In its report, the Commission calls on the state to take immediate action to overcome the challenges involved in reducing landfill methane emissions as part of a larger effort to meet California’s climate change goals. Written testimony from hearing witnesses can be found below in the corresponding event agenda.  In the News Little Hoover Commission, August 28, 2023, "California Set a Great Goal for Methane Reduction—Let's ... [more]

In its report, the Commission calls for urgent action to improve the governance and accountability of California’s system of services and supports for individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities and to address longstanding inequities that make it easier for some to access needed services than others. Written testimony from hearing witnesses can be found below in the corresponding event agendas. In the NewsThe Orange ... [more]

Under the provisions of the Governor’s March 2020 Executive Order, state boards and commissions have had the ability to meet via remote technology, with no physical location accessible to the public. In this report the Commission looks at the benefits of Governor Newsom’s Executive Order and calls on the Legislature and Governor to update the state’s open meetings law – the Bagley-Keene Open Meeting Act – to reflect new ... [more]

The COVID-19 pandemic led to the deepest economic contraction since the Great Depression and left millions of Californians unemployed. The impact of the pandemic-induced recession has fallen disproportionately on communities of color and on underserved communities, amplifying existing inequities in California’s economy. As of late 2020, California had lost 1. 5 million jobs due to the COVID pandemic, with jobs losses concentrated among ... [more]

The COVID-19 pandemic led to the deepest economic contraction since the Great Depression and has left millions of Californians unemployed. The impact of the pandemic-induced recession has fallen disproportionately on communities of color and on underserved communities, amplifying existing inequities in California’s economy. The pandemic has also pushed small businesses to the edge of extinction. Small businesses are the cornerstones of... [more]

Access to affordable, high-speed internet is more critical now than ever before, yet many California households go without or lack sufficient bandwidth to meet their household’s needs. These households are then hindered, among other things, in their ability to access education, contribute to a productive economy, and obtain crucial government services. Due to the cross-cutting and highly-relevant nature of this issue, the Commission is... [more]

California expects to receive up to $1. 3 billion in federal funding over five years that may be used for alternative sentencing programs. In this study, the Commission has examined the potential effectiveness of boot camps and other work-intensive forms of incarceration. The report contains four findings and 17 recommendations. They include: the necessity for a comprehensive plan and standards; the recognition that the powerful element... [more]

While the State has commited substantial resources to dealing with AIDS (more than $128 million in 1989-90), there is no coordinated effort to maximize the effect of those dollars. In addition, the lack of firm leadership, commitment and sense of direction at the State level has meant that the State's steps toward coordination have been tentative, halting and, in general, unsuccessful. This report on AIDS services contains four findings ... [more]

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In this report, the Commission discusses actions that the State can take to develop an integrated county-state correctional system that focuses on reducing crimes committed by felons after they are released. During its review, the Commission found that after more than a decade of investing in new county jails and state prisons, California faces an inmate overcrowding crisis that worsens each day. Over the last decade an increasing ... [more]

Proposed by: Governor Pete Wilson. Objective: Create an Environmental Protection Agency and transfer several departments and functions into the new agency. Commission recommendation: Implement, then modify plan. Legislative action: Plan went into effect. ... [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]

Proposed by: Governor Edmund G. Brown, Jr. Objective: Restructure various agencies and departments. Commission recommendation: Allow plan to take effect. ... [more]

In this report, the Commission urges the Governor, Legislature and state human resource leaders to finish the work outlined in the Governor’s reorganization plan of 2012, increase the efficiency and customer service in state processes and put into place a system that will ensure careers in state government are attainable and rewarding. ... [more]

The Commission's biennial report summarizes all Commission activities and accomplishments during the 1989 and 1990 legislative session. The report provides an overview of the Commission's history, study process and the role it plays within the Capitol community. The report also includes details about studies conducted and reports issued during the past two years. ... [more]

In this report, noting the rising number of Baby Boomers reaching retirement age, the Commission called for better preparation and a more comprehensive strategy for meeting seniors’ needs while maintaining their independence.  During its review, the Commission found that California’s long-term care system is broken. The state has no reliable means of gauging what clients need, what benefits they receive, which services are used ... [more]

Federal and state mandates require substance abuse programs to be accessible to disabled people. This report examines how effective these mandates are, identifies the size of the disabled abusing population, and determines if there are adequate methods of coordinating information and referrals to ensure the delivery of services. The Commission makes three findings and three recommendations regarding the effectiveness and accessibility of... [more]

Proposed by: Governor George Deukmejian. Objective: Create a Department of Waste Management, a State Waste Commission and three Regional Waste boards. Commission recommendation: Implement the plan subject to seven amendments. Legislative action: Rejected. ... [more]

Over the past 15 years, the Commission has examined California's K-12 education system repeatedly. In numerous reports, the Commission has made recommendations that, if adopted by the State, would result in more effective education programs and more efficient use of taxpayers' dollars. This issue paper outlines five areas from previous reports. Specifically, the Commission recommends setting up a program to take over the operation of ... [more]

In this report, the Commission  calls on the Governor and the Legislature to eliminate the ownership limitations that prevent publicly traded companies from operating card clubs. During its review, the Commission found that the ownership limitations are no longer necessary to protect the public safety. The Commission recommends that the Governor and the Legislature eliminate the ownership limitations that prevent publicly traded ... [more]

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In this report, the Commission calls for a stronger approach to state property management.  During its review, the Commission found the state has much to gain from more proactive, more comprehensive management of its lands, buildings and leases. The Commission recommends moving all state property management operations into a new, stronger agency.  The Commission also recommends that state leaders develop ... [more]

In this report, the Commission urges management workforce reforms, as successful public programs require highly skilled leaders. During its review, the Commission examined procedures for hiring, training, managing and rewarding state employees – and found a system engineered for failure.  The Commission found that California’s hiring system is overly reliant on internal promotions and fails to recruit top graduates from ... [more]

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Proposed by: Governor Pete Wilson. Objective: Merge the Office of State Fire Marshal with the Department of Forestry and Fire Protection. Commission recommendation: Allow plan to take effect. Legislative action: Plan went into effect. ... [more]

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In California, 16 programs specifically targeting the homeless are spread across at least 10 state departments and six different state agencies. The Commission's report finds that despite intense interest in meeting the needs of the homeless and despite the allocation of considerable resources to do so, the State has failed to provide an effective safety net that ensures people will be adequately housed. This report makes three findings ... [more]

The Commission presents five findings regarding financial management, accountability and control in the Senate's K-12 public school districts. Among the eight recommendations made by the commission are: providing the Superintendent of Public Instruction with greater authority to intervene in school districts that fail to act in a financially responsible manner; increasing the number of financial management assistance reviews by the State ... [more]

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Proposed by: Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger. Objective: Transform the Youth and Adult Correctional Agency (YACA) and its related departments, board and one commission, into a new cabinet level agency, the California department of Corrections and Rehabilitation (CDCR). Commission recommendation: Allow plan to take effect, included 6 recommendations to further improve the correctional system. Legislative action: Plan went into... [more]

In this report, the Commission calls on the state to improve the charter school authorization process and promote the use of performance contracts to help ensure that all California students receive a high-quality education. During its review, the Commission found that California’s dysfunctional charter school authorization process thwarts efforts to expand successful charter school models and innovative approaches to education and makes... [more]

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Proposed by: Governor Pete Wilson. Objective: Merges the State Police with the California Highway Patrol. Commission recommendation: Allow plan to take effect. The Commission believes the reorganization will result in at least two benefits to the State: enhanced security and budgetary savings. Legislative action: Plan went into effect.  ... [more]

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Proposed by: Governor Edmund G. “Pat” Brown, Sr. Objective: Create the Youth and Adult Correctional Agency and consolidate correctional programs into the new agency. Commission recommendation: Allow plan to take effect. Legislative action: Plan went into effect. ... [more]

The report commemorates the Commission's completion of 25 years of service to the State of California. It summarizes the Commission's role, responsibilities and activities. It also provides a description of how the Commission carries out its business operations. Finally, it highlights some of the major accomplishments that the Commission has achieved during the past two and one-half decades. ... [more]

For this report, the Commission was asked by the Governor and Legislature to assess some longstanding and contentious issues regarding the state’s regulation of the acupuncture profession. Specifically SB 1951 and AB 1943 requested that the Commission review the scope of practice and educational requirements for acupuncturists, the process for accrediting acupuncture schools and for examining licensees. During its review, the Commission... [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]

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California has a garbage crisis. With the entire state slated to run out of landfill capacity by the year 2000, there is a drastic need for state leadership, a move away from landfills and the aggressive pursuit of alternative disposal technologies. In addition, the Commission found that despite a state law that outlines an effective policy of solid waste management, California continues to rely on landfills to get rid of its garbage. ... [more]

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