The 2026-27 Budget: California Competes Extension

Mar 18, 2026 - …But Also Indicates a Possible Trade-Off. However, there is a potential trade-off when considering awarding a credit to an applicant with a higher potential benefit to the state but a lower probability of achieving their milestones, compared to an applicant with a lower benefit but who is more likely to achieve their milestones.
https://lao.ca.gov/Publications/Report/5162

The 2026-27 Budget: CDTFA’s Cannabis and Tobacco Programs

Feb 23, 2026 - As the Legislature weighs these trade ‑offs, it also must consider a related question: which taxes and fees should support each program? We turn to this in the next section. How Should the State Pay for These Programs?
https://lao.ca.gov/Publications/Report/5132

The 2026-27 Budget: State Mandate—Disclosure Requirements and Deferral of Property Taxation

Feb 19, 2026 - Under this proposal, Los Angeles County would not receive reimbursement for the required activities unless the mandate was funded (taken off suspension) in a future budget. LAO Comments Repeal Ongoing Aspect of Mandate by Eliminating Printing Requirement … We recommend the Legislature remove the disclosure requirement in Chapter  712, which would have the effect of repealing the mandate (and mandate costs) going forward.
https://lao.ca.gov/Publications/Report/5130

Updating the California Necessities Index

Aug 14, 2025 - Fidelity to Original Concept Each Option Presents Trade ‑Offs. None of the options perfectly align with the concept of the original CNI: to measure changes in the prices of select categories of essential goods and services in California.
https://lao.ca.gov/Publications/Report/5065

The 2022-23 Budget: Fuel Price and Other Fiscal Relief Options

May 12, 2022 - What Are the Key Fiscal and Policy Trade ‑Offs? In prioritizing relief, the Legislature will also need to balance this against its other budget and policy aims. Many relief options come with associated fiscal trade ‑offs.
https://lao.ca.gov/Publications/Report/4597

Fixing Unemployment Insurance

Dec 2, 2024 - This is because the surcharge turns off once the loan balance reaches zero. Absent the federal surcharge, little or no reserves would be on hand at the start of the next recession, further increasing the state ’s reliance on costly federal  loans.
https://lao.ca.gov/Publications/Report/4943

Evaluating State Economic Stimulus Proposals

Feb 1, 2021 - Federally funded fiscal stimulus allows the state to increase economic activity while making fewer trade ‑offs among other spending priorities. As a general guideline, the Legislature should maximize the use of federal funds.
https://lao.ca.gov/Publications/Report/4331

California’s High Housing Costs: Causes and Consequences [Publication Details]

Mar 17, 2015 - Unfortunately, housing in California is extremely expensive and, as a result, many households are forced to make serious trade-offs in order to live here. While many factors have a role in driving California's high housing costs, the most important is the significant shortage of housing in the state's highly coveted coastal communities.
https://lao.ca.gov/Publications/Detail/3214

The Property Tax Inheritance Exclusion

Oct 9, 2017 - Beyond income, several nationwide studies have found that children of homeowners tend to be better off as adults in various categories including educational attainment and homeownership. Many Inherited Properties Have Low Ownership Costs.
https://lao.ca.gov/Publications/Report/3706

The 2017-18 Budget: California Competes Tax Credit

Feb 27, 2017 - H owever, the number of businesses claiming California Competes tax credits will steadily rise over the coming years —to as many as 1,000 —before tapering off as existing tax credit agreements end and no additional agreements, under current law, are signed.
https://lao.ca.gov/Publications/Report/3586