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4,788 Publications Found
February 20, 2008 - Actions taken as part of the 2007-08 budget package significantly changed the way the state uses some of its transit funds. In particular, a portion of gasoline sales tax revenues will be diverted from transit programs to pay for certain transportation-related activities previously supported by the General Fund. We discuss the ongoing impact of such actions on funding for state transportation programs, as well as the ongoing funding constraint the state faces relative to the maintenance and rehabilitation of its transportation system.
February 20, 2008 - The Governor’s budget proposes to ask for voter approval of $48 billion in general obligation bonds. In this piece, we provide an update on the implementation of the bond package approved in 2006, describe the Governor’s new bond-related proposals, and analyze how the proposed additional bonds would affect the state’s debt-service payments for infrastructure.review infrastructure
February 20, 2008 - We describe how the passage of five 2007 Indian gambling compacts will affect the state’s General Fund and the Special Distribution Fund. We recommend that the Legislature take action to improve the state’s General Fund condition.
February 20, 2008 - The Governor has proposed leasing the California Lottery to a private concessionaire to improve its sales and generate funds for public purposes. The administration’s estimate that such a transaction could generate $37 billion is unrealistic. We recommend that the Legislature continue to explore methods to improve the performance of the Lottery.
February 20, 2008 - About 14 percent of state employee positions are vacant. In this piece, we discuss the factors that cause high vacancy levels. We recommend repealing an ineffective state law that purports to abolish vacant positions. In its place, we offer the Legislature some options to hold departments accountable for high vacancy rates.
February 20, 2008 - Index of Information Technology Issues in the Analysis of the 2008-09 Budget Bill
February 20, 2008 - Our annual detailed examination of the Budget Bill based on the Governor's Budget. It includes hundreds of findings and recommendations related to education, health and social services, criminal justice, transportation, resources, capital outlay, information technology, and local government.
February 12, 2008 - Executive Summary
According to national research, academic and vocational programs can significantly reduce the likelihood that offenders will commit new offenses and return to prison. Despite these findings, the state offers these programs to only a relatively small segment of the inmate population. Moreover, the inmate education programs that do exist suffer from a number of problems that limit their effectiveness at reducing recidivism. To improve prison education programs and public safety, we recommend several structural reforms to increase the performance, outcomes, and accountability of the existing inmate education programs, as well as ways to expand their capacity at a low cost to the state.
February 7, 2008 - The administration proposes a 5 percent raise for correctional officers and legislation to allow it to impose a labor settlement on the officers’ union, the California Correctional Peace Officers Association (CCPOA). We find that the officers’ compensation levels are sufficient to allow the prisons to meet personnel needs at the present time, but we generally agree with other administration proposals to increase management control in prisons. We note that the dysfunctional relationship between the administration and CCPOA makes it more difficult to address the many issues facing the state’s prison and personnel management systems.