On April 18, 2012, the City of Vallejo adopted a participatory budgeting process that enables the public to influence the allocation of approximately $3 million of revenue from their recently passed sales tax measure, Measure B. Vallejo is the first c . . .

Direct democracy is praised by some commentators and scholars as an effective form of government that is closer to the average citizen, increases voter awareness and as a result increases the trust placed on the government. Others cast doubt on these . . .

SB 617 (Calderon & Pavley, 2011) is an ambitious experiment to improve state regulations and increase government transparency. The statute reforms California’s regulatory review process by making the executive review of regulations more robust and . . .

In 1970, the federal Controlled Substances Act (CSA) outlawed cannabis in the United States. Since then, advocates have petitioned to have cannabis rescheduled in a less restrictive manner and sixteen states have decriminalized cannabis for approved m . . .

The Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (ACA) requires states to establish health insurance exchanges to facilitate the purchase of qualified health care coverage. The ACA affords states flexibility in designing these exchanges. This thesis is . . .

The national economic recession has created budget shortfalls for various levels of government. California municipal government has experienced significant declines in property and sales taxes. The City of West Sacramento is suffering this same fate. . . .

In California state government, two unique employee classifications exist, the Career Executive Assignment (CEA) and exempt. These two classifications are in the top-levels of government and are responsible for influencing policy through creation and . . .

Fundamental problems in California’s civil service processes result in increased costs and places California at risk to address future workforce needs given the increased number of retiring state employees. This study examines various reports issued o . . .

Some high schools in California have high rates of sending their graduating seniors on to college. Conversely, other high schools, especially in lower income, urban areas, have much lower rates of success. This thesis is a case study of a four-year (2 . . .

With Latinos being California’s largest ethnic group, making up approximately 38 percent of the state’s total population and 49 percent of the state’s K-12 population, it is no surprise that Latinos are projected to become the majority of California’s . . .