The 2026-27 Budget: Child Care and State Preschool

Mar 19, 2026 - As part of the 2021‑22 budget package, the Legislature and Governor agreed to add 206,800 non‑CalWORKs child care slots over a multiyear period. To date, the state has funded 129,800 additional slots—a 113.8 percent increase in non‑CalWORKs slots compared to 2020‑21 levels.
https://lao.ca.gov/Publications/Report/5168

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

Mar 9, 2026 - This Time Might Be Different, but It Is Not Safe to Bet on It.   As our office warned last November, it now appears time to take seriously the notion that the stock market has become overheated. While there is a chance that this time is different and no such downturn is forthcoming, the risk appears strong enough that we have incorporated it into the state 's revenue outlook.  
https://lao.ca.gov/LAOEconTax/Article/Detail/852

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

Mar 9, 2026 - This Time Might Be Different, but It Is Not Safe to Bet on It.   As our office warned last November, it now appears time to take seriously the notion that the stock market has become overheated. While there is a chance that this time is different and no such downturn is forthcoming, the risk appears strong enough that we have incorporated it into the state 's revenue outlook.  
https://lao.ca.gov/LAOEconTax/article/Detail/852

The 2026-27 Budget: Overview of the Governor's Budget

Jan 12, 2026 - That said, recent budgets have set the SFEU bet ween $3.5  billion and $4.5  billion, so the Governor ’s budget proposal to set the balance to $4.5  billion is generally in line with recent policy.
https://lao.ca.gov/Publications/Report/5101

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

Feb 10, 2026 - California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection (CalFire): Fixed ‑Wing Aircraft Mechanic and Pilot Contract Increases. The budget proposes $66.5  million General Fund in 2026 ‑27 and increasing amounts in subsequent years, growing to $74.2  million ongoing in 2030 ‑31, for CalFire to cover the increased costs of its air tanker and command center aircraft mechanic and pilot contracts.
https://lao.ca.gov/Publications/Report/5116

The 2026-27 Budget: Proposed Elimination of State Environmental Positions

Feb 17, 2026 - For example, at the California Department of Fish and Wildlife (CDFW), positions include game wardens who prov ide important law enforcement and wildlife and resource protection services. Some CDFW positions also administer various permits, a key function to ensure that projects —from habitat restoration to infrastructure and housing development —can be completed with less damage to the environment.
https://lao.ca.gov/Publications/Report/5124

The 2026-27 Budget: Streamlining California’s Affordable Housing Funding System

Mar 6, 2026 - Another advantage is that it allows CDLAC and TCAC to retain their authority as technical administrators of a highly complex funding mechanism (private activity bonds and tax credits), rather than attempt to transfer those responsibilities to an entity under the Governor (HDFC) with no such experience or expertise.
https://lao.ca.gov/Publications/Report/5154

Artificial intelligence and child safety. [Ballot]

Jan 27, 2026 - The measure also requires the DOJ to establish a mechanism for third parties to report child safety incidents. In addition, the DOJ must publish an annual report summarizing overall audit findings and trends and create publicly accessible resources that provide information about covered AI systems ’ child safety policies and parental controls.
https://lao.ca.gov/BallotAnalysis/Initiative/2025-036

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

Mar 18, 2026 - In this section, we provide some history about the process and details about SWRCB ’s proposed plan updates —which incorporate VAs and tribal cultural beneficial uses —and then describe the VA time line and oversight mechanisms.
https://lao.ca.gov/Publications/Report/5163

The 2026-27 Budget: Contract to Achieve Operational Efficiencies

Mar 10, 2026 - BCG is expected to assist DHCS in developing a centralized mechanism for monitoring MCOs along various performance indicators including timely claims payment and dispute resolution, quality of care, and compliance with legal requirements.
https://lao.ca.gov/Publications/Report/5156