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March 3, 2026 - For 2026-27, the Governor’s budget proposes $3.6 billion from the General Fund for the state’s share of SSI/SSP—an increase of $94 million (2.7 percent) from the Governor’s revised 2025-26 budget estimate. This increase would bring total program funding to $11.5 billion ($3.6 billion from the General Fund and $7.9 billion federal funds) in 2026-27. We note that while the year-over-year change in General Fund costs for the program is relatively flat, it is increasing slightly despite the fact that caseload is expected to decline and the average state cost for grants is remaining flat. We have been informed by the administration that this is due to a technical adjustment to the current year and we discuss this at a high level in this post.
March 3, 2026 - California’s children and family programs include an array of services to protect children from abuse and neglect and to keep families safely together when possible. This analysis outlines the Governor’s proposed 2026-27 budget for child welfare and foster care programs under the Department of Social Services (DSS), and raises questions and issues for the Legislature to consider.
March 2, 2026 - In this report, we analyze the Governor’s budget for Medi-Cal, with a focus on base spending trends, changes to provider taxes, implementation of new H.R. 1 rules, oversight over enacted budget solutions, and considerations for identifying additional savings in Medi-Cal.
February 23, 2026 - Assembly Budget Subcommittee #1 on Health
February 23, 2026 - Assembly Budget Subcommittee #1 on Health
February 18, 2026 - In this post, we assess the Governor's proposed budget for food assistance programs, including CalFresh.
February 18, 2026 - Assembly Budget Subcommittee No. 7 on Accountability and Oversight
February 18, 2026 - In this post, we provide an assessment of the Governor's proposed CalWORKs budget for 2026-27.
February 11, 2026 - Presented to: Senate Committee on Budget and Fiscal Review
January 28, 2026 - This report discusses ongoing implementation of California’s Family First Prevention Services program since 2021-22. The report provides background regarding California’s child welfare system and how it is funded, describes the Department of Social Services’ progress in developing and overseeing the state’s new child welfare prevention services program, describes counties’ plans for implementing child welfare prevention services at the local level—as well as some challenges they have faced—and provides some considerations and options for the Legislature moving forward.
November 21, 2025 - The 2025-26 spending plan provides around $38 billion from the General Fund for human services programs across ten state departments, councils, and commissions.
November 13, 2025 - Presented to: Senate Committee on Human Services
October 24, 2025 - We describe the changing fiscal and policy landscape for Medi-Cal resulting from Congressional enactment of H.R. 1 and the key issues facing the Legislature.