (916) 319-8329
- Air Quality, Energy, and Climate Change
- Rachel Ehlers
- (916) 319-8330
- Deputy Legislative Analyst: Environment and Transportation