January 22, 2007 - In November 2006, California voters approved $42.7 billion in general obligation bonds to fund infrastructure projects in transportation, education, resources, and housing. The 2006 bond package represents a major opportunity for the Legislature to address many of the state’s most pressing infrastructure concerns. With more than $18 billion allocated to new programs, effective legislative oversight is critical to the success of the programs. In this report, we offer key considerations and recommendations to assist the Legislature in implementing the bonds. (Video Summary)review infrastructure
August 8, 2006 - Presented to Senate Committee on Natural Resources and Water Hon. Sheila James Kuehl, Chair and Assembly Committee on Water, Parks and Wildlife Hon. Lois Wolk, Chair
February 20, 2008 - Analysis of the 2008-09 Budget Bill, Infrastructure Chapter
February 19, 2013 - In this report, we review the Governor’s 2013-14 budget proposals for various resources and environmental protection departments and programs, including the Department of Water Resources, Department of Forestry and Fire Protection, Department of Parks and Recreation, California Energy Commission, and the Air Resources Board. We identify concerns with several of the proposals and make recommendations for legislative consideration. In some cases, we identify proposals that we think should be rejected or modified. In particular, we point out several budget proposals that would impact state expenditures in future years. We also note that the proposed budget includes several proposals to use certain revenues for different activities that may not be legally allowable given the revenue source. In addition, we identify several issues in the report that we believe merit greater legislative oversight, including a new surcharge on investor-owned utility electricity bills that the California Public Utilities Commission has been collecting since January 2012 without legislative authorization.
June 27, 2018 - Presented to: Senate Committee on Natural Resources and Water
March 28, 2007 - Presented to Assembly Budget Subcommittee No. 3 on Resources
August 26, 2008 - Presented to Assembly Special Committee on Water
February 27, 2007 - Presented to Senate Committee on Natural Resources and Water
February 12, 2015 - Presented to the Senate Budget and Fiscal Review Committee Hon. Mark Leno, Chair
March 13, 2007 - Presented to Assembly Committee on Water, Parks and Wildlife
March 6, 2007 - Presented to Assembly Committee on Water, Parks and Wildlife
February 21, 2007 - We estimate that the Governor’s budget plan would result in 2007-08 expenditures exceeding revenues by $2.6 billion. This would leave the state with a $726 million year-end deficit, compared to the Governor’s January 10th estimate of a $2.1 billion positive reserve. In addition, the state would face operating deficits of $3.4 billion in 2008-09, $2.5 billion in 2009-10, and $1.4 billion in 2010-11. Thus, additional solutions will be needed to bring the budget into balance, such as budgetary savings, enhanced resources, or reduced supplemental payments toward paying off budgetary debt. It will also be important to avoid raising ongoing budget commitments without identifying alternative reductions or new revenues to pay for them.