The 2026-27 Budget: Cap-and-Invest Expenditure Plan

Feb 10, 2026 - Very High Bar for Approving New Proposals Under Current Budget Conditions. We also believe the Legislature should apply a very high bar to its review of new spending proposals, whether from the General Fund or GGRF.
https://lao.ca.gov/Publications/Report/5114

The 2026-27 Budget: Framework for Approaching the Natural Resources, Environmental Protection, and Agriculture Budget

Feb 10, 2026 - The budget proposes $70  million in both 2026 ‑27 and 2027 ‑28 —$20  million from the Lead ‑Acid Battery Cleanup Fund and $50  million from the General Fund as a loan to the Toxic Substances Control Account (TSCA) —to support DTSC in cleaning up additional residential properties impacted by lead ‑contaminated soil linked to the former Exide facility in the City of Vernon.
https://lao.ca.gov/Publications/Report/5116

The 2026-27 Budget: Proposed Zero-Emission Vehicle Incentive

Feb 24, 2026 - Assessment Proposals Funded by GGRF and APCF Should Meet High Bar for Approval. In light of the state ’s budget condition —and as we discuss in greater detail in our recent publication, The 2026‑27 Budget: Framework for Approaching the Natural Resources, Environmental Protection, and Agriculture Budget —we recommend the Legislature apply a high bar to its review
https://lao.ca.gov/Publications/Report/5140

The 2025-26 Budget: Natural Resources and Agriculture Discretionary Spending Proposals

Feb 18, 2025 - Given  this context, we recommend the Legislature apply a higher bar to its review of new spending proposals than it might in a year in which the General Fund has more capacity to support new commitments.
https://lao.ca.gov/Publications/Report/4967

The 2024-25 Budget: Flood Management Proposals

Feb 26, 2024 - Given the serious budget challenges this year, we suggest the Legislature apply a high bar to its review of new spending proposals and be very selective in approving any of them. Early Action Repairs Meet That Higher Bar.
https://lao.ca.gov/Publications/Report/4856

The 2023-24 Budget: Department of Water Resources

Mar 2, 2023 - Flood and Levee Proposals Might Meet That Higher Bar. In our view, several reasons make the case for the Governor’s flood‑related proposals potentially meeting this high threshold for justifying new spending.
https://lao.ca.gov/Publications/Report/4725

The 2026-27 Budget: California Public Utilities Commission’s Implementation of AB 1207

Feb 10, 2026 - In light of the state ’s budget condition —and as we discuss in greater detail in our recent publication, The 2026-27 Budget: Framework for Approaching the Natural Resources, Environmental Protection, and Agriculture Budget —we recommend the Legislature apply a very high bar to its review of new proposals.
https://lao.ca.gov/Publications/Report/5120

The 2023-24 Budget: California Volunteers Proposed Program Expansions

Mar 1, 2023 - In our view, given this program has only just begun on a limited ‑term basis and its effectiveness and outcomes are therefore still uncertain, this proposal does not meet that higher  bar. Proposed Reversion of Summer 2023 Funding Reasonable Given Budget Shortfall.
https://lao.ca.gov/Publications/Report/4723

The 2023-24 Budget: California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection’s Major Capital Outlay Proposals

Feb 21, 2023 - Higher Bar for Approving New Proposals Given General Fund Condition. These proposals would commit the state to significant discretionary General Fund expenditures in not only the budget year but also in the out ‑years.
https://lao.ca.gov/Publications/Report/4693

The 2022-23 Budget: Fuel Price and Other Fiscal Relief Options

May 12, 2022 - Providing tax refunds to vehicle owners would be less directly linked to fuel consumption, but would provide some related relief given that these individuals likely drive to some degree. Providing rebates to zero ‑emission vehicle owners (as included in the Governor ’s proposal), however, would not have any link to gas price  burden.
https://lao.ca.gov/Publications/Report/4597