Other Government Areas Publications

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How California Governments Respond to Disasters

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January 10, 2019 - Government agencies are responsible for reacting quickly to disasters to help limit damage to people and their property. This includes assessing the disaster situation and bringing in the necessary resources to respond in a coordinated way. This post describes the state system used to facilitate a coordinated response to disasters. It also describes various types of disaster declarations that state and local governments make in order to receive financial assistance for response and recovery costs.

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Main Types of Disasters and Associated Trends

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January 10, 2019 - In this post, we summarize the most common disasters affecting California—floods, fires, and earthquakes. We also provide some information on key disaster trends.

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Main Types of Disaster Recovery Assistance

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January 10, 2019 - In the event of a large-scale disaster, state and local governments, individuals and households, and businesses all can face damage to their properties and other possessions. Many of these losses ultimately are borne by these entities or individuals, their insurance, or the parties deemed responsible for the disaster, if applicable. However, both the federal government and the State of California provide various types of financial and in-kind assistance following certain disasters to offset some of the costs associated with recovering from disasters. Notably, the type of federal and state assistance that is available can vary by disaster, with some assistance only available in the aftermath of larger state or federally declared disasters. In this post, we summarize some of the major types of recovery assistance that can be available.

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Recent Changes to State and County IHSS Wage and Benefit Costs

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December 14, 2018 - In this post, we (1) explain how the scheduled state minimum wage increases impact IHSS wages and state and county costs, (2) describe the recent temporary and permanent changes to the state and county cost-sharing structure for IHSS wage and benefit increases, and (3) explain how these changes could impact county wage decisions and costs for the state.

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The 2020 Census: Potential Impacts on California

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December 13, 2018 - In this report, we first provide information on what the Census is. Second, we discuss how the Census is conducted—including the steps the federal government has taken to date and what it plans to do over the next few years to conduct the 2020 Census. (We also describe state efforts to supplement these federal activities.) We then discuss the likelihood of an undercount in California in 2020. Finally, we discuss the implications of an undercount for California both in terms of representation in Congress and federal funding.

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Cal Facts 2018

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December 6, 2018 - With a state as big, as populous, and as complex as California, quickly summarizing how its economy or state budget works is impossible. Instead, Cal Facts is a visual guide—using a variety of different charts—to the state's economy, revenues, and major program trends.

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Evaluation of the Property Tax Postponement Program

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October 8, 2018 - Housing is very expensive in California—in early 2018, the typical California home cost $481,000, roughly double the price of the typical home in the United States. The state offers the Property Tax Postponement (PTP) Program to help certain homeowners afford their property taxes and stay in their homes. This report evaluates the advantages and shortcomings of the PTP and offers policy alternatives for legislative consideration.

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MOU Fiscal Analysis: Bargaining Unit 10 (Professional Scientists)

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August 28, 2018 - We reviewed the proposed memorandum of understanding (MOU) for Bargaining Unit 10 (Professional Scientists). Bargaining Unit 10 is represented by the California Association of Professional Scientists (CAPS).This review is pursuant to Section 19829.5 of the Government Code.

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MOU Fiscal Analysis: Bargaining Unit 9 (Professional Engineers)

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August 28, 2018 - We reviewed the proposed memorandum of understanding (MOU) for Bargaining Unit 9 (Professional Engineers). Bargaining Unit 9 is represented by the Professional Engineers in California Government (PECG).This review is pursuant to Section 19829.5 of the Government Code.

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Expands Requirement for Supermajority Approval to Enact New Revenue Measures. Initiative Constitutional Amendment.

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June 13, 2018 - Presented To: Assembly Committee on Local Government and Assembly Committee on Revenue and Taxation

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Housing and Homelessness

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May 31, 2018 - Presented to: Budget Conference Committee

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MOU Fiscal Analysis: Bargaining Unit 6 (Corrections)

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May 30, 2018 - We reviewed the proposed memorandum of understanding (MOU) for Bargaining Unit 6 (Corrections). Bargaining Unit 6 is represented by the California Correctional Peace Officers Association (CCPOA). This review is pursuant to Section 19829.5 of the Government Code.

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The 2018-19 Budget: The May Revision—California State Payroll System

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May 14, 2018 - The 2018-19 May Revision proposes multiyear funding related to the California State Payroll System (CSPS). In this post, we describe and comment on the proposal. We also discuss how the rationale for the payroll system has evolved.

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The 2018-19 Budget: The May Revision—Funding to Address Homelessness

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May 12, 2018 - The 2018-19 May Revision proposes a package of actions and funding augmentations aimed at alleviating homelessness. In this post, we describe two major elements of the proposal.

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The 2018-19 Budget: Review of Fair Political Practices Commission Budget and Workload

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May 7, 2018 -

At the April 5, 2018 hearing of the Senate Budget and Fiscal Review Subcommittee Number 4, the committee directed our office to review the Fair Political Practices Commission’s budget and workload. This online analysis is the product of our review.

Updated 5/10/18:

1. Changes to LAO Assessment to reflect new information regarding FPPC Advice Letter processing time.
2. Addition of paragraphs (e) and (f) to proposed budget bill language.