The 2026-27 Budget: California Education Learning Lab

Mar 25, 2026 - For example, some Learning Lab projects have resulted in higher pass rates for certain STEM courses while other projects have been linked to improving students ’ motivation and sense of belonging. Projects Are Challenging to Scale.
https://lao.ca.gov/Publications/Report/5171

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

Mar 18, 2026 - However, many of the most significant challenges facing the watershed are directly linked to water use and diversion, including exports from the SWP and CVP. The watershed has been reshaped by a vast network of dams, pumps, levees, reservoirs, and engineered channels to support water storage, water delivery, and flood control.
https://lao.ca.gov/Publications/Report/5163

The 2026-27 Budget: Department of Developmental Services

Mar 13, 2026 - To achieve this, statute specifies that provider payments should be linked to consumer outcomes. Specifically, statute provides that the fully funded provider rate models are to be implemented using two payment components: a base rate equaling 90   percent of the rate model and a quality incentive payment equaling up to 10   percent of the rate model, the latter of which is to be implemented through the quality incentive program.
https://lao.ca.gov/Publications/Report/5157

The 2026-27 Budget: California Highway Patrol Proposals

Mar 6, 2026 - Assessment Concerning MVA Condition Raises the Bar for Approving New Spending. Despite the MVA ’s projected near-term stable condition, the account ’s surplus margins remain slim and the administration estimates it will become insolvent in 2028-29.
https://lao.ca.gov/Publications/Report/5152

The 2026-27 Budget: California Community Colleges

Mar 5, 2026 - Under SCFF, districts receive apportionment funding for regular credit courses based on three components: (1)  a base allocation linked to  enrollment, (2)  a supplemental allocation linked to low ‑income student counts, and (3)  a student success allocation linked to specified student outcomes.
https://lao.ca.gov/Publications/Report/5150

The 2026-27 Budget: County Administration and H.R. 1 Implementation

Mar 5, 2026 - Without a methodology that links funding to workload, funding could become insufficient or exceed what is required for efficient operations without a clear way of assessing what adjustments are needed.
https://lao.ca.gov/Publications/Report/5149

The 2026-27 Budget: Medi-Cal Analysis

Mar 2, 2026 - Under the administration ’s proposal, newly UIS adults such as refugees, asylees, and battered noncitizens would be shifted to restricted ‑scope Medi ‑Cal coverage, while other UIS adults such as undocumented individuals and some with interim or pending statuses would continue to qualify for full ‑scope Medi ‑Cal coverage (barring the enrollment freeze for new undocumented individuals).
https://lao.ca.gov/Publications/Report/5146

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 2026-27 Budget: California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation

Feb 23, 2026 - Assessment Some of Proposed Funding Is Reasonable … As discussed in the “General Fund Condition ” section of this brief, proposals that require new General Fund support must meet a higher bar for approval as they necessitate reduced General Fund spending elsewhere.
https://lao.ca.gov/Publications/Report/5137

The 2026-27 Budget: CDTFA’s Cannabis and Tobacco Programs

Feb 23, 2026 - In the case of the Cannabis Tax Program, we note: The administration has not presented any arguments linking the General Fund ’s share of costs to its share of indirect benefits. This is not part of a broad, systematic effort to allocate costs based on indirect benefits.
https://lao.ca.gov/Publications/Report/5132