Issue Areas

Education

Survey of Business Leaders on Education Issues

Released March 12, 2007

This project explores large and small business leader opinion on education and workforce preparation issues. The survey found that California business leaders place education at the top of public policy concerns, alongside health care.  At the same time, business executives gave K-12 schools a "D" grade for their quality of work. 

The William and Flora Hewlett and the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundations generously supported this comprehensive research project to delve deeply into business leader opinions on education.  The survey research was undertaken by the Greenberg Quinlan Rosner Research firm.

The outcome of these opinion surveys will clarify business leaders’ perspectives on education and workforce development issues, leading to improved policy analysis in these areas and a better-informed policy debate in California.

Health Care

Analysis of Cost Shift Between Public Programs and Private Payers

To be released May, 2007

The extent to which doctors and hospitals cost shift -- increase the price charged to privately-insured patients to recover part of the costs of treating others -- has been the subject of long-standing policy debates, and in particular, is central to the current debate in California.  Often labeled a "hidden tax," existence of a major cost shift hasbeen used as justification for substantial policy changes by the Governor, policy experts and business leaders.

This project will analyze the extent to which cost shifting occurs in California hospitals and how to what extent government underpayments for public insurance programs (Medi-Cal and Medicare) and the uninsured contribute to the cost shift.  The study will comprise both a literature review and new estimates based on analysis of publicly available data.

Economic Competitiveness

Development of California Competitiveness Index

To be released July, 2007

This project will develop a "California Competitiveness Indicator" that measures and describes California's competitive advantages and disadvantages, and leads public policy makers to leverage the benefits and mitgate the weaknesses of the state's business and investment climate. An annual indicator of the state’s competitiveness would serve several useful purposes:

  • Establish the baseline for policy debates.
  • Provide a useful additional mechanism for the state and private economic development organizations to use in marketing to prospective investors. 
  • Become an indicator to predict the effects of policy proposals.

An academic expert has been retained to develop the indicator.  The research design is underway, including an activity to interview up to a dozen California executives with business expansion experience to understand key criteria, by industry category, for business location decisions.  An advisory board will also be assembled to oversee the research.