CSL - California Research Bureau
Since 1991, the California Research Bureau (CRB) has provided independent, nonpartisan, timely and confidential policy research or analysis to our clients: the Legislature, the Governor's Office and other Constitutional Officers.
We are a team of librarians and researchers ready to help. We provide policy research, 50-state reviews, academic and media summaries, data analysis and much more. We will meet or beat your deadline: do not hesitate to call us at (916) 319-2691 for urgent or same-day requests! You can also email us at crb@library.ca.gov or visit us in the State Capitol in Room 5210, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday.
PRODUCTS ON REQUEST
Want to know whether California is attracting businesses from other states? Which policies might encourage the recruitment of more science teachers? Or how many tax bills the legislature considers every year? Popular work products for our clients include:
- Quick fact-finding and fact-chtecking of claims or statistics
- Quality assessments of 3rd-party data or research
- Analysis of demographic, economic, environmental or other data at any level (district, state, national)
- Media/news collection around particular issues
- Summaries of scholarly evidence for specific topics
- Investigative surveys of groups and institutions
- 50-state reviews to compare/contrast policies
- Tracking of local, state, federal and international bills, codes, court cases and regulations (including all California legislation since statehood in 1850)
- Memos or in-depth research reports on specific policy questions
ADDITIONAL SERVICES
Public Reports, Events and Videos
highlighted videos
California Policymaking For Tomorrow Amid Rapid Technological Change Today
Three experts discuss the impact of rapid technological change on California's economy and jobs, as well as the opportunities, challenges and risks awaiting California policymakers. Anne Neville, director of the California Research Bureau, moderates a thought-provoking discussion with Nicholas Davis, head of Society and Innovation at the World Economic Forum in Geneva; Rachel Hatch, research director of the 10-Year Forecast at the Institute for the Future in Palo Alto; and California's chief economist, Irena Asmundson.
HIGHLIGHTED PUBLICATIONS
Demographics of Disciplinary Action by the Medical Board of California (2003-2013)
(January 2017)
The Medical Board of California protects the health of Californians by ensuring that practicing physicians in the state are licensed and regulated. Conducted at the request of the Medical Board, this report looked at 10 years of disciplinary data to see if there was any relationship between physician race and disciplinary outcomes. Latino/a and Black physicians were both more likely to receive complaints and more likely to see those complaints escalate to investigations. Latino physicians were also more likely to see those investigations result in discipline. Asian physicians had a reduced likelihood of receiving complaints, or of those complaints escalating to investigations.
Demographics in the California Legislature: November 2016 Election Update
(November 2016)
Californians voted in 100 Assembly and Senate races in the November 2016 election. Thirty-one new members were elected to the Legislature, shifting the demographics of both bodies. The Assembly is now majority-minority (54%). The number of women legislators decreased by 5, bringing the total to 26, the lowest since 1991-1992. This report was updated on December 5, 2016.
NEWSLETTERS
Studies in the News
Subscribe to Studies in the News and receive a weekly roundup of high-quality research and surveys on policy issues relevant to California. Curated by wonks for wonks for over 20 years. Archived issues available.
Lunch with a side of Research
Planning your week? Want to know if there’s free beer bread and a great research topic? Lunch with a Side of Research is a free weekly email that lists all upcoming events in Sacramento that include both free lunch and a public policy research discussion.
Online Resources for State Employees
Get access to a number of online resources from home or when you're not on a state network using your State Library Card. It only takes a few minutes to sign-up.