Statewide Survey PPIC Statewide Survey: Californians and the Future By Mark Baldassare, Dean Bonner, Sonja Petek, Jui Shrestha Dec 5, 2012 Some findings of the current survey: Californians show signs of optimism about the state’s future. Strong majorities support spending reforms; smaller majorities support lowering the vote thresholds to pass state and local taxes. Californians favor a "split roll” property tax but express record-high opposition to taxing services or increasing the vehicle license fee. Job Approval Ratings: Governor Brown [PDF] California State Legislature [PDF] Time Trends of Job Approval Ratings: Governor Brown [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 S. D. Bechtel, Jr. Foundation, The San Francisco Foundation, The David and Susan Coulter Family Foundation, and the Walter S. Johnson Foundation.
Report California’s Water Market, By the Numbers, Update 2012 By Ellen Hanak, Elizabeth Stryjewski Nov 29, 2012 This report provides a check-up on California’s progress with two innovative water management tools: water marketing and groundwater banking. These tools are part of a modern approach that will enable California to manage its scarce water resources more flexibly and sustainably. This research was supported with funding from the S. D. Bechtel, Jr. Foundation.
Report Where the Wild Things Aren’t: Making the Delta a Better Place for Native Species By Ellen Hanak, Jay Lund, William Fleenor, Jeffrey Mount ... Jun 14, 2012 How can California address the Delta’s many problems—and manage its ecosystem more effectively in the future? The authors propose a strategy for realistically achieving co-equal goals of water supply reliability and ecosystem protection in this troubled region. This research was supported with funding from the S. D. Bechtel, Jr. Foundation. Several companion reports contain related findings: Aquatic Ecosystem Stressors in the Sacramento–San Joaquin Delta (Mount et al. 2012) summarizes the science of Delta ecosystem stressors for a policymaking audience. Costs of Ecosystem Management Actions for the Sacramento–San Joaquin Delta (Medellín-Azuara et al. 2013) assesses costs of water management actions. Integrated Management of Delta Stressors: Institutional and Legal Options (Gray et al. 2013) lays out proposals for institutional reform of science, management, and regulation. Scientist and Stakeholder Views on the Delta Ecosystem (Hanak et al. 2013) presents detailed results of the two surveys conducted by the report’s authors. Stress Relief: Prescriptions for a Healthier Delta Ecosystem (Hanak et al. 2013) summarizes the overall research project and the recommendations it generated.
Report Aquatic Ecosystem Stressors in the Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta By Ellen Hanak, Jay Lund, William Fleenor, Jeffrey Mount ... Jun 14, 2012 This report looks at five broad categories of stressors on the Delta’s native fishes, examining causes of stress, allocations of responsibility, and options for management. This research was supported with funding from the S. D. Bechtel, Jr. Foundation. Several companion reports contain related findings: Costs of Ecosystem Management Actions for the Sacramento–San Joaquin Delta (Medellín-Azuara et al. 2013) assesses costs of water management actions. Integrated Management of Delta Stressors: Institutional and Legal Options (Gray et al. 2013) lays out proposals for institutional reform of science, management, and regulation. Scientist and Stakeholder Views on the Delta Ecosystem (Hanak et al. 2013) presents detailed results of the two surveys conducted by the report’s authors. Stress Relief: Prescriptions for a Healthier Delta Ecosystem (Hanak et al. 2013) summarizes the overall research project and the recommendations it generated. Where the Wild Things Aren’t: Making the Delta a Better Place for Native Species (Moyle et al. 2012) outlines a realistic long-term vision for achieving a healthier ecosystem.
Report Water and the California Economy By Ellen Hanak, Jay Lund, Richard Howitt, Brian Gray ... May 30, 2012 California’s economy can grow and prosper despite droughts and water shortages caused by a changing climate—but only if threats to the water system are addressed now. So far, innovative water management has supported the needs of a growing population but serious concerns remain, including water supply reliability and declining groundwater basins. This research was supported with funding from the S.D. Bechtel, Jr. Foundation.
Report Transitions for the Delta Economy By Ellen Hanak, Jay Lund, Richard Howitt, Josué Medellín-Azuara Jan 10, 2012 Enormous changes—from natural forces to management decisions—are coming to California’s fragile Delta region and will have broad effects on its residents. This report finds that in the first half of this century, the Delta as a whole is likely to experience a loss of 1 percent of economic activity as a result of these changes. It also identifies planning priorities for managing the Delta’s future. This research was supported with funding from the Watershed Sciences Center at UC Davis.
Report Managing California’s Water: From Conflict to Reconciliation By Ellen Hanak, Jay Lund, Jeffrey Mount, Richard Howitt ... Feb 24, 2011 California has struggled to manage its water effectively for more than 30 years. Today, the state needs to consider a set of wide-ranging reforms—for the benefit of the economy and the environment.Executive Summary Full Report [PDF, 9.06 MB] To view individual chapters, click on the links below. Introduction Floods, Droughts, and Lawsuits: A Brief History of California Water Policy California Water Today Drivers of Change Urgent and Fundamental Challenges Reconciling Ecosystems: Reversing Declines in Native Species Orchestrating the Management of Water Scarcity, Quality, and Flooding Managing Water as a Public Commodity Effective and Adaptive Governance Pathways to Reform A Way Forward Technical Appendix: Managing California’s Water: Insights from Interviews with Water Policy Experts Interactive Map: California’s Water Quality Problems Map Image: California’s Variable Climate This research was supported with funding from S. D. Bechtel, Jr. Foundation, The David and Lucile Packard Foundation, Pisces Foundation, Resources Legacy Fund, and Santa Ana Watershed Project Authority.
Policy Brief Managing California’s Water: From Conflict to Reconciliation, Executive Summary Feb 23, 2011
Report Driving Change: Reducing Vehicle Miles Traveled in California By Ellen Hanak, Louise Bedsworth, Jed Kolko Feb 17, 2011 Can Californians cut down on their driving? Encouraging job growth near transit stations will help. So will pursuing policies that raise the cost of driving. This report examines California’s progress in these and other areas, finding both opportunities and challenges ahead. This research was supported with funding from The William and Flora Hewlett Foundation, as part of the California 2025 project on the state's future, and the David A. Coulter Family Foundation.
