MOU Fiscal Analysis: Bargaining Units 16 and 19 [Publication Details]

Aug 23, 2013 - We reviewed the proposed memoranda of understanding (MOUs) for Bargaining Unit 16 and Bargaining Unit 19. Bargaining Unit 16 is represented by the Union of American Physicians and Dentists (UAPD). Bargaining Unit 19 is represented by the American Federation of State, County, and Municipal Employees (AFSCME). If adopted, the MOUs would modestly increase state costs in 2013-14.
https://lao.ca.gov/Publications/Detail/2806

K-12 and Community College Mandates [Publication Details]

Feb 23, 2006 - We find that the amount proposed in the budget bill for mandates falls short of fully funding ongoing mandate costs; the mandates claims process could be streamlined and simplified by reimbursing districts on a per-pupil basis for all K-12 mandates; recent action by the Commission on State Mandates (CSM) on the Standardized Testing and Reporting (STAR) mandate raises issues about
https://lao.ca.gov/Publications/Detail/1451

The 2018-19 Budget: County Assessor Funding [Publication Details]

Feb 15, 2018 - The Governor proposes to create a three-year grant program to distribute $5 million per year to select county assessors to cover the majority of the cost of new staff and information technology upgrades. In general, there are good reasons for the state to provide funding to county assessors. We, however, suggest the Legislature consider an alternative grant program.
https://lao.ca.gov/Publications/Detail/3756

Generational Differences in Homeownership and Housing Costs [EconTax Blog]

Aug 17, 2015 - While falling homeownership rates and rising housing costs for younger Californians have coincided with the rapid growth in the state ’s housing costs in recent decades, other factors likely contributed to these trends.
https://lao.ca.gov/LAOEconTax/Article/Detail/120

Assessing Recent State Efforts: Health Care for the "Hard-to-Insure" [Publication Details]

Dec 7, 2005 - Based upon our evaluation, we present several recommendations to improve the program by potentially reducing its costs to enrollees and the state. Reports by Policy Area
https://lao.ca.gov/Publications/Detail/1352

Wildland Fire Protection Expenditures [Publication Details]

Feb 21, 2007 - We make a number of recommendations to control the rising costs, including clarifying state and local roles for providing emergency services, modifying the criteria by which land is designated a state responsibility for fire protection, and enacting a fee on private landowners to partially cover the state‘s costs in providing fire protection services that benefit them.
https://lao.ca.gov/Publications/Detail/1590

Update on Real ID Act [Publication Details]

Feb 21, 2007 - Given the current lack of information regarding federal requirements and funding, as well as growing opposition to the act in other states, we recommend the state go slowly for now, and limit spending to planning activities.
https://lao.ca.gov/Publications/Detail/1594

^[PDF] LAO 1997 Budget Analysis: General Government Chapter

Moreover, discussions with departmental manag- ers indicate that there has been minimal consultation with the state agen- cies which operate and rely on state telecommunications networks. Fail- ure to adequately involve key state departments carries with it a risk that the business needs of state agencies, and therefore, their
https://lao.ca.gov/analysis_1997/general_govt_anal97.pdf

Restructuring California's Child Care and Development System [Publication Details]

Apr 4, 2014 - Given the serious shortcomings of the state's child care and development system, we recommend the Legislature fundamentally restructure it. Our report lays out a plan for a new, simplified, more rational system that treats similar families similarly.
https://lao.ca.gov/Publications/Detail/2991

Year-One Survey: Update on School District Finance and Flexibility [Publication Details]

May 4, 2010 - In particular, the survey asked districts to report how they were responding to the newly granted flexibility to shift funds among, as well as away from, approximately 40 state-funded categorical programs.
https://lao.ca.gov/Publications/Detail/2266