The Little Hoover Commission is California’s independent citizens body that makes recommendations to the governor and legislature about how to improve state government. In his role as executive director, Mr. Rarick oversees the production of in-depth studies, the publication of Commission findings, and the Commission’s efforts to support implementation of its recommendations.
Mr. Rarick will discuss the mission, structure, and work of the state Commission and explain how its role compares with – and differs from – the work performed by civil grand juries which focus exclusively on local governments operating within a county. The Little HooverCommission operates at a statewide level and focuses on systemic reforms affecting state agencies, programs, and policies. Mr. Rarick will highlight the Commission’s recent reports and describe how it works with policy makers and legislators to implement the recommendations.
Before joining the Little Hoover Commission in June of 2019, Mr. Rarick worked at the University of California, Berkeley, where he was Director of the Robert T. Matsui Center for Politics and Public Service and Associate Director of the Institute of Governmental Studies. He also served as a lecturer in the Department of Political Science and as managing editor of the California Journal of Politics and Policy. Prior to joining UC Berkeley, Mr. Rarick worked as a journalist reporting on politics in California and Oregon. He has written or edited six books on California history, public policy, and politics, including California Rising: The Life and Times of Pat Brown, and Governing California: Politics, Government and Public Policy in the Golden State.
The presentation will include a question and answer session.