The Earned Income Tax Credit in California
Wednesday, February 3, 2010
Public Policy Institute of California
The Public Policy Institute of California (PPIC) is a private nonprofit organization dedicated to informing and improving public policy in California through independent, objective, nonpartisan research.
PPIC's dynamic research program focuses on the forces shaping California's future. Our projects cut across a wide range of policy areas. The multidisciplinary research staff has expertise in a number of fields, including economics, demography, political science, sociology, and environmental resources. We make our findings widely available, and our publications range from comprehensive in-depth reports to surveys to one-page fact sheets. All of our materials are available free on our website.
In addition, the PPIC Statewide Survey has generated an extensive, searchable database.
PPIC's extensive outreach program offers a rich array of activities and events, including an ongoing briefing series in Sacramento and Washington, D.C.
Mark Baldassare is President and Chief Executive Officer of PPIC. Walter B. Hewlett is Chair of the Board of Directors. Founded in 1994 with an endowment from William R. Hewlett, PPIC is headquartered in San Francisco. The PPIC Sacramento Center opened in 2007.
Publications
PPIC Statewide Survey: Californians and Their Government
Wednesday, January 27, 2010
Some findings of the current survey:
- Two-thirds of Californians would pay higher taxes to avoid cuts in K12 funding.
- Seventy percent support spending cuts in prisons and corrections.
- Tom Campbell is ahead in the Senate primary race among Republican likely voters.
- Meg Whitmans lead grows in the primary race for governor.
Job Approval Ratings:
Time Trends of Job Approval Ratings: President Obama
Governor Schwarzenegger
California State Legislature
U.S. Congress
Senator Boxer
Senator Feinstein
Time Trends for the Mood of Californians: General Direction of Things in California
Economic Outlook for California
This survey is supported with funding from The James Irvine Foundation.
Does Broadband Boost Local Economic Development?
Monday, January 11, 2010
The federal government and the state of California, as well as other states throughout the nation, have made universal access to broadband service a public policy goal, assuming that multiple economic and social benefits will accrue from increasing broadband access. This study assesses whether policies designed to increase broadband availabilityespecially to unserved and underserved communitieswill contribute to local economic development. It finds a positive relationship between broadband expansion and employment growth, but the benefits for local residents are ambiguous.
This report was supported with funding from The David A. Coulter Family Foundation.
Perceptions of Local Fiscal Stress During a State Budget Crisis
Monday, December 21, 2009
City and county governments in California have been hit hard by the states 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.
PPIC Statewide Survey: Californians and Their Government
Thursday, December 17, 2009
Some findings of the current survey:
- Former eBay CEO Meg Whitman leads the field among likely voters in the GOP gubernatorial primary, but Democrat Jerry Brown beats all three potential Republican candidates in hypothetical 2010 general election matchups.
- More than half of likely voters say the issues of lowering the legislative vote threshold to pass a state budget and allowing same-sex marriage are very important.
- Half of Californians support proposed changes to the health care system, given what they know about the legislation. They take a pessimistic view of military efforts in Afghanistan, and are divided on President Obamas proposal for more troops there.
Job Approval Ratings:
Time Trends of Job Approval Ratings:
Mood of Californians: Time Trends for the Mood of Californians: This survey is supported with funding from The James Irvine Foundation.
California Water Myths, Summary
Tuesday, December 8, 2009
California Water Myths
Tuesday, December 8, 2009
California faces enormous challenges in establishing a sustainable path for water resource management. One challenge is the rhetoric surrounding major water issues in the state. This study highlights eight common water myths, focusing on water supply, ecosystems, and legal and governance issues. In combating these myths, the report sets the stage for a more informed approach to water policy and management.
More information and additional myths can be found in Myths of California Water - Implications and Reality.
Interactive Map: Per Capita Urban Water Use: 1960-2005 Interactive Feature: Virtual Tour (Center For Watershed Sciences, UC Davis)
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.
Myths of California Water - Implications and Reality
Tuesday, December 1, 2009
PPIC Statewide Survey: Californians and Higher Education
Thursday, November 12, 2009
Some findings of the current survey:
- Californians give high grades to their public higher education systems but are worried about increased student costs and state budget cuts.
- State leaders get record low approval ratings for their handling of higher education: 21 percent for Governor Schwarzenegger and 16 percent for the state legislature.
- Sixty-seven percent of Latino parents of children aged 18 or younger are very worried about being able to afford a college education, while 38 percent of white parents say the same.
Job Approval Ratings:
Time Trends of Job Approval Ratings:
Governor Schwarzenegger
California State Legislature
Mood of Californians:
Time Trends for the Mood of Californians:
General Direction of Things in California
Economic Outlook for California
This survey was supported with funding from The William and Flora Hewlett Foundation.
Full-Day Kindergarten in California: Lessons from Los Angeles
Thursday, September 17, 2009
Almost half of California public school kindergarten students attend full-day classes. To understand how a longer class day might benefits students, the authors examined about 200,000 kindergarten records in the Los Angeles Unified School District and found that full-day kindergarten does seem to help reduce the chances of being retained in early grades. But full-day students do not seem to have better second-grade test scores, nor do English learners improve their English fluency at higher rates. Certain subpopulations might benefit more than others; given current budgetary constraints, policymakers may find it more effective to target full-day classes to schools most likely to benefit, such as those with low API rankings.
This report was supported with funding from The William and Flora Hewlett Foundation.
PPIC Statewide Survey: Californians and Their Government
Thursday, September 10, 2009
Some findings of the current survey:
- Californians favor a switch to open election primaries, but dont like the idea of a part-time legislature.
- They feel that Proposition 13 has mainly been good for the state, but a majority would approve a change to taxing commercial property at current value.
- Sixty-seven percent expect bad financial times in the coming year.
Job Approval Ratings:
Time Trends of Job Approval Ratings:
President Obama
Governor Schwarzenegger
California State Legislature
U.S. Congress
Senator Boxer
Senator Feinstein
Speaker Pelosi
Mood of Californians:
Time Trends for the Mood of Californians: General Direction of Things in California
Economic Outlook for California
This survey is supported with funding from The James Irvine Foundation.
PPIC Brochure
Wednesday, September 9, 2009
California Voter and Party Profiles
Tuesday, September 1, 2009
California's Likely Voters
Tuesday, September 1, 2009
Latino Likely Voters in California
Tuesday, September 1, 2009
The California Economy: Housing Market Update
Tuesday, August 25, 2009
Special Education Finance in California: A Decade After Reform
Wednesday, August 12, 2009
Special education accounted for more than 16 percent$9.3 billionof K12 spending in 200607. An extensive reform of special education financing in California about a decade ago sought to improve the way the state funds education for the disabled, who make up about 10 percent of public school students. Did reform achieve its goals? In large part, yesbut more can be done. The author suggests that to realize reforms equity goals, policymakers could equalize base funding rates and make adjustments for local conditions such as numbers of low-income students and regional labor market wage levels.
This report was funded with support from The William and Flora Hewlett Foundation.
Fixing the Delta: How Will We Pay for It?
Tuesday, August 11, 2009
This report examines the question of how to pay for urgently needed investments in the SacramentoSan Joaquin Delta. For years, stakeholders have been at odds over beneficiary financing (charging those who use the water). But recent federal intervention to save endangered fish species and the decline of state and federal funding sources may finally break the impasse. This report situates the beneficiary payment debate in historical, legal, and political context. It also explores how this kind of financing might work for several big ticket items: water conveyance facilities, storage reservoirs, environmental mitigation, and levee improvements.
Funding Special Education by Capitation: Evidence from State Finance Reforms
Saturday, August 1, 2009
PPIC Statewide Survey: Californians and the Environment
Wednesday, July 29, 2009
Some findings of the current survey:
- Solid majorities of Californians favor government regulation of greenhouse gas emissions and policies to curb global warming.
- More Californians support than oppose expanding coastal oil drilling; even more favor improving fuel efficiency.
- Three in four Californians say the state should expand public transit and use existing transportation networks more efficientlyonly 18 percent say the state should build more freeways.
Job Approval Ratings:
Time Trends of Job Approval Ratings:
President Obama
Governor Schwarzenegger
California State Legislature
Mood of Californians: Time Trends for the Mood of Californians: General Direction of Things in California
Economic Outlook for California
This survey is supported with funding from The William and Flora Hewlett Foundation.
Events
Open Primaries
Tuesday, February 23, 2010
| Date: | February 23, 2010 | |
| Time: | 12:00-1:30 p.m. | |
| Location: | CSAC Conference Center | |
| 1020 11th Street, 2nd Floor | ||
| Sacramento, CA |
ABOUT THE PROGRAM
Do open primaries lead to more moderation? Or do they limit voter choice and increase the influence of moneyed interests? Eric McGhee will discuss some of the competing claims, which have special relevance now that voters will consider a "top-two-vote-getter primary initiative in June.
Do open primaries lead to more moderation? Or do they limit voter choice and increase the influence of moneyed interests? Eric McGhee will discuss some of the competing claims, which have special relevance now that voters will consider a "top-two-vote-getter primary initiative in June.
Pre-registration is requested. Lunch will be provided.
SPEAKER
Eric McGhee is a research fellow at PPIC and an expert in redistricting reform, voter initiatives, and legislative organization.
The 2010 Budget Debate
Thursday, January 28, 2010
| Date: | January 28, 2010 | |
| Time: | 12:00-1:30 p.m. | |
| Location: | Sheraton Grand Hotel | |
| Sacramento, CA |
ABOUT THE PROGRAM
As the governors recent budget proposal demonstrates, California lawmakers face difficult choices in resolving an estimated $20 billion budget deficit in coming months. As the debate rages over spending cuts, increased revenues, and federal assistance, the bipartisan leadership of the legislatures two budget committees will come together to discuss the search for a budget agreement.
As the governors recent budget proposal demonstrates, California lawmakers face difficult choices in resolving an estimated $20 billion budget deficit in coming months. As the debate rages over spending cuts, increased revenues, and federal assistance, the bipartisan leadership of the legislatures two budget committees will come together to discuss the search for a budget agreement.
Mark Baldassare
President & CEO, Public Policy Institute of California
Panel Discussion
President & CEO, Public Policy Institute of California
Panel DiscussionSenator Denise Moreno Ducheny
Chair, Senate Budget & Fiscal Review Committee
Chair, Senate Budget & Fiscal Review Committee
Senator Robert Dutton
Senate Republican Leader-Elect
Vice Chair, Senate Budget & Fiscal Review Committee
Vice Chair, Senate Budget & Fiscal Review Committee
Assemblymember Noreen Evans
Chair, Assembly Budget Committee
Chair, Assembly Budget Committee
Assemblymember Jim Nielsen
Vice Chair, Assembly Budget Committee
Vice Chair, Assembly Budget Committee
Mark Baldassare
President & CEO, Public Policy Institute of California
President & CEO, Public Policy Institute of California
Does Broadband Boost Local Economic Development?
Tuesday, January 19, 2010
| Date: | January 19, 2010 | |
| Time: | 12:00-1:30 p.m. | |
| Location: | CSAC Conference Center | |
| Sacramento, CA |
ABOUT THE PROGRAM
The federal government and the state of California, as well as other states throughout the nation, have made universal access to broadband service a public policy goal, assuming that multiple economic and social benefits will accrue from increasing broadband access. Jed Kolko will discuss whether policies designed to increase broadband availability, especially to unserved and underserved communities, contribute to local economic development. This research was supported with funding from the David A. Coulter Family Foundation.
The federal government and the state of California, as well as other states throughout the nation, have made universal access to broadband service a public policy goal, assuming that multiple economic and social benefits will accrue from increasing broadband access. Jed Kolko will discuss whether policies designed to increase broadband availability, especially to unserved and underserved communities, contribute to local economic development. This research was supported with funding from the David A. Coulter Family Foundation.
SPEAKER
Associate Director and Research Fellow Jed Kolko is an expert in urban and regional economic development, as well as housing, and technology policy.
Statewide Survey: Californians and Their Government
Thursday, December 17, 2009
| Date: | December 17, 2009 | |
| Time: | 12:30-1:30 p.m. | |
| Location: | CSAC Conference Center | |
| 1020 11th Street, 2nd Floor | ||
| Sacramento, CA |
ABOUT THE PROGRAM
The December PPIC Statewide Survey takes place as Californias 2010 gubernatorial race is beginning to take shape and as many initiative measures circulate for ballot qualification. The survey focuses on likely voters preferences for gubernatorial candidates, satisfaction with candidate choices, and the importance of issues that may be on election ballots next year.
The December PPIC Statewide Survey takes place as Californias 2010 gubernatorial race is beginning to take shape and as many initiative measures circulate for ballot qualification. The survey focuses on likely voters preferences for gubernatorial candidates, satisfaction with candidate choices, and the importance of issues that may be on election ballots next year.
The survey also asks Californians about their overall mood and outlook for California and the country, about the states economy and budget situation, and about regional water supplies and the importance of passing a state water bond. The survey further looks at national issues, including attitudes toward federal policies on the economy, health care reform, and Afghanistan.
This study was conducted with funding from The James Irvine Foundation. Lunch will be provided and there is no charge to attend. Pre-registration is requested.
SPEAKER
SPEAKER
PPIC President, CEO, and Survey Director Mark Baldassare is an expert in public opinion, and on political, social, economic, and environmental public attitudes, and is the author of many books and other publications on these subjects.
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