July 13, 2023 - In this post, we analyze how county spending may change under the Governor’s proposed changes to the Mental Health Services Act’s funding categories.
July 13, 2023 - In this post, we evaluate the changes in the Mental Health Services Oversight and Accountability Commission’s role and responsibilities under the Governor’s proposal.
August 16, 2023 - Presented to: Senate Committee on Health
August 22, 2023 - Presented to: Assembly Committee on Health and Assembly Committee on Housing and Community Development
August 10, 2023 - In this post, we evaluate the impact of the Governor’s Behavioral Health Modernization proposal on Mental Health Services Act spending by counties on children and youth mental health services.
October 15, 2020 - From the General Fund, the 2020-21 spending plan provides $26.7 billion for health programs—an increase of 3 percent over estimated 2019-20 General Fund spending for these programs. The year-over-year net increase in General Fund spending is largely due to the projected COVID-19-related increase in the Medi-Cal caseload. The post describes major health-related actions (both policy actions and various budget adjustments) adopted by the Legislature as part of its 2020-21 spending plan. These actions include the offsetting of what would otherwise be General Fund costs with (1) revenues from the federally approved reauthorized tax on managed care organizations and (2) federal Medicaid funds that are being provided to the state at an enhanced level during the term of the public health emergency.
August 21, 2023 - In this post, we update key issues raised in our prior analyses based on the August 15th amendments to the Governor’s Behavioral Health Modernization proposal.
March 7, 2018 - Reserves are of critical importance to the health of the state's budget. These funds help cushion the impact of a budget problem that emerges during a recession. In this report, our office provides an overview of revenue losses that have occurred in past recessions to consider the magnitude of a budget problem that could emerge in the future. Then, we describe the Governor's reserve proposal for 2018-19 and compare this level to past reserves and other states. Next, to aid the Legislature as it evaluates the Governor’s proposal, we present a framework that the Legislature can use to plan for a recession and determine a target level of reserves. Finally, we conclude with our office’s comments on the Governor’s proposed level of reserves in light of this framework and present some alternatives for legislative consideration.
January 13, 2014 - On January 9, the Governor presented a budget package with a proposed $2.3 billion reserve at the end of 2014-15. The Governor's budget seeks to address some of California's biggest budget issues. The Governor's emphasis on debt repayment is prudent, and his proposal for a new rainy-day fund requirement underscores the importance of regular state contributions to a larger budget reserve. Overall, the Governor's budget plan would place the state on an even stronger fiscal footing.
August 21, 2019 - Assembly Committee on Accountability and Administrative Review and Assembly Committee on Health