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.
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.
HOV Lanes in California: Are They Achieving Their Goals?
January 7, 2000 - We conclude that the performance of High Occupancy Vehicle (HOV) lanes is mixed. We recommend various measures to ensure that the freeway capacity utilized by HOV lanes is managed efficiently. These include creation of more High Occupancy Toll lanes and, where appropriate, conversion of underutilized HOV lanes.
Public Transportation Account: Options to Address Projected Shortfall
January 4, 2000 - We project a shortfall for the Public Transportation Account (PTA). As a result of this shortfall, no PTA funds will be available for new transit capital improvement projects through at least 2005-06. We discuss various alternatives for addressing this shortfall, including a constitutional amendment to permit expenditure of gas tax revenues for transit rolling stock.