The 2026-27 Budget: Child Care and State Preschool

Mar 19, 2026 - In October 2024, State Preschool enrollment was roughly 40,000 students lower than October 2019 enrollment. Since the pandemic, the state has held providers harmless from enrollment declines. The hold harmless is set to expire June 30, 2026.
https://lao.ca.gov/Publications/Report/5168

The 2026-27 Budget: Proposition 98 Guarantee and K-12 Spending Plan

Feb 4, 2026 - In 2019 ‑20, however, the state adopted a new law prohibiting spending reductions after the fiscal year ends. This law allows the state to reduce spending during its first recalculation of the guarantee, but prevents reductions during the second recalculation at the end of the next fiscal year.
https://lao.ca.gov/Publications/Report/5110