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.



Handout

High-Speed Rail 2023 Project Update Report

April 12, 2023 - Presented to: Assembly Budget Subcommittee No. 3 on Climate Crisis, Resources, Energy and Transportation Assembly Committee on Transportation


Handout

High-Speed Rail 2023 Project Update Report

March 28, 2023 - Presented to: Senate Committee on Transportation


Handout

Transportation Funding From the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act

March 14, 2023 - Presented to: Senate Committee on Transportation Senate Budget and Fiscal Review Subcommittee No. 5 on Corrections, Public Safety, Judiciary, Labor and Transportation


Brief

The 2023-24 Budget: Proposed Fund Shift for CHP and DMV Capital Projects

February 27, 2023 - In this post, we analyze the Governor’s 2023-24 budget proposal to change the funding approach for various California Highway Patrol and Department of Motor Vehicles capital outlay projects from the General Fund to lease revenue bonds.


Brief

The 2023-24 Budget: Proposed Reauthorization of AB 8 Vehicle Fees

February 24, 2023 - In this brief, we analyze the Governor's proposal to extend certain vehicle fees (known as "AB 8" fees) that fund clean transportation activities that are scheduled to sunset at the end of 2023.


Brief

The 2023-24 Budget: Proposed Budget Solutions in Transportation Programs

February 13, 2023 - In response to the multibillion-dollar budget problem the state is facing, the Governor’s budget proposes $4 billion in multiyear budget solutions from the recent General Fund augmentations provided to transportation programs. In this brief we (1) provide background on the recent funding augmentations in transportation from both state and federal funds; (2) describe the Governor’s proposed transportation budget solutions; (3) discuss our assessment of the Governor’s proposals; and (4) offer recommendations for how the Legislature could craft its own package of solutions, including suggestions for potential additional reductions should the budget condition make them necessary.


Report

The 2023-24 Budget: Overview of the Governor's Budget

January 13, 2023 - On January 10, 2023, Governor Newsom presented his proposed state budget to the Legislature. In this report, we provide a brief summary of the proposed budget based on our initial review. In the coming weeks, we will analyze the plan in more detail and release several additional budget analyses.


Report

The 2022-23 Budget: California Spending Plan Series

September 29, 2022 - Each year, our office publishes California Spending Plan, a series of publications that summarize the annual state budget. The Overview of the California Spending Plan is presented here along with short online posts that focus on major areas and features of the 2022-23 budget package. As more of these posts become available, we will add them below.


Post

The 2022-23 California Spending Plan: Transportation

September 29, 2022 - The budget package provides a total of $33 billion for transportation-related programs in 2022-23, including for the California Department of Transportation (Caltrans), California State Transportation Agency (CalSTA), local streets and roads (shared revenues), California Highway Patrol (CHP), Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV), and High-Speed Rail Authority (HSRA).


Post

Climate Change Impacts Across California - Transportation

April 5, 2022 - This report focuses on how a changing climate is affecting transportation infrastructure and key issues the Legislature faces in responding to those impacts. This is one of a series of reports summarizing how climate change will impact different sectors across California.


Post

Climate Change Impacts Across California - Crosscutting Issues

April 5, 2022 - This report contains four primary sections: (1) a description of the five key climate hazards affecting California, (2) the major ways those hazards impact sectors across the state, (3) significant existing state‑level efforts underway to address climate change impacts, and (4) key issues for the Legislature to consider in response to these impacts. This is one of a series of reports summarizing how climate change will impact different sectors across California.


Handout

High-Speed Rail Draft 2022 Business Plan

March 8, 2022 - Presented to: Senate Transportation Committee and Senate Budget Subcommittee No. 5 on Corrections, Public Safety, Judiciary, Labor and Transportation


Handout

High-Speed Rail Draft 2022 Business Plan

February 21, 2022 - In this handout, we (1) provide background information on the planned high-speed rail system, (2) describe the major features of the High-Speed Rail Authority’s draft 2022 business plan, (3) identify some preliminary issues for legislative consideration, and (4) discuss key decisions facing the Legislature.


Report

The 2022-23 Budget: Supply Chain and Port Infrastructure Proposals

February 15, 2022 - This brief provides our initial assessment and recommendations in response to the Governor’s supply chain and port infrastructure package.


Report

The 2022-23 Budget: Transportation Infrastructure Package

February 15, 2022 - This brief provides our initial assessment and recommendations in response to the Governor’s transportation infrastructure package.