The 2021-22 Budget: Trial Court Operations Proposals

Feb 11, 2021 - In order to prevent a reduction in self ‑help services pending the completion of the above cost ‑benefit analysis and help maintain the equity ‑related benefits of the previously provided funding, we recommend the Legislature approve the Governor ’s proposed funding for self ‑help centers, but only on a two ‑year, limited ‑term basis.
https://lao.ca.gov/Publications/Report/4362

The 2024-25 Budget: Judicial Branch

Feb 23, 2024 - Absent a continuation of this funding, self-help center service levels would decrease. Proposed Self-Help Funding Would Help Promote Equity. Additionally, funding for self-help centers helps promote equity.
https://lao.ca.gov/Publications/Report/4848

Addressing Chronic Vacancies in Prison Mental Health Care

Feb 23, 2026 - Placement of Mental Health Patients in Easier ‑to ‑Staff Prisons Could Help Reduce Vacancies. If CDCR moves patients from hard ‑to ‑staff prisons to easier ‑to ‑staff prisons, it would help address the vacancy problem in two ways.
https://lao.ca.gov/Publications/Report/5134

The 2026-27 Budget: California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation

Feb 23, 2026 - Taken together, these steps will help the state better recruit and retain mental health staff, reduce the state ’s reliance on expensive contracted staff, meet its constitutional requirements, lead to more effective care, and help return the mental health system to state control.
https://lao.ca.gov/Publications/Report/5137

The 2026-27 Budget: Department of Justice

Feb 11, 2026 - In developing this framework, DOJ can evaluate its entire workload, the potential impact of FITSM and other actions that can help improve efficiency, and existing federal and state statu te and case law.
https://lao.ca.gov/Publications/Report/5118

The 2026-27 Budget: Judicial Branch

Feb 11, 2026 - These transfers were originally made to help address the fiscal difficulties then facing the state. This led to the fund becoming insolvent and required various actions be taken —most notably the cancelation and suspension of projects supported by the construction account.
https://lao.ca.gov/Publications/Report/5113

The 2025-26 California Spending Plan: Judiciary and Criminal Justice

Oct 24, 2025 - To help address the state ’s budget problem, the administration withdrew a January proposal in the Governor ’s budget for $3  million one-time General Fund to start the new San Joaquin Tracy capital outlay project.
https://lao.ca.gov/Publications/Report/5085

Retail Theft in California: Looking Back at a Decade of Change

Jun 12, 2025 - This, in turn, could help deter people from engaging in retail theft if it causes them to perceive a higher likelihood of apprehension. Legislature Can Ask Several Key Questions to Conduct Oversight of Recent Law Changes.
https://lao.ca.gov/Publications/Report/5055

The 2025-26 Budget: Judicial Branch

Feb 12, 2025 - On the one hand, the increased trial court funding would likely help improve court service levels, which is a notable benefit. On the other hand, the multiyear deficits facing the state in the coming years leave no capacity for new ongoing commitments.
https://lao.ca.gov/Publications/Report/4959

The 2023-24 Budget: May Revision Proposals Related to the California Model and San Quentin State Prison

May 19, 2023 - Setting clear objectives —before initiating major changes —would help ensure that model development is focused on achieving the state ’s highest-priority goals. In contrast, by taking significant steps to initiate changes before defining clear objectives for the model, the Governor ’s proposal risks making changes that ultimately do not help develop the model or achieve its goals.
https://lao.ca.gov/Publications/Report/4771