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Local Government Publications

To browse all LAO publications, visit our Publications page.

 



Handout

Voter-Approval Requirements for Local Taxes

April 8, 2013 - Presented to Assembly Revenue and Taxation Committee

Report

Insufficient ERAF: Examining a Recent Issue in Local Government Finance

December 18, 2012 - Over the last two years, an unanticipated funding shortfall in Amador and San Mateo Counties cut city and county reimbursements for two complex state-local financial transactions: the triple flip and VLF swap. It is likely this funding insufficiency, commonly called insufficient ERAF, will continue in future years, requiring state action if the affected local governments are to receive their full triple flip and VLF swap payments. In addressing claims of insufficient ERAF in future years, the Legislature will be faced with the difficult decisions of how much compensation cities and counties should receive and how the compensation should be provided. In this report we describe the causes and potential future development of insufficient ERAF and outline a framework that could be used in developing a remedy for insufficient ERAF.

Presentation

Major Milestones: Over Four Decades of the State-Local Fiscal Relationship

November 29, 2012 - This is an updated version of a graphic depicting the major milestones in the state-local fiscal relationship over the past 40 years. The latest version has been updated to reflect recent elections, 2011 realignment, and the dissolution of redevelopment and expanded to include milestones related to education finance. Note: The PDF file has three pages. The first page contains the entire graphic and will print on one sheet of paper, such as 8.5 x 11 (letter) or 8.5 x 14 (legal). The second and third pages each contain one half of the graphic and can be joined together for a larger copy of the graphic.

Report

Local Government Bankruptcy in California: Questions and Answers

August 7, 2012 - Recently, three California municipalities filed for bankruptcy relief under Chapter 9 of the federal bankruptcy code: Stockton, San Bernardino, and Mammoth Lakes. These filings—occurring just months after the City of Vallejo completed its three year Chapter 9 process—have raised questions about the use of Chapter 9 in California. In this report, we answer some of the common questions about the Chapter 9 process for California local governments such as: which local governments are allowed to file for bankruptcy protections and under what circumstances, what are the major steps of the bankruptcy process, and what types of obligations can be changed or eliminated through bankruptcy.

Handout

Property Tax Agents at the Local Level in California: An Overview

June 20, 2012 - Presented to Revenue and Taxation Committee, Hon. Henry T. Perea, Chair and Assebmly Local Government Committee, Hon. Cameron Smyth, Chair

Handout

Non-Education Mandates and the 2012-13 State Budget

March 13, 2012 - Assembly Budget Subcommittee No. 4 on State Administration, Hon. Joan Buchanan, Chair

Report

The 2012-13 Budget: Unwinding Redevelopment

February 17, 2012 - On February 1, 2012, all redevelopment agencies in California were dissolved and the process for unwinding their financial affairs began. Given the scope of these agencies' funds, assets, and financial obligations, the unwinding process will take time. This report reviews the history of RDAs, the events that led to their dissolution, and the process communities are using to resolve their financial obligations. The report recommends the Legislature amend the redevelopment dissolution legislation to address timing issues, clarify the treatment of pass–through payments, and address key concerns of redevelopment bond investors.

Report

Statement of Economic Interests Electronic Filing Pilot Program

January 27, 2012 - As part of legislation authorizing seven local governments to participate in a pilot program regarding electronic filing of Statements of Economic Interests forms, the Legislature requested our office to evaluate the pilot program. This report presents our findings.

Letter

Letter to Assembly Member Dickinson Regarding Small Special Districts and Local Agency Formation Commissions

January 5, 2012 - Letter to Assembly Member Dickinson regarding the 1) efficiency of small special districts, 2) accountability of small special districts, and 3) effectiveness of Local Agency Formation Commissions (LAFCOs).

Letter

Letter to Senator de Leon Commenting on Information Regarding Proposed Farmers Field Football Stadium

August 26, 2011 - This letter reviews a memorandum of understanding between Anschutz Entertainment Group and the City of Los Angeles regarding the financing of a football stadium and new convention hall, as well as two economic analyses of the proposed project.

Report

2011 Realignment: Addressing Issues to Promote Its Long-Term Success

August 19, 2011 - As part of the 2011-12 budget plan, the Legislature enacted a major shift—or “realignment”—of state program responsibilities and revenues to local governments. In total, the realignment plan provides $6.3 billion to local governments to fund various criminal justice, mental health, and social services programs in 2011-12, and ongoing funds for these programs annually thereafter. We recommend the Legislature address a few pressing implementation issues before this legislative session ends. We also identify a series of more extensive issues that we recommend the Legislature address in early 2012, such as developing local funding formulas with an eye towards the long term, promoting local accountability, and simplifying the plan’s extensive network of accounts and subaccounts.

Report

Analysis of Newly Identified Mandates

June 2, 2011 - Pursuant to Chapter 1124, Statutes of 2002 (AB 3000, Committee on Budget).

Handout

The Role of the State in Delivering Improved Outcomes Through Realignment

March 30, 2011 - Presented to Senate Governance and Finance Committee, Hon. Lois Wolk, Chair

Handout

Open Meeting Act Mandate

February 24, 2011 - Presented to the Conference Committee on the Budget

Letter

Letter to Mr. John Shirey, California Redevelopment Association

February 16, 2011 - In our report The 2011-12 Budget: Should California End Redevelopment Agencies? (http://lao.ca.gov/Publications/Detail/2440), we analyzed the California Redevelopment Association’s study regarding the economic effects of redevelopment. We concluded that this study significantly overstated the number of jobs resulting from redevelopment. After publication, the researchers explained to us why they thought two of our three reasons were partly incorrect. The purpose of this letter is to clarify the extent to which we agree and disagree with their observations. While we appreciate the additional information on this study, the information provided does not change our criticisms of the study or our finding that it vastly overstates the employment effects of redevelopment.

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, Elections, Veterans Affairs
 
Angela Short
(916) 319-8309
Child Welfare, Child Support, Community Services and Development, Community Care Licensing, CalSTRS
 
Bidusha Mudbhari
(916) 319-8363
Corporation Tax and Economic Development
 
Seth Kerstein
(916) 319-8365
Sales and Excise Taxes and Demographics