The 2026-27 Budget: Governor’s Office of Land Use and Climate Innovation Proposals

Mar 19, 2026 - While we find that the proposals have merit, like all other General Fund augmentations they must be considered in the context of the state ’s projected multiyear structural deficits —which are estimated to range from about $20  billion to $35  billion annually.  
https://lao.ca.gov/Publications/Report/5167

The 2026-27 Budget: Re-Envisioning State Education Governance

Mar 18, 2026 - Recent state governance changes in other program areas have led to additional ongoing costs ranging from the low millions to tens of millions of dollars per year. Some costs were anticipated and approved by the Legislature, but in at least in one case, costs arose unexpectedly after the changes took effect.
https://lao.ca.gov/Publications/Report/5165

The Bay-Delta Plan and Voluntary Agreements: Ensuring Effective Legislative Oversight

Mar 18, 2026 - Balancing the full range of beneficial uses —including drinking water, agriculture, fisheries, navigation, recreation, and environmental needs —requires the careful management of water rights, supply, and quality.
https://lao.ca.gov/Publications/Report/5163

The 2026-27 Budget: Community College Facilities

Mar 17, 2026 - Of the ten new projects included in the Governor ’s budget, five have local contributions of between 25  percent and 35  percent —the low end of the allowable range. This is a departure from previous years, in which most projects have had local contributions covering roughly half of total project costs.
https://lao.ca.gov/Publications/Report/5159

The 2026-27 Budget: Department of Developmental Services

Mar 13, 2026 - There is significant variability in the average annual growth rate by individual service (many individual services are captured in “Other ” in the figure), ranging from a low of 3  percent (employment services) to a high of 52  percent (social recreation).
https://lao.ca.gov/Publications/Report/5157

The 2026-27 Budget: Contract to Achieve Operational Efficiencies

Mar 10, 2026 - In doing so, we recommend that the Legislature weigh all its options ranging from letting the plan proceed as budgeted to rescoping or directing the administration to terminate the contract. If Legislature Moves Forward With the Contract, Require Quarterly Updates.
https://lao.ca.gov/Publications/Report/5156

How Have Past Stock Market Downturns Affected Income Tax Revenue? [EconTax Blog]

Mar 9, 2026 - The four major downturns were more severe, with income tax declines ranging from 17 percent to 30 percent (average of 24 percent). Perhaps more concerning, income tax revenues stayed depressed for years following major downturns.
https://lao.ca.gov/LAOEconTax/Article/Detail/852

How Have Past Stock Market Downturns Affected Income Tax Revenue? [EconTax Blog]

Mar 9, 2026 - The four major downturns were more severe, with income tax declines ranging from 17 percent to 30 percent (average of 24 percent). Perhaps more concerning, income tax revenues stayed depressed for years following major downturns.
https://lao.ca.gov/LAOEconTax/article/Detail/852

The 2026-27 Budget: California Community Colleges

Mar 5, 2026 - This would be a helpful tool for managing volatility, though it would not on its own address the range of declines in the guarantee that could potentially occur. Recommend Using One ‑Time Funds to Build Budget Resiliency.
https://lao.ca.gov/Publications/Report/5150

The 2026-27 Budget: Permitting Support at the State Water Resources Control Board

Mar 2, 2026 - WDRs (state ‑only discharge permit) State and Regional Water Boards For non ‑WOTUS waters of the state, regulates discharges of pollutants, including stormwater. a Construction and industrial stormwater, landfill wastewater, food processing waste, and winery process discharges to non ‑WOTUS waters or groundwater. a NPDES permits apply to point ‑source discharges to WOTUS, whereas state ‑only
https://lao.ca.gov/Publications/Report/5144