Translate

Local Government Publications

To browse all LAO publications, visit our Publications page.

 



Report

Fiscal Challenge From Three Major Lawsuits

February 17, 2000 - California faces a very positive budgetary environment, but three legal challenges--Special Education. Property Tax Shift, and Smog Impact Fees--pose some fiscal concern.

Report

Reconsidering AB 8: Exploring Alternative Ways to Allocate Property Taxes

February 3, 2000 - In 1999 the Legislature stated its intent to revamp the property tax allocation system. We examine five alternatives for improving local finance.

Report

Local Investment Reporting Mandate

January 18, 2000 - We recommend that the Legislature eliminate the current state mandate that requires financial officers to submit investment reports to their governing bodies.

Report

Commission on State Mandates Test Claim, "School Site Councils and Brown Act Reform"

January 7, 2000 - We review and comment on this precedent-setting test claim which will be heard in February by the Commission on State Mandates.

Letter

Special Education Mandates Follow-Up Letter

October 27, 1999 - We outline our concerns with the staff supplemental analysis prepared for the Commission on State Mandates (COSM) October 28, 1999 meeting. This letter is a follow-up to our 10/13/99 analysis in which we reviewed legislative intent related to the special education funding system.

Other

Special Education Mandate History, Funding and Legislative Intent: Questions and Answers

October 13, 1999 - We review the special education funding system and the legislative intent during the years before and after enactment of the state's Master Plan for Special Education: Chapter 797, Statutes of 1980 (SB 1970, Rodda).

Presentation

Cracks in the Local Fiscal Foundation

March 24, 1999 - This slide presentation describes the three "cracks" in the local fiscal foundation: lack of local fiscal control, no promotion of broad economic growth, and different tax burdens for similar taxpayers.

Report

Shifting Gears: Rethinking Property Tax Shift Relief

February 2, 1999 - Shifting Gears: Rethinking Property Tax Shift Relief

Report

A Primer on the Vehicle License Fee

June 17, 1998 - The VLF is a fee on the ownership of a registered vehicle that provides nearly $4 billion in annual revenues. This report is intended to answer a number of questions related to the VLF.

Report

California Counties A Look at Program Performance

May 21, 1998 - We compile the best information available on county program outcomes--and give Californians a snapshot view of county performance.

Report

Why County Revenues Vary: State Laws and Local Conditions Affecting County Finance

May 7, 1998 - Much of the variation in county revenues stems from taxation decisions of a generation ago and the extent of development today. The fundamental dilemma of counties remains: (1) counties have little control over their expenditures or revenues, and (2) county supervisors are elected locally, but have few tools to respond to local preferences. Ultimately, we believe the Legislature will need to broadly reexamine county government responsibilities and finance.

Report

A Perspective on the Vehicle License Fee

February 18, 1998 - A Perspective on the Vehicle License Fee

Report

(1) Major Milestones: 25 Years of The State-Local Fiscal Relationship, and (2) Economic and Revenue Developments

December 22, 1997 - (1) Major Milestones: 25 Years of The State-Local Fiscal Relationship, and (2) Economic and Revenue Developments

Report

Sheltering the Homeless: Alternatives to Armories

December 3, 1997 - The state currently makes 26 of the state's National Guard armories available as temporary homeless shelters during the winter months. Our review suggests that the most appropriate role for the state in seeking alternatives to the use of the armories is to help facilitate the local development of new shelters.

Report

ERAF and the 1997-98 State Budget

June 18, 1997 - The Legislature is considering several proposals to reduce the amount of property taxes permanently shifted from cities, counties, and special districts in the early 1990s. We examine these property tax shift relief proposals, comparing options that would cost the state greatly differing amounts.

Local Government Staff
Ann Hollingshead
(916) 319-8305
State Budget and Federal Funding
 
Lourdes Morales
(916) 319-8320
Local Government, Housing, and Homelessness
 
Nick Schroeder
(916) 319-8314
Public Employment, CalPERS, and Elections
 
Angela Short
(916) 319-8309
Teachers' Retirement Policy/ Child Welfare/ Community Care Licensing
 
Seth Kerstein
(916) 319-8365
Sales and Excise Taxes and Demographics