The 2017-18 Budget: Resources and Environmental Protection

Feb 15, 2017 - In this report, we assess many of the Governor's 2017-18 budget proposals in the resources and environmental protection areas and recommend various changes. We provide a complete listing of our recommendations at the end of this report.
https://lao.ca.gov/Publications/Report/3558

A Framework for Evaluating State-Level Green Stimulus Proposals

Jan 5, 2021 - Some projects may also be specifically targeted at addressing environmental justice and social equity concerns by remediating conditions that disproportionately affect communities with residents who earn low incomes.
https://lao.ca.gov/Publications/Report/4308

Reducing the Destructiveness of Wildfires: Promoting Defensible Space in California

Sep 30, 2021 - Research suggests that the resources required to complete defensible space work —in the form of time and money —can be a significant barrier. In particular, certain activities, such as removal of large trees, can be difficult and cost thousands of dollars if the homeowner hires someone to conduct the removal.
https://lao.ca.gov/Publications/Report/4457

The 2026-27 Budget: Proposed Elimination of State Environmental Positions

Feb 17, 2026 - For example, at the California Department of Fish and Wildlife (CDFW), positions include game wardens who prov ide important law enforcement and wildlife and resource protection services. Some CDFW positions also administer various permits, a key function to ensure that projects —from habitat restoration to infrastructure and housing development —can be completed with less damage to the environment.
https://lao.ca.gov/Publications/Report/5124

Addressing California’s Convenience Zone Recycling Center Closures

May 16, 2016 - How Do CZ Recycling Centers Make Money? As shown in Figure 2, CZ recyclers earn money from two main sources: the sale of collected scrap material and payments from the Beverage Container Recycling Fund (BCRF) —processing payments, handling fees, and administrative fees.
https://lao.ca.gov/Publications/Report/3466

The 2025-26 Budget: Natural Resources and Agriculture Discretionary Spending Proposals

Feb 18, 2025 - Specifically, the survey found that 23  percent of respondents earn $30,000 or less; 19  percent earn between $30,001 and $60,000; 15  percent earn between $60,001 and $90,000; and 11  percent report earning between $90,001 and $120,000.
https://lao.ca.gov/Publications/Report/4967

Living Under Smoky Skies—Understanding the Challenges Posed by Wildfire Smoke in California

Nov 14, 2022 - For example, one 2022 study found a relationship between wildfire smoke levels and poorer cognitive performance on a brain‑training game, and another 2022 study found a link between smoke exposure and lower test scores.
https://lao.ca.gov/Publications/Report/4644

The 2026-27 Budget: Cap-and-Invest Expenditure Plan

Feb 10, 2026 - We note that the language of S B  840 indicates that the methodology applies to “moneys in the fund ” and thus does not clearly limit it exclusively to auction revenues. However, the administration indicates that the intent of S B   840 was to apply the methodology only to auction revenues, consistent with historical practice.
https://lao.ca.gov/Publications/Report/5114

Improving Outcomes for California Conservation Corpsmembers

Feb 9, 2018 - The money in the CDRA is continuously appropriated to the CCC and may be used for the following purposes: ( 1)  p rogram expansion to hire more corpsmembers, ( 2)  e nhancement of corpsmember education and educational support services, ( 3)  e nhancement of equipment used by corpsmembers in projects, and ( 4)  p rogram support.
https://lao.ca.gov/Publications/Report/3742

The 2026-27 Budget: Framework for Approaching the Natural Resources, Environmental Protection, and Agriculture Budget

Feb 10, 2026 - Adequate staffing for the museum will allow it to open to the public on time and with the appropriate maintenance, especially as the number of visitors to Expo Park increases in advance of the 2028 Olympic and Paralympic Games in Los Angeles.
https://lao.ca.gov/Publications/Report/5116