Transportation Publications

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

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

The 2022-23 Budget: Transportation Infrastructure Package

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

The 2022-23 Budget: Highway Violence Task Force

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February 14, 2022 - The Governor proposes $4 million General Fund for the California Highway Patrol (CHP) to support the Highway Violence Task Force. Although providing resources to CHP to address highway violence has merit, it is unclear whether the proposal is the most effective solution given the limited understanding of the factors associated with highway violence and the high levels of vacancies at CHP. In addition, we find that the Motor Vehicle Account (MVA) is a more appropriate funding source than the General Fund to address highway violence. To the extent that the Legislature considers highway violence a priority, we recommend the Legislature consider research‑based alternatives, fund the various activities from the MVA, and require reporting on the prevalence and associated factors of highway violence.

The 2022-23 Budget: Clean California Local Grant Program

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February 10, 2022 - In this post, we assess the Governor’s 2022-23 budget proposal to provide an additional year of funding for the Clean California Local Grant Program administered by the California Department of Transportation.

The 2022-23 Budget: Overview of the Governor's Budget

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January 13, 2022 - On January 10, 2022, 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.

Update (1/21/22): Includes a corrected estimate of Governor’s Budget proposals that are excludable under the State Appropriations Limit (SAL).

The 2021-22 Spending Plan: Transportation

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October 1, 2021 - The 2021‑22 budget provides a total of $31.7 billion for transportation-related programs, including 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).

The 2021-22 Budget: Initial Comments on the Governor’s May Revision

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May 17, 2021 - On May 14, 2021, Governor Newsom presented a revised state budget proposal to the Legislature. (This annual proposed revised budget is called the “May Revision.”) In this post, we provide a summary of the Governor’s revised budget, focusing on the overall condition and structure of the state General Fund—the budget’s main operating account. In the coming days, we will analyze the plan in more detail and provide additional comments in hearing testimony and online.

High-Speed Rail Revised Draft 2020 Business Plan

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March 16, 2021 - Senate Committee on Transportation and Senate Budget and Fiscal Review Subcommittee No. 5 on Corrections, Public Safety, Labor and Transportation

High-Speed Rail Revised Draft 2020 Business Plan

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March 10, 2021 - Presented to: Assembly Budget Subcommittee No. 3 on Climate Crisis, Resources, Energy, and Transportation Hon. Richard Bloom, Chair and Assembly Committee on Transportation Hon. Laura Friedman, Chair

High-Speed Rail Revised Draft 2020 Business Plan

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March 9, 2021 - Analyzes the High-Speed Rail Authority's Revised Draft 2020 Business Plan and provides some issues for legislative consideration.

The 2021-22 Budget: Extension of AB 8 Fees and Funding Securitization for Zero-Emission Vehicle Infrastructure

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February 16, 2021 - Analyzes the Governor's proposal to extend certain vehicle-related fees to fund air quality and climate programs, as well as securitize a portion of the revenue to support zero-emission vehicle infrastructure.

The 2021-22 Budget: Department of Motor Vehicles

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February 8, 2021 - This publication provides an overview of the Governor's 2021-22 January budget proposals for the Department of Motor Vehicles, including the extension of resources to implement REAL ID and operational improvements.

DMV Shift to Online Services Due to COVID-19

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October 16, 2020 - Provides an overview of the recent expansion of online services at the Department of Motor Vehicles, including the creation of the Virtual Field Office, as well as potential fiscal and service implications of this expansion and other issues for legislative consideration.

The 2020-21 Spending Plan: Transportation

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October 5, 2020 - The 2020‑21 budget provides a total of $26.4 billion for transportation-related programs, including the California Department of Transportation (Caltrans), high-speed rail, local streets and roads (shared revenues), California Highway Patrol (CHP), and Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV).

Impact of COVID-19 on State Transportation Revenues

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September 17, 2020 - The state has experienced reductions in gasoline and other tax revenues that support California's transportation system. This post discusses these declines and the potential effects on major state transportation programs.