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4,624 Publications Found
December 5, 2012 - A century and a half after the founding of adult education in the state, we find that the system faces a number of major problems and challenges, including: (1) an overly broad mission; (2) lack of clear delineations between adult education and collegiate coursework at community colleges; (3) inconsistent and conflicting state-level policies; (4) widespread lack of coordination among providers; and (5) limited student data, which impairs the public's ability to hold the system accountable for performance. Given adult education's numerous and significant challenges, we believe the system is in need of comprehensive restructuring. This report lays out a vision and roadmap for a more efficient and effective system. Our package of recommendations includes: (1) a state-subsidized system focused on adult education's core mission; (2) common, statewide definitions that clearly differentiate between adult education and collegiate education; (3) a common set of policies for faculty and students at adult schools and community colleges; (4) a dedicated stream of funding that creates incentives for cooperation among providers, with new adult education funds allocated based on regional needs; and (5) an integrated data system that tracks student outcomes and helps the public hold providers accountable for results.
November 29, 2012 - Property taxes and charges are a major source of revenue for thousands of local governments in California, generating more than $55 billion in revenue in 2010-11. At the same time, many elements of California's property tax system are complex and not well understood. The purpose of this report is to serve as an introductory reference to this key funding source. In the report, we answer some common questions about the state's property taxes, such as: what taxes and charges are on the property tax bill, what properties make up California's tax base, which local local governments receive property tax revenue, and how does the property tax affect the state budget. We also identify some policy concerns related to how property tax revenue is distributed among local governments and evaluate the property tax system relative to common tax policy criteria.
November 29, 2012 - This is an updated version of a graphic depicting the major milestones in the state-local fiscal relationship over the past 40 years. The latest version has been updated to reflect recent elections, 2011 realignment, and the dissolution of redevelopment and expanded to include milestones related to education finance. Note: The PDF file has three pages. The first page contains the entire graphic and will print on one sheet of paper, such as 8.5 x 11 (letter) or 8.5 x 14 (legal). The second and third pages each contain one half of the graphic and can be joined together for a larger copy of the graphic.
November 15, 2012 - Presented to the California Association of School Business Officials CBO Symposium.
November 14, 2012 - The 18th annual edition of the LAO's Fiscal Outlook--a forecast of the state's budget condition over the next five years--shows that California's budget situation has improved sharply. The state's economic recovery, prior budget cuts, and the additional, temporary taxes provided by Proposition 30 have combined to bring California to a promising moment: the possible end of a decade of acute state budget challenges. Our economic and budgetary forecast indicates that California's leaders face a dramatically smaller budget problem in 2013-14 compared to recent years. Furthermore, assuming steady economic growth and restraint in augmenting current program funding levels, there is a strong possibility of multibillion-dollar operating surpluses within a few years.
November 9, 2012 - Presented to Assembly Budget Subcommittee No. 1 on Health and Human Services, Hon. Holly J. Mitchell, Chair
November 8, 2012 - In recent years, the state has entered into public-private partnerships (P3) to finance, design, construct, operate, and maintain two state infrastructure projects in order to achieve benefits that they might not have obtained under a more traditional procurement approach. In this report, we find that the P3 practices of these recent projects are not necessarily aligned with the P3 best practices identified in research. Based on our findings, we identify several opportunities for the state to further maximize its benefits when deciding to procure a state infrastructure project as a P3. Specifically, we recommend that the Legislature (1) specify P3 project selection criteria in statute, (2) require a comparative analysis of a range of procurement options in order to better determine which procurement option would most effectively benefit the state, (3) require the existing Public Infrastructure Advisory Commission (PIAC) to approve state P3 projects, and (4) modify the structure and responsibilities of PIAC to better provide state expertise on P3s.
November 1, 2012 - Presented to: Local Agency Investment Fund Annual Conference
October 23, 2012 - Senate Budget and Fiscal Review Subcommittee No. 3 on Health and Human Services, Hon. Mark DeSaulnier, Chair and Senate Human Services Committee, Hon. Carol Liu, Chair
October 16, 2012 - Presented to: Senate Select Committee on Delta Stewardship and Sustainability Hon. Lois Wolk, Chair
October 11, 2012 - Real Estate Fraud Prosecution Trust Fund Program Chapter 942, Statutes of 1995 (SB 537, Hughes)
October 9, 2012 - Presented to Assembly Select Committee on High Quality Early Childhood Education
September 25, 2012 - Presented to: Assembly Insurance Committee Hon. Henry T. Perea, Chair and Senate Insurance Committee Hon. Ron Calderon, Chair
September 25, 2012 - Presented to Senate Elections and Constitutional Amendments Committee, Hon. Lou Correa, Chair and Assembly Elections and Redistricting Committee, Hon. Paul Fong, Chair
September 24, 2012 - Presented to Assembly Budget Committee, Hon. Bob Blumenfield, Chair