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Report

Report on Consumer Credit Finance Rates: Pursuant to Chapter 429, Statutes of 1988

May 14, 1991 - Chapter 479, Statutes of 1988 (SB 2592, Dills), eliminated, for a three-year trial period, the statutorily set limits on the finance rates that retailers may charge consumers on their retail credit accounts in California. The original rate limits were established by the so-called Unruh Act in 1959. Chapter 479 lifts the rate limits from January 1989 to January 1992, after which time these limits will go back into effect. It also requires the Legislative Analyst to report to the Legislature on consumer credit rates charged in California in 1989 and 1990, during the first two years of the deregulation period. Our report provides this required credit rate information, along with various other information that may assist the Legislature in interpreting the data and deciding whether to allow limits on consumer credit finance rates to go back into effect in 1992.

Report

Cal-EPA Proposals

May 7, 1991 - Cal-EPA Proposals

Report

Analysis of the 1991-92 Tax Expenditure Budget

May 1, 1991 - Analysis of the 1991-92 Tax Expenditure Budget

Report

Reforming California's Mental Health System

March 26, 1991 - California's mental health system is a partnership involving shared responsibilities between the state and counties. The system is governed by the Short-Doyle Act, enacted in 1957. The act requires the Department of Mental Health to provide leadership in administering, planning, financing, and overseeing mental health services, including local programs. Mental health services are funded primarily from state funds, with a required county match for certain services.

Report

State Rail Program

February 1, 1991 - In this analysis, we (1) provide background on the state's existing rail system, how rail systems have been financed up until 1990, and the key features of the new rail programs financed by bond funds; (2) review the state's role in the planning, development, and implementation of the state's rail system; (3) discuss the coordination of the state's rail capital outlay programs; and (4) review issues related to two future rail bond measures scheduled for the November 1992 and 1994 elections.

Report

Child Abuse and Neglect in California: A Review of the Child Welfare Service Program

January 1, 1991 - The purpose of this report is to evaluate the extent to which the Child Welfare Services Program has been able to achieve the goals established by Chapter 978. Chapter I examines the growth in the program's caseload and costs since 1982. Chapter II evaluates how successful the program has been at identifying and serving abused and neglected children since 1982. Chapter III assesses the extent to which the availability of staff and services affect the program's performance. Finally, Chapter IV summarizes options for the Legislature to improve the performance of the program.

Report

The State's Budget Problem

December 1, 1990 - The purpose of this policy brief is to outline for the Legislature the nature, magnitude, and causes of the budget problem. In addition, we offer some general strategies for dealing with the budgetary gap. While the exact extent of the current and budget-year shortfalls cannot be determined at this time, we can identify the general magnitude of the problem to assist the Legislature as it begins its fiscal deliberations.

Report

K-12 Education

August 13, 1990 - This issue memo provides an overview of 1990-91 funding for K-12 education. It was prepared to assist the Legislature in reviewing the Governor's set-aside proposals during the balance of the legislative session.

Report

Revenue Options for the 1990-91 Budget

June 6, 1990 - This document provides a review of 14 revenue options that could be put into effect for the 1990-91 fiscal year. It was prepared at the request of the Senate Budget and Fiscal Review Committee, in order to assist the Committee's review of its fiscal choices for the 1990-91 Budget.

Report

California's Low-Income Housing Tax Credit

May 1, 1990 - In 1989 the Legislature enacted legislation (58 726, L. Greene) to continue the state low-income housing tax credit program as long as a related federal program exists. That legislation also requires the Legislative Analyst's Office to evaluate the effectiveness of this program. This policy brief provides the evaluation, and makes recommendations for changes to improve the program's effectiveness.

Report

Year-Round School Incentive Programs: An Evaluation

April 1, 1990 - This report is submitted pursuant to Chapter 886, Statutes of 1986 (SB 327, Leroy Greene). Chapter 886, the Greene-Hughes School Facilities Act of 1986, made numerous changes and additions to the state's school facilities aid program. One such provision established a financial incentive payment program for qualified school districts operating year-round schools because of overcrowding. This program was in addition to a separate year-round incentive program established in 1984-85 by Chapter 498, Statutes of 1983 (SB 813, Hart). Chapter 886 also requires the Legislative Analyst to report to the Legislature regarding the value of year-round education incentive funding pursuant to this act in reducing the need for school facility construction.

Report

A Review of the Governor's Housing Initiative

March 1, 1990 - In January 1990, the Governor announced a $2 billion home loan initiative to increase home ownership opportunities for first-time homebuyers. In March, two legislative measures were introduced to establish part of the program. In the following analysis we describe the Governor’s proposal, identify the likely beneficiaries, discuss its fiscal effects, and identify the policy choices which this proposal presents to the Legislature.

Report

Review of the Bank and Corporation Tax Exemption For International Banking Facilities

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February 1, 1990 - Review of the Bank and Corporation Tax Exemption For International Banking Facilities

Report

A Perspective on Housing in California

January 1, 1990 - The purpose of this report is to provide the Legislature with an overview of housing in California, including information that will assist it in making decisions that will affect the future performance of the state's housing market and thus the economy generally.

Report

California Maritime Academy: Options for the Legislature

January 1, 1990 - The purpose of this review of the California Maritime Academy (CMA) is to evaluate the cost-effectiveness of the academy and to determine whether alternative approaches for carrying out the academy's mission should be considered. This report contains four chapters. In the first chapter, we provide a brief history of the academy and a description of its program and operations. The second chapter consists of an analysis of the cost-effectiveness of the academy. Chapter III examines several alternatives to continuation of the current level of state support for the CMA. Finally, the last chapter contains our conclusions and a recommendation.