Report The California Poverty Measure: A New Look at the Social Safety Net By Caroline Danielson, Sarah Bohn, Matt Levin, Marybeth Mattingly Oct 1, 2013 A new way of measuring poverty in California shows that 22 percent of residents lived in poor families in 2011. It also underscores the importance of the social safety net for many families in the state. The safety net’s impact on children is especially dramatic—without the need-based programs included in the new measure, 39 percent (or 3.6 million California children) would be considered poor. A companion report released by the Stanford Center on Poverty and Inequality examines regional and demographic differences in poverty. This research was supported with funding from The Walter S. Johnson Foundation. Interactive Map: California Poverty Rates by County Interactive Graphic: Poverty and Social Programs in California
Statewide Survey PPIC Statewide Survey: Californians and Education By Mark Baldassare, Lunna Lopes, Dean Bonner, Sonja Petek Apr 22, 2015 Some findings of the current survey: A strong majority of Californians support the Local Control Funding Formula; fewer than half favor the Common Core State Standards. Most public school parents say they have heard nothing at all about the Smarter Balanced assessments. Half of Californians say the state’s budget situation is a big problem for K–12 education and six in 10 say state funding for local schools is not enough. Two-thirds of adults and about half of likely voters would vote yes on a state or local bond measure to fund school construction projects. Job Approval Ratings: Governor Brown [PDF] California State Legislature [PDF]] Time Trends of Job Approval Ratings: Governor Brown [XLS] California State Legislature [XLS] This survey was supported with funding from the S. D. Bechtel, Jr. Foundation, The Dirk and Charlene Kabcenell Foundation, the Silver Giving Foundation, and the Stuart Foundation.
Occasional Paper, Report Interstate Business Relocation: An Industry-Level Analysis By David Neumark, Junfu Zhang, Jed Kolko Jun 19, 2006 In this report, using data covering all establishments ever located in California during 1992-2003, we study interstate business relocation and other establishment and employment dynamics in different industries.
Report Immigrants and Local Governance: The View from City Hall By Paul Lewis, Karthick Ramakrishnan Jun 9, 2005 More than one-quarter of California residents are foreign-born. Yet, very little is known about the effects of immigration on public policymaking and representation at the local level. In this report, the authors address three major questions. First, how do municipal officials become aware of the needs and preferences of immigrant populations? Second, how do they attempt to communicate city policies to their immigrant constituents, many of whom do not speak English? Third, how – if at all – does the presence of immigrants alter the policies and routines of city government?
Report Federal Formula Grants: Federal Highway Programs By Tim Ransdell, Shervin Boloorian Feb 1, 2003 This report seeks to enlighten the debate over changes in highway apportionment formulas as Congress prepares to reauthorize the nation’s principal transportation laws. It is meant to be an informational tool for congressional members and staff, state and local government entities, advocacy groups, news media, and other interested parties.
California Counts, Report The Linguistic Landscape of California Schools By Sonya Tafoya Feb 1, 2002 Explores the demographics of English learners (formerly known as limited-English-proficient or LEP students), who now account for nearly 25 percent of California's public school population. Examines trends over time and provides a current geographic portrait of the distribution of these students throughout the major regions of the state.
Statewide Survey PPIC Statewide Survey: Special Survey on Californians and the Environment By Mark Baldassare Jul 22, 2004 This is the 47th PPIC Statewide Survey and the seventh in a series of eight surveys focusing on population growth, land use, and the environment. This survey focuses in particular on public perceptions, policy preferences, and political choices relating to air quality and energy-related issues. Some findings of the current survey A majority of Californians (55%) say that the environment should be the top policy priority—even at the expense of economic growth. Despite California’s fiscal woes, 55% of likely voters want the state to continue funding environmental programs at current levels. The Central Valley ties Los Angeles (both 47%) as the region where the highest proportion of residents say air pollution is a big problem in their own region. Nearly three-fourths of the state’s residents (71%) believe that unchecked amounts of carbon dioxide and other greenhouse gases released into the air will lead to global warming. When asked which candidate they trust more to handle environmental issues, voters choose Kerry over Bush by a wide margin (56% to 30%).
Statewide Survey PPIC Statewide Survey: Special Survey on Californians and the Initiative Process By Mark Baldassare Sep 29, 2005 Some findings of the current survey Californians think that initiatives (39%) should have more influence than the legislature (32%) or governor (18%) over state policy. Most residents (74%) feel that initiatives raise important issues that elected officials have not adequately addressed. Despite their loyalty, 63% of Californians think the initiative process needs either major (29%) or minor (34%) changes. Many residents believe that special interests have too much control over the initiative process (92%), find the ballot wording for initiatives complicated and confusing (77%), and think there are too many propositions on the state ballot (62%). Half of state residents say they have less confidence now than before Hurricane Katrina that the government can handle a major terrorist attack (51%) or a major California earthquake (54%). 62% of Californians think the nation is headed in the wrong direction. November Ballot Measures: Proposition 74 (teacher tenure), 43% yes, 47% no Proposition 76 (spending and funding limits), 26% yes, 63% no Proposition 77 (redistricting), 33% yes, 50% no Proposition 78 (prescription drug discounts), 43% yes, 38% no Proposition 79 (prescription drug discounts), 34% yes, 40% no This is the 59th PPIC Statewide Survey and the second in a series of three surveys focusing on Californians and the initiative process. This special survey series is funded by The James Irvine Foundation.
