The Blue Sky Consulting Group
We are a public policy and economics consulting firm specializing in helping clients address their most challenging strategic and analytical issues. Our team of subject matter experts comes from the highest levels of government, academia and the private sector, offering insights, analysis, and strategic advice to clients across a broad range of practice areas.
Budget & Taxation
Our public finance experts help clients build strong fiscal foundations, anticipate policy impacts and respond to crises.
Economics
Informed, data-based decisions are at the heart of improved policy making; we help clients achieve their strategic goals through research and analysis.
Education
From pre-K to higher ed, our experts help clients improve educational outcomes, design better programs, and confront fiscal challenges.
Environment
We've helped our clients achieve results, whether it’s cleaner drinking water, reduced greenhouse gas emissions, or preservation of habitat.
Clients
Featured Projects
List of Services
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Medi-Cal Facts and Figures: Essential Source of Coverage for MillionsMedi-Cal Facts and Figures: Essential Source of Coverage for Millions
The Blue Sky Consulting Group researched and wrote this report for the California HealthCare Foundation. Medi-Cal is the state’s health insurance program for Californians with low income, including three in seven children, two in nine nonelderly adults, and two in five people with disabilities. It also paid for 39% of all births in the state. In total, over 15 million Californians rely on the program for health coverage.
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The Economic, Fiscal, and Environmental Costs of Wildfires in CaliforniaThe Economic, Fiscal, and Environmental Costs of Wildfires in California
Wildfires have been increasing in intensity and destructiveness in recent years. This report draws on recent empirical research to estimate wildfires’ economic impacts within the State of California and is the first to provide a comprehensive estimate of their fiscal impact on the State’s General Fund.
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Improving Retirement Security for Low Income WorkersImproving Retirement Security for Low Income Workers
Working with a team from Arnold Ventures, the Blue Sky Consulting Group analyzed the potential for automatic savings programs for workers without access to a retirement plan through their employer. We explored the feasibility of these “Auto IRA” programs and identified strategies to help them work better and spread more widely. We also developed a 50 state feasibility model to help states without such a program quickly assess whether and how such a program would work in their region. Project lead Matthew Newman recently wrote a Commentary published in CalMatters discussing the potential for these programs.
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The Changing Landscape of California’s Federally Qualified Health CentersThe Changing Landscape of California’s Federally Qualified Health Centers
FQHCs are as diverse as they are widespread and are integral to the state’s safety-net provider landscape. This report, part of the California Health Care Foundation’s Regional Markets Study series, examines the changing FQHC landscape, focusing on emerging trends and regional differences in FQHCs across the state.
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City of Oakland Five-Year Financial ForecastCity of Oakland Five-Year Financial Forecast
Working closely with the City of Oakland staff, the Blue Sky Consulting Group developed a 5 year forecast for the City’s economy and accompanying expenditures and revenues. These projections formed the foundation for development of the City’s two year budget.
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Modeling State Cashflows During the PandemicModeling State Cashflows During the Pandemic
The COVID 19 pandemic brought about nearly unprecedented economic and fiscal challenges. To help the State of California ensure that it could meet its financial obligations over the spring and summer, we worked with the State Controller to develop projections that accounted for the impact of the pandemic-induced economic effects and the delayed filing dates for income and sales tax payments. The model we developed projected daily cashflows and allowed the Controller to simulate a range of alternative scenarios, including a deeper or more prolonged recession, continued reductions in taxable sales, and ongoing high unemployment rates. Our work helped the Controller determine that the state’s reserves were sufficient to allow the state to meet all of its financial obligations without the need for external borrowing.
