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May 15, 2015 - As part of the 2015-16 May Revision, the Governor proposes to establish a new process for reviewing changes to labor contracts. This analysis reviews the administration’s proposal and recommends that the Legislature adopt it with modifications to ensure legislative and public oversight.
March 16, 2015 - Health benefits for retired state employees constitute a large and growing cost for the State of California. The state’s retiree health benefit program constitutes the state’s last major liability that needs a funding plan. As part of his 2015-16 budget, the Governor proposes one approach to address retiree health liabilities through the collective bargaining process. In our report, we recommend that the policy committees of the Legislature hold hearings to discuss the Governor’s proposal—as well as other options to address retiree health liabilities—with actuaries, employee groups, policy experts, and the public. We acknowledge that a delay in implementing a funding plan might make some elements of a funding plan more expensive; however, we think it is more important to get the plan right that to quickly set up a plan that can be implemented in 2015-16.
March 13, 2015 - To address the Governor's concerns with current Cal/OSHA enforcement, his budget proposes additional Cal/OSHA positions. We recommend that the Legislature approve the requested level of new positions. However, we emphasize that targeting planned inspections to those business establishments with the highest likelihood of improved compliance is critical to using planned inspection resources cost-effectively, and recommend that DIR report at legislative hearings on ongoing efforts to improve inspection targeting.
March 10, 2015 - Presented to: Assembly Budget Subcommittee No. 4 on State Administration and Assembly Revenue and Taxation Committee
February 10, 2015 - California law has long required banks, insurance companies, and many other types of entities to transfer to the State Controller’s Office (SCO) personal property considered abandoned by owners. The SCO has made important strides in reuniting this "unclaimed property" with owners recently, but faces budgetary and statutory constraints in reuniting even more such property. Since the 1950s, the state has accumulated over $7 billion in unclaimed property belonging to individuals, businesses, and local governments. Because property not reunited with owners becomes state General Fund revenue, the unclaimed property law creates an incentive for the state to reunite less property with owners. We recommend performance measures, or targets, for the unclaimed property program that place a greater emphasis on reuniting more property with owners and offer 19 options for meeting that goal.
August 25, 2014 - We reviewed the proposed memorandum of understanding (MOU) for Bargaining Unit 13 (Stationary Engineers). Bargaining Unit 13 is represented by the International Union of Operating Engineers, Local 39. This review is pursuant to Section 19829.5 of the Government Code.
August 22, 2014 - We reviewed the proposed memorandum of understanding (MOU) for Bargaining Unit 10 (Scientists). Bargaining Unit 10 is represented by the California Association of Professional Scientists. This review is pursuant to Section 19829.5 of the Government Code.
August 22, 2014 - We reviewed the proposed memorandum of understanding (MOU) for Bargaining Unit 2 (Attorneys). Bargaining Unit 2 is represented by California Attorneys, Administrative Law Judges, and Hearing Officers in State Employment (CASE). This review is pursuant to Section 19829.5 of the Government Code.
July 2, 2014 - Presented to: Senate Public Employment and Retirement Committee and Assembly Public Employees, Retirement and Social Security Committee
May 29, 2014 - We reviewed the proposed memorandum of understanding (MOU) for Bargaining Unit 10 (Scientists). Bargaining Unit 10 is represented by the California Association of Professional Scientists. If adopted, the MOU would modestly increase state costs beginning in 2014-15.
May 19, 2014 - We reviewed the proposed memorandum of understanding (MOU) for Bargaining Unit 13 (Stationary Engineers). Bargaining Unit 13 is represented by the International Union of Operating Engineers. If adopted, the MOU would modestly increase state costs beginning in 2014-15.
May 19, 2014 - Shortfalls in Indian Gaming Funds
May 7, 2014 - This report categorizes and provides information about $340 billion in California's key retirement, infrastructure, and budgetary liabilities. In addition, this report provides a framework for the Legislature to consider in prioritizing repayment of these liabilities and makes recommendations on which liabilities to pay down first and how the state could address such costs in the future. In general, we suggest that the Legislature prioritize actions to pay down those liabilities (1) with relatively high interest rates or (2) that result in benefits for groups or entities other than the state government. Due to its massive unfunded liability and relatively high growth rate, we recommend that the Legislature make a full funding plan for the California State Teachers' Retirement System a top priority in addressing the state's key liabilities.
April 23, 2014 - Presented to Assembly Government Organization Committee
March 10, 2014 - Presented to Senate Business, Professions and Economic Development Committee and Assembly Business, Professions and Consumer Protection Committee