Updating the California Necessities Index

Aug 14, 2025 - Finally, option D, which does not use data on specific categories of goods, is likely the most immune from future publication changes. Option C faces the most risk because it relies not just on statistics for specific categories but also on a national estimate for a category for which the BLS has signaled difficulty obtaining reliable data; however, we believe that this risk is not significantly higher than for options A and B.
https://lao.ca.gov/Publications/Report/5065

Updating the California Necessities Index [Publication Details]

Aug 14, 2025 - Recent changes were made to the publication of statistics required to calculate the California Necessities Index, which is used to adjust certain benefit rates and cost-of-living adjustments. In this brief, we provide details on the changes and evaluate alternatives for the index that require only currently available data and conform to the original intent of the index.
https://lao.ca.gov/Publications/Detail/5065

Overview of Diversity Efforts in the Film Tax Credit Program

May 1, 2025 - An observed increase in labor force diversity among productions receiving tax credits could come from two different channels. It could be that DEIA requirements are having an actual effect on representation.
https://lao.ca.gov/Publications/Report/5036

The 2022-23 Budget: Supply Chain and Port Infrastructure Proposals

Feb 15, 2022 - New vs. Existing Programs. Funding is currently proposed to be allocated through a new program under CalSTA. However, other existing programs—like the Trade Corridor Enhancement Program, which is administered by California Transportation Commission and funds similar goods movement infrastructure projects—could be used to allocate the proposed funding.
https://lao.ca.gov/Publications/Report/4540

California’s Low-Wage Workers and Minimum Wage

Mar 11, 2024 - Single parents with one, two, or three children live in one-bedroom, two-bedroom, or three-bedroom apartments, respectively. An adult couple without children live in a studio/efficiency. An adult couple with one or two children live in a two-bedroom apartment.
https://lao.ca.gov/Publications/Report/4878/4

Evaluation of a Sales Tax Exemption for Certain Manufacturers

Dec 11, 2018 - Statute directs CAEATFA to make an up ‑or ‑down decision on each application based on various criteria, including the “benefit to the state, ” which the authority has interpreted primarily in fiscal terms.
https://lao.ca.gov/Publications/Report/3907

The 2018-19 Budget: California Earned Income Tax Credit Education and Outreach

May 8, 2018 - FTB also engages in ongoing efforts to educate tax preparers about t he state EITC and, like other organizations, FTB conducts publicity across media channels to raise awareness about the state EITC and free tax preparation services.
https://lao.ca.gov/Publications/Report/3826

Evaluation of a Tax Exemption for Zero-Emission Buses

Apr 15, 2024 - Innovative Clean Transit (ICT) Regulation Conventional Buses vs. ZEBs. The ZEB exemption, the ICT regulation, and various other policies make a distinction between conventional buses and ZEBs. Conventional buses burn diesel, compressed natural gas, or other fuels that emit greenhouse gases (GHGs) and other air pollutants.
https://lao.ca.gov/Publications/Report/4890

The 2019-20 May Revision: Opportunity Zones

May 11, 2019 - To do so, we first matched each zip code that received investment with another zip code in California that (1)  was eligible but did not receive New Market Tax Credit investments and (2)  had residents with similar incomes.
https://lao.ca.gov/Publications/Report/4038

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

Feb 23, 2026 - Under the Governor ’s budget proposal for the Cannabis Tax Program, this appropriation would increase to match current program spending. Administration Has Been Spending General Fund on Cannabis Tax Enforcement.
https://lao.ca.gov/Publications/Report/5132