Dear California Leader:

For the past two and a half years, the Cato Institute has been studying ways in which California can reform its policies and programs to help lift people out of poverty and to enable all Californians to fully participate in the state’s economy. Today, Cato releases its final report of the Project on Poverty and Inequality in California. The full report is available online, and you should also receive a print copy of this report in the mail in the next few days.

In addition to Cato’s decades of experience researching these issues, we have attempted to tap into the knowledge and experience of Californians on the front lines of fighting poverty. Along with my staff, I have repeatedly visited all parts of your state for meetings, town halls, and roundtable discussions to solicit input and suggestions. I personally have met with more than 150 political leaders, community activists, businesspeople, and ordinary California citizens, including those experiencing poverty. These consultations cut across partisan, ideological, and demographic lines, and were invaluable in helping to formulate our options.

Accordingly, this report offers 24 specific proposals for reform, addressing such issues as housing and homelessness, education and workforce, the criminal justice system, welfare and the existing social safety net, and barriers to economic participation. We hope that our recommendations in this report help spark a broad conversation on how California can do a better job in serving its most vulnerable residents.

Speaking for myself and my colleagues at the Cato Institute, we look forward to working with you to help empower poor Californians and create a more inclusive California economy. If you have any questions, please feel free to contact me directly at mtanner@cato.org, or Cato’s director of state and local government relations, Christopher Hansford, at chansford@cato.org.