This Issue Brief outlines the state’s use of the $9. 5 billion in CARES Act money that was received last year, and highlights potential differences between eligible uses of that funding and the expected $26 billion American Rescue Plan funding the state will receive this year. The goal of this Brief is to provide policymakers with background on last year’s use of federal relief, and on the potential uses of this year’s relief. To be... [more]

Case studies of four college districts (Los Angeles, Peralta, Lassen and Chaffey) that were operating at a deficit are examined to determine the adequacy of financial accountability in California's Community College System. This report contains nine findings and 12 recommendations. Foremost among the recommendations, the Commission urges the Governor and the Legislature to enhance the authority of the Board of Governors and the State ... [more]

The Commission's original workers' compensation study focuses on the system's escalating costs, the expansion of liability into new and subjective areas of benefits, and the negative effects of the increasing cost of the system upon workers, employers and the State's business climate. The report contains eight findings and 13 recommendations. Foremost among these, the Commission recommends establishing written criteria for opening and ... [more]

This letter report conducts a review of crime on University of California (UC) campuses and what is being done to protect the safety of students. The Commission addresses concerns regarding the adequacy of security provided on UC campuses and offers 6 recommendations, including appointing a security review committee to identify problems and enhancing existing security. ... [more]

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Because of the diverse roots of crime, no single program is the "silver bullet" that will halt juvenile crime, but prevention and early intervention are crucial. This report covers six issues and offers 18 recommendations: consolidating all juvenile anti-crime efforts in a single high-level state agency, directing all government agencies to make early intervention and prevention programs a top priority, and increasing the ability of the ... [more]

As the State seeks ways to maximize its ability to perform effectively, the Commission examined the pilot project for performance-based budgeting established in several departments within the State of California. The report contains three findings and nine recommendations. The Commission found out that the traditional process for funding, achieving accountability, and setting priorities does not encourage the best policy decisions, ... [more]

Proposed by: Governor Edmund G. “Pat” Brown, Sr. Objective: Transfer and rename the Fair Employment Practices Commission and transfer, rename and elevate the Division of Fair Employment Practices from the Department of Industrial Relations to the State and Consumer Services Agency. Commission recommendation: Allow plan to take effect. Legislative action: Plan went into effect. ... [more]

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The Fish and Game Commission and the agency that carries out its policies, the Department of Fish and Game, have a broad mandate to protect California's natural resources. The key focus of the study is the capability and performance of both the Commission and the Department in meeting these increasingly complex demands. In addition to eight findings, the Commission makes 12 recommendations regarding the mandate of the two entities, their... [more]

California's ability to meet its transportation needs are being eroded by inflation, project delivery delays and project cost increases. This report contains eight findings and 16 recommendations, which include urging the State to aggressively pursue options to reduce congestion in urban areas, and to give priority in funding to urban and suburban counties that implement transportation system management techniques. In addition, the ... [more]

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Public officials sometimes fail to recognize looming fiscal crises in California's K-12 public school system and to take appropriate, immediate actions to avert them. This report examines the consequences of the State's failure to adequately monitor school district fiscal performance, including its effect on the education of students. The Commission makes seven recommendations to improve controls over the education system, including ... [more]

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The Commission's biennial report catalogues the Commission's efforts over the last thirty years, noting both its successes and the areas where it continues to push for reform. In addition, the report contains summaries of the Commission's studies for the past two years. ... [more]

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Over the last decade, the Commission has advocated repeatedly that the State reform its management of real property. Sincere efforts have been made to make the current system function better, but those attempts have failed. Given the State's perennial fiscal woes, the government must seize ways to save money and generate revenue through the management of its real property. The evolution of public organizations, the marketplace and ... [more]

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In this report, the Commission calls for a new master plan for higher education that addresses the state’s need to substantially increase the number of graduates while recognizing that state resources are limited.  During its review, the Commission found that the state lacks a strategy for achieving statewide goals for higher education. The Commission also found that online education has enormous potential to expand the reach of ... [more]

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The Public Employment Relations Board (PERB) takes too long to issue its decisions and has members that are not qualified by expertise or experience to carry out required duties. In addition, this study notes that the State is providing an unlimited subsidy for school district collective bargaining costs. The report contains three findings and seven recommendations with regard to accelerating the decision-making process and monitoring ... [more]

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In this report, the Commission calls on California to rethink its strategy for serving children in need of mental health services. During its review, the Commission found that too many children suffer through mental health needs without the benefit of appropriate, compassionate and holistic care. The Commission found that mental health funding fails to promote quality, efficient care. Additionally, children and families are denied access... [more]

The cost of indigent appellate defense is rising dramatically. This study notes duplicative administrative and overview costs between the State Public Defender and the court-appointed private counsel system. The Commission makes seven findings and eight recommendations, including the merger of the Public Defender's Office, the Appellate Projects and private court-appointed counsel into a single autonomous agency. This will address ... [more]

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The approval of a state lottery by voters creates the need for new systems of accountability. This report focuses on determining if the State has established a sound system to allocate, use and account for lottery funds distributed to education. It also reviews the processes used by school districts to develop priorites for spending lottery funds and the expenditures that school districts have made with these funds. The Commission makes ... [more]

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The Commission reviews the California State Lottery's activities in the start-up years after the system was created by voters. The study reveals that the Lottery needs to take aggressive action to fully implement the business systems, procedures and controls that would be expected in any private enterprise of the same magnitude. The Commission's report makes nine findings and 12 recommendations. They focus on three major areas for ... [more]

In this report, the Commission commends the Department of Health Care Services after hearing testimony describing changes to implement the Commission’s 2007 recommendations that sought to transform Medi-Cal, the state’s public health care delivery system.  This report updates recommendations the Commission made in its May 2007 report, A Smarter Way to Care: Transforming Medi-Cal for the Future. The Commission recommends the state ... [more]

In this report, the Commission calls for a new vision to restore California's State Parks to excellence.  During its review, the Commission found that the California Department of Parks and Recreation needs a new operating model to thrive, and to protect and preserve the state’s natural and cultural treasures. The department’s model should be built around shared management, innovation, greater transparency and the expectation ... [more]

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California is doing a poor job of educating students who do not speak English fluently. The Commission examines the current system, which requires a single teaching method, and finds that it is divisive, wasteful and counterproductive. In three findings and five recommendations, the Commission recommends revising state funding mechanisms so that schools have an incentive to help students attain English proficiency; establishing a state ... [more]

In this report, the Commission urges the state to continue its commitments to information technology investments. During its review, the Commission found that California needs to maintain its investment in modernizing information technology across state government. The Commission recommends continuing the momentum gained through the creation of the California Technology Agency, and urges the Legislature to monitor five ... [more]

In this report, the Commission urges transformation of California’s Medi-Cal program to focus on prevention, coordinated care, cost effectiveness and health outcomes. During its review, the Commission found that rising health care costs, as well as an increase in the size of the populations Medi-Cal serves, threaten the sustainability of the program as it is currently structured. As the state’s largest purchaser of health ... [more]