Building Reserves to Prepare for a Recession

Mar 7, 2018 - Budget Stabilization Account Proposition   58 Governed BSA From 2004 t o 2014. Until 2014, the BSA was governed by Proposition  58. Passed by voters in 2004, Proposition   58 r equired the state to make an annual transfer into the BSA.
https://lao.ca.gov/Publications/Report/3769

California’s Strong Revenue Trends Mask Looming Budget Risk

Jan 23, 2026 - After the dot-com bust and the Great Recession, it took four and five years, respectively, for revenues to recover. Incorporating revenue risk into the budget now, therefore, reflects prudence, not pessimism.
https://lao.ca.gov/Publications/Report/5104

Evolution of the Balance of the Budget Stabilization Account

Nov 14, 2018 - Under Proposition  58, deposits into the BSA were no longer required if the fund reached $8  billion or 5  percent of General Fund revenues, whichever was larger. Proposition  58 explicitly permitted the Legislature to transfer amounts into the BSA so that its balance exceeded either of these thresholds.
https://lao.ca.gov/Publications/Report/3900

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

Jan 13, 2024 - About $8  billion of the Governor ’s spending ‑related solutions are delays. As a result, proposed spending is higher by $5  billion in 2025 ‑26, nearly $2  billion in 2026 ‑27, and roughly $1  billion in 2027 ‑28.
https://lao.ca.gov/Publications/Report/4825

The 2026-27 Budget: California's Fiscal Outlook

Nov 19, 2025 - However, our Fiscal Outlook revenue forecast, shown in Figure  2 , reflects a smaller, temporary upgrade which reverses beginning in 2026 ‑ 27 —resulting in 2026 ‑27 revenues being in line with budget act estimates.
https://lao.ca.gov/Publications/Report/5091

The 2024-25 Budget: Deficit Update

Feb 20, 2024 - (Due to specific circumstances this year, changes in revenues are unlikely to have a significant effect on the state’s other major formula-driven spending requirements, specifically related to Proposition 2.)
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

Long-term Capacity for Debt Payments Under Proposition 2

Dec 21, 2017 - Provisions of Proposition  2 Key Provisions of Proposition  2. Proposition  2 requires the state to make: (1) minimum annual payments toward certain eligible debts (until 2029 ‑30) and (2) deposits into the state ’s rainy day fund.
https://lao.ca.gov/Publications/Report/3727

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 2024-25 Budget: Proposition 2 Debt Payment Proposals

Mar 20, 2024 - Proposition 2 Proposition   2 Contains Annual Debt Payment Requirement. Proposition  2 created new rules regarding: (1)  deposits into the state ’s rainy ‑day fund and (2)  accelerating payments toward certain eligible debts.
https://lao.ca.gov/Publications/Report/4887