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

The 2026-27 Budget: K-12 Proposals

Feb 19, 2026 - Frees Up Current Funding for Extension Grants. Trailer legislation proposes to free up the $485  million allocated in prior budgets that is set aside for the two ‑year extension grants. Current community schools grantees would no longer be required to submit requests for extensions.
https://lao.ca.gov/Publications/Report/5131

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

Mar 18, 2026 - This  shift would free up the SBE to focus on broader policy issues while making state administrative functions more efficient. Considering Adding Legislative Appointees to the SBE. The Legislature could consider adding two legislative appointees to the SBE.
https://lao.ca.gov/Publications/Report/5165

Assessing a Shift to Enrollment-Based School Funding

Jan 6, 2026 - Below, we describe a few options the state could take to improve attendance under an enrollment ‑based funding model. Require Schools Take Specific Actions to Support Students Who Are at Risk of Being Chronically Absent.
https://lao.ca.gov/Publications/Report/5100