The 2026-27 Budget [Publication Details]

Jan 1, 2026 - As we release publications aimed at addressing the 2026-27 budget situation, we will add them to this index page.
https://lao.ca.gov/Publications/Detail/5107

The 2016-17 Budget: California Spending Plan

Oct 5, 2016 - You can think of it as being similar to a general purpose checking account that a household uses to pay its bills. This year 's budget allocated $122.5  billion in General Fund spending. Special funds, on the other hand, are state accounts dedicated for specific purposes.
https://lao.ca.gov/Publications/Report/3487/12

The 2025-26 Budget: Undertaking Fiscal Oversight

Feb 24, 2025 - The Legislature can first assess whether the problem addressed by the program is well defined. For example, is the program aimed at a well-understood gap or market failure? Does the problem still exist in the way it did when the program was created?
https://lao.ca.gov/Publications/Report/4983

The 2026-27 Budget: California's Fiscal Outlook

Nov 19, 2025 - Instead, our forecast includes income tax collections that are somewhat weaker than suggested by cash trends, but still tens of billions of dollars above where they would be if stocks actually drop significantly.
https://lao.ca.gov/Publications/Report/5091

The 2017-18 Budget: California Spending Plan

Oct 18, 2017 - You can think of it like a checking account that a household uses to pay its bills. This year's budget package allocated $125 billion in General Fund spending. Special funds , on the other hand, are state accounts dedicated for specific purposes.
https://lao.ca.gov/Publications/Report/3694/13

California’s Strong Revenue Trends Mask Looming Budget Risk

Jan 23, 2026 - California’s Strong Revenue Trends Mask Looming Budget Risk January 23, 2026 Tweet Gabriel PetekLegislative Analyst History suggests that fiscal risks can build during times when they are easiest to ignore.
https://lao.ca.gov/Publications/Report/5104

With New Deficits Looming, California Will Weigh its Options for Allocating a Large Revenue Windfall

Dec 1, 2020 - Prudently managed, this fiscal cushion can buy time for the Legislature to phase-in policy changes while simultaneously allowing it to protect legislative priorities. Subscribe | California State Legislature | Online Voter Registration | Privacy Policy | Accessibility Legislative Analyst's Office | The California Legislature's Nonpartisan Fiscal and Policy Advisor 925 L Street, Suite 1000 Sacramento, CA 95814 | (916) 445-4656
https://lao.ca.gov/Publications/Report/4305

The 2016-17 Budget: The Governor’s Proposition 2 Debt Proposal

Feb 24, 2016 - Compared to the Governor’s multiyear Proposition  2 debt plan, our alternative could save billions of dollars more over the long term while still maintaining some benefit for the groups mentioned above.
https://lao.ca.gov/Publications/Report/3363

The 2023-24 Budget: Considering Inflation's Effects on State Programs

Nov 16, 2022 - Real Value The real value of a dollar refers to the amount of goods and services that dollar can buy. Over  time, the real value of a dollar decreases due to inflation. For example, suppose the state spends $100,000 to provide services to ten people.
https://lao.ca.gov/Publications/Report/4647

The 2023-24 Budget: Multiyear Assessment

Feb 15, 2023 - That  said, after adjusting for inflation, anticipated revenues for 2023 ‑24 still would remain about 20  percent higher than before the pandemic. Governor ’s Budget Likely Unaffordable in Future Years.
https://lao.ca.gov/Publications/Report/4687