The Little Hoover Commission is examining both the short- and long-term economic effects of COVID-19 to identify how California state government can best support an equitable recovery. 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 ... [more]

In this report, the Commission calls for improved oversight of veterans’ services at the Department of Veterans Affairs. The Commission recommends for the department to do the following: improve outreach efforts to veterans, build a strong database of California veterans, monitor county veterans offices’ work to ensure effectiveness and modernize its approaches to serve needs of the youngest generation of California veterans. The ... [more]

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]

In this report, the Commission recognizes the challenges in establishing a separate public health department, the California Department of Public Health, and advisory committee and calls for stronger and more independent public health leadership.  During its review, the Commission found that the state had implemented some of the Commission’s earlier recommendations, including creating a new department of public ... [more]

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Although a provision in the California Constitution guarantees the right to safe schools, life on school campuses includes violent crimes, substance abuse and property crimes. During its review, the Commission found that these problems exist in part because the State has failed to provide the leadership and direction necessary to ensure the safety of children. This report makes two findings and 12 recommendations, which include urging the ... [more]

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In this report, the Commission calls on the state to enhance oversight of public investments. During its review, the Commission found that California voters approve bond measure after bond measure, yet not enough is being done to ensure effective fund management and allocation. The Commission recommends for more transparency in bond spending, expanding oversight by the Legislature and independent auditors, and tasking the California ... [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]

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 identifies a need for greater systemwide monitoring, assessment and management of the teacher workforce. During its review, the Commission found that sate training strategies do not prepare enough credentialed teachers who are committed to being career teachers, particularly in needy schools. Additionally, the state's credentialing process to be an obstacle to employing more fully credentialed teachers. The... [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]

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Proposed by: Governor Edmund G. “Pat” Brown, Sr. Objective: Create a new Environmental Quality Agency and consolidate all air, water quality and solid waste programs into the new agency. Commission recommendation: Allow plan to take effect. Legislative action: Was not submitted to the Legislature. ... [more]

In this report, the Commission makes two findings and nine recommendations to address the need for major streamlining and simplification of the beverage container recycling program (known as the AB 2020 program). During its review, the Commission found that the placement of overlapping recycling mandates in two separate agencies has resulted in duplication of work, public confusion and lack of effectiveness in implementing state policies.... [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]

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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]

Proposed by: Governor Ronald Reagan. Objective: Eliminate 32 boards, commissions, committees and advisory councils, transferring some functions to other departments and reconfigure the membership of several other government entities. Commission recommendation: Allow plan to go into effect. Legislative action: Plan went into effect. ... [more]

Proposed by: Governor Pete Wilson. Objective: Reorganize the California Energy Commission and related governmental functions. Specifically, the plan eliminates the Energy Commission, transfers all existing divisions and functions of the Energy Commission and the Department of Conservation, except recycling, to a newly created Department of Energy and Conservation, moves the recycling program to a modified Integrated Waste ... [more]

California is far behind other states in moving to implement health care reforms, and at least one barrier is a reluctance to approach the health care needs of state workers and Medi-Cal recipients in a unified manner. In this policy analysis, the Commission makes three recommendations to create a temporary commission to put forth a single plan for a health system, establish a unit within the Department of Health Services to create ... [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]

The Commission's biennial report summarizes all Commission activities and accomplishments during the 1988 and 1989 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]

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Proposed by: Governor George Deukmejian. Objective: Transfer civil service position classification function from the State Personnel Board to the Department of Personnel Administration. Commission recommendation: Allow plan to take effect. Legislative action: Plan went into effect. ... [more]

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Despite spending more than $1 billion on welfare services for abused and neglected children, the State has failed to ensure that children taken from their troubled homes are given the necessary nurturing for them to become well-rounded adults and productive citizens. Among the recommendations, the Commission urges legislation that would establish a statewide foster care ombudsman program; make the State Department of Social Services ... [more]

The Commission's biennial report summarizes all Commission activities and accomplishments during the 1995 and 1996 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, 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]

Proposed by: Governor Ronald Reagan. Objective: Establish four agencies in the executive branch: Business & Transportation, Resources, Human Relations, Agriculture and Services. Commission recommendation: No recommendation. Legislative action: Plan went into effect. ... [more]

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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]

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Three persistent problems plague this complex program: recipients have difficulty accessing treatment; the quality of medical care given recipients is often poor or inconsistent throughout the state; and provider participation is low. This Commission report contains 28 recommendations based on 12 findings. The recommendations embodied in this report can be generalized in three main points: 1) streamline present processes that affect ... [more]