Monday February 13, 2012

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RESEARCH AND COMMENTARY

Save to My PortfolioLos Angeles Doubles Down on Exports

Bruce Katz and Judith Rodin, January 19, 2012, The Atlantic Cities

Bruce Katz and Judith Rodin highlight an initiative in Los Angeles, aimed at boosting exports and creating jobs in the metropolitan region. Read More

RESEARCH AND COMMENTARY

Save to My PortfolioSan Diego Pushes Hard on Electric Vehicles

Bruce Katz and Judith Rodin, January 18, 2012, The Atlantic Cities

The Smart City San Diego initiative aims to increase the amount of electric vehicle charging stations in the city and promote clean energy. Bruce Katz and Judith Rodin show how area leaders plan to educate residents about clean technology. Read More

RESEARCH AND COMMENTARY

Save to My PortfolioBallot Initiatives in California Aren’t as Bad as You Think

Tracy Gordon, October 04, 2011, Zócalo Public Square

Ballot Initiatives in California Aren’t as Bad as You ThinkTracy Gordon discusses the initiative process in California, arguing that while some claim initiatives create or worsen political dysfuntion, the process of direct democracy can play an important role in both the state and local governments. Read More

VIDEO

Save to My PortfolioMetropolitan Areas Can Fuel the Next Economy

Alan Berube, March 07, 2011

A new report analyzes U.S. metropolitan areas' contribution to state populations and economies, with an emphasis on how innovations, exports and talent from these burgeoning metropolitan areas can drive the next round of U.S. economic growth. Alan Berube says that with state budgets in crisis, we should look at how metropolitan areas can fuel the next economy.

RESEARCH AND COMMENTARY

Save to My PortfolioHow States Can Tackle Budget Deficits

Mark Muro, February 03, 2011, Huffington Post

How can states overcome the massive budget shortfalls they currently face? Mark Muro explores the causes of the fiscal gaps between revenues and expenditures, and offers guidelines for state legislators to reform budgeting processes. Read More

VIDEO

Save to My PortfolioAddressing State Budget Deficits in the Western U.S.

Mark Muro, January 28, 2011

As California Governor Jerry Brown continues to push for a referendum on increasing tax revenues in his state, Mark Muro discusses budget deficits across various states in the western U.S. Muro explains the longstanding disconnect between revenues and expenditures and offers lessons to legislators eager to balance their budgets.

RESEARCH AND COMMENTARY

Save to My PortfolioCalifornia Governor Jerry Brown Must Fix State's Structural Deficits

Mark Muro and Matthew Murray, January 09, 2011, San Francisco Chronicle

Matthew Murray and Mark Muro examine the structural fiscal policy deficiencies that have long kept California from properly balancing revenues with expenditures. Muro and Murray, co-authors of a new paper on state budget shortfalls, urge leaders to tackle such long-term problems with effective budgeting strategies as opposed to indiscriminate cuts. Read More

RESEARCH AND COMMENTARY

Save to My PortfolioCyclical and Structural State Budget Deficits in California and the Intermountain West

Matthew Murray, Sue Clark-Johnson, Mark Muro and Jennifer S. Vey, January 05, 2011, The Brookings Institution and the Morrison Institute for Public Policy, Arizona State University

Cyclical and Structural State Budget Deficits in California and the Intermountain WestAs state legislatures reconvene this month, numerous states are contending with substantial budgetary turmoil, aggravated by the recent Great Recession and slow recovery. A new brief takes a careful look at the fiscal situations in Arizona, California, Colorado and Nevada and examines the states’ serious cyclical budget shortfalls as well as the critical longer-term structural imbalances between revenues and expenditures that have developed. Read More

RESEARCH AND COMMENTARY

Save to My PortfolioCalifornia's Budget: The Year of Magical Thinking

Tracy Gordon, October 13, 2010, Urban-Brookings Tax Policy Center

Tracy Gordon says that California, which has run with operating shortfalls every year since 2002, has this year passed a budget that relies too heavily on uncertain revenue sources and borrowing against the future. Read More

RESEARCH AND COMMENTARY

Save to My PortfolioLos Angeles' 30/10 Transportation Program and the Next Metropolis

Robert Puentes, August 26, 2010, The Avenue, The New Republic

Los Angeles' 30/10 Transportation Program and the Next MetropolisAfter providing testimony about the strengths of Los Angeles’ 30/10 transportation program, Robert Puentes analyzes how the project could give a much-needed boost to the local economy and perhaps eventually reshape the metropolitan area’s physical landscape. He emphasizes that shifting toward a new kind of metropolitan environment will require partnerships among public, private, and non-profit organizations. Read More

RESEARCH AND COMMENTARY

Save to My PortfolioThe 2009 Brown Center Report on American Education

Tom Loveless, March 17, 2010, The Brookings Institution

The 2009 Brown Center Report on American EducationThe 2009 Brown Center annual report analyzes the state of American education using the latest measures of student learning, uncovers and explains important trends in achievement test scores, and identifies promising and disappointing educational reforms. The 2009 research shows the persistence of test scores and school performance, as well as examines the narrowing gap between high and low-achievers. Read More

RESEARCH AND COMMENTARY

Save to My PortfolioCalifornia’s Work-to-Welfare Policy

Ron Haskins, October 16, 2009, The Brookings Institution

Ron Haskins argues that California's recent decision to allow a substantial number of its welfare recipients to avoid work requirements will reverse nearly a decade and a half of hard-won progress against parental idleness and child poverty. Read More

RESEARCH AND COMMENTARY

Save to My PortfolioBay Area’s Economic Recovery Workplan: Guiding State Stimulus Spending

Mark Muro and Sarah Rahman, July 2009, The Brookings Institution

Bay Area’s Economic Recovery Workplan: Guiding State Stimulus SpendingA Bay Area economic development nonprofit selected among hundreds of proposals to craft a single ARRA implementation strategy that creates jobs in the short-term and lays the foundation for economic growth and competitiveness in the long-term. Read More

RESEARCH AND COMMENTARY

Save to My PortfolioBay Area’s High Speed Rail Plans: Advancing 21st Century Regional Transportation

Mark Muro and Sarah Rahman, August 2009, The Brookings Institution

Bay Area’s High Speed Rail Plans: Advancing 21st Century Regional Transportation To accelerate the arrival of regional high speed rail, a collaboration of Bay Area leaders proposes to use ARRA funds on the track and station upgrades that are both necessary for high speed rail but also enhance the safety, capacity, and performance of existing train operations. Brookings experts examine the proposals. Read More

RESEARCH AND COMMENTARY

Save to My PortfolioCalifornia’s Green Jobs Corps: Building Green Workforce Region-wide

Mark Muro and Sarah Rahman, August 2009, The Brookings Institution

California’s Green Jobs Corps: Building Green Workforce Region-wideCalifornia is piloting a regionally-based, public-private partnership-driven, green jobs training program for at-risk youth that leverages ARRA funds with local resources to bring together new collaborations of employers, community colleges, and workforce organizations. Read More

In Brief

California—America's largest state by population—contains 11 of the nation's 100 largest metropolitan areas. Its population is on the leading edge of demographic change in America, as its cities have some of the highest concentrations of immigrants, and where Hispanic infants are now in the majority. California's budget and population challenges are mixed with significant strengths, including export, technology, education and manufacturing sectors. Brookings experts study the challenges and opportunities.

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John L. Thornton China CenterPolicy CenterJohn L. Thornton China Center

The John L. Thornton China Center develops analysis and policy recommendations to help address key long-term challenges, both in terms of U.S.-China relations and China's internal development.

Alice M. RivlinExpertAlice M. Rivlin

In February 1975, the Congressional Budget Office was established with Alice Rivlin as its first director. Rivlin is an expert on urban issues as well as fiscal, monetary and social policy and directs the Greater Washington Research project at Brookings.

William G. GaleExpertWilliam G. Gale

Bill Gale, the Arjay and Frances Miller Chair in Federal Economic Policy in the Economic Studies Program at Brookings, is an expert on tax policy, fiscal issues, pensions, and saving behavior. He is also co-director of the Tax Policy Center and director of the Retirement Security Project.

Budgeting for National PrioritiesResearch ProjectBudgeting for National Priorities

The Budgeting for National Priorities project promotes greater fiscal responsibility by developing new ideas, educating the public and finding common ground among experts and policy-makers.

Darrell M. WestExpertDarrell M. West

Darrell M. West is vice president and director of Governance Studies and founding director of the Center for Technology Innovation at Brookings. His studies include technology policy, electronic government, and mass media.

Africa Growth InitiativeResearch ProjectAfrica Growth Initiative

The Africa Growth Initiative conducts high-quality policy research and analysis focused on attaining sustainable economic development and prosperity in Africa, while amplifying the voice of African researchers in policy-making and planning.

Energy and ClimateTopicEnergy and Climate

What will it take to mitigate severe climate disruption? What should our priorities be in the relationship between fresh water and climate change? What will it take to help vulnerable countries and regions adapt to change already taking place?

Global ChangeTopicGlobal Change

How do we develop more realistic approaches and more effective means of ending intractable old conflicts and preventing new ones? How do we enhance measures to thwart nonstate actors—especially terrorists and illicit traffickers—and prevent the spread of nuclear weapons?

Growth through InnovationTopicGrowth through Innovation

What new practices and mechanisms will help prevent another economic downturn from turning into a financial panic that could become a truly global meltdown? What changes in the public and private sectors will build the workforce and infrastructure required for a global information-based economy?

Opportunity and Well-beingTopicOpportunity and Well-being

As they weather the current economic storm, will our governments and societies address the basic needs and aspirations of the least well-off? How can we better use education to raise individual aspirations? How should governments around the world accelerate preparations to provide social services for the billions moving from poverty into the middle class?

Center for Technology InnovationPolicy CenterCenter for Technology Innovation

The Center for Technology Innovation is at the forefront of shaping public debate on technology innovation and developing data-driven scholarship to enhance understanding of technology’s legal, economic, social, and governance ramifications.

Suzanne MaloneyExpertSuzanne Maloney

Suzanne Maloney studies Iran, the political economy of the Persian Gulf and Middle East energy policy. A former U.S. State Department policy advisor, she has also counseled private companies on Middle East issues.

Robert KaganExpertRobert Kagan

Robert Kagan is an expert and frequent commentator on Egypt, the Middle East, U.S. national security, and U.S.-European relations. He writes a monthly column on world affairs for the Washington Post and is a contributing editor at the Weekly Standard and the New Republic.

Daniel KaufmannExpertDaniel Kaufmann

Daniel Kaufmann was previously the director at the World Bank Institute, leading the work on governance and anti-corruption. His areas of expertise are public sector and regulatory reform, development, governance and anti-corruption.

Mwangi S. KimenyiExpertMwangi S. Kimenyi

Mwangi S. Kimenyi is senior fellow and director of the Africa Growth Initiative. The founding executive director of the Kenya Institute for Public Policy Research and Analysis (1999-2005), he focuses on Africa's development including institutions for economic growth, political economy, and private sector development.

Donald KohnExpertDonald Kohn

Donald Kohn is a 40-year veteran of the Federal Reserve System and served as vice chairman of the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve from 2006 to 2010. He was recently appointed by the government of the United Kingdom and the Bank of England to serve on its interim Financial Policy Committee. Kohn focuses on issues of monetary policy, financial regulation and macroeconomics.

Brookings Mobile ApplicationsNEW FEATUREBrookings Mobile Applications

Stay up-to-date with our independent, high-quality research, learn about Brookings events and search our directory of experts all from your BlackBerry, iPad, iPhone or Android device.

Isabel V. SawhillExpertIsabel V. Sawhill

A nationally known budget expert, Isabel Sawhill focuses on domestic poverty and federal fiscal policy. She is also co-director of the Center on Children and Families and the Budgeting for National Priorities Project at Brookings.

Shadi HamidExpertShadi Hamid

Shadi Hamid focuses on Islamist political parties and democratic reform in the Middle East. Prior to joining Brookings, he was Director of Research at the Project on Middle East Democracy (POMED) and a Hewlett Fellow at Stanford University’s Center on Democracy, Development, and the Rule of Law.

Katherine SierraExpertKatherine Sierra

Katherine Sierra is a senior fellow in the Global Economy and Development program. A former vice president for sustainable development at the World Bank, she focuses on climate change and energy.

State of Metropolitan AmericaMetropolitan Policy ProgramState of Metropolitan America

Foreshadowing 2010 Census results, this new Brookings report and interactive map defines who Americans are—and who they are becoming—in the face of continued growth, population aging and diversification, uneven educational attainment and income polarization.

Center on Children and FamiliesPolicy CenterCenter on Children and Families

The Center on Children and Families studies policies on the well-being of America's children and their parents and seeks a more effective means of addressing poverty, inequality and lack of opportunity in the United States.

Vanda Felbab-BrownExpertVanda Felbab-Brown

Vanda Felbab-Brown focuses on the national security implications of illicit economies and strategies for managing them. She is the author of Shooting Up: Counterinsurgency and the War on Drugs (Brookings Institution Press, 2009).