California’s Strong Revenue Trends Mask Looming Budget Risk

Jan 23, 2026 - Throughout the mid-to-late 1990s, the stock market boomed over optimism around the Internet and dot-com start-ups. Strong tax revenue trends from this boom generated large budget surpluses that ultimately gave way to serious deficits once the bubble burst and PIT revenues declined nearly 30  percent.
https://lao.ca.gov/Publications/Report/5104

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

Oversight of certain public benefit artificial intelligence (AI) companies. [Ballot]

Jan 20, 2026 - The measure would have the following major fiscal effects: Increased state costs that would likely be in the tens of millions of dollars annually to establish and operate a new regulatory commission overseeing certain public benefit AI com panies.
https://lao.ca.gov/BallotAnalysis/Initiative/2025-033

The 2026-27 Budget: Judicial Branch

Feb 11, 2026 - This is less than the $106  million the trial courts could have retained under the current 3  percent cap. Background Judicial Branch Has Extensive Facility Needs. The judicial branch currently manages around 430 facilities across all 58 counties.
https://lao.ca.gov/Publications/Report/5113

The 2026-27 Budget: California State University

Feb 24, 2026 - It also would provide CSU with its remaining 3  percent ongoing base increase ($151  million) associated with the 2025 ‑26 compact payment in  2028 ‑29. CSU Anticipates Receiving Additional Tuition Revenue in 2026 ‑27.
https://lao.ca.gov/Publications/Report/5142

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

Mar 18, 2026 - Introduction California operates the nation ’s largest public school system, comprising 937 school districts, 1,257 charter schools, and 58 county offices of education. This year, these local agencies will educate nearly 5.8  million students, employ around 700,000 teachers and staff, and spend nearly $150  billion.
https://lao.ca.gov/Publications/Report/5165

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

Feb 23, 2026 - For example, the California Department of Health Care Access and Information in 2022 estimated that there would be a shortage of psychiatrists and behavioral health providers in all 58 California counties by 2025, with 27 prisons located in counties experiencing high or severe shortages.
https://lao.ca.gov/Publications/Report/5137

The 2026-27 Budget: In-Home Supportive Services

Mar 18, 2026 - These include (1)  a proposal to eliminate the IHSS Permanent Back ‑Up Provider Program (estimated to save $3.5  million in 2026 ‑27 and on ‑going), (2)  a proposal to align IHSS eligibility time lines with Medi ‑Cal (estimated to save $86  million in 2026 ‑27 and on ‑going), and (3)  a proposal to remove the state ’s share of cost associated with any growth in IHSS hours per
https://lao.ca.gov/Publications/Report/5166

The 2026-27 Budget: How to Use One-Time Revenue Improvements

Feb 20, 2026 - For example, we recommend the Legislature: Do Not Suspend the $3  Billion True Up Into the Budget Stabilization Account (BSA). The Governor ’s budget proposes suspending a roughly $3  billion true-up deposit that otherwise would be required in 2025-26.
https://lao.ca.gov/Publications/Report/5133