GOVERNOR'S CALIFORNIA PERFORMANCE REVIEW MOVES FORWARD

In August 2004, the California Performance Review (CPR) delivered its final analysis to reshape California state government. Following the report's release, eight public hearings were held throughout the state and various research-oriented groups gave testimony including the California Council on Science and Technology. In fact, the CPR refers often to CCST's California Report on the Environment for Science and Technology (1999) and the PIER Independent Review Panel reports (2000, 2001, and 2004).

The CPR summarized its views on the report and public hearings in A Report of the California Performance Review Commission, available at http://cpr.ca.gov/. The Governor's proposals, including the creation or elimination of boards and bureaus, can be downloaded at the CPR website.

The CPR Commission recommendations include:

• Economic development activities should be transferred to the Department of Commerce and Consumer Protection. The Governor proposes the creation of an Office of Higher Education to subsume the Loan Advisory Council, Student Aid Commission and the California Postsecondary Education Commission.
• Other proposed changes for 26 boards include elimination or transfers of authority. However, the CPR Commission has recommended against some of the Governor's proposed changes because of the potential for loss of federal funding.
• The existing Air Resources Control Board should be retained within the Cal EPA.

In anticipation of formal reorganization proposals being presented to the Legislature by the Governor, the Little Hoover Commission examined the CPR Commission proposal on state government reorganization. The Hoover Commission stated in Historical Opportunities: Transforming California State Government, that: "The need to improve some fundamental state policies and improve the performance of state programs is clear and compelling. The state's unresolved deficit is a cancer that is thwarting California's recovery. The state is not making adequate progress toward important goals, including a high quality education for all, a healthy environment and an efficient transportation system." The Hoover Commission proposed some detailed refinements and made four general recommendations:

• The Governor must persistently push reforms.
• He must assertively define the goals of reforms and translate those goals into meaningful outcomes for Californians.
• He must designate priorities that will produce meaningful improvement and enlist the support of the Legislature.
• The Governor must focus on reform efforts on improving the performance and productivity of state programs. Senator Liz Figueroa (Fremont) will chair the Senate Committee overseeing the Governor's reorganization plan.

ASSEMBLY AND SENATE COMMITTEE CHANGES PORTEND NEW OPPORTUNITIES TO DEVELOP SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY POLICY

The departure of termed out legislators, the election of new ones, and the appointment of new committee chairs in both houses portends a new beginning for science and technology policy. Short term issues that the new legislative session might address include: radio frequency identification tags, nanotechnology industry development, biotechnology tax credits, e-voting, and the CPR. Longer-term issues might include: new technologies and privacy, market vs. regulation of new technology, science and mathematics education, and intellectual property.

Assembly Committee Review: Two members of Assembly Speaker Nunez's new leadership team, Sally Lieber (Assistant Speaker Pro Tem) and Rebecca Cohn (Majority Floor leader), are from Silcon Valley. Juan Arambula (Fresno) will chair the Jobs, Economic Development, and the Economy Committee. Gene Mullin, who has an active biotech agenda, will chair the Housing and Community Development Committee. Lloyd Levine (Van Nuys) will chair the Utilities and Commerce. Ira Ruskin (San Jose) will chair the Committee on Environmental Safety and Toxic Materials. The Committee on Natural Resources will be chaired by Loni Hancock (El Cerrito).

Senate Committee Review: Dean Florez (Fresno) will chair the Senate Government Organization Committee which deals with e-commerce. Liz Figueroa (Fremont) will chair two committees with oversight over technology: the committee overseeing the Governor's reorganization plan which involves siginificant e-commerce provisions, and the Business, Professions and Economic Development Committee. Deborah Ortiz (Sacramento) will chair the Senate Health Committee. Martha Escutia (Norwalk) will chair the Energy, Utilities and Communications Committee. Alan Lowenthal (Los Angeles) will chair the Environmental Quality Committee. Sheila Kuehl (Los Angeles) will chair the Natural Resources and Water Committee. Potential technology policymakers include Kevin Murray (Los Angeles), who last session authored legislation that was signed by the Governor on SPAM, spyware and internet piracy. Newly-elected are Senators Carol Migden (San Francisco) who has carried legislation on e-commerce, Elaine Alquist (Silicon Valley) math and science eduation related legislation, Joe Simitian (Silicon Valley) high tech crime and identity theft legislation, and Christine Kehoe (San Diego) who authored a successful bill to put a biotech training center in San Diego.

CCST continues to be disappointed in the lack of the establishment of senate or assembly committees that deal with science and technology. California is effectively a nation-state; we are the fifth-largest economy in the world, and one which depends heavily on its science and technology sector. An office devoted to S&T policy, or permanent committees in both houses, would certainly be appropriate.