Accomplishments

Malia Cohen has built a reputation for combining strong financial leadership with a focus on fairness — making sure California’s resources work for everyone, not just a few.

“Malia Cohen has demonstrated an unwavering commitment to fiscal stewardship and equity,” said Jenna Abbott, Executive Director of the California Council for Affordable Housing. “She has advanced policies that expand housing and create real economic opportunity for Californians.”

In response, Cohen emphasized what’s at stake for everyday people:

“Affordable housing isn’t just about buildings — it’s about fostering stability for families and supporting stronger communities. I’m proud to work alongside partners who are helping deliver quality, affordable homes for the people who need them most.”

One of the biggest barriers to affordable housing is time: unnecessary delays can slow projects down and drive up costs.

Controller Cohen helped fix that.

She played a key role in advancing AB 2353, a law that removes costly delays in the welfare tax exemption process. In practical terms, this means developers can move projects forward without being bogged down by upfront tax burdens during construction — helping get more housing built, faster.

“Strong financial leadership means removing barriers so we can actually solve problems like the housing crisis,” Cohen said. “My focus is making sure public resources deliver results for people who need them most.”

As Chair of the California State Board of Equalization, Cohen led efforts to modernize California’s property tax system — making it more efficient, transparent, and responsive.

She also supported the use of property tax abatements to encourage affordable housing development, helping communities grow while keeping housing within reach.

Controller Cohen has also focused on updating outdated systems that impact thousands of state workers.

She’s overseeing the modernization of California’s payroll system — an important step toward improving accuracy, efficiency, and transparency.

“This milestone will bring us closer to a payroll system that Californians can trust — one that’s transparent, modern, and works the way it should.”

Since taking office in 2023, Cohen has prioritized transparency — because people deserve to know how their money is being managed.

Through implementing more accurate financial reporting systems and detailed audits across counties and pension funds, she has worked to ensure accountability.

Charter School Audit Task Force

After one of the largest fraud cases in California education history — nearly $400 million was stolen from families and taxpayers — action was needed to make sure it never happens again.

Malia Cohen stepped in to lead that effort:

• Appointed by the Court to chair a multi-agency task force focused on preventing fraud in charter schools.

• Brought together key education, financial, and oversight leaders across California.

• Led a 10-month effort resulting in 20 concrete recommendations to strengthen oversight and accountability.

• Impact goes beyond charter schools — these reforms help protect funding across the entire K–12 education system, one of the largest areas of the state budget.

Bottom line: Strengthened safeguards to protect public education dollars and prevent future fraud.

For years, California relied on outdated and duplicative financial systems, leading to delays, errors, and inefficiencies.

Controller Cohen made a decisive move to fix it. She advanced the long-stalled effort to move California’s financial “book of record” into Fi$Cal, a modern, unified system.

• Eliminates duplicate reporting systems and reduces costly inefficiencies.

• Improves accuracy, transparency, and real-time financial tracking across state government.

• Set a clear deadline to complete the transition by July 1, 2026.

Bottom line: Bringing California’s financial operations into the modern era — saving time, reducing errors, and increasing transparency.

California had fallen 2–3 years behind in issuing its Annual Comprehensive Financial Report (ACFR) — a key document that shows the state’s financial health.

Controller Cohen changed course.

• Launched a statewide effort — “TEAM California” — to fix delays and restore accountability.

• Built collaboration across agencies, departments, and leadership.

• Delivered 4 financial reports in 2 years, steadily reducing delays each time.

• On track to return California to near on-time reporting by 2026, despite challenges like natural disasters and data delays.

Bottom line: Restoring timely, reliable financial reporting so Californians can trust the state’s financial picture.

Controller Cohen didn’t just support small businesses — she set a new standard for inclusion.

• Became the first Constitutional Officer to fully commit to the state’s 25% small business contracting goal.

• Applied this goal to one of California’s largest technology projects—something rarely done before.

• Overcame resistance to prove that small businesses can compete and succeed in large-scale state contracts.

• Resulted in significant new contracting opportunities for small businesses.

• Earned the 2024 Supplier Diversity Award from the Department of General Services.

Bottom line: Opened doors for small businesses and showed that inclusion and large-scale innovation can go hand in hand.

Controller Cohen took a fresh look at how the office operates — and how it serves Californians.

• Conducted 25+ town halls with employees to identify strengths and areas for improvement.

• Launched a Strategic Plan (2024–2025) to modernize operations and culture.

• Focused on improving:

  • Customer service

  • Transparency

  • Timeliness and accuracy of financial information

• Introduced a renewed purpose centered on impact, accountability, and public trust.

Bottom line: Building a more responsive, transparent, and effective State Controller’s Office.

Controller Cohen is pushing to ensure California has the leadership structure needed to manage the world’s fourth-largest economy. She is advocating for new funding to enhance the Executive Leadership within the Controller’s Office.

• Advocating for key executive roles, including:

  • Chief Financial Officer

  • Chief Auditor

  • Chief Data & Transformation Officer

• Goal: Improve oversight, accountability, and data-driven decision-making across state government.

Bottom line: Ensuring California has the leadership and structure needed to manage its finances responsibly and effectively.

• Led efforts to protect California’s coast and natural resources as Chair of the California State Lands Commission.

• Championed the restoration of Ormond Beach — bringing together environmental advocates like the Sierra Club — protecting this site for generations to come.

• Earned recognition from CAUSE for supporting community-driven environmental work.

• Maintains a clear commitment to environmental integrity by refusing fossil fuel campaign contributions.

Bottom Line: Protecting California’s environment while standing by strong, independent values.

• Helped approve billions of dollars in public infrastructure projects through the State Public Works Board — supporting roads, schools, and essential facilities.

• Supported financial assistance for vulnerable youth through CalHOPE — including $3,000 for children in foster care or those who lost a parent to COVID-19.

• Expanded access and inclusion through CalABLE by:

  • Promoting inclusive investment policies

  • Offering multilingual outreach

  • Driving one of the fastest-growing programs in the nation

Bottom Line: Real investments that strengthen communities and support families when they need it most.

• Helped deliver $300 million to struggling hospitals and major funding for children’s hospitals through the California Health Facilities Financing Authority.

• Supported hundreds of millions in clean energy investments to help California businesses transition to sustainable solutions through the California Alternative Energy and Advanced Transportation Financing Authority.

Bottom Line: Healthier communities and a stronger, more sustainable economy.

• Reviews every payment request from state agencies to ensure it is legal, accurate, and justified.

• Stops payments that are unsupported, unallowable, or unlawful — before taxpayer money goes out the door.

• Provides a critical line of defense that protects billions of public dollars.

Bottom Line: Preventing waste and misuse of funds—not just after the fact, but before it happens.

Controller Cohen’s work focuses on real, measurable improvements:

• Protecting taxpayer dollars

• Modernizing outdated systems

• Supporting small businesses

• Increasing transparency and accountability

• Protecting the environment

Result: A state government that works more efficiently—and delivers better outcomes for Californians.