LAO Analysis of the 2000-01 Budget Bill,
Transportation Table of Contents

Overview

• Overview
• Spending by Major Program
• Major Budget Changes

Crosscutting Issues

• Governor's Transportation 2000 Initiative

• Overview
• Background
• Governor's Initiative Substantially Expands 2000 STIP
• Availability of Projects for Expanded STIP Questionable
• Initiative Would Necessitate Significant Expansion of Caltrans
• Initiative's Potential for Short-Term Congestion Relief Depends on Types of Projects
• Environmental Streamlining Proposal Lacks Any Substance
• Extending the STIP Has Merit
• Use-It-or-Lose-It Provisions Unwarranted
• Condition of Transportation Funds
• The SHA Cash Balance Approaching $2 Billion,But Fully Committed to Projects
• Projected Shortfall in PTA
• Legislative Oversight

Departmental Issues

• Department of Transportation

• Highway Transportation
• Budget Proposes Moderate Increase in Highway Program
• Capital Outlay Support Request Will Be Amended
• Bridge Seismic Retrofit Program Relatively on Schedule; Toll Bridge Repairs Delayed
• Budget Request for Storm Water Management Premature
• Project Delivery
• Background
• Caltrans Project Delivery in 1998-99: Performance Improved
• Current-Year Actions to Speed Up Project Delivery
• Caltrans Unable to Fill Project Delivery Positions
• Caltrans' Ability to Deliver Projects May Be Hampered by Project Management Practices
• Caltrans Needs More Flexibility in ManagingState and Federal Money
• Environmental Streamlining Opportunities
• The Current Process
• Caltrans Falls Behind Schedule in Environmental Review
• Administration Should Fill Positions in Resource Agency Expeditiously
• Early Involvement Provisions of CEQA Should Be Strengthened
• California Should Seek Delegation of Federal Authority and Early Involvement of Federal Permitting Agencies
• Caltrans Should Participate in Environmental Streamlining Pilot Projects
• Caltrans Should Take Better Advantage of Existing Streamlining Opportunities
• Intercity Rail Program
• Intercity Rail Service Has Increased, As Have State Costs
• Past Performance Exhibits Mixed Results; Performance Standards Are Needed
• Intercity Rail Service Costs Will Be Revised
• Huge Future Capital Investments Anticipated; Budget Proposal Not Justified
• Passenger Rail Policy Considerations for the Legislature
• Local Transit
• Funding of Commuter and Urban Rail Proposal Should Use Existing Process
• Bay Area Water Transit Authority
• High-Speed Rail Authority
• Planning Work of High-Speed Rail Authority Complete
• California Highway Patrol
• Earlier Staffing Cuts Slowly Restored While Workload Increases
• Pilot Should Be Broadened to Provide InformationOn CHP Service Levels
• Protective Services to Be Funded Directly
• Department of Motor Vehicles
• Cost of Fee Refunds Should Be Included in Legislation
• Computer Projects in Disarray;Department Proposes Still More Projects
• $14 Million for Proof of Insurance Program;Department Fails to Submit Program Evaluation
• Registration-on-the-Web Tangled in High Costs,Technical Limitations
• Backlog of License Suspension Hearings Continues