At Issue, Report Illegal Immigration By Laura Hill, Hans Johnson Jul 19, 2011 This At Issue answers basic questions about illegal immigration and the debate surrounding it. Where do illegal immigrants come from and where do they settle? Why do they come? How do they fit into the U.S. economy? How do Californians view illegal immigration, and how is public policy addressing it? The estimates presented in this report are regarded by research experts as the most accurate available.
Report The Ties That Bind: Changing Demographics and Civic Engagement in California By Mark Baldassare, Karthick Ramakrishnan Apr 21, 2004 This volume provides the first detailed and comprehensive picture of the relationship between demographic diversity and citizen involvement in civic affairs in California. The authors examine participation rates of various demographic groups across a wide range of political and volunteer activities. Their principal finding is that those who have the most say in California elections are also those who participate more in the broader civic life of the state. Demographic differences in participation associated with voting are also found in activities such as writing letters to elected officials, signing petitions, and contributing money to political causes. Specifically, those who are native-born, white, older, more affluent, homeowners, and more highly educated demonstrate the highest levels of civic engagement.
Report Perceptions of Local Fiscal Stress During a State Budget Crisis By Max Neiman, Daniel Krimm Dec 21, 2009 City and county governments in California have been hit hard by the state’s budgetary and economic difficulties, which have meant high unemployment and cuts to public services. This research details just how local governments are dealing with these fiscal troubles, using a survey of local officials. Among the most common local responses: even more cuts in public services, hiring freezes, and reduced contributions to reserves. This research was supported with funding from the California State Association of Counties.
Statewide Survey PPIC Statewide Survey: Californians and Their Government By Mark Baldassare, Dean Bonner, Sonja Petek, Jui Shrestha May 31, 2011 Some findings of the current survey: About half of Californians say there need to be major changes in the relationship between state and local governments. Most Californians generally approve of Governor Jerry Brown’s revised budget plan but less than half support the proposal to extend temporary tax and fee increases. Sixty-two percent of California adults support cutting funding to state prisons and corrections. 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 James Irvine Foundation.
California Counts, Report Who’s In Prison? The Changing Demographics of Incarceration By Amanda Bailey, Joseph Hayes Aug 9, 2006 This issue of California Counts examines in detail the new demographics of California’s prisons. Since 1990, the number of prisoners in California has risen three times faster than the state's overall adult population, to almost 168,000 prisoners in 2005. Researchers also found that adults younger than 25 account for a declining segment of the prison population while the share of adults 50 and older has nearly tripled, and that the state’s San Joaquin Valley and Inland Empire regions contribute disproportionately to the inmate population.
Report Stress Relief: Prescriptions for a Healthier Delta Ecosystem By Ellen Hanak, Jay Lund, William Fleenor, Jeffrey Mount ... Apr 29, 2013 California is at a critical juncture on policy for the Sacramento–San Joaquin Delta. This report summarizes the results of a wide-ranging study of cost-effective ways to improve the health of the Delta ecosystem. It highlights the need for science-based, integrated management of the many sources of ecosystem stress. The report also recommends improvements to the highly fragmented system of oversight that now involves dozens of federal, state, and local agencies. 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. 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 Protecting the Nation’s Seaports: Balancing Security and Cost By Ernesto Vilchis, Jon D. Haveman, Howard J. Shatz, Stephen S. Cohen ... Jun 27, 2006 Protecting the Nation’s Seaports: Balancing Security and Cost examines in detail the full dimensions of the task of port security, including the effectiveness of measures undertaken so far, and the costs to the nation—both of implementing adequate port security, and of failing to do so. Jon D. Haveman and Howard J. Shatz, research fellows at PPIC, teamed with an array of experts on maritime security for this broad overview of port security issues that includes projections of the effects on the national economy of a successful port attack, the private sector implications of improving port security, a first-hand account of the considerable bureaucratic challenges that still must be overcome to strengthen individual ports, and guidelines for financing future port security efforts.
Report Expanding Medi-Cal: Profiles of Potential New Users By Helen Lee, Shannon McConville Aug 3, 2011 Millions of Californians will gain access to Medi-Cal under upcoming federal health care reform. This report finds that the majority of today’s uninsured poor are relatively young and healthy – good news from a cost perspective. But at least 25 percent could have substantial health issues. Understanding their needs is critical to preparing for health care reform. Survey data and focus group interviews round out this portrait of California’s potential new users of Medi-Cal. Supported with funding from the California Program on Access to Care.
Report Evaluating the Effects of California’s Corrections Realignment on Public Safety By Steven Raphael, Magnus Lofstrom, Joan Petersilia Aug 30, 2012 California has launched ambitious plans to change its corrections system. If all goes well, the state will become an important example of how to reduce the prison population and maintain public safety. This report provides guidelines on how to monitor the effects of realignment in such areas as recidivism, sentencing, and costs.
Report Is Public Safety Realignment Reducing Recidivism in California? By Steven Raphael, Magnus Lofstrom, Ryken Grattet Jun 27, 2014 Despite sweeping changes to the state’s corrections system, California has not seen dramatic changes in arrests or convictions of released offenders. Overall arrest rates are down. But convictions are up, likely a reflection of new prosecutorial processes. Multiple arrests are also up, possibly because released offenders are now spending more time on the streets. This research was supported with funding from the Smith Richardson Foundation.
