press release Special Survey of Los Angeles County: Spectrum of Discontent: Common Conerns, Distinct Realities For County’s Racial Groups, Communities Mar 27, 2003
Statewide Survey PPIC Statewide Survey: Special Survey of Los Angeles By Mark Baldassare Mar 16, 2005 Some findings of the current survey Los Angeles residents are stunningly unhappy with some key indicators of quality of life: Large majorities say traffic congestion on freeways and major roads (74%) and the availability of affordable housing (64%) are big problems in the county today, up markedly from just two years ago (67% traffic, 54%affordable housing). Assessments of police protection and the quality of parks, beaches, and recreation facilities have fallen considerably from the ratings given only one year ago. In addition, only one-third of county residents give excellent or good ratings to the condition of streets and roads (32% today, 51% in 2004) and public schools (36% today, 43% in 2004). County residents are more likely to believe that the county will be a worse place to live in twenty years (37%) than a better place (24%). Only 28% of the likely voters in the city of Los Angeles say that they trust their city government to do what is right just about always or most of the time. Crime and gangs remain the top issue concerning county residents (21%), followed by education (17%), and traffic (10%). One-third of county residents hope to leave Los Angeles County in the next five years. This survey – the third in an annual series of PPIC surveys of Los Angeles County – is a special edition of the PPIC Statewide Survey, which periodically includes regional and special-theme surveys. The intent of this survey is to provide an objective, in-depth profile of the public opinions, policy preferences, and economic, social, and political trends in Los Angeles County – the most populous county in the nation.
Report Early Grade Retention and Student Success: Evidence from Los Angeles By Jill Cannon, Stephen Lipscomb Mar 17, 2011 Does repeating a grade help struggling students? Which students are more likely to be retained? This report finds that retention can be effective, at least in the short term: students who repeat the first or second grade can significantly improve their grade-level skills. This report was supported with funding from The William and Flora Hewlett Foundation.
Report Risky Business: Providing Local Public Services in Los Angeles County By Mark Baldassare, Michael A. Shires, Christopher Hoene, Aaron Koffman Apr 1, 2000 Over the past 20 years, California voters have passed a series of ballot initiatives that have sought to limit the taxing and spending powers of their elected officials. Counties in particular have felt the brunt of this fiscal austerity. During the recession of the early 1990s, Los Angeles County came close to a fiscal meltdown; and to this day, the county still faces an uncertain fiscal future. This study identifies the fiscal and organizational strains involved in providing public services in Los Angeles County, describes the system for financing services at different jurisdictional levels, and suggests alternative fiscal and organizational arrangements for service provision. Although the study focuses on Los Angeles County, many of the observations and suggestions would be useful to other counties throughout the state.
Statewide Survey PPIC Statewide Survey: Special Survey of Los Angeles By Mark Baldassare Mar 17, 2004 This survey – the second in an annual series of PPIC surveys of Los Angeles County – is a special edition of the PPIC Statewide Survey, which periodically includes regional and special-theme surveys. The intent of this survey is to provide an objective, in-depth profile of the public opinions, policy preferences, and economic, social, and political trends in Los Angeles County – the most populous county in the nation. Some findings of the current survey Deep racial and political divides separate the residents of Los Angeles: 86% of whites, 85% of Asians, and 80% of Latinos say they are satisfied with the community they live in, while 33% of blacks are dissatisfied. A majority of Asians (52%) and Latinos (50%) think the county is headed in the right direction, but whites (43%) and blacks (36%) are less optimistic. A much higher share of Republicans (80%) than Democrats (45%) approve of the job Arnold Schwarzenegger is doing as governor. Democrats are much more worried than Republicans that the state’s budget deficit will lead to severe cuts in K-12 education (Democrats 76%, Republicans 43%), health and human services (Democrats 74%, Republicans 36%), and government services such as parks and police (Democrats 63%, Republicans 29%). Majorities of Democrats would be willing to pay higher taxes to maintain current funding in these three areas (K-12 education 66%, health and human services 56%, local government services, 54%), whereas a majority of Republicans would vote against such taxes (K-12 education 52%, health and human services 62%, local government services 56%).
Report Health Insurance, Health Care Use, and Health Status in Los Angeles County By Weiyi Shi, Marianne Bitler Dec 19, 2006 In this report, Marianne Bitler and Weiyi Shi look at how adults and children in Los Angeles are faring in the health arena, paying attention to differences across racial and ethnic groups. The authors focus particularly on Hispanics, a large and growing part of the state’s population. They also analyze outcomes according to nativity and immigration status. The ability to differentiate between documented and undocumented immigrants is relatively rare, and is possible because of the unique, high-quality, individual-level data included in the Los Angeles Family and Neighborhood Survey (LAFANS), the primary data source for the report.
event A Conversation with Los Angeles Mayor Eric Garcetti Jan 24, 2022 Mayor Garcetti will talk with PPIC vice president and senior fellow Lande Ajose about major challenges facing California and its largest city and county—including infrastructure, housing and homelessness, and climate change—and how state and local leaders can help pave the way to a more prosperous, equitable, and sustainable future in 2022 and beyond.
blog post Video: A Conversation with Los Angeles Mayor Eric Garcetti By Mary Severance Feb 8, 2022 Mayor Garcetti talks with PPIC’s Lande Ajose about key challenges facing California and its largest city—including infrastructure, housing and homelessness, and climate change—and how state and local leaders can help create a more prosperous, equitable, and sustainable future.
blog post Recovery in Los Angeles Is Tied to Hospitality and Hollywood By Sarah Bohn, Marisol Cuellar Mejia, Julien Lafortune Apr 21, 2021 As regions across California rebound from the COVID-19 economic fallout, job gains in leisure and hospitality and the film industry will be key to LA’s recovery.
Occasional Paper, Report Crisis of Confidence: Leadership and Reform in Los Angeles County By Mark Baldassare Jul 30, 2003 Keynote Speech at Town Hall Los Angeles, July 2003
