In this letter, the Commission highlights the challenges and opportunities that continue to face the state’s Medi-Cal Dental program (Denti-Cal). The letter acknowledges important efforts by lawmakers to invest in improved dental care by restoring adult dental benefits and increasing provider reimbursement rates for certain dental services. It also acknowledges efforts by the Department of Health Care Services to improve access by ... [more]

In this report, the Commission calls for calls for bold and innovative approaches to transform the historic 615-acre campus in the heart of Napa Valley to better meet the changing needs of veterans statewide. This report builds on recommendations the Commission made in its 2016 report, A New Approach to California's Veterans Homes, in which the Commission identified critical infrastructures issues on the historic Yountville veterans home ... [more]

In this report, the Commission calls for greater self-sufficiency in the state’s veterans homes program and less reliance on the General Fund to free up resources to serve more California veterans, particularly those incapable of caring for their own health. During its review of the state’s eight-home system, the Commission found unnecessarily high costs to California taxpayers compared to other states and also determined that fewer ... [more]

The report provides a synopsis of the Commission's oversight work and accomplishments during the two-year legislative session, and explores the Commission's list of California’s top challenges and opportunities for government reform. Additionally, the report describes the Commission's history, study process and its role within the Capitol community - recommending improvements to state operations, writing bill support letters, testifying... [more]

In this report, the Commission calls for a comprehensive review of occupational licensing regulations to increase upward mobility of workers in California.  During its review, the Commission found the state’s licensing process often bars entry to occupations and is not a thoughtful examination of how best to protect consumers. The Commission also found some groups – such as former offenders, military spouses, veterans ... [more]

In this report, the Commission urges the state to develop a new strategy for women offenders that relies less on large and remote prisons designed to incapacitate violent offenders and more on community correctional facilities that can better reconnect paroling women to jobs, housing, emotional supports and their families. During its review, the Commission found that of the many scandals gripping California’s correctional ... [more]

In this report, the Commission examines the framework of the organizational recommendations offered by the California Performance Review and makes suggestions for how those ideas should be refined and implemented. ... [more]

In this report, the Commission says a state infrastructure strategy is needed. Californians cannot continue to rely on bonds for financing infrastructure development and instead must create a longterm vision and process for prioritizing projects and coordinating cross-sector goals and activities. During its review, the Commission found that investments in infrastructure lack an integrated strategy and adequate oversight and have relied ... [more]

In this report, the Commission proposes recommendations for reforming the governance structure of the CALFED program.  During its review, the Commission found that the current structure diffuses authority and fragments responsibility and lacks the focused leadership needed to get adversarial stakeholders and reluctant government agencies to cooperate.  The Commission also found that growing disagreements about ... [more]

In this report, the Commission urges immediate state action to prevent massive dust storms, wildlife losses and harm to Southern California economies from a receding Salton Sea. Duiring this review, the Commission found these negative consequences can be mitigated only if the state quickly implements long-planned improvements. The Commission recommends the Governor and Legislature immediately begin planning its next phase of Salton ... [more]

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In this report, the Commission urges leaders to wage a stronger campaign against the underground economy to protect California businesses and workers. During its review, the Commssion found the state loses an estimated $8. 5 billion or more annually in tax revenue, while efforts to combat the underground economy are disjointed and under-resourced. The Commission provides 15 recommendations to give competitive advantage to businesses ... [more]