Staff
Chas Alamo
(916) 319-8357
Personal Income Tax, Employment, and Labor Law
Heather Gonzalez
(916) 319-8359
Emergency Services and Business Regulation
Ann Hollingshead
(916) 319-8305
State Budget and Federal Funding
Nick Schroeder
(916) 319-8314
Public Employment, CalPERS, Elections, Veterans Affairs
Angela Short
(916) 319-8309
Child Welfare, Child Support, Community Services and Development, Community Care Licensing, CalSTRS
Paul Steenhausen
(916) 319-8303
Local Government, Housing, and Homelessness
Alex Bentz
(916) 319-8312
Property Taxes, Bonds, and the Economy
Rowan Isaaks
(916) 319-8362
Corporation Tax and Economic Development
Seth Kerstein
(916) 319-8365
Sales and Excise Taxes and Demographics


Publications

Other Government Areas

To browse all LAO publications, visit our Publications page.



Post

The 2020-21 Budget: Overview of Labor and Employment Programs

January 22, 2020 - The 2020-21 Governor’s Budget includes 18 budget proposals related to labor and employment programs. This post provides a high-level overview of these proposals. Our office plans to evaluate several of these proposals more closely in the coming weeks.


Report

The 2020-21 Budget: Overview of the Governor's Budget

January 13, 2020 - This report presents our office’s initial assessment of the Governor’s budget. We estimate the Governor had a $6 billion surplus to allocate to discretionary purposes in 2020-21. The Governor allocates most of the surplus toward one-time purposes, including maintaining a positive year-end balance in the state’s discretionary reserve. Under the administration’s estimates, total reserves would reach $20.5 billion at the end of 2020-21—this represents a $1.7 billion increase from the 2019-20 enacted level. California continues to enjoy a healthy fiscal situation. Despite its positive near-term picture, the budget’s multiyear outlook is subject to considerable uncertainty. In addition to describing the condition of the budget under the Governor’s proposal, this report discusses tools the Legislature can use to mitigate against these heightened risks.

January 20, 2020: Upon further review, one item included in the original version of Appendix Figure 3 on discretionary on health spending should not have been included (specfically, use of the Medi-Cal drug rebate fund to offset General Fund costs). Removing this item—which reduces General Fund spending—from the list of discretionary choices made in the Governor’s budget increases our calculation of the surplus to $6 billion. The document is updated to reflect these changes.

Update 1/24/20: Adjusted Judicial Branch items in Appendix Figure 1 to reflect ongoing spending.


Post

MOU Fiscal Analysis: Bargaining Unit 18 (Psychiatric Technicians)

January 9, 2020 - We reviewed the proposed memorandum of understanding (MOU) for Bargaining Unit 18 (Psychiatric Technicians). This review is pursuant to Section 19829.5 of the Government Code.

Corrected 1/10/2020: Changed Figure 3 and reference to the figure in text.


Post

The 2019-20 Budget: California Spending Plan—Other Provisions

October 17, 2019 - The 2019-20 budget included significant augmentations and statutory changes in various other programs, including to support emergency services, the regulation of cannabis and alcoholic beverages, and construction and maintenance of state infrastructure.


Post

Unit 2 (Attorneys) MOU Analysis

September 12, 2019 - We reviewed the proposed memorandum of understanding (MOU) for Bargaining Unit 2 (Attorneys and Hearing Officers). This review is pursuant to Section 19829.5 of the Government Code.


Post

MOU Fiscal Analysis: Bargaining Units 1, 3, 4, 11, 14, 15, 17, 20, and 21 (SEIU Local 1000)

September 6, 2019 - We reviewed the proposed memorandum of understanding (MOU) for the nine bargaining units represented by Service Employees' International Union, Local 1000. This review is pursuant to Section 19829.5 of the Government Code.


Post

MOU Fiscal Analysis: Bargaining Unit 13 (Stationary Engineers)

August 26, 2019 - We reviewed the proposed memorandum of understanding (MOU) for Bargaining Unit 13 (stationary engineers). Bargaining Unit 13 is represented by the International Union of Operating Engineers (IUOE) Local 39. This review is pursuant to Section 19829.5 of the Government Code.


Post

MOU Fiscal Analysis: Bargaining Unit 5 (Highway Patrol)

August 26, 2019 - We reviewed the proposed memorandum of understanding (MOU) for Bargaining Unit 5 (Highway Patrol). Bargaining Unit 5 is represented by the California Association of Highway Patrolmen (CAHP). This review is pursuant to Section 19829.5 of the Government Code.


Handout

Overview of the California State Lottery

August 21, 2019 - Assembly Budget Subcommittee No. 6 on Budget Process, Oversight, andProgram Evaluation and Assembly Governmental Organization Committee


Handout

DCA: Update on Professional Licensing, Technology, and the Business Modernization Plan

August 14, 2019 - Assembly Accountability and Administrative Review Committee and Assembly Business and Professions Committee


Post

MOU Fiscal Analysis: Bargaining Unit 7 (Protective Services and Public Safety)

August 8, 2019 - We reviewed the proposed memorandum of understanding (MOU) for Bargaining Unit 7 (Protective Services and Public Safety). Bargaining Unit 7 is represented by the California Statewide Law Enforcement Association (CSLEA). This review is pursuant to Section 19829.5 of the Government Code.


Post

MOU Fiscal Analysis: Bargaining Unit 6

June 14, 2019 - We reviewed the proposed memorandum of understanding (MOU) for Bargaining Unit 6 (Corrections). Bargaining Unit 6 is represented by the California Correctional Peace Officers Association (CCPOA). This review is pursuant to Section 19829.5 of the Government Code.


Handout

Housing and Homelessness Overview

June 4, 2019 - Presented to: Budget Conference Committee


Handout

Item 0820-001-0567 Bureau of Gambling Control, Department of Justice

June 4, 2019 - Presented to: Budget Conference Committee


Report

The 2019-20 Budget: May Revision Multiyear Budget Outlook

May 17, 2019 - This report presents our office’s independent assessment of the condition of the state General Fund budget through 2022-23 assuming the economy continues to grow and all of the Governor’s May Revision spending proposals are adopted.