Translate
Filter publications





 

636 Publications Found

Budget/Policy Analysis    Clear Filters


Report

Implementing AB 900’s Infill Bed Plan: Progress and Concerns

February 20, 2008 - Prison officials have made some progress, but encountered some obstacles, in implementing a $7.7 billion package of prison construction projects. We raise concerns about how the estimated construction cost per bed for new infill bed facilities has nearly tripled compared to the cost of a prison built a few years ago. We recommend that the infill bed plan be revised after obtaining an independent estimate of construction costs to avoid the possibility of overspending hundreds of millions of dollars for these projects.

Report

Administration’s Population Reduction Proposals Not Best Options

February 20, 2008 - The administration proposes to release certain inmates from prison early and place them under minimal parole supervision, a policy it terms "summary parole." We recommend alternatives offering a better tradeoff between public safety and budget savings: (1) changing crimes currently classified as "wobblers" to misdemeanors and (2) substituting an "earned discharge" program for the Governor’s summary parole proposal.

Report

Restructuring Criminal Justice Local Assistance Programs

February 20, 2008 - The Governor’s budget proposes 10 percent across-the-board reductions for criminal justice local assistance programs to achieve about $60 million in savings. We recommend instead that the Legislature achieve savings of about $270 million by eliminating or reducing General Fund support for programs that have not demonstrated results, do not serve a statewide purpose, could be consolidated, or could be funded from other sources.

Report

Specific Cost-Savings Options for the Judicial Branch

February 20, 2008 - The budget proposes an unallocated reduction of $246 million for the Judicial Branch. We recommend the Legislature adopt a savings target that is consistent with its own program and spending priorities and take specific actions. Options include suspending State Appropriations Limit adjustments, phasing in electronic court reporting, adjusting the budget for delays in the appointment of new judges, and increasing court revenues.

Report

No Funds to Pay 2007-08 Mandate Costs

February 20, 2008 - The administration proposes special session legislation to eliminate local government authority to submit estimated cost claims. We review this proposal and conclude that, on balance, its benefits outweigh the loss to local governments from less timely reimbursement payments.

Report

Animal Adoption Mandate

February 20, 2008 - We recommend the Legislature repeal the Animal Adoption mandate because the Legislature’s goals are not suited to implementation as a mandate.

Report

Motor Vehicle Account Condition

February 20, 2008 - In order to address a projected shortfall in the Motor Vehicle Account (MVA), the Governor proposes to increase vehicle registration fee by $11 per vehicle--bringing total registration fee to $52 per vehicle, and to double the penalty for late registration. Absent such corrective actions, the level of MVA spending proposed by the budget would leave the account with a shortfall of over $160 million at the end of 2008-09, growing to $500 million in 2009-10, and nearly $1 billion at the end of 2010-11. If revenues and expenditures grow at historical trends, the fee hike proposal would keep MVA solvent through 2013-14.

Report

Infrastructure Bank Loan Program

February 20, 2008 - The Infrastructure and Economic Development Bank (I-Bank) provides low cost loans to local governments for infrastructure projects that are supposed to promote economic development and improve land use. However, loans made by the I-Bank do not effectively meet these objectives. We recommend modifying the program to better target limited state funds.

Report

Implementation of Proposition 1B

February 20, 2008 - Proposition 1B authorizes about $20 billion in bond funds for transportation projects. The timely delivery of these projects depends on several factors, such as the availability of funds anticipated from other sources and the ability of the Department of Transportation to hire the necessary staff to plan and construct projects. We recommend several measures to ensure that bond-funded projects are not delayed. review infrastructure

Report

Funding of Transportation Programs

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.

Report

Governor’s 2008 Infrastructure Bond Proposal

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

Report

Under New Compacts, Special Distribution Fund Can Directly Affect the General Fund

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.

Report

Legislative Considerations Regarding Changes to the Lottery

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.

Report

Vacant Positions

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.

Report

Index of Information Technology Issues in the Analysis of the 2008-09 Budget Bill

February 20, 2008 - Index of Information Technology Issues in the Analysis of the 2008-09 Budget Bill