To browse all LAO publications, visit our Publications page.
October 22, 2009 - Presented to: Joint Hearing—Select Committees on Improving State Government. Senator DeSaulnier and Assembly Member Feuer, Chairs
October 6, 2009 - After considering both the February and July budget packages (including the Governor’s line–item vetoes), the 2009–10 state spending plan includes total state budget expenditures of $110 billion from the General Fund and special funds. Spending from these funds in 2009–10 will be $20 billion—15 percent—less than it was in 2007–08. In addition, the budget assumes spending from bond funds of nearly $10 billion as the state continues to allocate moneys from the $43 billion bond package approved at the November 2006 election. While state expenditures decline in 2009–10, federal funds spending will increase dramatically. Federal stimulus funding provided by the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA) is largely responsible for the increase in spending from federal funds—from $56 billion in 2007–08 to $77 billion in 2008–09 and an estimated $94 billion in 2009–10.
August 12, 2009 - Memo to Assembly Member Juan Arambula, July 30, 2009. This memo discusses California's debt, deferred payments, and other liabilities that will affect the state’s financial health in the future.
July 29, 2009 - On July 24, 2009, the Legislature passed amendments to the 2009-10 Budget Bill, along with implementing legislation. On July 28, 2009, the Governor signed the budget package, while vetoing $489 million in General Fund appropriations. The budget package projects $89.5 billion of revenues and transfers to the General Fund, and authorizes total General Fund spending of $84.6 billion. The plan leaves the General Fund with an estimated reserve of $500 million at the end of the 2009-10 fiscal year. This publication summarizes the actions taken by the Legislature and Governor.
June 22, 2009 - Conference Committee Budget Package
June 11, 2009 - Presented to the Budget Conference Committee, June 4, 2009
May 27, 2009 - Presented to the California State Association of Counties (CSAC) 2009 Legislative Conference, May 27, 2009.
May 21, 2009 - Mac Taylor Discusses the 2009-10 May Revision in this six minute video.
May 21, 2009 - The Governor's estimate of a new $21 billion budget problem is reasonable. The May Revision proposals include major spending reductions and serious efforts for long–term state efficiencies and savings. By acting quickly and reducing reliance on some of the Governor’s riskiest proposals--such as financing $5.5 billion of the deficit by issuing revenue anticipation warrants--the Legislature can return the budget to balance, prevent another state cash crunch, and preserve core funding for what it deems to be California’s long–term priorities. To accomplish these goals, the Legislature now needs to cut lower–priority programs substantially or eliminate them. To address significant budget deficits forecast in future years, the Legislature also needs to begin work this year on measures that further improve the efficiency of state services for 2010–11 and beyond. (Note: the Appendix in the HTML version was corrected as of 2:30 p.m. on May 21, 2009.)
May 7, 2009 - Jason Dickerson Summarizes California's Cash Flow Crisis in May, 2009.
May 7, 2009 -
In part because state revenue collections have been weaker than expected since passage of the February budget package, major cash flow difficulties loom for California in the summer and fall of 2009. Without significant budget-balancing and cash management actions by the Legislature or unprecedented borrowing from the short-term credit markets, the state will not be able to pay many of its bills on time for much of 2009-10. Returning the budget to balance will be important to resolving the state's cash flow challenges. We recommend that the Legislature act quickly to address these challenges—by late June or early July at the latest. We also note that the state should be cautious about accepting additional federal assistance for the state's cash flow problems, especially given the strings that may be attached to such aid. (Five-minute video summary)
See also: May 22, 2009, Conference Committee Update: California's Cash Flow Crisis
April 2, 2009 - Combined index of the full 14 report 2009-10 Budget Analysis Series.
March 24, 2009 - Presented to UCLA Anderson Economic Forecast Seminar
March 13, 2009 - Mac Taylor's press conference in which he discusses the fiscal outlook under the February 2009 budget package.