Report Library List
Report #275,
October 2023
Issue Brief: California's Aging Population
This Issue Brief presents data on California’s aging population as part of the Commission’s review of early implementation of the state’s Master Plan for Aging, a 10-year effort that aims to promote healthy aging and prepare California for coming demographic changes. The information in this Brief falls into four parts:The demographic shift facing our nation and how California compares. California’s demographics and what changes the state might expect to see in the coming decades. Major factors contributing to the state’s aging population. Key policy implications of an aging population. To be electronically notified about the Commission's meetings, events, or other work, please subscribe to Little Hoover Commission updates: http://bit. ly/LittleHooverNews.
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Report #274,
June 2023
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 climate change goals. Written testimony from hearing witnesses can be found below in the corresponding event agenda. In the News Little Hoover Commission, August 28, 2023, "California Set a Great Goal for Methane Reduction—Let's Fix the Program to Make Sure It Happens. "Waste Dive, November 14, 2022, "Is California’s 2025 organics diversion target still viable?"Rural County Representatives of California, August 26, 2022, "Little Hoover Commission Hears RCRC/ESJPA Testimony on Organics Recycling. "California State Association of Counties, August 25, 2022, "Billions Available to Support Regional Economic Development. "Orange County Register, July 11, 2022, "Successes, challenges mount as California launches organic waste recycling program. "Newsmakers with Jerry Roberts, January 6, 2022, "Why California's New Law Reducing Organic Waste Is Crucial to Combatting Climate Change. "
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Report #273,
April 2023
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 disabilities and to address longstanding inequities that make it easier for some to access needed services than others. Written testimony from hearing witnesses can be found below in the corresponding event agendas. In the NewsThe Orange County Register, April 24, 2023, "California’s developmental disability system is failing the communities it is meant to serve. "
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Report #272,
January 2023
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.
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Report #271,
November 2022
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, characterized by significant inequality and sizeable regional disparities. In recent years, California has begun to take notable steps toward supporting regional approaches to economic development. New initiatives and emerging programs may provide a pathway toward addressing regional disparities and supporting inclusive development within regions. Yet it is important to note that the record for regional economic development efforts is mixed, with previous initiatives in California and elsewhere often failing to achieve their goals or provide inclusive growth. As California’s independent oversight agency, the Little Hoover Commission assessed the nature and extent of current regional disparities within the state. It also examined state efforts to foster inclusive and sustainable regional growth, and how state government can best encourage and promote more equitable development. In its report, the Commission calls on state government to do more to facilitate inclusive regional economic development, including by directing resources to regions that need them the most, investing in regional capacity, aligning funding and state programs to support regional development strategies, and ensuring that regions balance the goals of growth and inclusion. Written testimony from hearing witnesses can be found below in the corresponding event agenda. Related Reports:Issue Brief: Using Data Tools to Compare Regional Economic Well-Being in California(Report #270, November 2022) Issue Brief: Major State Programs That Can Support Regional Economic Development(Report #269, August 2022) Related Reports:CalMatters, January 31, 2023, "How California can address economic disparities between coastal and inland regions. "Times of San Diego, November 25, 2022, "Report: California, "'Story of Two Economies,’ Must Promote Growth in Underserved Regions. "
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Report #270,
November 2022
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 greater prosperity across the state. This Issue Brief –which was produced as part of the Commission’s study– surveys 11 data tools that measure and analyze how people and places are doing across California based on various indicators for economic, social, physical, and environmental well-being. The Commission further discusses how these tools can influence understanding of how well regions are doing and of the extent of disparities between them. To be electronically notified about the Commission's meetings, events, or other work, please subscribe to Little Hoover Commission updates: http://bit. ly/LittleHooverNews. Related Reports:Equitable Economic Development across California(Report #271, November 2022) Issue Brief: Major State Programs That Can Support Regional Economic Development(Report #269, August 2022)
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Report #269,
August 2022
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 greater prosperity across the state. This Issue Brief –which was produced as part of the Commission’s study–provides a preliminary compilation of major state programs and investments that can support inclusive regional development initiatives, with a focus on investments and programs that can advance inclusive development in the state’s inland and rural regions. For a full list of programs, see the Appendix in the Commission’s November 2022 report, Equitable Economic Development across California. To be electronically notified about the Commission's meetings, events, or other work, please subscribe to Little Hoover Commission updates: http://bit. ly/LittleHooverNews. Relevant Reports:Equitable Economic Development Across California(Report #271, November 2022) Issue Brief: Using Data Tools to Compare Regional Economic Well-Being in California(Report #270, November 2022)
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Report #268,
June 2022
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 Fund was launched in Fall 2020 to partner with Community Development Financial Institutions (CDFIs) in providing loans to small businesses as they rebuild and recover from the unprecedented impacts of the pandemic. This Issue Brief assesses the progress of the Rebuilding Fund and also presents findings from the Commission's public hearing on the Fund held in March 2022, which was a follow-up to recommendations made by the Commission in its December 2020 report, First Steps toward Recovery: Saving Small Businesses. In that report, the Commission urged officials to further expand the Rebuilding Fund if initial results from the program were promising. Relevant Reports First Steps toward Recovery: Saving Small Businesses(Report #257, February 2021) In the NewsCalMatters, July 21, 2022, "Small business grants overshadow loan program in COVID-19 response. "
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Report #267,
March 2022
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 can afford are pushed farther away from their jobs, while others are thrust into crowded living conditions. In this report, the Commission outlines recommendations to address the state’s housing crisis. These recommendations are informed by the following themes: affordable home ownership, housing supply, cooperation with local government, addressing historical inequities and preventing new ones, and actions state leaders can take immediately. Written testimony from hearing witnesses can be found below in the corresponding event agenda. Relevant ReportsIssue Brief: COVID's Impact on California Housing(Report #258, April 2021) Rebuilding The Dream: Solving California's Affordable Housing Crisis(Report #165, May 2002) In the NewsCalMatters, March 22, 2022, "Steps state leaders can take to address the affordable housing crisis. "
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Report #266,
February 2022
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 attention to the recall and spurred calls to reform California’s recall system. As California’s independent oversight agency, the Little Hoover Commission considered whether California’s system for recalling state office-holders should be changed, and if so, how. The Commission’s study examined the history of the recall in California, how the recall process operates, and how the recall works in other states. It also explored the advantages and drawbacks of different recall reforms. In its report, the Commission recommends adjustments to the signature requirement for recalling statewide office-holders and to the procedure for recalling and replacing state officials. The Commission also identifies procedural changes that would improve the recall process. Written testimony from hearing witnesses can be found below in the corresponding event agenda. In the NewsUC San Diego Yankelovich Center for Social Science Research, June 2022, "Californians Remain Open to Reforming the Recall Process. "ABC 10, March 25, 2022, "Public Policy Institute of California survey suggests ways to reform recall process. "Public Policy Institute of California, March 24, 2022, "Californians Want Recall Reforms on the 2022 Ballot. "CalMatters, February 5, 2022, "How to fix California’s recall elections. "Sacramento Bee, February 9, 2022, "Little Hoover Commission Recommends Recall Change. "
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Report #265,
November 2021
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 impact police behavior in the field – and which do not. In this report the Commission examines the role of the Commission on Peace Officer Standards and Training (POST) in shaping law enforcement training standards, and calls on California to assess and improve training for its nearly 700 law enforcement agencies and more than 87,000 full-time sworn and reserve peace officers. The Commission identifies ways in which the state can strategically improve its approach to law enforcement training, including incorporating academic research into training, assessing basic training academies for effectiveness, rightsizing entry level officer training, developing robust ongoing education, and creating a more representative POST Commission. Written testimony from hearing witnesses can be found below in the corresponding event agenda. Relevant Reports:Issue Brief: Comparing Law Enforcement Basic Training Academies(Report #264, November 2021) Issue Brief: California Law Enforcement Survey(Report #263, November 2021) In the News:CalMatters, July 26, 2022, "New police accountability laws up demands on state agencies. "KCBS Radio (San Francisco), December 3, 2021, "The State of California: A deeper look into California's government. "MindSiteNews, December 2, 2021, "Changing police behavior requires better training, tracking of outcomes, commissioners say. "CalMatters, November 30, 2021, "Meaningful police reform in California starts with training. "This Op-Ed was also published in the Santa Maria Times, Hanford Sentinel, and the Santa Ynez Valley News
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Report #264,
November 2021
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 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 context to the different ways in which other states administer basic training and provides a deeper look into how basic training varies by academy in California. To be electronically notified about the Commission's meetings, events, or other work, please subscribe to Little Hoover Commission updates: http://bit. ly/LittleHooverNews. Relevant Reports:Law Enforcement Training: Identifying What Works for Officers and Communities(Report #265, November 2021) Issue Brief: California Law Enforcement Survey(Report #263, November 2021)
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Report #263,
November 2021
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 their answers, detailed in this Issue Brief, provide critical insight into the strengths and shortcomings of police training in California. Relevant ReportsLaw Enforcement Training: Identifying What Works for Officers and Communities(Report #265, November 2021) Issue Brief: Comparing Law Enforcement Basic Training Academies(Report #264, November 2021) In the NewsSacramento Bee, November 4, 2021, "Police Say More Training Needed in Survey. "
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Report #262,
August 2021
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 perfect storm of stress, anxiety, and trauma that amplified preexisting challenges to young people’s mental health. California now faces a looming tsunami of children’s mental health needs. The pandemic will likely impact some young people’s mental well-being for years to come. To address COVID’s impact on young people’s mental well-being and achieve lasting improvements in the children’s mental health system, the Commission recommends that California strengthen state leadership over children’s mental health and set shared outcome goals for quality of care and access to services. Written testimony from hearing witnesses can be found below in the corresponding event agenda. Relevant ReportsFirst Steps toward Recovery: Job Training and Reskilling(Report #257, February 2021) First Steps toward Recovery: Saving Small Businesses(Report #254, December 2020) Promises Still to Keep: A Second Look at the Mental Health Services Act(Report #233, September 2016) Promises Still to Keep: A Decade of the Mental Health Services Act(Report #225, January 2015) In the NewsCalMatters, January 5, 2022, "What California can do to improve children’s mental health. "This Op-Ed was also published in the Orange County Register, San Jose Mercury News, Los Angeles Daily News, and Long Beach Press-Telegram. State of Reform, November 11, 2021, "Advocates for youth mental health urge California to strengthen services for youth in distress. "Los Angeles Times, November 10, 2021, "What do L. A. students want most? Mental health help, an adult to listen, reliable tech. "Los Angeles Times, November 1, 2021, "Editorial: Academic and emotional setbacks: The LAUSD kids are not all right. "CBS 8 San Diego, October 22, 2021, "Children's mental health declared national emergency. "San Francisco Examiner, September 15, 2021, "Why California teens need mental illness education. "Riverside Press-Enterprise, August 30, 2021, "California must address impact of COVID-19 on children’s mental health. "This Op-Ed was also published in the Orange County Register, Los Angeles Daily News, Torrance Daily Breeze, San Bernardino Sun, and Pasadena Star News. County Health Executives Association of California (CHEAC), September 4, 2021, "Little Hoover Commission Issues Report on COVID-19 and Child Mental Health Impacts. "Senator Anthony J. Portantino, "Senator Portantino Continues Leadership on Mental Health Issues as Education Bill Heads to Governor’s Desk. "Pasadena Now, September 3, 2021, "Mental Health Education Bill Authored by Senator Portantino Approved by Legislature, Heads to Governor’s Desk. "
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Report #261,
June 2021
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 public. In this report the Commission looks at the benefits of Governor Newsom’s Executive Order and calls on the Legislature and Governor to update the state’s open meetings law – the Bagley-Keene Open Meeting Act – to reflect new technologies and the experiences of the past year. To be electronically notified about the Commission's meetings, events, or other work, please subscribe to Little Hoover Commission updates: http://bit. ly/LittleHooverNews. Relevant Reports:Conversations For Workable Government(Report #227, June 2015) In the News:Techwire, February 25, 2022, "Watchdog Panel Backs Bill Allowing Virtual Public Meetings Permanently. "Techwire, December 16, 2021, "Virtual Government Meetings Should Continue, Oversight Chair Says. "Bakersfield Californian, November 7, 2021, "Our View: Shutting down remote access shuts out public. "The Maddy Report, November 5, 2021, "The Maddy Report: On-Line Democracy: A Good Connection. "CalMatters, September 29, 2021, "Permanent solution needed to continue government meetings online. "CalMatters, July 1, 2021, "Make online meetings for public agencies a fixture in California. " Techwire, June 30, 2021, "State Watchdog Says Virtual Meetings Should Be Permanent Option. "
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Report #260,
May 2021
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 expected $26 billion American Rescue Plan funding the state will receive this year. The goal of this Brief is to provide policymakers with background on last year’s use of federal relief, and on the potential uses of this year’s relief. To be electronically notified about the Commission's meetings, events, or other work, please subscribe to Little Hoover Commission updates: http://bit. ly/LittleHooverNews.
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Report #257,
February 2021
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 lower-wage workers. The pandemic has also accelerated existing trends toward greater automation, exacerbating concerns over occupational polarization and bringing the “future of work” increasingly into the present. Many of the jobs that have been lost may not return for years, if ever. In order to return to work, and have access to quality jobs, many Californians impacted by the pandemic may need job training and reskilling. In order to address the jobs crisis facing California and provide workers with pathways to employment and to goods jobs, the Commission recommends state government build on its recent work to strengthen workforce development and career education and encourage training partnerships that feature high levels of coordination between trainers and employers, as well as guidance and support for trainees. Written testimony from hearing witnesses can be found below in the corresponding event agenda. Relevant ReportsFirst Steps toward Recovery: Saving Small Businesses(Report #254, December 2020) In the NewsSan Francisco Chronicle, February 16, 2021, "What California must do to ensure employment recovers from the pandemic. "
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Report #254,
December 2020
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 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 vibrant communities and employed nearly half of California’s private sector workforce prior to the pandemic. They have been devastated by the pandemic. More than 30 percent of California’s small businesses remained closed in early November and thousands have shut-down permanently. Minority- and women-owned businesses have been disproportionately affected and face numerous barriers to accessing the financial and technical assistance they need to survive. To address the crisis facing California’s small businesses and promote an equitable recovery, the Commission recommends state government take an even bolder leadership role in providing and coordinating support for small businesses and in establishing public-private partnerships to advance small enterprises. The Commission intends to release additional reports that study the impacts of COVID and that examine additional approaches for supporting those impacted by the pandemic. Written testimony from hearing witnesses can be found below in the corresponding event agenda. Relevant ReportsFirst Steps toward Recovery: Job Training and Reskilling(Report #257, February 2021) In the NewsSalinas Californian, February 19, 2021, "More financial relief could come for California small businesses hit hard by the pandemic. "Public Policy Institute of California, January 25, 2021, "Commentary: An Equitable Recovery for California Requires Two Key Strategies. "CalMatters, January 25, 2021, "‘Too little, too late’: California small businesses chase COVID-19 relief. "CalMatters, December 8, 2020, "Beyond Newsom’s Rebuilding Fund, additional action is necessary to preserve small businesses. " The Atlantic, December 11, 2020, "What Post-pandemic Repair Could Look Like. "
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Report #253,
December 2020
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 households are then hindered, among other things, in their ability to access education, contribute to a productive economy, and obtain crucial government services. Due to the cross-cutting and highly-relevant nature of this issue, the Commission is offering this valuable background research on the digital divide and municipal fiber broadband network initiatives in the form of an Issue Brief. We hope this research will serve as a resource for policymakers and others as they weigh opportunities to better serve all Californians. To be electronically notified about the Commission's meetings, events, or other work, please subscribe to Little Hoover Commission updates: http://bit. ly/LittleHooverNews.
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Report #252,
October 2020
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 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 records from a key state program that provides help to trafficking victims. We propose California implement the following to better protect victims and bring traffickers to justice:Prioritize victim services through increased use of data and program evaluations. Empower more state agencies to investigate labor trafficking crimes. Standardize communication among federal, state, and local agencies. Track enforcement activities and study outcomes to identify best practices. Ensure officials are adequately trained to investigate and prosecute labor trafficking cases. Written testimony from hearing witnesses can be found below in the corresponding event agenda. Get help: If you believe you may have information about a human trafficking situation, the National Human Trafficking Hotline can help. Call toll-free at 1-888-373-7888 or text at 233-733 (Be Free). If you fear a victim is in immediate danger, please contact 911 to report his/her location to the police. Relevant ReportsLabor Trafficking: Strategies to Uncover this Hidden Crime(Report #251, September 2020) Human Trafficking: Coordinating a California Response(Report #250, June 2020) Level the Playing Field: Put California’s Underground Economy Out of Business(Report #226, March 2015) In the NewsFresno Bee, February 9, 2022, "Fresno Democrat wants to crack down on employers that exploit workers. Will this help?"Arizona State University Labor Trafficking Symposium, October 20, 2021, "Legal and Policy Innovations to Combat Human Trafficking" presentation by Deputy Executive Director Tamar Foster, Alameda County District Attorney Nancy O'Malley, Anh Truong, Rena Shahandeh, and Cindy Martinez Lewis of the Los Angeles City Attorney's Sex and Labor Trafficking Unit, and Panida Rzonca of the Thai Community Development CenterCalMatters, November 4, 2020, "California must take these two steps to better combat labor trafficking. "Sacramento Bee, October 21, 2020, "California labor traffickers dodge convictions after state crackdown, report says. "Voice of San Diego, July 3, 2020, "Sacramento Report: Lawmakers Urged to Do More to Combat Labor Trafficking. "MyNewsLA. com, June 29, 2020, “Little Hoover Commission Calls for Stronger Effort against Labor Trafficking. ”San Diego Union-Tribune, June 26, 2020, "Commentary: Why we’re calling on California to create an Anti-Human Trafficking Council. "San Diego Union-Tribune, December 1, 2019, “Horrors of labor Trafficking remain hidden with spotlight on sex trafficking. ”Voice of San Diego, November 22, 2019, “Sacramento Report: Weighing Laws New and Old. ”
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Report #250,
June 2020
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 recommend California create an Anti-Human Trafficking Council within the Governor’s Office to:Build and enhance collaboration among communities throughout the state. Study and improve services for victims and survivors of all forms of human trafficking. Assist in the successful prosecution of human traffickers. Written testimony from hearing witnesses can be found below in the corresponding event agenda. Get help: If you believe you may have information about a human trafficking situation, the National Human Trafficking Hotline can help. Call toll-free at 1-888-373-7888 or text at 233-733 (Be Free). If you fear a victim is in immediate danger, please contact 911 to report his/her location to the police. Relevant ReportsLabor Trafficking: Strategies to Help Victims and Bring Traffickers to Justice(Report #252, October 2020) Labor Trafficking: Strategies to Uncover this Hidden Crime(Report #251, September 2020) Level the Playing Field: Put California’s Underground Economy Out of Business(Report #226, March 2015) In the NewsFresno Bee, February 9, 2022, "Fresno Democrat wants to crack down on employers that exploit workers. Will this help?"Arizona State University Labor Trafficking Symposium, October 20, 2021, "Legal and Policy Innovations to Combat Human Trafficking" presentation by Deputy Executive Director Tamar Foster, Alameda County District Attorney Nancy O'Malley, Anh Truong, Rena Shahandeh, and Cindy Martinez Lewis of the Los Angeles City Attorney's Sex and Labor Trafficking Unit, and Panida Rzonca of the Thai Community Development CenterVoice of San Diego, July 3, 2020, "Sacramento Report: Lawmakers Urged to Do More to Combat Labor Trafficking. "MyNewsLA. com, June 29, 2020, “Little Hoover Commission Calls for Stronger Effort against Labor Trafficking. ”San Diego Union-Tribune, June 26, 2020, "Commentary: Why we’re calling on California to create an Anti-Human Trafficking Council. "San Diego Union-Tribune, December 1, 2019, “Horrors of labor Trafficking remain hidden with spotlight on sex trafficking. ”Voice of San Diego, November 22, 2019, “Sacramento Report: Weighing Laws New and Old. ”
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Report #222,
August 2014
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 Medi-Cal, the state’s public health care delivery system. This report updates recommendations the Commission made in its May 2007 report, A Smarter Way to Care: Transforming Medi-Cal for the Future. The Commission recommends the state consider opportunities to encourage, support and expand its data and technology infrastructure when examining broader population- and place-based health policy issues.
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Report #220,
February 2014
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 customer service in state processes and put into place a system that will ensure careers in state government are attainable and rewarding.
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Report #219,
February 2014
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.
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Report #218,
October 2013
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 public higher education, if used in a manner that benefits students. The Commission recommends developing incentives to expand use of online courses across all segments.
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Report #217,
August 2013
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 outreach efforts to veterans, build a strong database of California veterans, monitor county veterans offices’ work to ensure effectiveness and modernize its approaches to serve needs of the youngest generation of California veterans. The Commission also recommends updating the Military and Veterans Code to better align with current CalVet practices and veterans’ needs.
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Report #216,
May 2013
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 jail overcrowding. The Commission also found a need for evidence-based practices to safely reduce large pre-trial populations that account for a majority of jail detainees. To address these issues, the Commission recommends the state bolster oversight of AB 109 realignment spending, mandate validated risk and needs assessments in all counties, set criteria for setting bail schedules and continue to implement sentencing reform.
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Report #215,
March 2013
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 that it generate more revenue from its operations. The Commission recommends the department assess all of its state parks to determine which have clear statewide significance and which parks serve primarily local or regional populations. Those parks determined to serve primarily local or regional needs should be realigned. This analysis should look beyond parks, to include the system’s cultural and historic assets as well. The Commission also identifies several chronic conditions that will threaten the state parks system if left unchecked.
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Report #212,
September 2012
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 policy and a strategic plan for property management with the goal of maximizing the value of the state’s real property assets for better program outcomes, greater transparency and enhanced accountability.
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Report #211,
May 2012
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.
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Report #210,
February 2012
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 three core areas: basic skills education, career technical education and preparation for transfer to four-year universities. The Commission also calls for the state to consolidate responsibility and funding for California’s adult education programs within the community college system to maintain educational options for all levels of adult learners. During its review, the Commission found that the state’s policies ration access because of an outdated funding mechanism that emphasizes enrollment and does not consider completion. The Commission urged the state to give the Board of Governors and Chancellor more authority to set goals and to create incentives to drive student success in developing basic skills, career technical education, and transferring to four-year institutions.
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Report #209,
October 2011
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 regulations more rigorous and consistent across agencies and to strengthen oversight to ensure that agencies have assessed the economic impact of proposed regulations. During its review, the Commission found that California lacked statewide standards for economic analysis, and that the practices of agencies varied widely, which has helped fuel a perception that the state’s regulatory practices are inconsistent and unfair. The Commission's recommendations are aimed at increasing transparency, efficiency and accountability with the goals of finding the least burdensome alternative to solving a regulatory problem and bolstering confidence in the regulatory process. This review was requested by Assemblymember Felipe Fuentes and Senator Robert Dutton in a July 12, 2010, request letter to the Commission.
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Report #208,
September 2011
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 its investment in modernizing information technology across state government. The Commission recommends continuing the momentum gained through the creation of the California Technology Agency, and urges the Legislature to monitor five areas: communication, oversight, systems integration, procurement and performance management.
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Report #207,
September 2011
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 concerns that the state’s plan lacked sufficient funding, planning and oversight to ensure a safe and successful transition.
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Report #206,
June 2011
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.
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Report #205,
April 2011
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 by whom, how much each service costs the state, and which programs work the best and are the most cost-effective in keeping people in their homes. The Commission also found that there is virtually no coordination or communication between programs and staff responsible for long-term care services. There is no integrated management or coordination of financing, service delivery or assessment of long-term care client needs or of providers. The Commission recommends the state create a single point of contact, name a leader for long-term care, and develop a strategy for a seamless continuum of care.
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March 2011
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 and operate more efficiently. In this letter, the Commission offers a list of suggestions based on its work. The list is divided into actions that could be implemented through a reorganization plan, actions that can be undertaken by Executive Order and actions that require legislation.
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Report #204,
February 2011
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 the state and for California cities and counties. The Commission recommends the adoption of several measures designed to curb pension costs generated by existing and future public employees, including altering future unaccrued benefits for current workers, considering a “hybrid” retirement plan, a cap on salaries used to calculate pensions and other reforms.
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Report #202,
November 2010
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 it difficult to close consistently poor-performing charter schools. The Commission recommends establishing an independent statewide board of charter schools and expanding methods of holding schools accountable through performance contracts.
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Report #200,
February 2010
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 economic development organizations and activities, the Commission recommends creating a Governor’s Office of Economic Development to lead and serve as California's single point-of-contact for economic and business development efforts. The new office would house a policy division and action teams and would hold seats on key organizations. ResultsOn April 8, 2010, Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger signed an Executive Order establishing the Office of Economic Development. Read the Commission's response here.
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Report #198,
June 2009
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 Regenerative Medicine to improve transparency and accountability and speed its success in finding cures through stem cell research. During its review, the Commission found that despite its work toward finding cures through stem cell research grants, the California Institute for Regenerative Medicine’s governing board is vulnerable to perceptions of self-interest and lacks a plan for leadership beyond today’s board structure. The Commission recommends changes to its board makeup, oversight and processes for more efficiency and transparency. This review was requested by Senators Kuehl and Runner in an April 28, 2008, request letter to the Commission.
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Report #197,
June 2009
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 Water Commission with oversight of resourcerelated bonds. The Commission also recommends for more clarity for voters on bond measures and bolstering local bond oversight committees.
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Report #196,
March 2009
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 recommendation: Allow plan to take effect. Legislative action: Plan went into effect.
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Report #194,
January 2009
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 calls for stronger and more independent public health leadership. During its review, the Commission found that the state had implemented some of the Commission’s earlier recommendations, including creating a new department of public health and a public health advisory committee to assist the state public health officer. The Commission also found that Californians need an independent public health leader with the authority to act first and foremost as an advocate for the health and well-being of the public. The Commission recommends placing the public health department directly beneath the governor and empowering the public health board with more independence to provide oversight and guidance to health department leaders.
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Report #193,
November 2008
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 simply upgrading old “legacy” computer systems. The times demand new approaches and traditions to delivering public services and programs by leveraging technology to improve outcomes. During its review, the Commission found that California’s technology governance structure was outdated, developed in reaction to a fear of failure and past scandals, with oversight dispersed across the executive branch. The Commission found that empowering the state chief information officer to coordinate technology activities across agencies will improve the ability to collect and report performance data about state programs in order to improve decision making and outcomes. The Commission recommends consolidation of the state's technology assets and personnel under the Office of the State Chief Information Officer. The Commission also recommends state agencies use public money for technology projects responsibly and with transparency in order to rebuild the confidence of the Legislature and the public. Additionally, the Commission recommends the state use technology to track, measure and improve performance.
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Report #192,
July 2008
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 programs and services for youth offenders. Nearly two out of three youth offenders return to state custody upon release. State facilities, long neglected, are crumbling and new construction costs required to meet the requirements of the consent decree are unspeakably high. Buried within the adult correctional bureaucracy, the required juvenile justice reforms are not prioritized. Yet the state spends a startling $252,000 per offender per year to house a youth population, one-fifth the size of what it had been a decade ago. The Commission found that the realignment was a step in the right direction, although the state should do more to provide leadership and ensure the funding provided through the realignment was actually spent on proven programs and services for youth offenders. The Commission recommends consolidating juvenile justice programs and services into a streamlined Governor’s Office of Juvenile Justice outside the California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation. The Commission also recommends creating one dedicated funding stream for local juvenile justice programs and services, extending the sunset of the State Commission on Juvenile Justice until 2010, and eliminating state juvenile justice operations by 2011.
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Report #191,
May 2008
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 state could more efficiently and effectively use that money, together with redirected funding from categorical programs, by incentivizing districts to create their own turnaround strategies and rewarding them for improving student achievement. The Commission also found that an increase in flexibility must be linked to an increase in accountability. The Commission recommends recommends combining details of the state Public Schools Accountability Act and the federal No Child Left Behind Act (NCLB) to create a uniform and mandatory accountability system that sets a clear expectation for all students at all schools to reach proficiency or better on California’s academic content standards. The Commission also recommends creating a simpler, more transparent accountability system that goes beyond identifying schools for punishment and instead focuses on their continuous appraisal and improvement to produce college-ready students and highly educated workers for the state’s world-class economy.
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Report #190,
March 2008
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 programs that result from addiction and reduce costs related to those programs. California, however, lacks a coherent substance abuse treatment system that integrates the state’s health care, foster care and corrections systems. Counties use widely divergent approaches to treatment with little oversight or accountability for results. The Commission also found that the state spends more than $1 billion annually on substance abuse treatment and billions more on the consequences of failing to treat addiction. The Commission found transforming the state’s substance abuse treatment system and focusing on improved outcomes and accountability could help the state cut costs associated with addiction that burden so many of the state’s systems. The Commission recommends a new treatment system model that emphasizes screening for signs of alcohol and drug abuse and early intervention strategies. The Commission also recommends employing evidence-based strategies to treat addiction, linking state funding with improved outcomes, and improving the Substance Abuse and Crime Prevention Act, or Proposition 36, by increasing the use of proven practices such as drug court models.
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Report #189,
November 2007
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 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 improve grade point averages and prepare students for success after high school. However, the Commission concluded that opportunities for further study and improvement remained to determine what works in CTE classrooms to boost student outcomes, including proficiency on California’s achievement tests. Evaluation should be a condition of receiving any new CTE money. The Commission recommends that new funds the state has earmarked for CTE be used to drive adoption of new, more rigorous curriculum to meet the state standards. The Commission recommends linking new money for CTE to requiring programs to evaluate outcomes so that the state can build on programs that have demonstrated success. Additionally, the Commission recommends the state foster the development and expansion of regional partnerships between education and workforce development and eliminate barriers that make it difficult for people to enter the CTE educational workforce.
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Report #188,
August 2007
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 review, the Commission found an entity that, while operating adequately, potentially was vulnerable to political manipulation, one where accountability and transparency could be enhanced significantly. The Commission found a governance structure that could not be described by a normal organizational chart, and one exacerbated by changes made for political reasons, not with the goal of improving educational outcomes for California students. When problems have arisen at the board, a weak governance structure has been an impediment to setting the organization right. The Commission recommends reforming the board’s composition to increase public and expert participation and improve the balance of executive and legislative roles. The Commission also recommends making the board an independent entity by moving the staff and functions of the Office of Public School Construction to the board and requiring the board to develop and submit its own budget. Finally, the Commission recommends Increasing the board’s transparency to the public and stakeholders by requiring the board to formally adopt and make public its own rules of order, which aggregate existing operating procedures and better define the role of the Implementation Committee.
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Report #187,
May 2007
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 care, the Commission found that Medi-Cal has the potential to reshape the state’s health care market for all Californians by tracking care, measuring performance and using incentives to improve health outcomes. But the program lacks data and analysis to show how well it is working. The Commission found that the program should focus on prevention, coordinated care that includes better chronic disease care and demonstrating value in terms of improve health outcomes. For too long, the Commission found, California has focused on what Medi-Cal is paying for health care, not on what it is buying. The Commission recommends four ways to transform the Medi-Cal prgram: make Medi-Cal a value-driven purchaser of health care, improve access to care, leverage data and analytical capacity, and ensure all Medi-Cal eligible Californians are enrolled.
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Report #185,
January 2007
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 have the opportunity to participate in educational, vocational, drug treatment or mental health programs that could help them turn their lives around. California has one of the highest recidivism rates in the nation. The Commission found that for years, policy-makers and government officials have failed to do their jobs, and this failure has robbed the state of fiscal control of the correctional system and placed it in the hands of federal courts. Despite the rhetoric, 30 years of “tough on crime” politics has not made the state safer. Quite the opposite: today thousands of hardened, violent criminals are released without regard to the danger they present to an unsuspecting public. The Commission found that more than 1,000 different laws have been piled on over time with no consistent or informed evaluation of the laws for their effect on public safety or the state treasury. The Commission recommends for the Governor and the Legislature to take immediate action to solve the overcrowding crisis and improve management of the correctional population or turn the system over to an independent entity that will. To improve public safety and make the best use of correctional resources, the Commission recommends that the State immediately implements evidence-based policies to reduce overcrowding and hold offenders accountable for improving themselves. The Commission also recommends that California should establish a sentencing commission to guide the state’s criminal justice sentencing policies to enhance public safety.
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Report #170a,
June 2005
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 public health, the Commission found that several of its prior recommendations for improvements have not been made a priority. The State has not deployed a public health surveillance system that could detect serious threats in time to save thousands of lives. The State has not stopped the erosion of its laboratory capacity, which is essential to analyzing and informing medical responses. The State does not have a cohesive strategy for developing the surge capacity necessary to accommodate large numbers of injuries or illness. The State has not assessed the consequences of budget cuts that local officials say will thwart a coordinated response to regional disasters. And the State does not have in place a plan – or even a deadline for establishing a plan – to ensure that first responders from different agencies can communicate when they respond to the same disaster. The Commission reiterates and refines its recommendations from 2002 and 2003 and recommends the state fortify its public safety and emergency response infrastructure.
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Report #182,
June 2005
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.
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Report #181,
June 2005
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 public universities or experienced managers from the private sector. To correct these failures, the Commission recommends for state policy-makers to open the State’s hiring process and establish performance measures for the personnel system.
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Report #180,
May 2005
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.
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Report #179,
February 2005
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 agency, the California department of Corrections and Rehabilitation (CDCR). Commission recommendation: Allow plan to take effect, included 6 recommendations to further improve the correctional system. Legislative action: Plan went into effect.
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Report #175,
September 2004
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. Specifically SB 1951 and AB 1943 requested that the Commission review the scope of practice and educational requirements for acupuncturists, the process for accrediting acupuncture schools and for examining licensees. During its review, the Commission identified three underlying tensions or conflicts that make it difficult to assess and reconcile the demands of the profession with the role of state government:The nexus between traditional Oriental and Western medicine is poorly defined. The profession has sought to elevate its standing through the regulatory process. Acupuncturists and the Acupuncture Board are concerned that relying on national standards and procedures will hold back the profession in California. The Commission concluded that the Accreditation Commission of Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine should be relied upon to validate the quality of acupuncture training schools. The Commission, however, concluded that the State should continue to use its own examination as the regulatory threshold to practice in California, rather than rely on the national exam. The Commission also identified additional opportunities for the State’s consumer protection agencies, including the Acupuncture Board, to safeguard patients against practices or products that can threaten their safety and the public health – perhaps more importantly, measures to control infections.
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Report #172,
November 2003
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 community-based punishment. The reliance on prison for dealing with parole violators, criminal justice experts assert, costs more than interventions that do a better job of helping felons avoid future crimes. The Commission also found that while other states were modifying parole policies to improve the success of parolees, California has been slow to replicate successful parole models, largely ignored the research and experience in other states, and even those small parole successes in California. The Commission recommends that the state better prepare inmates for release and help them find jobs, housing and stay in drug treatment once released. The Commission also recommends the state make better use of interventions that can help struggling parolees get re-established in communities and more strategically use prisons for parolees posing the greatest risks to public safety.
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Report #171,
July 2003
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 reduce crime and its consequences. During its review, the Commission found that OCJP is not efficiently managing nearly $300 million in grants to local law enforcement and other agencies. More importantly, the Commission found the office has consistently failed to perform the strategic planning and other leadership activities necessary to fulfill its legal and moral mandate to help communities fight crime, violence and drug abuse. The Commission recommends abolishing OCJP and consolidating its 100 grant programs and reassigning them to other agencies that have demonstrated an ability to effectively manage grant programs.
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Report #170,
April 2003
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 emergencies after the events of September 11, 2001, the Commission found the public health system as the weakest link in California’s homeland defense. The Commission found the State's public health leadership and organizational structure ill-prepared to fulfill the primary obligation of reducing injury and death from threats that individuals cannot control. Public health agencies lack equipment, training, procedures and standards necessary to perform in concert with traditional first responders. The Commission recommends for the State to focus its public health functions into a single department with physician leadership and a public and expert advisory board. The Commission also recommends for the State to build a strong and responsive partnership with county health offices and private providers, and fortify its professional workforce and arm it with effective technologies.
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Report #168,
February 2003
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 millions of dollars on research, task forces and reform efforts that have not materially improved outcomes. The Commission recommends for the State to designate a leader for California's foster care system. The Commission also recommends for the creation of a Child Welfare Inspector General and a State Child Welfare Oversight Board. Similar recommendations were directed to county supervisors.
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Report #167,
December 2002
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.
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Report #166,
June 2002
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 that ration access to public services hinder many from becoming responsible, successful community members. The Commission recommends for the State to establish a Golden State Residency Program. The Governor and Legislature should establish a program that encourages immigrants to establish residency and become citizens. It should create incentives for immigrants to integrate and support those who contribute to their communities. goals for immigrant integration and create incentives for immigrants to achieve those goals. California should advocate for federal reforms that link immigration policies to community goals, create incentives for immigrants to be responsible community members and encourage immigrants to work toward citizenship.
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Report #165,
May 2002
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 welfare of thousands of Californians, as well as the state’s long-term prosperity. The impact of the State’s housing shortage is felt most profoundly by low-income Californians. The Commission recommends for the State to provide leadership and strengthen and enforce the Housing Element Law to make more land available for housing. The Commission also recommends reforming public policies to encourage greater use of urban “brownfields” for affordable housing. To lower the risks and attract private capital for affordable housing, the Commission recommends for the State to foster public-private investment partnerships, increase certainty in the development approval process and the identification of new sources of private investment. The Commission also recommends the State optimize available subsidies by making them reliable, consistent and easy to access.
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Report #164,
April 2002
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.
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Report #163,
April 2002
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 review, the Commission found that the ownership limitations are no longer necessary to protect the public safety. The Commission recommends that the Governor and the Legislature eliminate the ownership limitations that prevent publicly traded companies – even those operating casinos in other states or under management contracts with California Indians – from operating card clubs. The Commission also recommends that policy-makers be clear about their intent concerning the expansion of gambling and as their predecessors did, consult directly with voters before allowing any expansion in the size and scope of gambling. The Commission also offers the following recommendations for implementing this change: ensure adequate resources and regulations are in place, craft consistent policy and clearly define who must be licensed.
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Report #162,
January 2002
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 agencies are organized and managed, and how resources are defined and used in the name of public safety. During its review, the Commission found California has not verified the ability of local agencies to respond adequately to multiple, large-scale disasters - particularly attacks engineered to cause massive casualties, destruction and chaos. The State has not identified what will be necessary - or developed a plan to ensure - that California is prepared for the types of emergencies it may face. The Commission also found the State has not adequately maintained its public health assets to meet the needs of a growing population. The State should improve the content and the means for distributing information to the public at the time of civil emergencies. Based on these findings, the Commission recommends the State fortify local disaster preparations by requiring risk and vulnerability assessments, adopting standards for readiness and creating effective mechanisms for verifying that standards are met. The State should fortify its structure for governing emergencies, for further improving communications and for ensuring that security and preparedness policies are responsive to public needs and effectively implemented. The Commission also recommends for the State to measure the adequacy of emergency medical response capacity in all communities and ensure appropriate resources are dedicated to creating and maintaining adequate public health services. California should explore ways to use modern technology - coupled with information protocols - to completely and accurately inform the public about potential threats and the actions they should take.
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Report #161,
October 2001
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 to adequate and appropriate care because California has not appropriately addressed the acute shortage of qualified mental health professionals. California does not fund, organize or administer services to comprehensively meet the needs of children and families. The Commission recommends that access to the right care at the right time should be guaranteed for all children. The Commission also recommends for policymakers and community leaders to support the capacity of service providers and provide services organized around the needs of children and families. Taken together, these recommendations will improve the ability of California to enhance the prosperity of its children, its communities and the state.
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Report #160,
September 2001
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 Commission also found that teacher compensation does not reward performance, provide a career ladder for the best teachers, or compensate instructors in hard-to-staff schools for the benefits they bring to those communities. The Commission recommends improving the teacher workforce by offering the following guiding principles: recruit the best, align preparation to schools, base credentials on performance, reward quality teaching, equalize teacher distribution, and manage the workforce strategically.
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Report #158,
January 2001
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.
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Report #154,
March 2000
Open Doors and Open Minds: Improving Access and Quality in California's Community Colleges
Report #153a,
November 1999
Recommendations for Improving the School Facility Program in Los Angeles Unified School District
Report #147,
June 1998
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. Commission recommendation: Reject. Legislative action: Rejected.
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Report #144,
January 1998
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 released. During its review, the Commission found that after more than a decade of investing in new county jails and state prisons, California faces an inmate overcrowding crisis that worsens each day. Over the last decade an increasing percentage of a growing population has been sentenced to state prison, and correctional officials see that trend continuing into the forseeable future. The Commission also found an increasing percentage of felons, once paroled, are returning to prison having failed to successfully reintegrate into society. The Commission recommends creating a new multi-faceted correctional strategy where California's correctional agencies think, plan and act as a coordinated system — county and state, youth and adult. The Commission also recommends maximizing existing facilities and expanding facilities through competitive procedures.
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Report #141,
January 1997
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.
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Report #139,
December 1996
When Consumers Have Choices: The State's Role in Competitive Utility Markets
Report #140,
December 1996
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 choices. This report, which is the culmination of an in-depth 11-month study, contains four findings: the State's current oversight structure is too fragmented to allow effective coordination and integration of long-term care services; many of the State's policies favor expensive institutionalization at the expense of home and community-based services preferred by consumers; despite new federal regulations, consumers continue to take issue with the quality of care in skilled nursing facilities; and regulatory change has not kept pace with the changing demands placed on residential care facilities. The report offers 24 recommendations to address these problems, including consolidating long-term care into a single state agency, increasing resources for programs that delay institutionalization, and strengthening the consumer complaint systems now in place for skilled nursing facilities and residential care facilities.
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Report #138,
March 1996
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 cap; funding charter schools directly from the State; recognizing charter schools as seperate, legal agencies; creating alternative sponsors and alternative petition mechanisms; and clarifying the funding base for charter schools.
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Report #137,
December 1995
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 technology, compels the State to systematically change how real property is provided by internal bureaucracies, accounted for in budgets and used by individual departments. This Commission report makes three findings and three recommendations, and provides short-term and long-term measures that can be taken.
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Report #136,
November 1995
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. The Commission found that complicated and costly procedures are undermining the State's long-held policies advocating orderly growth. Four findings and four recommendations are made to improve the efficiency and effectiveness of project approval procedures. The Commission recommends that the State establish a single process for assessing proposals, reform planning laws to encourage local agencies to enact regional strategies, invest in infrastructure, and work pro-actively with all levels of government and the private sector to develop solutions to land-use concerns.
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Report #135,
October 1995
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, increases costs, and decreases program successes. The Commission recommends that the Governor and the Legislature make a commitment to performance-based budgeting by providing support and oversight, extending the time line for the pilot project, and encouraging its expansion as appropriate.
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Report #134,
June 1995
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 effect. Legislative action: Plan went into effect.
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Report #133,
April 1995
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 eliminate redundancies, clarify authorities and deregulate a system that has evolved over nearly a century. Chief among the recommendations is the elimination of the State Personnel Board, with oversight of personnel management and central leadership assigned to the Department of Personnel Administration; the elimination of review by the Office of Administrative Law of rules, regulations and negotiated agreements relating to the internal personnel administration of the State; and allowing the Department of Personnel Administration the flexibility to delegate to individual departments more authority over classification, selection, discipline, compensation and layoff procedures.
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Report #131,
March 1995
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, 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 Management Board and removes oil oversight functions from the State Lands Commission. Commission recommendation: Implement plan with two modifications. The Commission qualified its approval of the energy reorganization by requesting the Administration to consider adding a public member to the new Energy Facilities Siting Board and requiring the adoption of an explicit state energy policy each two years that will be a guide for all policy decisions. Legislative action: Rejected.
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Report #130,
March 1995
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 reorganization will result in at least two benefits to the State: enhanced security and budgetary savings. Legislative action: Plan went into effect.
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Report #132,
March 1995
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 four recommendations for future action, which include crafting a budget that is based on reasonable and sustainable estimates of revenues, federal reimbursements and debt obligations; focusing on a realistic cash flow plan; cutting programs as deeply as necessary to end the 1995-96 fiscal year in a balanced position; and adopting long-term plans, budgets and policies that California's budgets will be balanced in reality and not through financial maneuvers.
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Report #129,
January 1995
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, 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.
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Report #128,
January 1995
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 effectiveness of boot camps and other work-intensive forms of incarceration. The report contains four findings and 17 recommendations. They include: the necessity for a comprehensive plan and standards; the recognition that the powerful element for success is the "aftercare;" and the need for regulations that would encourage private-sector participation.
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Report #127,
September 1994
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 offers 18 recommendations: consolidating all juvenile anti-crime efforts in a single high-level state agency, directing all government agencies to make early intervention and prevention programs a top priority, and increasing the ability of the California Youth Authority to provide needed treatment, training and education for juveniles.
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Report #126,
June 1994
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 departments, the timber industry and environmental advocacy groups. The Commission also found that the process has not proven effective in achieving a sound balance between economic and environmental concerns. In response to these two key findings, the Commission proposes reform in eight recommendations designed to provide better protection for the environment while streamlining the process of timber harvesters, particularly those with logging operations that will have a minimal impact on surrounding ecosystems.
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Report #125,
March 1994
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 2020 program). During its review, the Commission found that the placement of overlapping recycling mandates in two separate agencies has resulted in duplication of work, public confusion and lack of effectiveness in implementing state policies. In addition, the complexity of the recycling program hinders its expansion, undermines cost-effective implementation and increases opportunities for fraud. The Commission recommends to the Governor and Legislature that a new comprehensive solid waste management program be established in Cal-EPA to bring both policy focus and program accountability to the State's recycling efforts.
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Report #124,
January 1994
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 violent crimes under the indeterminate sentencing structure, reducing sentence reduction credit for violent offenders, enacting parole reform that will provide a greater deterrent to continued criminal activity by parolees, and reinstating rehabilitation as a goal of the corrections system (subordinate to the goal of public safety).
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Report #123,
September 1993
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 a unified manner. In this policy analysis, the Commission makes three recommendations to create a temporary commission to put forth a single plan for a health system, establish a unit within the Department of Health Services to create clinical guidelines that weed out useless and ineffective health care treatments, and perform educational outreach to help consumers make better use of their health care benefits.
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Report #122,
July 1993
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 divisive, wasteful and counterproductive. In three findings and five recommendations, the Commission recommends revising state funding mechanisms so that schools have an incentive to help students attain English proficiency; establishing a state framework for local control over methods used; and holding schools accountable for results.
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Report #121,
March 1993
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 recommendations regarding best value, streamlined processes, and program accountability.
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Report #120,
February 1993
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 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 reform by California's government -- education, health care and workers' compensation -- only workers' compensation can be reformed without the infusion of billions of dollars and only it has the potential of immediately affecting the State's economy. The Commission presents four findings and nine recommendations to reform the present system, including reducing medical costs through managed care; making changes in the vocational rehabilitation program; and restricting stress claims.
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Report #119,
January 1993
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 contains summaries of the Commission's studies for the past two years.
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Report #118,
July 1992
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 districts that deficit spend for three years; creating statewide collective bargaining; ensuring that more dollars reach the classroom; consolidating small school districts; and eliminating or regionalizing county offices of education.
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Report #117,
June 1992
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 contains four findings and 16 recommendations, including modifying current law to return the responsibility of funding new school facilities to the local school districts, thereby limiting the State's role to ensuring equity. In addition, the Commission proposes a one-stop shopping system so school districts have a single point of contact for facility projects. The Commission found that too many agencies were involved in the approval process for school facility construction and recommended a streamlined approval process and more local control.
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Report #116,
June 1992
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 this issue paper based on its past reports and a June 1992 public hearing. Three recommendations include giving the Department of General Services the necessary authority to dispose of surplus state lands, negotiate lease-purchase agreements and negotiate long-term leases.
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Report #115,
April 1992
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 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 solely responsible for licensing; and establish the Child Development and Education Agency. This report has five findings and 16 recommendations.
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Report #114,
January 1992
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. 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 transportation system; and establish a 20-year horizon for planning and funding.
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Report #113,
November 1991
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 addition, the Commission found that a vast array of services that are supposed to provide a continuum of care for the elderly are not well-integrated and are difficult to access. This report makes five recommendations in regard to the integration of services offered to the elderly and improvements to the In-Home Supportive Services program.
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Report #112,
October 1991
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 the State's efforts to coordinate these programs. In two findings and four recommendations, the Commission urges the State to continue its coordination efforts in the fight against drug abuse, to move aggressively toward block grant funding, and to establish a system for evaluating the success of its efforts.
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Report #110,
June 1991
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, then modify plan. Legislative action: Plan went into effect.
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Report #111,
June 1991
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, current school funding methods, collective bargaining, and the State's efforts to reduce the dropout rate.
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Report #109,
April 1991
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, to guarantee people their rights, and to improve the citation and fine system.
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Report #108,
February 1991
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 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 and speedier adoption of regulations. This report includes two findings and two recommendations.
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Report #107,
December 1990
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.
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Report #106,
November 1990
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; and provider participation is low. This Commission report contains 28 recommendations based on 12 findings. The recommendations embodied in this report can be generalized in three main points: 1) streamline present processes that affect recipients and providers; 2) expand the use of the State's purchasing power to bargain for more efficient and effective ways of providing medical care; and 3) explore the potential of prioritizing health care services.
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Report #105,
October 1990
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 four findings and 17 recommendations, including that the current Public Works Board should be recast to make it the central administrative structure for the State's real property management. In addition, the Commission recommends that the Board's responsibilities include long-range planning, appraisal, acquisition, financing, disposal of property and joint development with public or private agencies.
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Report #104,
May 1990
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 lack of firm leadership, commitment and sense of direction at the State level has meant that the State's steps toward coordination have been tentative, halting and, in general, unsuccessful. This report on AIDS services contains four findings and four recommendations to make the Office of AIDS more effective.
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Report #103,
April 1990
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 study notes that the State is providing an unlimited subsidy for school district collective bargaining costs. The report contains three findings and seven recommendations with regard to accelerating the decision-making process and monitoring the Board's effectiveness and productivity.
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Report #102,
April 1990
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, 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.
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Report #101,
April 1990
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 the appropriation of funds to support new runaway/homeless youth programs modeled after the successful pilot projects.
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Report #100,
February 1990
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 routinely ignored; categorical programs are not allowed to operate effectively; and the attendance reporting system spends too much time tracking students who are not actually attending school and does little to effectively encourage attendance. Foremost among the report's seven findings and eight recommendations, the Commission proposes that the State Board of Education be given the resources it needs to carry out its responsibilities; that the Attorney General take action to prevent further violations of the Administrative Procedure Act by the Superintendent; and that attendance accounting procedures be revised and emphasis placed on the importance of school attendance.
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Report #99,
January 1990
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 is the capability and performance of both the Commission and the Department in meeting these increasingly complex demands. In addition to eight findings, the Commission makes 12 recommendations regarding the mandate of the two entities, their relationship and their performance relative to the needs of the State and the intentions expressed by the Legislature.
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Report #98,
December 1989
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 contract monitoring procedures.
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Report #97,
July 1989
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 and balances of representative government. The Commission focuses on overall state problems with boards and commissions rather than evaluating the need and/or performance of any single entity. This report contains three findings and five recommendations, including the development of criteria for evaluating the most effective means of problem-solving before a new organization is created; a "sunset clause" in the statutes; and the creation of an information database to track and monitor all such governmental entities.
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Report #96,
July 1989
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 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. The report's five recommendations include the creation of: a statewide program that makes source reduction the first priority; county programs regarding solid waste management; and a more effective lead agency on solid waste management.
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Report #95,
June 1989
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 and 13 recommendations, which include unifying all state programs dealing with the homeless under the State Health and Welfare Agency, and creating centers throughout the state where homeless people may apply in one location for all forms of aid for which they are eligible.
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Report #94,
May 1989
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 Lottery Act be amended to clarify language related to unclaimed prize moneies, and to provide adequate time for public input into the Lottery Commission's rule-making process.
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Report #93,
February 1989
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 top priority of any state agency or any industry group involved with nursing homes. The Commission proposes that nursing homes be required to set up physician peer review panels, make better efforts to track cases and coordinate records, and make every effort to increase the number of physicians with skills in gerontology and geriatrics. This report includes 18 findings and 18 corresponding recommendations.
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Report #92,
January 1989
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 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 regarding the elimination of unlicensed facilities, enforcement of existing laws, and the education and training of facility staff.
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Report #91,
December 1988
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 Governor and the Legislature to enact legislation to provide incentives that encourage parental and community involvement; expand existing school/law enforcement partnerships; and adopt alcohol and drug abuse education programs.
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Report #90,
October 1988
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 system. The Commission makes seven findings and eight recommendations, including the merger of the Public Defender's Office, the Appellate Projects and private court-appointed counsel into a single autonomous agency. This will address current problems and ensure continued high quality criminal indigent appellate defense within the State.
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Report #89,
June 1988
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 districts, law enforcement agencies at the State and local levels and with community-based organizations.
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Report #88,
March 1988
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, 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 Commission recommends the establishment of an ad hoc commission to examine long-term needs and to develop a strategic plan through the year 2010.
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Report #87,
March 1988
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 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 closing workers' compensation fraud and abuse cases; establishing a method for identifying employers who intentionally fail to report wages; and establishing a method of identifying employers who change business or corporate identities to avoid being properly rated.
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Report #86,
January 1988
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 description of how the Commission carries out its business operations. Finally, it highlights some of the major accomplishments that the Commission has achieved during the past two and one-half decades.
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Report #85,
November 1987
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 are: providing the Superintendent of Public Instruction with greater authority to intervene in school districts that fail to act in a financially responsible manner; increasing the number of financial management assistance reviews by the State Department of Education; and requiring the annual audits of school districts to contain additional information on a district's financial condition and performance.
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Report #84,
October 1987
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 beset with critical problems. This multi-faceted report contains 23 findings regarding the children's services delivery system and the problems of serving children in need of child care services, runaway/homeless youth, and abused and neglected children. Among the report's 36 recommendations to improve the overall performance of children's services in California, the Commission recommends the establishment of a Commission on Children and Youth to set overall State priorities for serving children; adopting a uniform children's policy to address the full range of services necessary to appropriately treat children in need; the expansion of child care services in the public and private sectors; and establishing statewide minimum training requirements for child care teachers and caregivers.
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Report #83,
July 1987
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 within the Office of World Trade; and the formation of a world trade information clearinghouse.
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Report #82,
June 1987
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 adequacy of security provided on UC campuses and offers 6 recommendations, including appointing a security review committee to identify problems and enhancing existing security.
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Report #81,
May 1987
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 Medi-Cal program. In addition, the report contains the Commission's recommendations regarding the overall funding level of the Medi-Cal program, uncompensated care and access to health care by the medically indigent.
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Report #80,
May 1987
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 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 State, allowing state receivership for certain skilled nursing facilities as an intermediate sanction, ensuring that voluntary Medi-Cal decertification does not penalize current residents and increasing consumer information services.
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Report #79,
May 1987
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 population, and determines if there are adequate methods of coordinating information and referrals to ensure the delivery of services. The Commission makes three findings and three recommendations regarding the effectiveness and accessibility of alcohol and drug services for persons with disabilities.
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Report #78,
March 1987
Children's Services Delivery System in California Preliminary Report - Phase I
Report #77,
January 1987
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 fully implement the business systems, procedures and controls that would be expected in any private enterprise of the same magnitude. The Commission's report makes nine findings and 12 recommendations. They focus on three major areas for improvement: procurement procedures and practices; existing relationships with contractors; and financial accountability and control.
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Report #76,
December 1986
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 makes three recommendations to help ensure that the State precludes similar instances from occurring in the future and to improve the State's management of its real property assets by creating a State Office of Assets Management.
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Report #75,
December 1986
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 consequences of the State's failure to adequately monitor school district fiscal performance, including its effect on the education of students. The Commission makes seven recommendations to improve controls over the education system, including expanding and defining the role of the Superintendent of Public Instruction in regard to financial accountability, increasing requirements for school district reporting and placing adequate controls on the use of funds by school districts.
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Report #74,
July 1986
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 compensatory damages in personal injury actions; prohibiting collusion between plaintiffs and settling defendants; and establishing a stricter burden of proof for punitive damages.
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Report #73,
June 1986
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 account for lottery funds distributed to education. It also reviews the processes used by school districts to develop priorites for spending lottery funds and the expenditures that school districts have made with these funds. The Commission makes five findings and six recommendations with regard to establishing spending priorities, defining instructional and non-instructional purposes, and improving school districts reporting on their use of lottery funds.
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Report #72,
May 1986
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, 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.
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Report #71,
April 1986
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 revenues and the State's cash management. The Commission concludes that the current organization does not maximize opportunities to increase revenue flow for the State. As a result, the Commission supports the general concept of creating a single revenue and tax collection department, rather than continuing to have these functions split among several agencies. The report contains 37 findings and 35 recommendations, which include consolidating certain revenue and tax collection operations currently performed by state departments. The Commission also makes specific recommendations regarding a state run "lock-box" facility for remittance processing, cashiering operations, and mail collection and processing.
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Report #70,
March 1986
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 assets management pilot program; adopting an organizational structure for State property management; developing a comprehensive inventory system; and awarding performance incentives to both departments and individual property managers to achieve increased revenues.
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Report #69,
February 1986
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 Chancellor's Office to ensure fiscal accountability, and to develop and implement a management information system within the Chancellor's Office.
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Report #68,
January 1986
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.
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Report #66,
August 1985
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 various taxing agencies. In this study, the Commission finds that the State's organization of taxing and enforcing agencies is a major obstacle to more effectively combatting this rapidly growing underground economy. The Commission makes 22 findings and 20 recommendations which include reorganizing some or all State taxation responsibilities; establishing a Multi-Agency Task Force to conduct complete audits and investigations of blatant tax and cash-pay violations; and creating a standing committee of all appropriate agencies to expand information sharing.
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May 1985
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.
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Report #64,
March 1985
Control of Pesticide Residues in Food Products: A Review of the California Program of Pesticide Regulation
Report #63,
February 1985
A Follow-Up Report on Condition in Community Residential Care Facilities in California
Report #61,
July 1984
A Review of the Organization and Management of the State "Superfund" Program for Cleaning Up Hazardous Waste Sites
April 1984
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.
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Report #60,
March 1984
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.
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Report #59,
February 1984
A Study of the Organization and Coordination of Electric Energy Planning and Electric Utility Regulation in California
Report #57,
December 1983
Community Residential Care in California - Community Care as a Long Term Care Service
Report #56,
November 1983
A Report on Los Angeles County's Program for Contracting Out Pursuant to Proposition A
Report #55,
August 1983
The Bureaucracy of Care: Continuing Policy Issues for Nursing Home Services and Regulation
Report #53,
June 1983
A Review of the Department of Transportation's Highway Planning and Development Process
Report #52,
March 1983
A Review of Cost Savings Associated with Conversion of Guadalupe College into a Women's Prison
Report #48,
June 1982
A Report on the Role of the State Department of Education in California's K-12 Public Education System
February 1981
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.
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May 1980
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.
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April 1980
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.
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January 1980
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 recommendation: Allow plan to take effect. Legislative action: Plan went into effect.
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Report #39,
August 1979
Administration of the Mental Health & Developmental Disabilities Programs - Second Supplementary Report
June 1979
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 from the Department of Industrial Relations to the State and Consumer Services Agency. Commission recommendation: Allow plan to take effect. Legislative action: Plan went into effect.
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Report #35,
January 1979
Comments and Recommendations Regarding Professional and Business Licensing
Report #33,
July 1978
A Study of the Utilization of Public School Facilities (Grades K through 12)
Report #32,
December 1977
Supplemental Report on the State Developmental Disabilities Program, Department of Health
Report #31,
September 1977
Supplemental Report on the Administration of the Medi-Cal Program, Department of Health
Report #28,
April 1977
Should Social Security Coverage Be Continued for California State Employees
Report #26,
March 1977
Supplemental Report on Licensing and Certification Activities, State Department of Health
May 1975
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.
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May 1975
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. Commission recommendation: Allow plan to take effect. Legislative action: Was not submitted to the Legislature.
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Report #22,
August 1974
Administration of the HUD-701 Comprehensive Planning Assistance Grant Program by the State of California
Report #21,
March 1974
The Internal Auditing Program in the Executive Branch of California State Government
Report #18,
January 1972
Study of Salaries of Exempt Executive and Administrative Positions in California State Government
Report #19,
January 1972
Preliminary Findings of Subcommittee on California Division of Highways Excess Right of Way
Report #16,
May 1970
A Pilot Study of California State Employee Workmen's Compensation and Other Work-Related Disability Benefits
February 1970
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 effect. Legislative action: Plan went into effect.
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February 1970
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 health-related departments. Commission recommendation: Allow plan to go into effect. Legislative action: Plan went into effect.
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April 1969
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 into effect. Legislative action: Plan went into effect.
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April 1969
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 Commission to Navigation and Ocean Development Commission. Commission recommendation: Allow plan to go into effect. Legislative action: Plan went into effect.
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April 1969
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 of several other government entities. Commission recommendation: Allow plan to go into effect. Legislative action: Plan went into effect.
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Report #13,
December 1968
Report on California Statutory Salaries of Executive Branch of California State Government
February 1968
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. Commission recommendation: No recommendation. Legislative action: Plan went into effect.
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Report #12,
September 1967
An Examination of the Department of Professional and Vocational Standards
Report #11,
December 1966
The California State Highway Commission and its Relationship to the State Transportation Agency, the Department of Public Works and Division of Highways
Report #10,
December 1966
Proposals for Legislative Action on Reorganization Measures Endorsed by the Commission on California State Government Organization and Economy
Report #2,
March 1963
Findings and Recommendations Concerning Organization for Central Staff Services
Report #1,
December 1962