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Series

Trends in Higher Education

April 30, 2025 - From January 2024 through April 2025, we released six analytical reports focused on higher education trends. The reports cover trends in student access, college affordability, student outcomes, finance, faculty and staff, and facilities. The series has two main objectives. The first is to help legislators, staff, and the general public track many of the key changes that higher education has undergone over the past few decades. The second is to help legislators better navigate the future. To this end, each brief is punctuated by key issues for legislators to consider as they move forward in making higher education policy and budget decisions.


Brief

Trends in Higher Education: Facilities

April 30, 2025 - This is the final brief of a six-part series covering higher education trends in California. This brief focuses on higher education facilities. The brief includes key issues for the Legislature to consider as it makes related policy and budget decisions.


Post

The 2025-26 Budget: Scholarshare Investment Board

April 30, 2025 - In this post, we analyze the Governor’s budget proposal to provide the Scholarshare Investment Board with three additional employee positions to support the California Kids Investment and Development Savings program.


Handout

The Greenhouse Gas Reduction Fund: Current Status and Choices Ahead

April 30, 2025 - Assembly Budget Subcommittee No. 4 on Climate Crisis, Resources, Energy and Transportation


Post

Preliminary Assessment of Significant Changes to State's Technology Project Approval and Oversight Processes

April 29, 2025 - This post discusses a new process introduced by the administration to plan, develop, and implement generative artificial intelligence projects—the Project Delivery Lifecycle—and its potential impacts on legislative oversight of technology projects.


Handout

Wildfire Response and Recovery in California

April 28, 2025 - Assembly Budget Subcommittee No. 6 on Public Safety


Handout

Overview of State Wildfire Resilience Funding, Actions, and Considerations

April 23, 2025 - Assembly Budget Subcommittee No. 4 on Climate Crisis, Resources, Energy and Transportation


Post

The 2025-26 Budget: SB 678 County Probation Grant Program

April 11, 2025 - In this post, we assess the Governor’s proposed changes to the Community Corrections Performance Incentive grant program, commonly referred to as the SB 678 grant program, and provide our recommendations to modify the Governor’s proposal to better achieve the goals of the program.


Report

Improving Legislative Oversight of Emergency Authorities

April 10, 2025 - In this report, we describe how the Legislature has delegated some of its core powers to allow the Governor to exercise emergency authorities during a state of emergency. Next, we assess the degree to which this is necessary to facilitate emergency response and whether there are adequate oversight mechanisms in place. Finally, we make various recommendations intended to allow the Legislature to exercise more of its core powers and ensure there is adequate oversight of the Governor during emergencies.


Report

Rethinking California's Reserve Policy

April 10, 2025 - Reserves allow the state to ensure stable funding for its services over time, even when revenue fluctuates unpredictably. Over the last few years, the state has indeed experienced significant fluctuations—large surpluses followed by significant deficits. This volatility has prompted interest in changes to the state’s reserve policy. In this report, we assess proposed changes by the Governor to the state’s reserve policy and put forward our own recommendations that would allow the state to save enough in reserves to be able to afford its core service level over the long-term.


Handout

Overview of Proposition 1 and Assessment of Behavioral Health Continuum Infrastructure Program

April 7, 2025 - Presented to: Assembly Budget Subcommittee No. 1 on Health


Brief

The 2025-26 Budget: Medi-Cal Pharmacy Spending

April 3, 2025 - This brief provides an overview of pharmacy spending in Medi-Cal, including historical spending trends, assumptions under the 2025-26 Governor’s Budget, and key issues and recommendations for the Legislature.


Post

The 2025-26 Budget: Department of Financial Protection and Innovation

April 3, 2025 - In this post, we assess administration-proposed trailer bill language that would increase certain fees charged by the Department of Financial Protection and Innovation and make recommendations to help ensure the department has the resources it needs to meet its oversight and regulatory mission.


Handout

Child Care Funding Rates and Transition to an Alternative Methodology

April 3, 2025 - Senate Budget and Fiscal Review Subcommittee No. 3 On Health and Human Services


Brief

The 2025-26 Budget: Child Care and State Preschool

March 28, 2025 - In this brief, we assess the Governor’s 2025-26 child care and State Preschool budget proposals and provide associated recommendations. We also revisit three related policies that may no longer align with the Legislature’s key priorities.