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March 16, 2005 - Presented to Assembly Budget Subcommittee No. 1 On Health and Human Services
March 9, 2005 - Presented to Assembly Budget Subcommittee No. 1
February 24, 2005 - Index of Information Technology Issues in the Analysis of the Budget Bill, 2005-06
February 24, 2005 - The Governor proposes a number of significant reforms to California’s subsidized child care system including eligibility restrictions, a new waiting list system, and tiered reimbursement rates. With certain qualifications, we support proposed eligibility and waiting list changes. Although tying reimbursement rates to quality makes sense, the Legislature may wish to consider alternative approaches which increase reimbursement rates for higher quality care rather than simply reducing reimbursement rates (as the Governor proposes) for lower quality care.
February 24, 2005 - The Governor proposes to lower the grants for all working CalWORKs recipients, by reducing the amount of earned income which is disregarded (not counted) when determining a family’s grant. This proposal results in savings of $80 million and is likely to have minimal impact on the work incentive. We present alternative approaches which are likely to increase the work incentive but result in less budgetary savings.
February 24, 2005 - In 2000, a legislatively mandated study found that it was difficult for social workers to provide services or maintain meaningful contact with children and their families because of the excessive numbers of cases they were expected to carry. Our analysis indicates California now meets or is approaching the three of the five workload standards in child welfare services.
February 24, 2005 - The Governor proposes to consolidate the state’s two largest data centers into the Department of Technology Services. A consolidated data center should ultimately result in improved services and reduced costs. A number of specific components of the proposal, however, would preempt the Legislature’s appropriation and oversight roles. For instance, the department’s expenditures would be controlled by administration officials outside the purview of the Legislature. Consequently, we recommend that the Legislature approve the consolidation but modify some key components.
February 23, 2005 - Presented to Senate Budget and Fiscal Review Subcommittee No. 3
February 9, 2005 - Presented to a joint hearing of the Senate Budget and Fiscal Review Subcommittees No. 1 and No. 3 on February 9, 2005.
April 29, 2004 - Presented to Budget Subcommittee No.1 on April 28, 2004.
March 24, 2004 - Presented to Assembly Budget Committee on March 24, 2004
February 24, 2004 - Index of Information Technology Issues in the Analysis of the Budget Bill, 2004-05
February 18, 2004 - In March 2003, the Department of Finance began a statewide assessment of 117 state information technology (IT) projects. The results of the assessment indicate that departments are having problems (1) developing their IT projects and (2) adhering to state policies. Our analysis examines the assessment results, identifies some possible deficiencies in the state's IT processes, and makes recommendations on how the Legislature can address the deficiencies.
February 18, 2004 - The Governor proposes sweeping reductions to the IHSS program in the form of eligibility restrictions, provider wage reductions, and limitations on services. The details of each aspect of the proposal are discussed below. In a subsequent discussion, we comment on the Governor's proposal and present alternatives for legislative consideration.