blog post Californians Opposed to Governor’s Transportation Plan By Lunna Lopes Feb 21, 2017 Most Californians say that spending more money on road and highway maintenance is very important. Most also oppose the governor’s plan to do so.
Fact Sheet Californians and Transportation By Mark Baldassare, Lunna Lopes, Dean Bonner, David Kordus Feb 8, 2017
blog post A Water Sector Energy Hog By Alvar Escriva-Bou Dec 20, 2016 When we use water, we’re also using energy—sometimes a lot. Where does it all go, and how can we best save both water and energy?
event Health Career Pathways at California’s Community Colleges Dec 1, 2016 About the ProgramState policymakers looking to improve economic mobility and meet workforce needs have renewed their focus on career technical (or vocational) education. Health careers are of particular interest because many health jobs pay well and colleges already offer a wide range of programs and credentials. PPIC researcher Shannon McConville will outline findings from two new reports, and a panel of experts will talk about the role of the state’s community colleges in providing health training pathways and economic opportunities to a diverse group of Californians. This research was supported with funding from the ECMC Foundation and the Sutton Family Fund. Please register in advance. There is no charge to attend, but space is limited. Lunch will be provided.
blog post How Is California Spending the Water Bond? By Ellen Hanak, Jelena Jezdimirovic Jun 16, 2016 California voters passed a $7.5 billion water bond almost two years ago. How is the state spending these funds?
Report What to Expect from California’s New Motor Voter Law By Eric McGhee, Mindy Romero Jun 15, 2016 In 2015, California passed major legislation to increase the state’s voter rolls by simplifying the voter registration process. Under the New Motor Voter Act, the Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) will electronically transmit information about DMV customers who are eligible to vote to the California Secretary of State, which will add eligible customers to the voter rolls unless they opt out. We find that this law has the potential to significantly alter the demographic composition of the California electorate, making the population of registered voters more representative of the state as a whole. Our estimates also suggest that the new system may rapidly expand the voter rolls, adding more than 2 million new registrants in the first year. Key implementation issues will decide the impact of the New Motor Voter Act. To ensure the law’s success, the state should require DMV customers to attest to their eligibility to vote as a precondition for completing their transaction. It will also be necessary to mobilize new registrants aggressively if they are to become new voters.
Statewide Survey PPIC Statewide Survey: Californians and Their Government By Mark Baldassare, Lunna Lopes, Dean Bonner, David Kordus Jan 27, 2016 Some findings of the current survey: Californians are divided over Governor Brown’s budget plan—they are also split on how the state should use its budget surplus. Most prefer alternatives to the governor’s plan to fund transportation infrastructure projects by raising fees and taxes. Among Californians, Hillary Clinton has the highest favorability rating and Donald Trump has the highest unfavorability rating. A record-high share of Californians (43%) view terrorism and security as a big problem in the state. Crosstabs: All Adults [PDF] Likely Voters [PDF] Job Approval Ratings: President Obama [PDF] Governor Brown [PDF] California State Legislature [PDF] U.S. Congress [PDF] Senator Boxer [PDF] Senator Feinstein [PDF] Their Own State Legislators in the Assembly and Senate [PDF] Their Own Representative in the U.S. House of Representatives [PDF] Time Trends of Job Approval Ratings: President Obama [XLS] Governor Brown [XLS] California State Legislature [XLS] U.S. Congress [XLS] Senator Boxer [XLS] Senator Feinstein [XLS] Their Own State Legislators in the Assembly and Senate [XLS] Their Own Representative in the U.S. House of Representatives [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 James Irvine Foundation and the PPIC Donor Circle.
blog post Coming Together Over Groundwater By Lori Pottinger Nov 5, 2015 The San Joaquin Valley has the largest overdrafted groundwater area in the state. We talked to Sarge Green about the region's new cooperative approach to managing its groundwater more sustainably.
