A Perspective on County Fiscal Constraints [Publication Details]

Feb 21, 1996 - The fiscal constraints counties face hinder county administration of many programs in which the state has considerable interest--including health, welfare, criminal justice, and property tax collection. These fiscal constraints also impair county ability to provide local programs--law enforcement, libraries, and parks--in a manner which meets the preferences of local residents.
https://lao.ca.gov/Publications/Detail/1

The Vehicle License Fee and The 2002-03 Budget [Publication Details]

Feb 20, 2002 - We provide a history of the VLF tax reductions and an explanation of the distribution of the revenues. We also answer many common questions regarding the VLF—including information about the insufficient moneys provision in current law.
https://lao.ca.gov/Publications/Detail/853

Williamson Act—Subventions for Open Space [Publication Details]

Feb 18, 2004 - The Williamson Act allows cities and counties to enter into contracts with landowners to restrict certain property to open space and agricultural uses. In return for these restrictions, the property owners pay reduced property taxes because the land is assessed at a lower-than-maximum level.
https://lao.ca.gov/Publications/Detail/1147

Realignment Revisited: An Evaluation of the 1991 Experiment In State-County Relations [Publication Details]

Feb 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.
https://lao.ca.gov/Publications/Detail/755

Proposition 172—How Did it Affect Spending for Public Safety [Publication Details]

Jun 9, 1994 - On November 2, 1993, California voters enacted Proposition 172, which established a permanent statewide half-cent sales tax for support of local public safety functions in cities and counties.
https://lao.ca.gov/Publications/Detail/216

Making Government Make Sense: Applying the Concept in 1993-94 [Publication Details]

May 1, 1993 - We propose realigning responsibility for various state and local programs. It is our belief that the proposal enhances the flexibility of counties and their control of program operations. We provide an alternative that accomplishes both objectives. Our proposal saves $1.
https://lao.ca.gov/Publications/Detail/157