To browse all LAO publications, visit our Publications page.
January 13, 2025 - Update (1/16/25): A set of tables detailing various solutions and proposals has been appended to the online version of this report. They are available using the HTML link above.
On January 10, 2025, Governor Newsom’s administration presented its proposed state budget to the California Legislature. In this report, we provide a brief summary of the Governor’s budget based on our initial review as of January 12. In the coming weeks, we will analyze the plan in more detail and release many additional issue-specific budget analyses. For those additional analyses, please see our budget page.
December 10, 2024 - This report examines recent trends in age 15 to 44 mortality and breaks out this growth by underlying causes of death. It also takes a closer look at some of the major causes of death and notes some key issues for legislative consideration.
December 2, 2024 - CalFacts presents a wide range of facts and trends about the state's economy, finances, and programs.
October 16, 2024 - This post summarizes the state’s 2024-25 spending package for housing and homelessness.
October 2, 2024 - The 2024-25 spending plan provides around $31 billion from the General Fund for human services programs across 11 state departments, councils, and commissions. This represents a net increase of nearly $1.8 billion, or 6 percent, compared to the revised prior-year spending level.
May 29, 2024 - Provides initial high-level takeaways and comments regarding May Revision proposals for the California Work Opportunity and Responsibility to Kids (CalWORKs) program. Includes comments on the overall CalWORKs budget with a focus on new proposals at the time of the administration’s May Revision.
May 24, 2024 - This post provides initial high-level takeaways and comments regarding May Revision proposals for child welfare programs. Includes comments on the overall child welfare budget—focusing on new proposals at the time of the administration’s May Revision—as well as comments and questions related to the updated proposal for statutorily required permanent foster care rates.
May 23, 2024 - This post assesses and makes recommendations regarding the Governor’s 2024-25 May Revision proposals related to broadband infrastructure.
April 24, 2024 - This report examines disproportionalities and disparities across California’s child welfare system in terms of income and race/ethnicity. The report provides background on the child welfare system, describes child welfare system disproportionalities and disparities, and lays out potential drivers of these inequities. Additionally, the report identifies a number of decision-making and policy areas that can help address disproportionalities and disparities, and provides options for the Legislature to consider.
April 3, 2024 - Presented to: Assembly Budget Subcommittee No. 2 on Human Services
March 15, 2024 - In this post, we provide an overview of the Governor's 2024-25 budget proposals for certain immigration and equity programs at the Department of Social Services.
March 5, 2024 - In this post, we provide background on the California Work Opportunity and Responsibility to Kids (CalWORKs) program, information on the upcoming federal changes and how they are likely to impact the CalWORKs program, and comments and questions for the Legislature to consider as it determines if and how to respond to the federal changes.
March 4, 2024 - In this brief, we provide background on the CalWORKs program followed by an overview and assessment of the Governor’s California Work Opportunity and Responsibility to Kids (CalWORKs) budget proposals, which include a number of budget solutions. In addition, the brief provides issues for consideration to help the Legislature evaluate the administration’s proposals in the current year, budget year, and beyond.
February 29, 2024 - In this post, we provide some background on the In-Home Supportive Services (IHSS) program, an overview of the Governor's 2024-25 budget proposals and assumptions for IHSS, and offer relevant issues for legislative consideration.