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December 6, 2000 - The role of the Legislative Analyst's Office is to review state programs and make recommendations to the Legislature as to how the state can operate more effectively and efficiently. While most of our recommendations can be addressed in the annual budget bill, some involve recommended changes in law that require separate legislation. This report summarizes various changes to law that we have recommended in recent years.
November 15, 2000 - California is in the midst of an extraordinary economic and revenue boom. We project that in 2000-01 the State of California's General Fund will end with a reserve of nearly $6.9 billion—up sharply from the $1.8 billion assumed in June when the budget was adopted. In 2001-02, assuming current-law spending and tax policies, we forecast that revenues would exceed expenditures by $3.4 billion, bringing the cumulative reserve to $10.3 billion. We suggest that the $6.9 billion reserve carried into the budget year from 2000-01 be used primarily for one-time purposes; the $3.4 billion annual operating surplus would be available for ongoing purposes.
September 6, 2000 - The 2000-01 Budget Act was signed into law by Governor Davis on June 30, 2000. Together with related implementing legislation, the budget authorizes total spending from all funds of $99.4 billion. This report details the contents of this measure.
June 15, 2000 - Highlights of the 2000-02 Budget Bill as adopted by the Conference Committee.
May 17, 2000 - The May Revision has many positive elements, including significant new funds for infrastructure (primarily one-time) and education. It also preserves the state's future fiscal flexibility by avoiding excessive ongoing commitments. The revision, however, has many proposals which lack specificity and/or delegate too much authority to the administration. It also misses opportunities to provide ongoing funding for infrastructure and state-local finance reform.
April 12, 2000 - California's state appropriations limit (SAL)--which grows annually by a population and cost-of-living factor--places an "upper bound" each year on the amount of monies that can be spent from state tax proceeds. The SAL has not been a constraint throughout the 1990s. It could again become one if current revenue trends continue.
February 17, 2000 - Our annual detailed examination of the Governor's Budget. It includes over 400 findings and recommendations related to education, health and social services, criminal justice, transportation, resources, capital outlay, information technology, and local government.