Building Reserves to Prepare for a Recession

Mar 7, 2018 - Introduction In his 2018 ‑ 19 b udget plan, the Governor proposes a total reserve balance of nearly $ 16  b illion, including a discretionary deposit of $3. 5  b illion into the state ’s rainy day fund.
https://lao.ca.gov/Publications/Report/3769

California’s Strong Revenue Trends Mask Looming Budget Risk

Jan 23, 2026 - The current discrepancy over the size of the state ’s budget deficit —$18  billion under the Legislative Analyst ’s Office estimate versus $3  billion in the Governor ’s budget —fits squarely within that pattern.
https://lao.ca.gov/Publications/Report/5104

Evolution of the Balance of the Budget Stabilization Account

Nov 14, 2018 - Proposition  58 required BSA deposits to increase from 1  percent of General Fund revenues in 2006 ‑07 to 3  percent in 2008 ‑09 and every year thereafter. Proposition  58 Required Deposits Until BSA Reached Certain Size.
https://lao.ca.gov/Publications/Report/3900

The 2026-27 Budget: California's Fiscal Outlook

Nov 19, 2025 - This is about $5  billion larger than the budget problem anticipated by the administration in June. Figure  3 provides our estimates of the General Fund condition, including our estimate of the budget problem.
https://lao.ca.gov/Publications/Report/5091

The 2024-25 Budget: Overview of the Governor's Budget

Jan 13, 2024 - Specifically, we suggest the Legislature: (1) plan for lower revenues, (2) maintain a similar reserve withdrawal, (3) develop a plan for school and community college funding, (4) maximize reductions in one ‑time spending, and (5) apply a higher bar for any discretionary proposals and contain ongoing service level.
https://lao.ca.gov/Publications/Report/4825

The 2024-25 Budget: Deficit Update

Feb 20, 2024 - The 2024-25 Budget: Deficit Update Deficit Update Under LAO Revenue Update, Budget Problem Grows by $15  Billion The state already faces a significant deficit this year — we estimate it totaled $58 billion under the administration’s revenue forecast at the time the Governor’s budget was proposed in January.
https://lao.ca.gov/Publications/Report/4850

Whether or Not to Tap Reserves to Solve Estimated Budget Problem Emerges as Key Fiscal Decision Facing California’s Legislature

Apr 19, 2023 - Other downturns, such as the 2001 so-called dot-com recession, had severe fiscal implications while inflicting somewhat milder economic damage. The 2008 Great Recession had brutal effects on both the state ’s economy and budget.
https://lao.ca.gov/Publications/Report/4762

The 2023-24 Budget: Overview of the Spending Plan (Final Version)

Oct 16, 2023 - Appendix 4, Figure 5 Remaining Large One ‑Time and Temporary Augmentations From the 2021 ‑22 and 2022 ‑23 Budget Packages: Other General Fund (In millions) Broadband infrastructure —last ‑mile projects $253 Broadband infrastructure —Broadband Loan Loss Reserve Fund 175 Establish new office of public outreach 65 Note: Includes augmentations above $50 million CPUC = California Public Utilities Commission and OPR = Office of Planning and Research.
https://lao.ca.gov/Publications/Report/4788/4

Rethinking California's Reserve Policy

Apr 10, 2025 - In March of 2004, on the heels of the dot ‑com bust, voters passed Proposition  58, which created the Budget Stabilization Account (BSA). In the 2006 ‑07 budget, the Legislature deposited $472  million into the BSA and in 2007 ‑08 deposited $1.5  billion.
https://lao.ca.gov/Publications/Report/5028

The 2018-19 Budget: California Spending Plan (Final Version)

Oct 2, 2018 - The budget provides a $ 58  m illion increase from the State Highway Account (SHA) to address what Caltrans characterizes as insufficient funding for its existing positions. The augmentation is spread across Caltrans ’ programs based on their historical compensation expenditures and position history, with most of the increase going to highway maintenance ($20. 5  m illion) and administration ($16. 1  m illion).
https://lao.ca.gov/Publications/Report/3870/10