Getting scholarships to community college students
CalKIDS is a statewide automatic scholarship program. Over 40,000 community college students were missing out on this money. California built a report to find people who hadn’t claimed their scholarship. Community colleges are now reaching out to these students. Collectively, they're eligible for $20 million in scholarships. It's thanks to a partnership between the:
- ScholarShare Investment Board
- California Community Colleges Chancellor’s Office
- California Cradle-to-Career Data System
Stopping tax fraud
The Franchise Tax Board (FTB) has stopped over $6 billion in tax fraud in the last 8 years. Their improved threat detection detects improper refunds before they’re issued. In 2024-25 alone, FTB thwarted $579 million in improper refunds. They’re also helping taxpayers avoid being scammed. Guides on FTB’s website help taxpayers identify scams, protect their information, and file securely.
Streamlining procurement
The Department of General Services is making it easier to get work done. They doubled departments’ authorities to make agreements with each other to $2 million. They also made it easier than ever for vendors to join the Software Licensing Program. This reduces one-off contracts.
Generative AI: helping government work smarter
Imagine being able to spot a traffic jam before it forms. Or simplify a complicated policy into plain language. That’s what Generative AI is helping California do — every day.
This isn’t tech for tech’s sake. It’s innovative tools that make government work better for real people — like using AI to map where super commuters lose hours in traffic, so the state can fix it faster.
GenAI helps public agencies:
- Understand and predict where services are breaking down
- Make faster decisions using better data
6,000 vacant positions eliminated
This saves approximately $1 billion over two years — without cutting essential programs.
The state is also reducing travel, printing, and modernizing IT systems — delivering $3.5 billion more in taxpayer savings. They’re just a few of the operational efficiencies making California leaner.
Smarter tech contracts
The Department of Technology (CDT) is getting discounts on the technology the state needs to get the job done.
They partnered with the Employment Development Department (EDD) to consolidate their Salesforce licenses. The new single contract improved the state's negotiating power. EDD saved $2.3 million (10%) compared to their old contracts.
CDT also pooled 8 departments in one contract with Cisco to save $12 million (12.4%) on hardware.
A better government starts with better conversations
Engaged California lets Californians shape decisions that affect their lives. It invites people across the state to share ideas and join respectful, conversations focused on solutions. The insights inform action plans to make state government more effective.
It’s powered by the latest technology and built on transparency and inclusion.
What it looks like in action:
Over 2 engagements:
- Over 3,000 people joined
- People submitted more than 5,000 comments and ideas
- The state published reports about the LA fires recovery and state employees engagements
Less paper, more savings
The California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation (CDCR) is using less paper. They moved forms and workbooks online, only printing what’s required. This saved more than $563,000.
