blog post Videos Highlight Water Finance Event By Linda Strean Apr 14, 2014 The drought has focused attention on water supply and highlights the crucial role of funding in supporting our water system, said Ellen Hanak, PPIC senior fellow, at a half-day conference PPIC hosted last week at the Sacramento Convention Center.
Report Fiscal Effects of Voter Approval Requirements on Local Governments By Pedro Cerdan, Kim Rueben Jan 27, 2003 This report investigates the ways local governments in California have used the ballot box to raise taxes, assess fees, and pass bond measures. It notes sharp increases in school bond proposals, especially after 2000, when Proposition 39 lowered the voter approval threshold from two-thirds to 55 percent. It also shows how voter reaction to fiscal measures varies according to region, election timing, the type of measure proposed, and the service to be funded. Finally, it suggests that dedicated taxes for popular programs are more likely to garner voter support than a general tax, despite the fact that special taxes require a supermajority for approval. It also notes, however, that this approach may leave some traditional government services, such as libraries and parks, with inadequate funding.
press release Picture Of Health? Californians Prefer To Make Health Policy At The Ballot Box Feb 23, 2005
Report Financing Higher Education Capital Projects By Patrick Murphy, Radhika Mehlotra, Kevin Cook Dec 5, 2018 Aging infrastructure should be a major priority as California seeks to produce more college-educated workers. Modernizing and maintaining facilities at the state’s community colleges, CSU, and UC could cost billions of dollars, with each system facing its own unique challenges.
blog post Commentary: Key Questions for November from the California Primary Vote By Mark Baldassare Apr 15, 2024 The vote count for the March 5 California primary has now been certified. We examine what these results, along with PPIC Statewide Survey findings, say about this fall's general election in our state.
Statewide Survey PPIC Statewide Survey: Californians and the Future By Mark Baldassare Sep 27, 2006 Some findings of the current survey: Schwarzenegger’s lead over Angelides has jumped to 17 points (48% to 31%)—four points higher than it was last month. Only 15 percent of likely voters are undecided. Nearly three-fourths (72%) of likely voters say that the upcoming gubernatorial debate will be important to how they vote. The $37 billion in infrastructure bonds put on the ballot by the legislature are all ahead—but undecided voters could still tip the scales. Most residents (59%) somewhat or strongly agree that state ballots have too many propositions —an even greater number (77%) think the wording for propositions is too complicated. Nearly two-thirds (65%) of Californians believe illegal immigrants should be allowed to apply for work permits in order to stay in the U.S.—a 5-point jump from one year ago (60%). This is the 71st PPIC Statewide Survey and the second in a four-part, pre- and post-election series, made possible with funding from The James Irvine Foundation.
press release Where The Rubber Meets The Road: Will Governor’s Popularity Translate Into Political Capital? Jan 15, 2004
Statewide Survey PPIC Statewide Survey: Special Survey on the California State Budget By Mark Baldassare Jan 26, 2006 Some findings of the current survey: A large majority (68%) of Californians support the central proposal of Gov. Schwarzenegger’s recent State of the State speech—a $222 billion program for rebuilding the state’s infrastructure, financed with bonds. Education facilities (48%) are the most popular infrastructure priority, followed by transportation projects (25%), water systems (17%), jails and prisons (3%) and courts (2%). 60% of residents approve of the governor’s proposed 2006-2007 budget. But 61% also say the imbalance between state spending and revenue remains a big problem for California. Although Californians typically reject raising taxes on themselves, they find it more acceptable to raise taxes on specific subgroups, such as the richest Californians (65%) and cigarette smokers (71%). The governor’s overall approval rating improved to 40%, but approval for his handling of specific issues such as jobs and the economy (39%) and the state budget and taxes (35%) lag. This is the 63rd PPIC Statewide Survey and the sixth in a series of special surveys focusing on the California budget and fiscal system, funded by The James Irvine Foundation.
blog post Video: Californians and Their Government By Mary Severance Oct 8, 2019 PPIC’s latest statewide survey looks at the 2020 Democratic presidential primary in California as well as residents’ views on the general direction of the state, the performance of federal and state elected officials, and other timely issues.
Report Pretrial Detention and Jail Capacity in California By Sonya Tafoya Jul 22, 2015 California’s persistently overcrowded jails are facing additional challenges now that public safety realignment has shifted many lower-level offenders from state prisons to county supervision. Jail capacity challenges are prompting a reconsideration of California’s heavy reliance on holding unsentenced defendants in jail pending trial—known as pretrial detention. The legal rationale for pretrial detention is to ensure court appearances and preserve public safety. But California’s high rates of pretrial detention have not been associated with lower rates of failure to appear or lower levels of felony rearrests. This report concludes that pretrial services programs—if properly implemented and embraced by the courts, probation, and the jails—could address jail overcrowding and improve the efficiency, equitability, and transparency of pretrial release decision making.
