Staff
Helen Kerstein
(916) 319-8364
Air Quality, Energy, Climate Change, and High-Speed Rail
Frank Jimenez
(916) 319-8324
Highways and Roads, Recycling, and Toxics
Rachel Ehlers
(916) 319-8330
Deputy Legislative Analyst: Environment and Transportation


Publications

Transportation

To browse all LAO publications, visit our Publications page.



Report

Motor Vehicle Account Condition

February 20, 2002 - Increased costs for security activities in the budget year, together with other Motor Vehicle Account (MVA) expenditures, will result in an MVA shortfall if corrective actions are not taken.


Report

Condition of Transportation Funds

February 20, 2002 - We recommend adoption of budget bill language (a) limiting the transfer from the State Highway Account (SHA) to the Traffic Congestion Relief Fund (TCRF) and (b) providing increased flexibility for transferring TCRF money to the General Fund. We believe the budget overestimates current-year and budget-year expenditures from the TCRF and that capital outlay expenditures in the SHA are overestimated.


Report

The Vehicle License Fee and The 2002-03 Budget

February 20, 2002 - We provide a history of the VLF tax reductions and an explanation of the distribution of the revenues. We also answer many common questions regarding the VLF—including information about the insufficient moneys provision in current law.


Report

Analysis of the 2002-03 Budget Bill, Transportation Chapter

February 20, 2002 - Analysis of the 2002-03 Budget Bill, Transportation Chapter


Presentation

Perspectives on California’s Transportation Challenges

May 30, 2001 - PowerPoint slides presented to the California Transportation Forum.


Report

Condition of Transportation Funds

February 21, 2001 - The 2001-02 budget projects a significant decrease in the State Highway Account cash balance, from an estimated $878 million at the end of 2000-01 to $222 million at the end of 2001-02. Based on past expenditure trends, we find it unlikely that the balance will fall to this level.


Report

Analysis of the 2001-02 Budget Bill, Transportation Chapter

February 21, 2001 - Analysis of the 2001-02 Budget Bill, Transportation Chapter


Presentation

Perspectives on California’s Transportation Challenges

October 18, 2000 - Slide presentation composed of graphics highlighting California's transportation challenges.


Handout

Governor's Traffic Congestion Relief Plan Issues to Consider

May 24, 2000 - This is assessment of the Governor's Traffic Congestion Relief Plan presented to the Conference Committee on Transportation Infrastructure Finance and Development. The assessment identifies a number of issues that require legislative consideration, including: the need for ongoing funding, local flexibility in the use of funds, and coordination with air quality programs.


Report

California Travels: Financing Our Transportation

May 11, 2000 - What is being done to address California's transportation problems? What are the fund sources and how much money is currently available? How are these funds distributed and who decides how dollars are spent? This graphically intensive publication seeks to answer these and other related questions.


Report

Legislative Oversight of Transportation Programs

February 17, 2000 - The transportation departments within the Business, Transportation and Housing Agency have generally disregarded legislative direction to provide program and expenditure information. We recommend that the Legislature withhold action on the budget of the Secretary for Business, Transportation and Housing pending submittal of previously requested supplemental reports by the various departments.


Report

Intercity Rail Program

February 17, 2000 - Intercity rail service has increased in recent years. Before the state invests heavily in intercity rail service expansion, we recommend that a comprehensive passenger rail study be conducted in order to determine the state's priorities for rail transportation.


Report

Caltrans Project Delivery

February 17, 2000 - Caltrans' project delivery has improved, but is still hampered by vacancies, its use of project management, and fragmentation of state and federal funding. We recommend steps to expedite delivery of transportation projects.


Report

Governor's Transportation 2000 Initiative

February 17, 2000 - We conclude that the initiative results in no new funds for transportation, outside of rail and ferries. Rather, the initiative proposes to program $3.6 billion in additional transportation projects earlier than planned. These projects are unlikely to be delivered within the four-year STIP period.


Report

Analysis of the 2000-01 Budget Bill, Transportation Chapter

February 17, 2000 - Analysis of the 2000-01 Budget Bill, Transportation Chapter