The 2024-25 Budget: Proposition 2 Debt Payment Proposals

Mar 20, 2024 - Accordingly, the state annually makes supplemental pension payments from the General Fund towards the state ’s pension unfunded liabilities. Proposition 2 Proposition   2 Contains Annual Debt Payment Requirement.
https://lao.ca.gov/Publications/Report/4887

The 2026-27 Budget: Overview of the Governor's Budget [Publication Details]

Jan 12, 2026 - On January 9, 2026, Governor Newsom’s administration presented its proposed state budget to the California Legislature. In this report, we provide a high-level summary and our initial analysis of the Governor’s budget based on our preliminary review (as of January 10). Assembly Budget Handout (PDF) Senate Budget and Fiscal Review Handout (PDF)
https://lao.ca.gov/Publications/Detail/5101

The 2026-27 Budget: Overview of the Governor's Budget

Jan 12, 2026 - On a technical basis, it can be thought of as the end balance of the state ’s General Fund —the money that remains after accounting for all of the state ’s expected revenues and spending. The State Constitution has a balanced budget requirement, which means the balance of the SFEU must be set above zero for the upcoming fiscal year.
https://lao.ca.gov/Publications/Report/5101

The 2026-27 Budget: California's Fiscal Outlook [Publication Details]

Nov 19, 2025 - Each year, our office publishes the Fiscal Outlook in anticipation of the upcoming budget season. This report gives the Legislature our independent estimates and analysis of the state’s General Fund budget condition with the goal of helping lawmakers prepare for the 2026-27 budget process.
https://lao.ca.gov/Publications/Detail/5091

The 2026-27 Budget: California's Fiscal Outlook

Nov 19, 2025 - Second, while our revenue estimates hedge against a market downturn, they do not reflect the revenue declines the state would experience in a recession. Third, the state has used most of its budget resiliency tools to address prior deficits.
https://lao.ca.gov/Publications/Report/5091

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

Jan 13, 2024 - For example, major categories of cost shifts in the Governor’s budget include proposals to: defer one month of state employee payroll from June to July, which results in $1.6 billion in one‑time savings; redirect a $1.3 billion supplemental pension payment made under the requirements of Proposition 2 for actuarially required contributions to the California Public Employee Retirement System, and $1.2 billion in special fund loans.
https://lao.ca.gov/Publications/Report/4825

Rethinking California's Reserve Policy

Apr 10, 2025 - We Use Simulation ‑Based Tools Similar to Those Used to Analyze Pensions and Insurance. The state ’s reserve policy should hold up not just for a few years or even a couple of decades, but over many economic cycles.
https://lao.ca.gov/Publications/Report/5028

The 2022-23 Budget: Overview of the Spending Plan

Oct 12, 2022 - (We treat funding increases for core operations, including pensions and other employee benefits, as maintaining current service levels rather than discretionary spending.) Additional Funding Increases for Undergraduate Enrollment Growth.  
https://lao.ca.gov/Publications/Report/4616

The 2025-26 Budget: Initial Comments on the Governor's May Revision

May 17, 2025 - On May 14, 2025, Governor Newsom presented a revised state budget proposal to the Legislature. This annual proposed revised budget is referred to as the May Revision. In this brief, we provide a summary of and comments on the Governor’s revised budget, focusing on Governor’s proposals for and the overall condition of the state General Fund—the budget’s main operating account.
https://lao.ca.gov/Publications/Report/5044/1

The 2025-26 Budget: Initial Comments on the Governor's May Revision

May 17, 2025 - On May 14, 2025, Governor Newsom presented a revised state budget proposal to the Legislature. This annual proposed revised budget is referred to as the May Revision. In this brief, we provide a summary of and comments on the Governor’s revised budget, focusing on Governor’s proposals for and the overall condition of the state General Fund—the budget’s main operating account.
https://lao.ca.gov/Publications/Report/5044/2