Staff
Ann Hollingshead
(916) 319-8305
State Budget and Federal Funding
Nick Schroeder
(916) 319-8314
Public Employment, CalPERS, Elections, Veterans Affairs
Angela Short
(916) 319-8309
Child Welfare, Child Support, Community Services and Development, Community Care Licensing, CalSTRS
Paul Steenhausen
(916) 319-8303
Local Government, Housing, and Homelessness
Rowan Isaaks
(916) 319-8362
Corporation Tax and Economic Development
Seth Kerstein
(916) 319-8365
Sales and Excise Taxes and Demographics

Publications

Local Government

To browse all LAO publications, visit our Publications page.

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.

Report

Property Tax Shift

February 19, 1997 - Property Tax Shift

Report

Improving the Incentives for Property Tax Administration

February 19, 1997 - Improving the Incentives for Property Tax Administration

Other

Understanding Proposition 218

December 17, 1996 - The purpose of this guide is to help the Legislature, local officials, and other parties understand Proposition 218, including the actions local governments must take to implement it.

Report

(1) Welfare Reform’s Immigrant Restrictions—County Costs Probably Less Than Projected, and (2) Economic and Revenue Developments

October 24, 1996 - (1) Welfare Reform’s Immigrant Restrictions—County Costs Probably Less Than Projected, and (2) Economic and Revenue Developments

Handout

Handout, Overview of Proposition 218, "The Right to Vote on Taxes Initiative"

September 24, 1996 - Presented to the Senate Local Government Committee on September 24, 1996.

Report

Property Taxes—Why Some Local Governments Get More Than Others

August 21, 1996 - Property Taxes—Why Some Local Governments Get More Than Others

Report

Reversing the Property Tax Shifts

April 2, 1996 - Reversing the Property Tax Shifts

Report

Counties and the 1996-97 State Budget

February 21, 1996 - Counties and the 1996-97 State Budget

Report

A Perspective on County Fiscal Constraints

February 21, 1996 - The fiscal constraints counties face hinder county administration of many programs in which the state has considerable interest--including health, welfare, criminal justice, and property tax collection. These fiscal constraints also impair county ability to provide local programs--law enforcement, libraries, and parks--in a manner which meets the preferences of local residents.In this section, we discuss proposals that look at the revenue side of the budget. In so doing, we have applied the same approach as with direct spending programs--that is, we have examined tax-related provisions referred to as tax expenditure programs (TEPs)--and recommended changes to those that are not achieving their stated purposes or are of a lower priority.

Report

(1) Proposition 62 Voter Approval Requirements Upheld, and (2) Economic and Revenue Developments

October 24, 1995 - (1) Proposition 62 Voter Approval Requirements Upheld, and (2) Economic and Revenue Developments

Report

A Review of the Orange County Recovery Plan As Proposed August 22, 1995

September 1, 1995 - A Review of the Orange County Recovery Plan As Proposed August 22, 1995

Report

A Review of the Orange County Recovery Plan as Proposed August 22, 1995

August 22, 1995 - On December 6, 1994, Orange County and its investment pool filed for protection under Chapter 9 of the U.S. Bankruptcy Code. The Chapter 9 filing followed a $1.7 billion loss in the pool's investment portfolio.