Assessing Vulnerability of State Assets to Climate Change

January 9, 2020 - This post summarizes the current efforts being undertaken by state departments to assess the vulnerability of state facilities to the future impacts of climate change. We find that most state agencies are only in the early stages of conducting such assessments, which are a critical first step of a multistep process of planning to reduce risks to state assets and public services. We provide a number of oversight questions the Legislature can use to monitor what progress is being made by individual state departments.

Climate Change Impacts Across California - Crosscutting Issues

April 5, 2022 - This report contains four primary sections: (1) a description of the five key climate hazards affecting California, (2) the major ways those hazards impact sectors across the state, (3) significant existing state‑level efforts underway to address climate change impacts, and (4) key issues for the Legislature to consider in response to these impacts. This is one of a series of reports summarizing how climate change will impact different sectors across California.

Climate Change Impacts Across California - K-12 Education

April 5, 2022 - This report focuses on how a changing climate is affecting early childhood and K‑12 education, and key issues the Legislature faces in responding to those impacts. This is one of a series of reports summarizing how climate change will impact different sectors across California.

New Infrastructure Legislation: Summary and Issues for Legislative Oversight

August 8, 2023 - The Legislature recently adopted a package of bills aimed at expediting infrastructure projects. In this post, we provide a summary of the key components of the bills that comprise this infrastructure package, including provisions related to legislative oversight. We conclude by identifying key issues for the Legislature to consider as it oversees the implementation of this legislation.

Preparing for Rising Seas: How the State Can Help Support Local Coastal Adaptation Efforts

December 10, 2019 - This report responds to increasing legislative interest in determining how the state can best prepare for the impacts of climate change, including sea‑level rise (SLR).

Also see this Summary Fact Sheet for the report

^[PDF] The 2022-23 Budget: Transportation Infrastructure Package

February 15, 2022 - This brief provides our initial assessment and recommendations in response to the Governor’s transportation infrastructure package.

^[PDF] The 2020-21 Budget: Climate Change Proposals

February 13, 2020 - This report assesses the Governor’s major 2020-21 budget proposals related to climate change. The four proposals we evaluate are the Governor's (1) cap-and-trade expenditure plan ($965 million), (2) expanded climate adaptation research and technical assistance activities ($25 million), (3) new Climate Catalyst loan fund ($250 million), and (4) climate bond ($4.75 billion).

Climate Change Impacts Across California - Housing

April 5, 2022 - This report focuses on how a changing climate is affecting the housing sector and key issues the Legislature faces in responding to those impacts. This is one of a series of reports summarizing how climate change will impact different sectors across California.

Climate Change Impacts Across California - Health

April 5, 2022 - This report focuses on how a changing climate is affecting the health of Californians and key issues the Legislature faces in responding to those impacts. This is one of a series of reports summarizing how climate change will impact different sectors across California.

^[PDF] The 2020-21 Budget: Climate Change Proposals

February 18, 2020 - Presented to: Senate Budget and Fiscal Review Committee Hon. Holly J. Mitchell, Chair

^[PDF] The 2023-24 Budget: Proposed Budget Solutions in Transportation Programs

February 13, 2023 - In response to the multibillion-dollar budget problem the state is facing, the Governor’s budget proposes $4 billion in multiyear budget solutions from the recent General Fund augmentations provided to transportation programs. In this brief we (1) provide background on the recent funding augmentations in transportation from both state and federal funds; (2) describe the Governor’s proposed transportation budget solutions; (3) discuss our assessment of the Governor’s proposals; and (4) offer recommendations for how the Legislature could craft its own package of solutions, including suggestions for potential additional reductions should the budget condition make them necessary.

Climate Change Impacts Across California - Workers and Employers

April 5, 2022 - In this report, we discuss ways climate change impacts workers and employers. This is one of a series of reports summarizing how climate change will impact different sectors across California.

Climate Change Impacts Across California

April 5, 2022 - This series of six reports is intended to help policymakers think about how climate change will impact various sectors and, consequently, what key corresponding policy and fiscal issues the Legislature will face in the coming years. They are intended as framing documents to help the Legislature adopt a “climate lens” across policy areas.

^[PDF] Assessing California’s Climate Policies—Implications for State Transportation Funding and Programs

December 13, 2023 - This report discusses how meeting the state’s greenhouse gas reduction goals will affect existing fuel tax revenues and projects specific impacts on state transportation programs.