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1,015 Publications Found
March 15, 2002 - Chapter 107, Statutes of 2001 (AB 38, Strom-Martin), requires the Legislative Analyst’s Office to undertake a study of these special districts. In this review we find that while some individual districts have pursued controversial policies, there is no evidence of a statewide structural governance problem.
January 31, 2002 - We find that three key types of building standards are not being used uniformly by the three segments of higher education. This has resulted in construction costs that are higher than necessary and possible over-statement of facilities needs. As a result, we recommend various improvements to make standards more useful to the Legislature.
December 19, 2001 - Due to weak economic and revenue performance, California faces a $12.4 billion budget shortfall in 2002-03. We identify several key budget-balancing principles and strategies and identify specific spending and revenue options for implementing these strategies. Finally, we review the administration's initial proposals to address the current-year shortfall and offer additional current-year options for the Legislature to consider.
December 5, 2001 - A member requested comprehensive review of the Department of Managed Health Care’s (DMHC) $30 million budget and its daily operations. We offer a series of options for further reform of the managed care industry, including licensing and certification of medical groups and expanded state review of HMO contracts for medical services
November 21, 2001 - A member-requested fiscal and policy analysis of Chapter 10x, Statutes of 2001 (SB 6x, Burton). This measure created the California Consumer Power and Conservation Financing Authority.
May 1, 2001 - When the state issues a bond to pay part of the cost of constructing and remodeling schools, school districts are unsure when and how much funding will be available, or what rules will govern eligibility. We recommend that the state identify the average cost of providing educational facilities and provide a share of this amount to every school district as an annual, per-pupil, facilities grant.
March 27, 2001 - Compliance with the federal Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) will require the health care industry to change processes and systems that will result in significant costs. We recommend that the Legislature approve the funding to support HIPAA compliance activities but recommend the enactment of state legislation providing an appropriate policy framework to govern HIPAA compliance activities.
February 14, 2001 - The new system for budgeting CalWORKs welfare-to-work services is flawed. Welfare-to-work services are potentially underfunded by as much as $120 million during 2000-01, and 10 counties do not have sufficient funds to provide necessary services for all families needing to become self-sufficient. We recommend enactment of legislation aimed at addressing these deficiencies.
February 8, 2001 - Many students arrive at public colleges in California unprepared for college-level courses. In this report we recommend a multifaceted strategy to address this problem by assessing student preparedness earlier, improving accountability in precollegiate education, and funding precollegiate courses in a more equitable and effective manner.
February 6, 2001 - Realignment, enacted in 1991, transferred various mental health, health, and social services programs from the state to county control. It also altered program cost-sharing ratios, and provided counties with dedicated tax revenues to pay for these changes. Although realignment has been largely successful, we recommend implementation of several changes including a simplified allocation structure for new revenues that relies on a single formula.
February 1, 2001 - Our analysis indicates that no rational basis exists for setting Medi-Cal physician rates, and that current rates are lower than those paid by the federal Medicare Program and others. Commencing in 2002-03, we recommend that the state adjust rates based upon a comprehensive analysis of access to physician services and the quality of care provided to beneficiaries.
January 30, 2001 - The Children's Health and Disability Prevention (CHDP) program's role as a "gateway" to the Healthy Families Program has never been fully established. We recommend several changes in California designed to reduce the number of uninsured children and promote comprehensive health coverage for low-income children.