A fact sheet summarizing the Commission's research on law enforcement training is available here.  In the fall of 2020, the Little Hoover Commission launched a study to examine the role of the Commission on Peace Officer Standards and Training (POST) in shaping law enforcement training standards for California’s peace officers. In this Issue Brief – which was produced as part of the Commission’s study – the Commission gives ... [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]

Barriers to care make it difficult for labor trafficking survivors to access the help they need, while cases bringing their traffickers to justice remain rare. These barriers include costly time-consuming investigations; difficulty proving non-physical coercion or force; and a lack of adequate training for law enforcement and court personnel. The Commission also provides new data about the extent of the problem, based on an analysis of ... [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]

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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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]

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]

In this report, the Commission urges for reforms to California’s parole system that would improve public safety and save hundreds of millions of dollars a year. During its review, the Commission found that California’s parole policies are out of sync with those in other states. California puts a larger percentage of offenders on parole and returns offenders to prison for behaviors that in other states would result in a ... [more]

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This letter report summarizes the findings of the Little Hoover Commission on the extent of State and local governmental business activities which appear to compete with private enterprise and may not be authorized by constitutional or statutory provisions. The report concludes that there are numerous instances of competitive governmental activities, but no identified cases of unauthorized or illegal activities. ... [more]

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In this report, the Commission urges the Governor and the Legislature to create and implement a strategy for career technical education (CTE) that evaluates, expands and replicates proven programs in school districts that demonstrate they can support them. During its review, the Commission found that CTE programs, known as vocational education, can deliver an alternative approach to learning that can keep students engaged, help ... [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]

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]

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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This Commission report reviews the state of California's freeways and highways. The Commission concludes that a lack of leadership and inadequate planning continue to thwart needed improvements. Among the six findings and 12 recommendations, the Commission proposes that the State establish a new Transportation Agency; conduct a management study to determine how Caltrans can be reorganized to promote the development of a multi-modal ... [more]

In this report, the Commission urges the Governor and the Legislature to designate a leader for foster care who would be accountable for reforms.  During its review, the Commission found that California has not made adequate progress in reforming its foster care system, and will not make progress until the State designates a leader for foster care reform.  The Commission found that since 1999 the State has spent ... [more]

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]

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]

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]

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]

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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]

California's Workers' Compensation System costs $11 billion annually yet fails to adequately serve injured workers. Areas of concern include delivery systems for medical care, rehabilitation services, fraud prevention, medical/legal reports and stress claims. The report concludes that the state must take immediate steps to institute reform and reduce premiums. In addition, the report notes that of the three major issues that require ... [more]

Despite reforms, the State is not doing enough to ensure quality care for California's many frail and vulnerable nursing home residents. As a result, residents of these facilities continue to be subjected to indignities and their safety is not assured. This Commission report makes a series of recommendations to improve the quality of life in skilled nursing facilities, including increasing enforcement and penalty collection efforts by the... [more]

In this report, the Commission urges the state to create a new education accountability system that recognizes that the majority of California schools will be identified as failing under the federal No Child Left Behind Act within two years. During its review, the Commission found that the state’s current intervention approach to lowperforming schools has cost $1. 4 billion without meaningful results. The Commission found that the ... [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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Proposed by: Governor Edmund G. Brown, Jr. Objective: Restructure various agencies and departments. Commission recommendation: Allow plan to take effect. ... [more]

While some improvements have been made in regulating residential care facilities, problems persist. In particular, the implementation of regulations has lagged far behind the statutory changes. In addition, the State has failed to crack down on unlicensed facilities in an expeditious manner. The Commission believes it is time for the State to shift emphasis from reform to enforcement of existing laws through stronger enforcement efforts... [more]

One in every six residential care facilities is unlicensed and the backlogged, time-consuming licensing process encourages operators to begin their businesses with no licenses. The report also notes that an increased fine structure recommended in earlier Commission reports is either not used at all by the State or is enforced so haphazardly that it's deterrent effect is little. This report makes 11 findings and 10 recommendations ... [more]