Report Library | Little Hoover Commission

Reducing California’s Landfill Methane Emissions: SB 1383 Implementation

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 ... [more]

A System in Distress: Caring for Californians with Developmental Disabilities

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... [more]

The Little Hoover Commission: Advocating for Change 2021-22

The Commission's traditional biennial report summarizes its activities and accomplishments during 2021 and 2022, and highlights top opportunities for government reform. The report provides an overview of the Commission's purpose, history, and study process as well as its sixteen reports or issue briefs released during the biennium. ... [more]

Equitable Economic Development across California

California is a center of innovation and home to world-leading enterprises. By some measures, California possesses the world’s fifth-largest economy. California’s economy is also, however, ... [more]

Issue Brief: Using Data Tools to Compare Regional Economic Well-Being in California

In the spring of 2022, the Little Hoover Commission launched a study on equitable regional economic development, which focuses on California’s efforts to close regional disparities and promote ... [more]

Issue Brief: Major State Programs That Can Support Regional Economic Development

In the spring of 2022, the Little Hoover Commission launched a study on equitable regional economic development, which focuses on California’s efforts to close regional disparities and promote ... [more]

Issue Brief: Assessing the California Rebuilding Fund

The COVID-19 pandemic had devastating effects on small businesses in California, with minority- and women-owned businesses bearing the brunt of these impacts. In response, the California Rebuilding ... [more]

California Housing: Building a More Affordable Future

California is short by two to three million homes to safely house its population. As a result of this limited supply, Californians are paying record prices for housing and far too many are finding themselves priced out of the market. The implications of California’s housing crisis are devastating. The state’s poverty rate—when taking into account cost of living—is the highest in the nation. Californians looking for housing they... [more]

Reforming the Recall

In 2021, for the second time in two decades, Californians went to the polls to vote on the recall of the state’s governor. The attempted recall of Governor Gavin Newsom brought significant ... [more]

Law Enforcement Training: Identifying What Works for Officers and Communities

California spends millions of dollars on law enforcement training each year yet there is very little evidence to demonstrate which types of training actually achieve intended goals and positively ... [more]

Issue Brief: Comparing Law Enforcement Basic Training Academies

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 ... [more]

Issue Brief: California Law Enforcement Survey

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. As part of this work, the Commission anonymously surveyed active-duty peace officers in May 2021 to learn more about the training they receive through POST. Over 300 officers responded to the survey, and ... [more]

COVID-19 and Children's Mental Health: Addressing the Impact

COVID has confronted California with two pandemics of public health: the viral pandemic and a pandemic of mental health that has fallen especially heavily on children and youth. The pandemic created a... [more]

The Government of Tomorrow: Online Meetings

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 ... [more]

Issue Brief: California's Use of Federal Pandemic Aid

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 ... [more]

California Election Infrastructure: Making a Good System Better

California’s elections are free, fair, and secure but the state can do more to improve its election infrastructure. The Commission held a hearing on this topic in 2019 and released a letter to the Governor and legislative leadership to consider important questions related to elections security, such as the need for funding to improve equipment. In this report, the Commission calls on the state to adopt an open source election system, ... [more]

Issue Brief: COVID's Impact on California Housing

The COVID-19 pandemic has significantly affected California renters, landlords, and homeowners, hindering their ability to make their housing payments and threatening potentially devastating socio-economic impacts due to foreclosure. Some of California's most vulnerable populations - people of color, low-income households, and those with less formal education - have been disproportionately affected. In response to questions ... [more]

First Steps toward Recovery: Job Training and Reskilling

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]

Beyond the Crisis: A Long-Term Approach to Reduce, Prevent, and Recover from Intimate Partner Violence

Calls for a strategic plan and evidence-based decision-making to reduce, prevent, and recover from intimate partner violence in California. Finds the state’s response to intimate partner violence ... [more]

The Little Hoover Commission: Advocating for Change 2019-20

The Commission's traditional biennial report summarizes its activities and accomplishments during 2019 and 2020, and highlights top opportunities for government reform. The report provides an overview of the Commission's purpose, history, and study process as well as its eight reports released during the biennium. ... [more]

First Steps toward Recovery: Saving Small Businesses

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 ... [more]

Issue Brief: California's Digital Divide

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 ... [more]

Labor Trafficking: Strategies to Help Victims and Bring Traffickers to Justice

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 ... [more]

Labor Trafficking: Strategies to Uncover this Hidden Crime

Numerous obstacles hinder efforts to identify labor trafficking cases in the state, leaving untold numbers of victims trapped in oppressive situations. Barriers that make it difficult to identify labor trafficking cases include the lack of an aggressive state response; siloed government agencies; and a primary focus on sex trafficking. Recognizing these challenges, the Commission offered strategies to help the state better detect labor ... [more]

Human Trafficking: Coordinating a California Response

California’s efforts to combat human trafficking have focused principally on sex trafficking rather than labor trafficking. The Commission found that while a variety of state agencies play a role in combatting human trafficking, and no coordinated strategy exists to target this crime statewide. Furthermore, the Commission found that there is little authoritative data about the extent of labor trafficking throughout the state. We ... [more]

Intimate Partner Violence: Getting the Money to Those on the Front Line

Calls for reform to California’s key anti-domestic violence program to better assist those on the front line serving survivors of intimate partner violence (IPV). Finds that service providers participating in California’s Domestic Violence Assistance Program receive funding via reimbursement rather than up-front payments and must wait 79 to 109 days to receive funds from the state for services rendered to IPV survivors. As a result, ... [more]

Mapping a Strategy for GIS

For this study, the Commission reviewed state government’s use of geographic information systems, or GIS, technology considered opportunities for California to build a robust statewide GIS strategy. Government collects and uses an abundance of information about people, places, activities, and events to provide services to Californians. Often, this information includes common geospatial or location-based data that, when combined in ... [more]

Letter to Governor Newsom and the Legislature on Voting Equipment Security

In this report, the Little Hoover Commission calls on lawmakers and policymakers to consider expanding approaches to voting equipment security so all California voters can be sure the reported outcome actually represents their votes. During the course of its study, the Commission found the state takes many actions to secure its elections, such as implementing rigorous certification standards, requiring a paper trail for every vote ... [more]

The Economy & Efficiency Report 2017-18

The report provides a synopsis of the Commission's oversight work and accomplishments in 2017 and 2018, and identifies top opportunities for government reform from the Commission’s body of work. Additionally, the report describes the Commission's purpose and responsibilities, study process and how those within the Capitol community may work with the Commission. The report also introduces 11 appointed Commissioners who bring a wide ... [more]

Artificial Intelligence: A Roadmap for California

The Little Hoover Commission found that between now and 2030 AI technologies could have an economic impact in California of well more than $400 billion and anywhere from 1 to 11 million California jobs could be impacted. While California state government has made some strides to use modern technology to improve operations and services, the state is ill prepared for the inevitable changes AI will bring. California state government lacks ... [more]

Letter to Governor Brown and Legislature on Voter Participation in New Motor Voter Program

In this report, the Little Hoover Commission calls for an overhaul of the New Motor Voter Program implementation. In enacting the program, lawmakers sought to ease registration processes for eligible... [more]

Letter to Governor Brown and Legislature on Denti-Cal Update

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 ... [more]

Fire on the Mountain: Rethinking Forest Management in the Sierra Nevada

In this report, the Commission calls for transformational culture change in its forest management practices. The U. S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) reported in December 2017 that approximately ... [more]

Letter to Governor Brown and Legislature: Denti-Cal Program Still Broken

In this letter, the Commission renews concerns raised in its April 2016 report, Fixing Denti-Cal, calling for significant reform to fix the troubled Denti-Cal program. The letter calls on the ... [more]

Transforming the Yountville Veterans Home Campus

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 ... [more]

Special Districts: Improving Oversight & Transparency

In this report, the Commission calls for special district reforms and recommends several measures to strengthen oversight of California’s 2,071 independent special districts. During its review, the Commission found that the 58 Local Agency Formation Commissions charged with oversight are not uniformly effective at initiating dissolutions and consolidations when necessary to improve service delivery and efficiency. The Commission ... [more]

Improving State Permitting for Local Climate Change Adaptation Projects

In this report, the Commission calls for reducing unnecessary bureaucratic delays in state permitting of local government projects designed to improve California’s resiliency against climate change.... [more]

A New Approach to California's Veterans Homes

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, ... [more]

Borrowed Money: Opportunities for Stronger Bond Oversight

In this report, the Commission calls for more consistent oversight and greater transparency for public spending financed by state and local bonds. This report updates and builds on ... [more]

The Economy & Efficiency Report 2015-16

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]

Jobs for Californians: Strategies to Ease Occupational Licensing Barriers

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 ... [more]

Promises Still to Keep: A Second Look at the Mental Health Services Act

In this report, the Commission renews its January 2015 call to strengthen the oversight of Proposition 63, the Mental Health Services Act (MHSA) of 2004. This report updates and builds on ... [more]

Letter to Governor Brown and the Legislature on the Salton Sea

In this report, the Commission renews its September 2015 call for urgent action at the Salton Sea to prevent a massive public health, environmental and economic disaster in Southern California. This report updates and builds on recommendations the Commission made in a 2015 report, Averting Disaster: Action Now for the Salton Sea. During its review, the Commission found the state is still not moving fast enough or ... [more]

Time and Again: Overtime in State Facilities

In this report, the Commission urges the state to reduce excess overtime in state health care facilities by 50 percent by 2018. During its review, the Commission found that nursing staff working in state facilities clocked 3. 75 million hours of overtime – at a cost of $179 million. The state’s overtime is four times the national average – 18 percent of state nursing staff pay is for overtime as compared to an average of four ... [more]

Fixing Denti-Cal

In this report, the Commission urges reboot for troubled state Denti-Cal program, and cites its harm to beneficiaries and historic inability to reform. During its review, the Commission ... [more]

A Customer-Centric Upgrade For California Government

In this report, the Commission issues a blueprint for state government to put customers first in its daily operations and culture. During its review, the Commission found that by better meeting ... [more]

Averting Disaster: Action Now for the Salton Sea

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, ... [more]

Conversations For Workable Government

In this report, the Commission recommends fine-tuning California’s open meeting acts to improve governing. The Commission also recommends retaining existing executive branch ex parte policies, ... [more]

Level the Playing Field: Put California's Underground Economy Out of Business

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 ... [more]

Promises Still to Keep: A Decade of the Mental Health Services Act

In this report, the Commission calls for the state to address critical shortcomings in its implementation of 2004’s Proposition 63 ballot measure, known as the Mental Health Services Act. During its... [more]

Letter to Governor Brown and the Legislature on Revisiting California's Energy Future

In this report, the Commission renews its call to bring greater clarity on the aggregated costs and consequences of the energy policies being implemented in California. The Commission urges the state to develop a comprehensive energy plan. This report updates recommendations the Commission made in its December 2012 report, Rewiring California: Integrating Agendas for Energy Reform. During its review, the Commission ... [more]

The Economy & Efficiency Report 2013-14

The Commission's biennial report summarizes all Commission activities and accomplishments during the 2013 and 2014 legislative session. The report provides an overview of the... [more]

Letter to Governor Brown and the Legislature on Medi-Cal Update

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 ... [more]

Governing California Through Climate Change

In this report, the Commission calls on the Governor and Legislature to assume the same leadership role in climate change adaptation and climate risk assessment as it has for addressing ... [more]

From Hiring to Retiring: Strategies for Modernizing State Human Resources

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... [more]

Sensible Sentencing for a Safer California

In this report, the Commission urges California leaders to improve criminal justice sentencing by amending the penal code to expand the purpose of incarceration beyond punishment alone. The Commission recommends the state provide incentives to ensure that all counties use some realignment funding to expand public-private partnerships to provide proven programs and services for offenders re-entering the community. ... [more]

A New Plan for a New Economy: Reimagining Higher Education

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]

An Agenda for Veterans: The State's Turn to Serve

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 ... [more]

Letter to Governor Brown and the Legislature on Bail and Pre-Trial Services

In this report, the Commission spotlights jail overcrowding. During its study, the Commission found that county sheriffs, not judges, increasingly make bail and sentencing decisions to manage ... [more]

Beyond Crisis: Recapturing Excellence in California's State Park System

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]

Rewiring California: Integrating Agendas for Energy Reform

In this report, the Commission urges the Governor to bring greater clarity on the aggregated costs and consequences of the energy policies being implemented in California. During its review, the ... [more]

Improving Government Performance: Recommendations from an Independent Voice

The Commission's biennial report summarizes all Commission activities and accomplishments during the 2011 and 2012 legislative session. The report provides an overview ... [more]

Building Value: Modernizing Property Management

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]

A Review of Government Reorganization Plan No. 2

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

Serving Students, Serving California: Updating the California Community Colleges to Meet Evolving Demands

In this report, the Commission urges the Governor and the Legislature to refocus the mission of the community colleges to align policies and resources around fostering student achievement in ... [more]

Better Regulation: Improving California's Rulemaking Process

In this report, the Commission calls for improved regulatory process and stronger oversight. The Commission urges the Governor and Legislature to make the state’s process for developing ... [more]

Letter to Governor Brown and the Legislature on Information Technology Governance

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 ... [more]

Letter to Governor Brown and the Legislature on Community Corrections

In this report, the Commission urges the Governor and the Legislature to continue their efforts to refine California’s criminal justice policies. Facing budget constraints and pressure from federal courts, California’s leaders embarked on a broad realignment of responsibilities for low-level offenders to the county level to reduce the number of offenders sent to state prison. The Commission supported the realignment, but expressed ... [more]

A Review of the Governor's Reorganization Plan to Unify and Streamline the California State Personnel System

Proposed by: Governor Edmund G. Brown, Jr. Objective: Consolidate functions of the Department of Personnel Administration and State Personnel Board into a new California Department of Human Resources. Commission recommendation: Allow plan to take effect. Legislative Action: Under implementation, SB 1308. ... [more]

A Long-Term Strategy for Long-Term Care

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]

Chairman Hancock Letter to Governor Edmund G. Brown, Jr.

This letter is the Commission's response to Governor Edmund G. Brown, Jr. 's letter requesting the Commission’s suggestions for specific actions California can take to reduce government waste ... [more]

Public Pensions for Retirement Security

In this report, the Commission calls for a pension roll-back for current workers. During its review, the Commission found that growing pension obligations are threatening financial security for ... [more]

Smarter Choices, Better Education: Improving California Charter Schools

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]

Smart State Management

The Commission's biennial report summarizes all Commission activities and accomplishments during the 2009 and 2010 legislative session. The report provides an overview ... [more]

Managing for Change Modernizing California's Water Governance

In this report, the Commission calls for a new approach to managing California's water supply. During its review, the Commission found that the state’s current water management and planning ... [more]

Making up for Lost Ground: Creating a Governor's Office of Economic Development

In this report, the Commission sets the stage for an economic action plan that restructures the leadership and coordination of the state’s economic development programs. During its review, the Commission found that the state’s economic development programs are dispersed to various agencies and departments, and are not organized in a way that businesses and cities can easily use them – or even locate them. To streamline ... [more]

Building California: Infrastructure Choices and Strategy

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 ... [more]

Stem Cell Research: Strengthening Governance to Further the Voter's Mandate

In this report, the Commission calls on the state to strengthen the stem cell board. The Commission urges the state to reform the governance structure of the California Institute for ... [more]

Bond Spending: Expanding and Enhancing Oversight

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]

Improving Government Performance: Accountability, Governance, Transparency

The Commission's biennial report summarizes all Commission activities and accomplishments during the 2007 and 2008 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 2007 and 2008 and activities undertaken to support Commission recommendations. ... [more]

A Review of the Governor's Reorganization Plan to Consolidate Information Technology Functions

Proposed by: Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger. Objective: Consolidate state information technology functions under the Office of the State Chief Information Officer. Commission ... [more]

Clearer Structure, Cleaner Water: Improving Performance and Outcomes at the State Water Boards

In this report, the Commission calls for a reform of state and regional water boards to improve accountability, transparency and outcomes. During its review, the Commission found that the water boards... [more]

First Year Checkup: Strategies for a Stronger Public Health System

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 ... [more]

A New Legacy System: Using Technology to Drive Performance

In this report, the Commission calls on the state to redefine the future of information technology in government. The Commission makes the case that challenges in state government require more than ... [more]

Juvenile Justice Reform: Realigning Responsibilities

In this report, the Commission calls on the state to lay the groundwork for the creation of county-run, state-funded, regional rehabilitative facilities for high-risk, high-need juvenile offenders and for the eventual elimination of state juvenile justice operations by 2011. During its review, the Commission found that the state has made strides to meet reforms agreed to as part of a court consent decree, but lacks appropriate ... [more]

Educational Governance & Accountability: Taking the Next Step

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]

Addressing Addiction: Improving & Integrating California's Substance Abuse Treatment System

In this report, the Commission urges the state to provide more attention and oversight to substance abuse treatment, and calls for reforms that would improve the treatment system and help avoid costs in the health, human service and corrections systems. During its review, the Commission found that when done right treatment is a cost effective way to improve public health and safety, keep families whole, reduce demand on the ... [more]

Career Technical Education: Creating Options for High School Success

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 ... [more]

The State Allocation Board: Improving Transparency and Structure

In this report, the Commission urges the state to reform the governance structure of the State Allocation Board to enhance its transparency, accountability and independence. During its ... [more]

A Smarter Way to Care: Transforming Medi-Cal for the Future

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]

An Independent Voice for Government Reform: Biennial Report 2005-2006

The Commission's biennial report summarizes all Commission activities and accomplishments during the 2005 and 2006 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]

Solving California's Corrections Crisis: Time is Running Out

In this report, the Commission urges policymakers to summon the political will to immediately implement reforms to California’s correctional system to improve public safety and prevent a costly takeover by the federal courts. During its study, the Commission found that California’s correctional system is failing in its primary mission to protect public safety. California’s prisons are packed beyond capacity. Few offenders... [more]

Safeguarding the Golden State: Preparing for Catastrophic Events

In this report, the Commission declares the state unprepared to prevent and respond to large-scale catastrophes. The Commission urges California’s elected officials to develop a ... [more]

Still Imperiled, Still Important: The Little Hoover Commission's Review of the CALFED Bay-Delta Program

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 ... [more]

A Review of the Governor's Reorganization Plan to Create a Department of Energy

Proposed by: Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger. Objective: Establish a Department of Energy through the consolidation of the functions of several departments, commissions and offices that implement state energy programs. Commission recommendation: Reject. Legislative action: Rejected. ... [more]

Serving the Public: Managing the State Workforce to Improve Outcomes

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]

Recommendations for Emergency Preparedness and Public Health

In this report, the Commission renews its call for an evidence-based and data-driven strategy for reducing threats. This report updates recommendations the Commission made in its January 2002 report, Be Prepared: Getting Ready for New and Uncertain Dangers, and its April 2003 report, To Protect & Prevent: Rebuilding California's Public Health System. In its follow up review of emergency preparedness and... [more]

Reconstructing Government: A Review of the Governor's Reorganization Plan to Create a Department of Technology Services

Proposed by: Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger. Objective: Consolidate the state’s two general purpose data centers and its telecommunications unit into a new Department of Technology Services. Commission recommendation: Allow plan to take effect. Legislative action: Plan went into effect. ... [more]

Reconstructing Government: A Review of the Governor's Reorganization Plan Reforming California's Youth & Adult Correctional Agency

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 ... [more]

Opening the Doors of Government: Biennial Report 2003-2004

The Commission's biennial report summarizes all Commission activities and accomplishments during the 2003 and 2004 legislative session. The report provides an overview of the Commission's ... [more]

Breaking the Barriers for Women on Parole

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]

Historic Opportunities: Transforming California State Government

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 ... [more]

Regulation of Acupuncture: A Complementary Therapy Framework

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. ... [more]

Governing the Golden State: A Critical Path to Improve Performance and Restore Trust

In this report, the Commission provides a critical path for California to restore prosperity, improve performance and rebuild trust. The Commission's report describes in detail the lessons that can be learned from past attempts at reform and how its critical path could be applied to solve two of the biggest problems: the state’s revenue system and the state-local relationship. During its review, the Commission found that ... [more]

Real Lives, Real Reforms: Improving Health and Human Services

In this report, the Commission calls for fundamental reforms in health and human services. During its review, the Commission found that California’s $60 billion health and human service system is not meeting essential needs and the demands on the system are growing faster than programs can respond. The Commission found that the state does not make the best use of limited resources. The Commission recommends comprehensive... [more]

Back to the Community: Safe & Sound Parole Policies

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]

Improving Public Safety: Beyond the Office of Criminal Justice Planning

In this report, the Commission urges policy-makers to eliminate the Office of Criminal Justice Planning (OCJP) and create a new mechanism to ensure the State is effectively helping communities ... [more]

To Protect and Prevent: Rebuilding California's Public Health System

In this report, the Commission urges the State to fashion immediate and long-term improvements to public health assets. During its review of the State’s ability to respond to ... [more]

For Our Health & Safety: Joining Forces to Defeat Addiction

In this report, the Commission urges state leaders to develop a strategy for reducing the cost and misery of drug and alcohol addiction and expanding the quality and quantity of treatment. During its review, the Commission found that existing resources could be far better used if prevention, treatment and enforcement efforts were better coordinated, especially if high quality treatment programs were available for those... [more]

Still in Our Hands: A Review of Efforts to Reform Foster Care in California

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]

Little Hoover Commission Biennial Report 2001-2002

The Commission's biennial report summarizes all Commission activities and accomplishments during the 2001 and 2002 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]

We The People: Helping Newcomers Become Californians

In this report, the Commission calls for California to develop a coherent strategy for accelerating the integration of immigrants into the economy and their communities. During its review, the Commission found that Immigrant policies fail to encourage immigrants to fully participate in their communities, be contributing community members and become citizens. California has an obligation to help immigrants succeed. But policies ... [more]

Rebuilding The Dream: Solving California's Affordable Housing Crisis

In this report, the Commission calls for invigorated state leadership to solve California’s escalating lack of affordable housing. During its review, the Commission found California’s growing crisis of housing affordability is the result of public policies that have failed to guide responsible decision-making in cities and counties around the state. The lack of affordable housing is so severe that it threatens the health and... [more]

Only A Beginning: The Proposed Labor & Workforce Development Agency

Proposed by: Governor Gray Davis. Objective: Create a Labor and Workforce Development Agency to include EDD, Department of Industrial Relations, the Workforce Investment Board and Agricultural Labor Relations Board. Commission recommendation: Allow plan to take effect, but establish and measure goals. Legislative action: Plan went into effect. ... [more]

Card Clubs in California: A Review of Ownership Limitations

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 ... [more]

Be Prepared: Getting Ready for New and Uncertain Dangers

In this report, the Commission calls on California to institutionalize a sense of urgency into policies that generate continuous improvements in how threats are assessed, how emergency response ... [more]

Young Hearts & Minds: Making a Commitment to Children's Mental Health

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]

Teach Our Children Well

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]

Never Too Early, Never Too Late To Prevent Youth Crime & Violence

[more]

Little Hoover Commission Biennial Report 1999-2000

The Commission's biennial report summarizes all Commission activities and accomplishments during the 1999 and 2000 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]

Being There: Making a Commitment to Mental Health

[more]

Better.Gov: Engineering Technology-Enhanced Government

[more]

Special Districts: Relics of the Past or Resources for the Future?

[more]

Open Doors and Open Minds: Improving Access and Quality in California's Community Colleges

[more]

To Build A Better School

[more]

Recommendations for Improving the School Facility Program in Los Angeles Unified School District

[more]

Now In Our Hands: Caring For California's Abused and Neglected Children

[more]

Little Hoover Commission Biennial Report 1997-1998

The Commission's biennial report summarizes all Commission activities and accomplishments during the 1997 and 1998 legislative session. The report provides an overview of the Commission's history, ... [more]

Of the People, By the People: Principles for Cooperative Civil Service Reform

[more]

CADA: An Opportunity to Advance and Protect the State's Investment

[more]

Caring for Our Children: Our Most Precious Investment

[more]

Consumer Protection: A Quality of Life Investment

[more]

A Review of Governor's Reorganization Plan for Regulatory Oversight of Managed Health Care in California

Proposed by: Governor Pete Wilson. Objective: Create a Department of Managed Care, abolish the Department of Corporations and expand the role and rename the Department of Financial Institutions. ... [more]

Review of State's Efforts to Meet Year 2000 Computer Change

[more]

Beyond Bars: Correctional Reforms to Lower Prison Costs and Reduce Crime

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 ... [more]

Dollars and Sense: A Simple Approach to School Finance

[more]

Enforcing Child Support: Parental Duty, Public Priority

[more]

Little Hoover Commission Biennial Report 1995-1996

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]

Long-Term Care: Providing Compassion Without Confusion

While the State has taken some preliminary steps towards restructuring the long-term care services it provides to consumers, Californians needing long-term care still face a bewildering maze of ... [more]

When Consumers Have Choices: The State's Role in Competitive Utility Markets

[more]

The Charter Movement: Education Reform School by School

California's charter law was enacted three years ago and there are now more than 100 charter schools. Following a six-month study and on-site inspection of more than one quarter of the schools, the Commision believes they are a positive force in today's education system. In this report, the Commission presents four findings and twenty-three recommendations to modify the existing charter school law, including: eliminating the 100-school ... [more]

California's Real Property Management: A Cornerstone for Structural Reform

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]

Making Land Use Work: Rules to Reach Our Goals

As California's population grows at a staggering pace, concerns that regulations may be hindering the State's tradition of prosperity prompted the Commission to study the State's land-use policies. ... [more]

Budget Reform: Putting Performance First

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]

A Review of Governor's Reorganization Plan No. 3 of State Fire Marshal/Department of Forestry and Fire Protection

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 ... [more]

Too Many Agencies, Too Many Rules: Reforming California's Civil Service

In this report, the Commission examines the complex and at times redundant system for managing 185,000 state workers. The Commission's report contains eight findings and recommendations crafted to ... [more]

A Review of Governor's Reorganization Plan No. 1 on Energy, Oil and Recycling Programs

Proposed by: Governor Pete Wilson. Objective: Reorganize the California Energy Commission and related governmental functions. Specifically, the plan eliminates the Energy Commission, ... [more]

A Review of Governor's Reorganization Plan No. 2 of California Highway Patrol/State Police

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 ... [more]

State Fiscal Condition

This report examines the State's fiscal condition and urges policy makers to make eliminating California's structural deficit and improving the State's credit ratings a top priority. While policy makers in the past have addressed tough budget choices with creativity, they have not been able to break the repeated cycles of short-term borrowing that have driven the State's credit rating down and its overall costs up. The Commission offers ... [more]

Little Hoover Commission Biennial Report 1993-1994

The Commission's biennial report summarizes all Commission activities and accomplishments during the 1993 and 1994 legislative session. The report provides an overview of the Commission's history, ... [more]

Boot Camps: An Evolving Alternative to Traditional Prisons

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 ... [more]

The Juvenile Crime Challenge: Making Prevention a Priority

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 ... [more]

Timber Harvest Plans: A Flawed Effort to Balance Economic and Environmental Needs

In this examination of the State's current Timber Harvest Plan process, the Commission found that the process is complex, inequitable, and costly, producing frustration for administering state ... [more]

Beyond Bottles and Cans: Reorganizing California's Recycling Efforts

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 ... [more]

Putting Violence Behind Bars: Redefining the Role of California's Prisons

The Commission embarked on this study in mid-1993 to pinpoint state policies and procedures that could be revised to increase the effectiveness of the adult criminal justice system. The report's seven findings and 30 recommendations include clarifying and simplifying sentencing in California, creating a sentencing commission to produce a sentencing structure that meets the philosophical goals of the criminal justice system, shifting all ... [more]

Positioning California for Health Care Reform

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... [more]

A Chance to Succeed: Providing English Learners with Supportive Education

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 ... [more]

California's $4 Billion Bottom Line: Getting Best Value Out of the Procurement Process

California has failed to use its massive purchasing power to get the best value from the $4 billion it spends each year on goods, services and construction projects. The Commission's study examines four areas: major computer purchases, the bid protest process, the Minority Business Enterprise/Women Business Enterprise/Disabled Veteran Business Enterprise program, and the Prison Industry Authority. This report contains seven findings and 26... [more]

Workers' Compensation: Containing the Costs

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 ... [more]

Little Hoover Commission, 1962-1992: Three Decades of Reform

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... [more]

Coping with Education Budget Cuts

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]

No Room for Johnny: A New Approach to the School Facilities Crisis

School facilities in California are in crisis as the State struggles with an anticipated increase of two million students by the year 2000 in an education system already threadbare and bursting at the seams. The Commission focuses on three areas in this study: funding sources for facilities, the state approval process for building schools, and state policies that constrain districts from maximizing the use of their assets. This report ... [more]

Squeezing Revenues Out of Existing State Assets

For the past seven years, the Commission has analyzed and suggested improvements in the system the State uses to manage real property. To date, few steps have been taken. The Commission produced ... [more]

Mending Our Broken Children: Restructuring Foster Care in California

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 ... [more]

Transportation: Keeping California Moving

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. ... [more]

Unsafe In Their Own Homes: State Programs Fail to Protect Elderly from Indignity, Abuse and Neglect

Elderly citizens sometimes are able to remain in their homes despite disabilities with the assistance of a state program, but the flawed system fails to meet the needs of too many senior citizens. In... [more]

Coordinating the Spending on Drug Prevention Programs

Follow-up to the Commission's 1988 study of the multitude of programs directed at drug abuse prevention, intervention, treatment and recovery and the State's funding mechanisms, this report discusses ... [more]

CAL-EPA: An Umbrella for the Environment

Proposed by: Governor Pete Wilson. Objective: Create an Environmental Protection Agency and transfer several departments and functions into the new agency. Commission recommendation: Implement, ... [more]

Costs and Casualties of K-12 Education in California

California spends more than $27 billion on K-12 education. In this report, the Commission examines educational costs in an attempt to determine where education dollars are being spent and how much reaches the classroom. In addition, the study addresses one of the most critical problems facing education today -- the dropout rate. The Commission makes five findings and 11 recommendations regarding financial responsibility and obligations,... [more]

Skilled Nursing Homes: Care Without Dignity

This report focuses on the State's refusal to implement federally mandated reforms, the rights of the elderly to informed consent processes before physical and chemical restraints are used, and the State's flawed enforcement system that has failed to protect the elderly. The Commission makes three findings and seven recommendations urging the Governor and the Legislature to take immediate steps to implement federal nursing home reforms, ... [more]

The Snail's Pace of Reforming Residential Care Facilities for the Elderly

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 ... [more]

Little Hoover Commission, 1989-1990: Turning Policy Recommendations Into Law

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]

A Prescription for Medi-Cal

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; ... [more]

Real Property Management In California: Moving Beyond The Role Of Caretaker

California is failing to manage its property effectively because of inadequate procedures and organizational structures, resulting in a failure to maximize real property assets. This report contains ... [more]

California's Coordination of AIDS Services

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 ... [more]

Little Hoover Commission, 1988-1989: Two Years of Progress Toward Efficient and Effective Government

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, ... [more]

Runaway/Homeless Youths: California Efforts to Recycle Society's Throwaways

This report is a follow-up to a review of runaway/homeless programs conducted as part of the Commission's 1987 report on Children's Services. The initial report found that there were few services directed toward runaway/homeless youths, but that pilot projects were just beginning in Los Angeles and San Francisco. Based on the success of the pilot projects in providing medical care, shelter, food and counseling, the Commission proposes ... [more]

The Public Employment Relations Board (PERB) Costly, Slow and Unsure

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 ... [more]

K-12 Education in California: A Look at Some Policy Issues

The structures put in place by the Constitution and statutes to govern state education policy are fundamentally flawed, the Commission concludes in this study. In addition, regulatory processes are ... [more]

A Report on California's Fish and Game Commission and Department of Fish and Game

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 ... [more]

A Follow-Up Review of the Organization, Operation and Performance of the California State Lottery

A follow-up to the Commission's January 1987 report, this review notes that, in general, the Lottery has matured well since voters approved its creation in 1984. However, the Commission continues to find fault with budgetary oversight and the monitoring of contracts. This report contains four findings and four recommendations regarding legislative review, research and development procedures, methods of evaluating advertising efforts and ... [more]

Boards and Commissions: California's Hidden Government

More than 400 boards, commissions, authorities, associations, councils and committees exist in state government. These bodies operate to a large degree autonomously and outside of the normal checks ... [more]

A Report on Solid Waste Management: The Trashing of California

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 ... [more]

Meeting the Needs of California's Homeless: It Takes More than a Roof

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]

A Review of the Organization, Operation and Performance of the California State Lottery (Follow-up Report)

This letter report addresses the convoluted situation that has revolved around unclaimed, low-tier Lotto and instant game prizes. At various points the State Lottery Commission has adopted and/or modified policies to sweep unclaimed prizes into, first, the Education Fund and, second, into the game prize fund. The Commission's letter report assesses the Lottery's policy and urges changes. Specifically, the Commission recommends that the ... [more]

The Medical Care of California's Nursing Home Residents: Inadequate Care, Inadequate Oversight

Unlike the Commission's 1983 and 1987 reports, this report focuses solely on medical care provided to nursing home residents. In essence, the report determined high quality medical care was not the ... [more]

A Report on Community Residential Care for the Elderly

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 ... [more]

A Report on Crime and Violence in California's Public School System

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]

A Review of the Operation and Performance of the Office of the State Public Defender

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... [more]

A Report on the Coordination of Funding for Drug Programs in the State of California

In this letter report, the Commission examines the state's system of handling state and federal drug use prevention funds. This report contains three findings and 10 recommendations. Chief among these, the Commission recommends that the Governor and the Legislature establish a master plan for addressing drug abuse in California. Specifically, this plan should encourage cooperation and coordination by drug program administrators, school ... [more]

A Report on the Planning, Operation and Funding of California's Highway System

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, ... [more]

A Review of the Current Problems in California's Workers' Compensation System

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 ... [more]

Commission's 25 Year Anniversary Report 1962-87

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 ... [more]

A Report on the Financial Management and Accountability in the State's K-12 Public School System

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 ... [more]

The Children's Services Delivery System in California

California has recognized its responsibilities for the well-being of its children by establishing numerous programs to serve and protect them, but the State's children's services delivery system is ... [more]

A Review of the Organization and Administration of California's Overseas Trade and Investment Offices

California's activities regarding world trade, investments and tourism promotion are fragmented and uncoordinated. This study reviews the administration and coordination of these activities. Included in the report's 10 findings and eight recommendations, the Commission proposes: the establishment of a Governor's Office of World Trade to oversee coordination of world trade activities in state government; the creation of a Protocol Division... [more]

A Review of Crime on University of California campuses

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 ... [more]

New and Continuing Impediments to Improving the Quality of Life and the Quality of Care in California's Nursing Homes

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 ... [more]

Accessibility of the Disabled Population of Substance Abuse Treatment

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 ... [more]

A Review of the State's Medi-Cal Program and the Effects of the Reforms

This letter report assesses the numerous changes undertaken to implement the major Medi-Cal reforms that occurred in 1982 and to determine if any further changes and improvements are warranted in the ... [more]

Children's Services Delivery System in California Preliminary Report - Phase I

[more]

A Review of the Organization, Operation and Performance of the California State Lottery

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 ... [more]

A Review of the State Controller's Office Move to the Capitol Bank of Commerce Building

This letter report presents background information on the rationale for the State Controller's Office move to the Capitol Bank of Commerce Building and an analysis of the cost impact. The Commission ... [more]

A Report on the Lack of Financial Accountability and Responsibility in the State's K-12 Public School System

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 ... [more]

A Report on the Liability Insurance Crisis in the State of California

This study identifies five major factors in the liability insurance crisis in California, including the evolution of tort reform, lack of predictability in risk assessment, unsound rate-setting practices, withdrawal of the reinsurance market, and the Insurance Commissioner's lack of authority in the rate-setting process. The report contains 16 findings and 16 recommendations, which include establishing a "cap" on the recovery of ... [more]

A Review of Use of Lottery Funds in the State's K-12 Public School System

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 ... [more]

Biennial Report - February 1984-86: A Summary of Activities and Status of Recommendations

The Commission's biennial report summarizes all Commission activities and accomplishments during the 1984 and 1986 legislative session. The report provides an overview of the Commission's history, ... [more]

A Review of the Organization and Operation of the State of California's Major Revenue and Tax Collection Functions and Cash Management Activities

In this 1986 study, the Commission reviews the organization and operations of the state departments in charge of revenue collection and management. The report focuses on accountability, increasing ... [more]

California State Government's Management of Real Property

Despite the State's long experience as a major property holder and user, there are serious problems in the manner in which the State of California buys, leases and manages real property. This report concludes that the State's property management system is not strategic, is not systematic, and lacks performance incentives. This study contains 12 findings and nine recommendations. These recommendations include authorizing a pro-active ... [more]

Inadequate Financial Accountability in California's Community College System

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]

A Review of Government Competition with Private Enterprise

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]

A Review of Impact Fees Used to Finance School Facilities

[more]

A Review of Selected Taxing and Enforcing Agencies' Programs to Control the Underground Economy

The largest segment of California's underground economy involves self-employed persons and employers and employees who pay or receive cash for work performed or for goods sold without reporting to the... [more]

Summary of Review of 1985 Waste Management Reorganization Proposal

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]

A Review of the Organization and Management of State Telecommunications

[more]

Control of Pesticide Residues in Food Products: A Review of the California Program of Pesticide Regulation

[more]

A Follow-Up Report on Condition in Community Residential Care Facilities in California

[more]

A Review of State-Owned Land Parcel in Contra Costa County

[more]

A Review of the Organization and Management of the State "Superfund" Program for Cleaning Up Hazardous Waste Sites

[more]

Background and Analysis of Governor's Reorganization Plan No. 1 of 1984

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]

1982-83 Annual Report: A Summary of Activities and Status of Recommendations

The Commission's biennial report summarizes all Commission activities and accomplishments during the 1982 and 1983 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]

State Employee Air Travel Report

[more]

A Study of the Organization and Coordination of Electric Energy Planning and Electric Utility Regulation in California

[more]

Community Residential Care in California - Community Care as a Long Term Care Service

[more]

A Report on Los Angeles County's Program for Contracting Out Pursuant to Proposition A

[more]

The Bureaucracy of Care: Continuing Policy Issues for Nursing Home Services and Regulation

[more]

A Report on California's K-12 Education Funding

[more]

A Review of the Department of Transportation's Highway Planning and Development Process

[more]

A Review of Cost Savings Associated with Conversion of Guadalupe College into a Women's Prison

[more]

Office of Special Health Care Negotiations

[more]

Century Freeway Report (Follow-up Report)

[more]

Horse Racing in California: Revenue and Regulation

[more]

A Report on the Role of the State Department of Education in California's K-12 Public Education System

[more]

A Report on the San Juan Unified School District

[more]

Century Freeway Report

[more]

A Report on the Los Angeles Unified School District

[more]

Letter urging the Legislature to allow to go into effect Reorganization Plan No. 1 of 1981

Proposed by: Governor Edmund G. “Pat” Brown, Sr. Objective: Create a Department of Personnel Administration. Commission recommendation: Allow plan to take effect. Legislative action: Plan went into effect. ... [more]

Additional Funding for the Los Angeles Unified School District

[more]

Health Care Delivery System Reform

[more]

Memo urging the Legislature to allow Reorganization Plan No. 1 of 1980 to go into effect

Proposed by: Governor Edmund G. “Pat” Brown, Sr. Objective: Transfer licensing and regulation of mobile home industry from DMV to the Department of Housing and Community Development. Commission recommendation: Allow plan to take effect. Legislative action: Plan went into effect. ... [more]

A Review of February 26, 1980 Amendments to Reorganization Plan No. 2 of 1979

Proposed by: Governor Edmund G. “Pat” Brown, Sr. Objective: Create a central agency for personnel administration. Commission recommendation: Allow plan to take effect. ... [more]

1979 Summary of Activities

[more]

Letter recommending the Legislature allow Reorganization Plan No. 3 of 1979 to go into effect

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 ... [more]

Medi-Cal Reform

[more]

Personnel Management in the State Service

[more]

Administration of the Mental Health & Developmental Disabilities Programs - Second Supplementary Report

[more]

Letter urging the Legislature to allow to go into effect Reorganization Plan No. 1 of 1979

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... [more]

The Tax Appeals System in California

[more]

Administration of the Medi-Cal Program - Second Supplementary Report

[more]

The Status of Health Planning in California - A Supplementary Report

[more]

Comments and Recommendations Regarding Professional and Business Licensing

[more]

An Analysis of Community Hospital Medi-Cal Audits

[more]

A Study of the Utilization of Public School Facilities (Grades K through 12)

[more]

Supplemental Report on the State Developmental Disabilities Program, Department of Health

[more]

Supplemental Report on the Administration of the Medi-Cal Program, Department of Health

[more]

A Study of the California Department of Motor Vehicles

[more]

A Study of the California Department of Transportation

[more]

Should Social Security Coverage Be Continued for California State Employees

[more]

Supplemental Report on State Hospitals, State Department of Health

[more]

Supplemental Report on Licensing and Certification Activities, State Department of Health

[more]

A Study of Administration of State Health Programs

[more]

Letter urging the Legislature to allow to go into effect Reorganization Plan No. 1 of 1975

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. ... [more]

Letter urging the Legislature to allow to go into effect Reorganization Plan No. 2 of 1975

Proposed by: Governor Edmund G. “Pat” Brown, Sr. Objective: Consolidate the Divisions of Labor Law Enforcement and Industrial Welfare into a Division of Labor Standards Enforcement. Commission recommendation: Allow plan to take effect. Legislative action: Plan went into effect. ... [more]

A Review of California's Vehicle Emission Control Program

[more]

A Study of the California State Public Utilities Commission

[more]

Administration of the HUD-701 Comprehensive Planning Assistance Grant Program by the State of California

[more]

The Internal Auditing Program in the Executive Branch of California State Government

[more]

A Study of the School Building Aid Program

[more]

Preliminary Findings of Subcommittee on California Division of Highways Excess Right of Way

[more]

Study of Salaries of Exempt Executive and Administrative Positions in California State Government

[more]

Report on Local California Fairs Receiving State Financial Support

[more]

A Pilot Study of California State Employee Workmen's Compensation and Other Work-Related Disability Benefits

[more]

Study of the Need for a Materials Management System

[more]

Letter urging the Legislature to allow to go into effect Reorganization Plan No. 2 of 1970

Proposed by: Governor Ronald Reagan. Objective: Rename the Department of Professional and Vocational Standards to Department of Consumer Affairs. Commission recommendation: Allow plan to go into ... [more]

Letter urging the Legislature to allow to go into effect Reorganization Plan No. 1 of 1970

Proposed by: Governor Ronald Reagan. Objective: Establish a single state Department of Health within the Human Relations Agency to administer Medi-Cal and consolidate functions from numerous ... [more]

A Study of the Department of Industrial Relations

[more]

Letter urging the Legislature to allow to go into effect Reorganization Plan No. 3 of 1969

Proposed by: Governor Ronald Reagan. Objective: Change staff titles and organization names in the Department of Professional and Vocational Standards. Commission recommendation: Allow plan to go ... [more]

Letter urging the Legislature to allow to go into effect Reorganization Plan No. 2 of 1969

Proposed by: Governor Ronald Reagan. Objective: Rename the Department of Harbors & Waterways to Department of Navigation & Ocean Development and rename the Harbors and Watercraft ... [more]

Letter urging the Legislature to allow to go into effect Reorganization Plan No. 1 of 1969

Proposed by: Governor Ronald Reagan. Objective: Eliminate 32 boards, commissions, committees and advisory councils, transferring some functions to other departments and reconfigure the membership... [more]

Report on California Statutory Salaries of Executive Branch of California State Government

[more]

Letter following a review of Reorganization Plan No. 1 of 1968

Proposed by: Governor Ronald Reagan. Objective: Establish four agencies in the executive branch: Business & Transportation, Resources, Human Relations, Agriculture and Services. ... [more]

An Examination of the Department of Professional and Vocational Standards

[more]

The California State Highway Commission and its Relationship to the State Transportation Agency, the Department of Public Works and Division of Highways

[more]

Proposals for Legislative Action on Reorganization Measures Endorsed by the Commission on California State Government Organization and Economy

[more]

Program Budgeting

[more]

The Use of Boards and Commissions in the Resources Agency

[more]

Engineering Costs in the Division of Highways

[more]

A Study of Management Manpower Requirements

[more]

Need for Revenue Unification

[more]

Proposals Relating to Inheritance Tax Administration

[more]

Findings and Recommendations Concerning Automotive Fleet Management

[more]

Findings and Recommendations Concerning Organization for Central Staff Services

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Findings and Recommendations Concerning Reorganization of the Executive Branch of California State Government

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