LAO Contact
Ann Hollingshead

 

Table of Contents

Main Report

Appendix 1: General Fund Discretionary Spending Proposals

Appendix 2: General Fund Spending Solutions

Appendix 3: May Multiyear Revenue Outlook

 

Update (5/21/26): Upon further review and receipt of additional information from the administration, we estimate the amount of discretionary spending in the May Revision is $1.1 billion, rather than $1.3 billion.


May 18, 2026

The 2026-27 Budget

Initial Comments on the Governor's May Revision


Appendix 2:
General Fund Spending Solutions in the 2026-27 May Revision



Appendix 2, Figure 1

General Fund Spending Solutions (Fund Shifts) Proposed in the 2026‑27 May Revision

(In Millions)

Department or Program

Description

2025‑26

2026‑27

CARB

Ongoing shift to special funds

—

$2

CalEPA

Ongoing shift to special funds

—

3

DHCS

Behavioral Health Services Fund offsets

$9

182

DPH

Behavioral Health Services Fund offsets

—

6

DSH

Behavioral Health Services Fund offsets

—

10

DTSC

Ongoing shift to special funds

—

4

HCAI

Behavioral Health Services Fund offsets

—

9

Medi‑Cal

Proposition 35 (2024) support for provider rate increases

—

1,700

Medi‑Cal

Managed care tax for behavioral health

—

122

Totals

$9

$2,038

CARB = California Air Resources Board; CalEPA = California Environmental Protection Agency; DHCS = Department of Health Care Services; DPH = Department of Public Health; DSH = Department of State Hospitals; DTSC = Department of Toxic Substances Control; and HCAI = Department of Health Care Access and Information.

Appendix 2, Figure 2

General Fund Spending Solutions (Reductions) Proposed in the 2026‑27 May Revision

(In Millions)

Department or Program

Description

2025‑26

2026‑27

APS

Reduction of Adult Protective Services Expansion

—

$70

CDTFA

Operational savings

—

10

Child Care

Cost of Living Adjustment percentage reduction

—

48

Child Care

Alternative Payment administration shift into contract

—

5

Child Care

Rescind prospective pay support

$30

—

CSAC

0.5 position swept as authorized under Control Section 4.12

—

—

DOJ

Prior funding for federal‑related litigation made limited term

—

—

HBEX

One‑Dollar Premium Subsidy Program

20

20

HCD

Encampment Resolution funding reversion

1

—

IHSS

Stricter Medi‑Cal asset limit for seniors and disabled adults

—

63

IHSS

Streamlining of IHSS eligibility to align with Medi‑Cal

—

56

IHSS

Elimination of IHSS Permanent Back‑up Provider System

—

3

IHSS

Authorized hours per case cost shifta

—

—

Medi‑Cal

Stricter asset limit for seniors and disabled adults

—

216

Medi‑Cal

Work requirements and 6‑month renewals for adults with UIS

—

60

Medi‑Cal

Restructured Enhanced Care Management benefit

—

41

Medi‑Cal

Opioid Settlement Fund offsets

—

35

Medi‑Cal

Rate reduction for PACE providers

—

34

Medi‑Cal

Restructured Community Supports services

—

27

Medi‑Cal

Medi‑Cal loss ratio remittance redirection

—

25

Medi‑Cal

End of acupuncture benefit

—

5

Medi‑Cal

End of comprehensive coverage for certain groups

—

—

Medi‑Cal

Monthly $50 premium for UIS adults

—

—

State Preschool

Cost of Living Adjustment percentage reduction

—

8

State Preschool

Rescind prospective pay support

—

—

Totals

$51

$727

aAdministration estimates the Governor’s proposal to remove the states share of cost associated with growth in IHSS hours per case to yield a savings of $361 million in 2027‑28, increasing to $415 million in 2029‑30.

Note: The Governor also proposes solutions that yield savings in the out‑years. Notably, the administration proposes reducing Middle Class Scholarship award coverage by half in 2026‑27, for ongoing General Fund savings of $524 million. Given the program is being funded in arrears, this savings would be achieved in 2027‑28.

APS = Adult Protective Services; CDTFA = California Department of Tax and Fee Administration; CSAC = California Student Aid Commission; DOJ = Department of Justice; HBEX = California Health Benefit Exchange; HCD = Department of Housing and Community Development; IHSS = In‑Home Supportive Services; and UIS = unsatisfactory immigration status

Appendix 2, Figure 3

General Fund Spending Solutions (Reversions) Proposed in the 2026‑27 May Revision

(In Millions)

Department or Program

Description

2025‑26

2026‑27

EDD

Reversion of unused EDDNext project funding

$71

—

SSGP

Unspent State Supplemental Grant Program Funds related to Los Angeles Fires

65

—

Totals

$136

—

EDD = Employment Development Department and SSGP = State Supplemental Grant Program.

Appendix 2, Figure 4

Other General Fund Solutions Proposed in the 2026‑27 May Revision

(In Millions)

Solution Type

Description

2025‑26

2026‑27

Revenue Related

Require delivery network companies to register as marketplace facilitators

—

$30

Revenue Related

Permanent business tax credit limit

—

850

Revenue Related

Digital software tax

—

450

Revenue Related

New managed care organization tax

—

575

Borrowing

Proposition 98 settle up

$3,940

—

Reserves

Suspend BSA true up in 2025‑26

5,413

—

Totals

$9,353

$1,905

BSA = Budget Stabilization Account.