PPIC's Publications RSS Feed

PPIC Statewide Survey: Californians and the Environment

Wed, 28 Jul 2010 00:00:00 PST

Some findings of the current survey:

Opposition to offshore drilling has jumped 16 percent since last year.
A slim majority say state action is needed right away to reduce greenhouse gas emissions.
Among likely voters, Jerry Brown and Meg Whitman are about even in the race for governor, with 23 percent undecided.
Barbara Boxer and Carly Fiorina are also in a close contest for the U.S. Senate, with 22 percent undecided.

Job Approval Ratings:
President Obama [PDF]
Governor Schwarzenegger [PDF]
California State Legislature [PDF]

Time Trends of Job Approval Ratings:
President Obama [XLS]
Governor Schwarzenegger [XLS]
California State Legislature [XLS]

Mood of Californians:
General Direction of Things in California [PDF]
Economic Outlook for California [PDF]

Time Trends for the Mood of Californians:
General Direction of Things in California [XLS]
Economic Outlook for California [XLS]

This survey was supported with funding from The William and Flora Hewlett Foundation.

California's June 8th Primary Election

Tue, 20 Jul 2010 00:00:00 PST

High-Tech Employment in California

Wed, 30 Jun 2010 00:00:00 PST

California 2025: Planning for a Better Future

Wed, 23 Jun 2010 00:00:00 PST

California�s current economic and fiscal realities make nonpartisan, objective information on the state�s future challenges all the more critical. Understandably, the search is on for immediate solutions to the unprecedented crises we face today. But if the present crises make policymakers shelve long-term planning, the result may be an even more uncertain future for our state.

This briefing kit highlights California�s most pressing long-term policy challenges in eight key areas:

budget
climate change
economy
education
population
transportation
water
workforce

We gratefully acknowledge the support of The William and Flora Hewlett Foundation as part of the California 2025 project on the state's future challenges and opportunities.

SURVEY Please take 3 minutes to tell us what you think of this publication.

California Budget: Planning for a Better Future

Wed, 23 Jun 2010 00:00:00 PST

California relies on a narrow and volatile revenue base, and its service demands are high. The result is chronic crisis. But the search for immediate solutions shouldn�t eclipse long-term planning. Otherwise, our state may face an even more uncertain future.

This publication is part of a briefing kit that highlights our state�s most pressing long-term policy challenges in eight key areas:

budget
climate change
economy
education
population
transportation
water
workforce

We gratefully acknowledge the support of The William and Flora Hewlett Foundation as part of the California 2025 project on the state's future challenges and opportunities.

SURVEY Please take 3 minutes to tell us what you think of this publication.

California Climate Change: Planning for a Better Future

Wed, 23 Jun 2010 00:00:00 PST

California is charting new territory with its plans to reduce emissions. But the state also needs to prepare for the effects of climate change that are already coming.

This publication is part of a briefing kit that highlights our state�s most pressing long-term policy challenges in eight key areas:

budget
climate change
economy
education
population
transportation
water
workforce

We gratefully acknowledge the support of The William and Flora Hewlett Foundation as part of the California 2025 project on the state's future challenges and opportunities.

SURVEY Please take 3 minutes to tell us what you think of this publication.

California Economy: Planning for a Better Future

Wed, 23 Jun 2010 00:00:00 PST

Despite the deep economic downturn, California�s long-term economic prospects are strong. The most effective economic policies will require a realistic sense of the state�s strengths and weaknesses.

This publication is part of a briefing kit that highlights our state�s most pressing long-term policy challenges in eight key areas:

budget
climate change
economy
education
population
transportation
water
workforce

We gratefully acknowledge the support of The William and Flora Hewlett Foundation as part of the California 2025 project on the state's future challenges and opportunities.

SURVEY Please take 3 minutes to tell us what you think of this publication.

California Education: Planning for a Better Future

Wed, 23 Jun 2010 00:00:00 PST

California�s students continue to improve their standardized test scores�but nearly half are not proficient in math or English language arts. And budget cuts may make it difficult to maintain recent progress. To ensure continued progress among students, and to address a host of other challenges facing the state�s public education system, policymakers will need to adopt farsighted, long-term policy solutions.

This publication is part of a briefing kit that highlights our state�s most pressing long-term policy challenges in eight key areas:

budget
climate change
economy
education
population
transportation
water
workforce

We gratefully acknowledge the support of The William and Flora Hewlett Foundation as part of the California 2025 project on the state's future challenges and opportunities.

SURVEY Please take 3 minutes to tell us what you think of this publication.

California Population: Planning for a Better Future

Wed, 23 Jun 2010 00:00:00 PST

California�s population will continue to grow by millions of residents over the next two decades. In all areas of infrastructure and public services, this growth will lead to new demands.

This publication is part of a briefing kit that highlights our state�s most pressing long-term policy challenges in eight key areas:

budget
climate change
economy
education
population
transportation
water
workforce

We gratefully acknowledge the support of The William and Flora Hewlett Foundation as part of the California 2025 project on the state's future challenges and opportunities.

SURVEY Please take 3 minutes to tell us what you think of this publication.

California Transportation: Planning for a Better Future

Wed, 23 Jun 2010 00:00:00 PST

California is home to some of the worst air quality in the nation, and transportation is a major culprit. At the same time, accommodating growth in transportation demand will require new investments. Finding the appropriate mix of investment, pricing, and regulatory solutions will be key to meeting environmental and mobility goals.

This publication is part of a briefing kit that highlights our state�s most pressing long-term policy challenges in eight key areas:

budget
climate change
economy
education
population
transportation
water
workforce

We gratefully acknowledge the support of The William and Flora Hewlett Foundation as part of the California 2025 project on the state's future challenges and opportunities.

SURVEY Please take 3 minutes to tell us what you think of this publication.

California Water: Planning for a Better Future

Wed, 23 Jun 2010 00:00:00 PST

California faces growing water management challenges�including growth in demand, climate change, and instability in the Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta. Potential solutions will involve difficult and sometimes costly tradeoffs. The comprehensive package of water legislation enacted in late 2009 is a good beginning in policy reform but increased momentum�coupled with new investments�is essential to the state�s future.

This publication is part of a briefing kit that highlights our state�s most pressing long-term policy challenges in eight key areas:

budget
climate change
economy
education
population
transportation
water
workforce

We gratefully acknowledge the support of The William and Flora Hewlett Foundation as part of the California 2025 project on the state's future challenges and opportunities.

SURVEY Please take 3 minutes to tell us what you think of this publication.

California Workforce: Planning for a Better Future

Wed, 23 Jun 2010 00:00:00 PST

California is facing a serious shortfall in its supply of college-educated workers. Improving the educational attainment of the state�s young adults will boost individual success and increase economic growth.

This publication is part of a briefing kit that highlights our state�s most pressing long-term policy challenges in eight key areas:

budget
climate change
economy
education
population
transportation
water
workforce

We gratefully acknowledge the support of The William and Flora Hewlett Foundation as part of the California 2025 project on the state's future challenges and opportunities.

SURVEY Please take 3 minutes to tell us what you think of this publication.

PPIC Statewide Survey: Californians and Their Government

Thu, 20 May 2010 00:00:00 PST

Some findings of the current survey:

A record high 81 percent of residents think the state�s budget situation is a big problem.
Californians are divided about legalizing marijuana but a majority approves its medical use.
Senator Barbara Boxer leads all three potential GOP opponents in hypothetical November matchups.
Support for Meg Whitman has plunged 23 points in two months in the Republican gubernatorial primary.

Job Approval Ratings:
President Obama
Governor Schwarzenegger
California State Legislature
U.S. Congress
Senator Boxer
Senator Feinstein

Time Trends of Job Approval Ratings:
President Obama
Governor Schwarzenegger
California State Legislature
U.S. Congress
Senator Boxer
Senator Feinstein

Mood of Californians:
General Direction of Things in California
Economic Outlook for California

Time Trends for the Mood of Californians:
General Direction of Things in California
Economic Outlook for California

This survey is supported with funding from The James Irvine Foundation.

Primary Elections in California

Tue, 18 May 2010 00:00:00 PST

Foster Care in California: Achievements and Challenges, Summary

Wed, 12 May 2010 00:00:00 PST

Foster Care in California: Achievements and Challenges

Wed, 12 May 2010 00:00:00 PST

The share of children in the California foster care system has dropped by 45 percent since 2000. This decline far outpaced the rest of the nation. The authors report that a more intense focus by local and state policymakers on child-welfare issues is at least partially responsible. They also note that serious challenges remain: among them, a continuing overrepresentation of black children in foster care.

This research was supported with funding from the Stuart Foundation.

PPIC Statewide Survey: Californians and Education

Wed, 28 Apr 2010 00:00:00 PST

Some findings of the current survey:

62 percent of Californians are very concerned the state budget gap will cause significant spending cuts in K�12 education.
Three-fourths (74%) of Californians say that improving education should be a high priority for the next governor.
Governor Schwarzenegger�s job approval rating of 24 percent matches his record low, while President Obama�s approval rating stands at 61 percent.

Job Approval Ratings:
President Obama [PDF]
Governor Schwarzenegger [PDF]
California State Legislature [PDF]

Time Trends of Job Approval Ratings:
President Obama [XLS]
Governor Schwarzenegger [XLS]
California State Legislature [XLS]

This survey was supported with funding from The William and Flora Hewlett Foundation.

Higher Education in California: New Goals for the Master Plan, Summary

Fri, 23 Apr 2010 00:00:00 PST

Higher Education in California: New Goals for the Master Plan

Fri, 23 Apr 2010 00:00:00 PST

California�s Master Plan for Higher Education defined a strategy to meet the state�s needs in 1960�but today, California faces new challenges. By 2025, the state will have one million fewer college-educated workers than the economy will require, according to PPIC projections. Updating the Master Plan is crucial to closing this skills gap. This report proposes that the plan set explicit new goals in several key areas, including UC and CSU eligibility levels, community college transfers to four-year institutions, and college completion rates.

Supported with funding from The William and Flora Hewlett Foundation as part of the California 2025 project on the state's future challenges and opportunities.

SURVEY Please take 3 minutes to tell us what you think of this publication.

California's State Budget

Wed, 14 Apr 2010 00:00:00 PST