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February 24, 2005 - The Governor proposes to consolidate the state’s two largest data centers into the Department of Technology Services. A consolidated data center should ultimately result in improved services and reduced costs. A number of specific components of the proposal, however, would preempt the Legislature’s appropriation and oversight roles. For instance, the department’s expenditures would be controlled by administration officials outside the purview of the Legislature. Consequently, we recommend that the Legislature approve the consolidation but modify some key components.
February 23, 2005 - Presented to Senate Budget and Fiscal Review Subcommittee No. 3
February 9, 2005 - Presented to a joint hearing of the Senate Budget and Fiscal Review Subcommittees No. 1 and No. 3 on February 9, 2005.
April 29, 2004 - Presented to Budget Subcommittee No.1 on April 28, 2004.
March 24, 2004 - Presented to Assembly Budget Committee on March 24, 2004
February 24, 2004 - Index of Information Technology Issues in the Analysis of the Budget Bill, 2004-05
February 18, 2004 - In March 2003, the Department of Finance began a statewide assessment of 117 state information technology (IT) projects. The results of the assessment indicate that departments are having problems (1) developing their IT projects and (2) adhering to state policies. Our analysis examines the assessment results, identifies some possible deficiencies in the state's IT processes, and makes recommendations on how the Legislature can address the deficiencies.
February 18, 2004 - The Governor proposes sweeping reductions to the IHSS program in the form of eligibility restrictions, provider wage reductions, and limitations on services. The details of each aspect of the proposal are discussed below. In a subsequent discussion, we comment on the Governor's proposal and present alternatives for legislative consideration.
February 18, 2004 - In order to improve the program's cost effectiveness, we recommend enactment of legislation that (1) sets grant levels at an amount that recognizes the adoptive parents' financial responsibility for their adoptive children, (2) better ties benefit levels to the needs of adoptive children, and (3) narrows the definition of "special needs" so as to focus the program's financial assistance on those children who are likely to benefit the most from such aid. These changes will save approximately $2 million General Fund in 2004-05, growing to approximately $12 million in 2005-06.
February 18, 2004 - As of February 2004, Congress had not completed action on federal welfare reauthorization. We describe the major features of the currently pending House and Senate versions of welfare reform and update our fiscal estimates of these measures.
February 18, 2004 - The Governor's budget proposes a number of changes to the CalWORKs program, including stricter work requirements and greater sanctions. These program reforms would result in $167 million in grant savings, partially offset by $134 million in child care costs and $2.5 million in automation costs in 2004-05. We discuss welfare reform in California, summarize the Governor's reform proposals, present a framework for considering the proposals, and offer comments and recommendations.
February 18, 2004 - the Governor proposes to consolidate into a single block grant, funding for state-only programs which serve immigrants, and transfer these programs to the counties effective October 1, 2004. The proposal assumes that counties will achieve administrative efficiencies, so proposed block grant funding has been reduced by 5 percent. We recommend that the Legislature reject the proposal because the programs proposed for transfer to the counties are not well-suited for local control.
February 18, 2004 - The Governor's budget plan proposes to establish limits on enrollments ("caps") for certain specified health and social services programs. We recommend that the Legislature consider the Governor's enrollment cap proposal on a case-by-case basis, weighing the potential fiscal benefits of capping each identified health and social services program against the complexities and issues relating to the creation of caseload caps. Based upon such an analysis, we recommend that nine be rejected, propose one be approved with some modifications, and make no recommendation regarding one cap proposal.
February 18, 2004 - The Governor's budget proposes a number of significant reforms to California's subsidized child care system. These proposals effectively prioritize limited child care resources. However, the Governor's proposals lack important policy, implementation, and administrative details that would help the Legislature weigh state savings against reducing child care services for a significant number of lower-income families. We evaluate the proposals' effect on children, families, and the state budget, and present some alternative approaches.