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UC Davis experts: California budget

The following University of California, Davis, faculty members are available to comment on California budget issues.

Creating jobs

Steven Currall, dean of the UC Davis Graduate School of Management, can comment on the state can innovate itself out of the perennial budget crisis. Currall, past faculty co-director of the Institute of Technology at the London Business School, has research and teaching experience in the areas of innovation and emerging technologies. Contact: Steven Currall, Graduate School of Management, (530) 752-7366, scc@ucdavis.edu.

How technology changes jobs

Chris Benner, an expert on labor and employment issues, can discuss how technological changes affect employment patterns, including such issues as green jobs, information technology and globalization. Benner studies who gets access to new jobs and what skills are required, and how workforce development policies and community development strategies can increase employment opportunities, with a focus on alleviating poverty. Contact: Christopher Benner, Human and Community Development, (530) 574-7585, ccbenner@ucdavis.edu.

California labor market

Economics professor Giovanni Peri has done extensive research on jobs creation and the California labor market. Contact: Peri, Economics, (530) 554-2304, gperi@ucdavis.edu.

Budget reform

Law professor Chris Elmendorf, who co-authored a New York Times opinion piece on California's chronic fiscal troubles, can offer perspective and insight on budget reforms. Elmendorf, who lists law and politics among his specialties, has suggested the public play a direct role in breaking budget stalemates. Contact: Chris Elmendorf, Law, (530) 752-5756, office; (415) 385-5781, cell; cselmendorf@ucdavis.edu.

Tax code reform, UC budget woes

Law professor Dan Simmons, a specialist in tax law, can comment on Schwarzenegger's call for an overhaul of the state's tax structure. Simmons was professor in residence in the Office of the Chief Counsel of the U.S. Internal Revenue Service 1986-1987 and is co-author of Federal Income Taxation of Business Organizations, among other books. He specializes in state and local tax policy and federal income taxation of business organizations and individuals. . Now serving as vice chair of the systemwide Academic Senate, Simmons also is intimately familiar with the UC's budgetary travails. Contact: Dan Simmons, Law, (510) 987-9303, UCOP; (530) 752-2757, UC Davis office; Daniel.Simmons@ucop.edu; dlsimmons@ucdavis.edu.

K-12 school funding

Tom Timar, professor of education and director of the UC Davis Center for Applied Policy in Education, is an expert in education finance and governance. Timar wrote the chapter on how California funds education for the landmark 2007 study, "Getting Down to Facts," commissioned by California's political leadership. From 2006 to 2007, Timar served as director of research for the Governor's Advisory Committee on Education Excellence. Contact: Tom Timar, School of Education, (530) 754-6654, office; (707) 259-1067, home; (707) 299-9473, cell; tbtimar@ucdavis.edu.

Partisan politics

Political science professor Robert Huckfeldt can comment broadly on the partisan politics that divide California Democrats and Republicans and contribute to budget gridlock. Huckfeldt is a scholar of public opinion, participation and voting in national elections. Contact: Robert Huckfeldt, Political Science, (530) 752-0975, rhuckfeldt@ucdavis.edu.

Politics, taxes and new ideas

Edmond Costantini, UC Davis professor emeritus of political science, specializes in political parties and public opinion, particularly in regard to California electoral politics. He can discuss the current political stakes for Democrats, Republicans and Gov. Schwarzenegger. Contact: Edmond Costantini, Political Science, (530) 752-0974, office; (530) 756-2009, home; egcostantini@ucdavis.edu.

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Last updated June 16, 2011