California’s Strong Revenue Trends Mask Looming Budget Risk

Jan 23, 2026 - As we described in our November Fiscal Outlook , the recent stronger-than-expected revenue trends are almost entirely explained by the personal income tax (PIT), which has seen double digit growth this year.
https://lao.ca.gov/Publications/Report/5104

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

Jan 12, 2026 - Should a stock market downturn occur, income tax revenues would fall considerably. These risks are severe enough that not incorporating them into this year ’s budget, as the Governor proposes, would put the state on precarious footing.
https://lao.ca.gov/Publications/Report/5101