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
Seth Kerstein
(916) 319-8365
Sales and Excise Taxes and Demographics


Publications

Local Government

To browse all LAO publications, visit our Publications page.



Report

Trial Court Funding "Realignment"

February 1, 1992 - In this analysis, we (1) review the short-term implementation issues surrounding Chapter 90 and the related measures, and (2) identify a number of policy issues that the Legislature will need to address as it considers providing additional support for the trial courts for the budget year and beyond.


Report

The County-State Partnership

February 1, 1991 - Over the past several years, many of California's counties have experienced increasing financial stress. While Butte County is perhaps the most visible example of recent county financial troubles, our analysis indicates that the problem is inherent to the existing arrangement of state and county responsibilities and affects all counties to greater or lesser extent. The existing county-state partnership suffers from a variety of structural problems—such as program fragmentation, counter-productive fiscal incentives, and the inappropriate division of responsibilities—that both diminish the effectiveness of these programs and reduce the financial viability of county governments


Report

California's Low-Income Housing Tax Credit

May 1, 1990 - In 1989 the Legislature enacted legislation (58 726, L. Greene) to continue the state low-income housing tax credit program as long as a related federal program exists. That legislation also requires the Legislative Analyst's Office to evaluate the effectiveness of this program. This policy brief provides the evaluation, and makes recommendations for changes to improve the program's effectiveness.


Report

A Review of the Governor's Housing Initiative

March 1, 1990 - In January 1990, the Governor announced a $2 billion home loan initiative to increase home ownership opportunities for first-time homebuyers. In March, two legislative measures were introduced to establish part of the program. In the following analysis we describe the Governor’s proposal, identify the likely beneficiaries, discuss its fiscal effects, and identify the policy choices which this proposal presents to the Legislature.


Report

Variation in County Fiscal Capacity

February 21, 1990 - In this piece, we examine county fiscal capacity—the ability of counties to respond to these needs. First, we describe the county-state relationship and discuss our framework for identifying variations in county fiscal capacity. Second, we provide our findings regarding the fiscal capacity of counties, and discuss some of the counties which rate below average in this regard. Third, we identify the primary factors that contribute to low fiscal capacity. Finally, we offer several alternatives that the Legislature may wish to use to improve the fiscal capacity of California's counties.


Report

A Perspective on Housing in California

January 1, 1990 - The purpose of this report is to provide the Legislature with an overview of housing in California, including information that will assist it in making decisions that will affect the future performance of the state's housing market and thus the economy generally.


Report

County Fiscal Distress—A Look at Butte County

December 1, 1989 - The purpose of this policy brief is to provide the Legislature with a context for considering proposals to address Butte County's fiscal problems. The analysis is based on a review of Butte County's past financial transactions and its 1989-90 final budget. Our intent is to explain the basic fiscal trends underlying Butte's current condition, not to evaluate management of the county or past policy decisions made by county officials.


Report

Trial Court Funding and County Finances

February 1, 1989 - Trial Court Funding and County Finances


Report

Accommodating California's Growth

February 1, 1989 - Accommodating California's Growth


Report

State Reimbursement of Mandated Costs: A Review of Statutes Funded in 1988

January 1, 1989 - Chapter 1256, Statutes of 1980, requires the Legislative Analyst to report each year on any previously unfunded state mandates for which the Legislature appropriated funds in a claims bill during the prior fiscal year. This report reviews those mandates initially funded by Chapter 1485, Statutes of 1988.


Report

State Reimbursement of Mandated Local Costs: A Review of Statutes Funded in 1987

April 1, 1988 - Chapter 1256, Statutes of 1980, requires the Legislative Analyst to report each year on any previously unfunded state mandates for which the Legislature appropriated funds in a claims bill during the prior fiscal year. This report reviews those mandates initially funded by Chapter 1270, Statutes of 1987.


Report

Funding for State-Mandated Local Programs

February 1, 1988 - Funding for State-Mandated Local Programs


Report

The Feasibility of Replacing the Homeowners' Exemption With an Income Tax Credit

June 1, 1987 - Resolution Chapter 100, Statutes of 1984 (SCR 19), requires the Legislative Analyst to study the feasibility of transferring the administration of the homeowners' exemption to the state Franchise Tax Board. Chapter I of this report discusses the present administrative procedure, and our estimates of the cost incurred by county governments on a statewide basis. In Chapter II, we examine several alternative ways of implementing the transfer of administrative duties, and discuss the fiscal and other implications of the most feasible alternative in detail.


Report

County Finances

February 1, 1987 - County Finances


Report

State Reimbursement of Mandated Costs: A Review of Statutes Funded in 1985

April 1, 1986 - Chapter 1256, Statutes of 1980, requires the Legislative Analyst to report each year on any previously unfunded state mandates for which the Legislature appropriated funds in a claims bill during the prior fiscal year. This report reviews those mandates funded initially in Chapter 1175, Statutes of 1985.