The 2026-27 Budget: California Education Learning Lab

Mar 25, 2026 - Recommendation Recommend Rejecting Governor ’s Proposal. We recommend rejecting the Governor ’s proposal to retain Learning Lab. Though we recognize the benefits Learning Lab provides to some faculty and students, its grant-funded projects are challenging to scale and duplicate professional development opportunities at UC, CSU, and CCC.
https://lao.ca.gov/Publications/Report/5171

The 2026-27 Budget: Bureau for Private Postsecondary Education

Mar 25, 2026 - We then describe the Governor ’s proposal to provide $10  million one-time General Fund for BPPE in 2025-26, assess that proposal, and make an associated recommendation. Background BPPE Regulates Private Postsecondary Institutions.
https://lao.ca.gov/Publications/Report/5169

The 2026-27 Budget: Higher Education Overview

Feb 5, 2026 - Enrollment Growth Recommend Supporting Some Enrollment Growth. We recommend the Legislature fund some enrollment growth at each segment in 2026 ‑27. All segments report being over their targets in 2025 ‑26, and CSU and UC are on track to grow further in 2026 ‑27.
https://lao.ca.gov/Publications/Report/5112

The 2026-27 Budget: California Community Colleges

Mar 5, 2026 - Recommendation Prioritize Apportionments Proposals Within Available Funds. We recommend the Legislature treat covering current ‑year apportionments costs and providing an apportionments COLA as priorities for available funds.
https://lao.ca.gov/Publications/Report/5150

The 2026-27 Budget: California State University

Feb 24, 2026 - Recommend Using Available One ‑Time Funding to Retire Payment Deferral. If one‑time funding becomes available, we recommend the Legislature retire this payment deferral either this year or in the coming years.
https://lao.ca.gov/Publications/Report/5142

The 2026-27 Budget: University of California

Feb 26, 2026 - Recommendations Recommend Reducing or Eliminating Base General Fund Increase. When facing fiscal uncertainty and ongoing budget shortfalls, the Legislature typically considers ways to contain state spending.
https://lao.ca.gov/Publications/Report/5143

The 2026-27 Budget: California Student Aid Commission

Feb 17, 2026 - Once one ‑time funding becomes available, we recommend the Legislature give high priority to retiring this debt. We recommend the state return to paying for MCS the way it pays for other state programs —in the year in which the costs are generated.
https://lao.ca.gov/Publications/Report/5127

The 2026-27 Budget: Community College Facilities

Mar 17, 2026 - We then describe the Governor ’s proposals to provide Proposition  2 bond funding for many new and continuing CCC capital outlay projects, assess those proposals, and provide an associated recommendation.
https://lao.ca.gov/Publications/Report/5159

The 2026-27 Budget: California Student Aid Commission [Publication Details]

Feb 17, 2026 - In this brief, we provide an update on Cal Grant cost estimates and discuss recent program trends leading to higher Cal Grant spending. We then analyze the Governor’s budget proposal to reduce Middle Class Scholarship award coverage and provide associated recommendations.
https://lao.ca.gov/Publications/Detail/5127