Staff
- Helen Kerstein
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(916) 319-8364
Air Quality, Energy, Climate Change, and High-Speed Rail - Frank Jimenez
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(916) 319-8324
Highways and Roads, Recycling, and Toxics - Rachel Ehlers
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(916) 319-8330
Deputy Legislative Analyst: Environment and Transportation
Publications
Transportation
To browse all LAO publications, visit our Publications page.
Enhanced Security Antiterrorism Programs
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February 20, 2002 - We withhold recommendation on $89.6 million requested for the California Highway Patrol until the levels of federal reimbursement are better known in the spring. We also recommend development of an expenditure plan that sets priorities for the use of the remaining $176 million in anticipated additional federal funds.
Motor Vehicle Account Condition
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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.
Condition of Transportation Funds
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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.
The Vehicle License Fee and The 2002-03 Budget
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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.
Perspectives on California’s Transportation Challenges
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May 30, 2001 - PowerPoint slides presented to the California Transportation Forum.
Condition of Transportation Funds
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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.
Governor's Traffic Congestion Relief Plan Issues to Consider
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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.
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.
Legislative Oversight of Transportation Programs
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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.
Intercity Rail Program
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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.
Caltrans Project Delivery
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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.
Governor's Transportation 2000 Initiative
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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.