Local Government Publications

An Overview of the Governor's Realignment Proposal

• Format:
• PDF

February 14, 2011 - Presented to Assembly Budget Subcommittee No. 6 on Budget Oversight and Program Evaluation

Webcast: Public Retirement Benefits, Options for the Future

• Format:
• PDF
• PowerPoint
• Video

February 10, 2011 - In this 15-minute video, LAO State Finance Director Jason Sisney describes why public employee retirement costs have risen substantially in recent years for California governments and the Legislature's options for creating new types of retirement benefits for future state and local employees. At the same time, as Sisney discusses, the Legislature may have to identify new funding soon to address substantial unfunded liabilities in the teachers' and University of California retirement systems, among others.

The 2011-12 Budget: Should California End Redevelopment Agencies?

• Format:
• PDF
• HTML

February 8, 2011 - California’s expansive use of redevelopment has engendered significant controversy. Program advocates contend that it is a much needed tool to promote economic development in blighted areas. Program critics counter that it diverts property tax revenues from core government services and increases state education costs. The Governor’s budget includes a plan for dissolving redevelopment agencies and distributing their funds (above the amounts necessary to pay outstanding debt) to other local agencies. We find that the administration’s proposal has merit, but suggest recognizing all the redevelopment revenues as property taxes.

Note: In a letter dated February 16th, 2011 we responded to questions regarding our analysis of the California Redevelopment Association’s study of the economic effects of redevelopment included in this report.

Governor's Redevelopment Proposal

• Format:
• PDF

February 7, 2011 - Presented to Assembly Budget Subcommittee No. 4 on State Administration and Revenue and Taxation

Mandates and the 2011-12 State Budget

• Format:
• PDF

February 3, 2011 - Presented to Senate Budget and Fiscal Review Subcommittee No. 4 State Administration and General Government

Governor's Redevelopment Proposal

• Format:
• PDF

February 3, 2011 - Presented to Senate Budget and Fiscal Review Subcommittee No. 4 on State Administration and General Government

Developing a Realignment Proposal: Suggestions Regarding the Next Four Weeks

• Format:
• PDF

February 2, 2011 - Presented to Senate Governance and Finance Committee

Mandates and the 2011-12 State Budget

• Format:
• PDF

February 1, 2011 - Presented to Assembly Budget Subcommittee No. 4 on State Administration

Mandates and the 2011-12 State Budget

• Format:
• PDF

January 31, 2011 - The Governor proposes (1) $52 million to pay for noneducation mandates and (2) to suspend mandates relating to absentee ballots and open meetings. In this handout we summarize the Governor’s proposals and discuss alternatives for legislative consideration.

An Overview of the Governor's Realignment Proposal

• Format:
• PDF

January 26, 2011 - Presented to the Senate Committee on Governance and Finance. January 26, 2011.

Governor’s Redevelopment Proposal

• Format:
• PDF

January 18, 2011 - The 2011-12 Governor’s Budget proposes to dissolve redevelopment agencies and shift the revenue to other state and local programs. In this initial overview we provide background on redevelopment agencies, assess the Governor’s proposal, and provide some additional issues for the Legislature to consider.

Proposition 22

• Format:
• PDF

September 22, 2010 - Presented to: Senate Transportation and Housing Committee and the Senate Local Government Committee. September 22, 2010.

Realignment Options

• Format:
• PDF

June 24, 2010 - Presented to: Conference Committee on the Budget

Overview of California Local Government

• Format:
• PDF

June 17, 2010 - Presented to The Conference Committee on the Budget

Open Meeting Act Mandate

• Format:
• PDF

June 17, 2010 - Presented to The Conference Committee on the Budget