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

Feb 17, 2026 - While eliminating vacancies could appear to be an easy way to achieve ongoing budgetary savings, in some cases doing so co uld undermine environmental departments ’ long-term capacity and ability to achieve the goals and tasks laid out for them in state law.
https://lao.ca.gov/Publications/Report/5124

The 2024-25 Budget: CalFire—Implementation of a 66-Hour Workweek

Mar 19, 2024 - Such an annual report would provide important information to help the Legislature assess how the newly approved personnel are being used and ensure that they are maximizing the wildfire resilience co ‑benefits that can be achieved.
https://lao.ca.gov/Publications/Report/4886

Options for Creating a Forestry Management Training Center

Jan 4, 2022 - For example, if the Legislature chooses to co ‑locate the center at a community college, it would likely make sense for the college to manage the center (potentially in collaboration with other relevant entities, such as CalFire).
https://lao.ca.gov/Publications/Report/4487

Assessing California’s Climate Policies—Cap-and-Trade Reauthorization

May 7, 2025 - We note that to the extent the Legislature would like to direct additional spending toward reducing GHGs, such as by funding GHG reductions outside of the capped sectors, it would be important to consider factors such as (1)  the cost ‑effectiveness of this spending; (2)  how this spending interacts with other programs besides cap ‑and ‑trade; (3)  any co ‑benefits beyond GHG
https://lao.ca.gov/Publications/Report/5042

A Framework for Evaluating State-Level Green Stimulus Proposals

Jan 5, 2021 - Also, many GHG reduction programs can have significant co ‑benefits, such as by also reducing other pollutants that negatively affect local and regional air quality. Other Environmental and Natural Resource Benefits.
https://lao.ca.gov/Publications/Report/4308

Assessing California’s Climate Policies—Agriculture

Dec 15, 2021 - CARB also estimates co ‑benefits related to reductions in air pollutants, such as NOx  and PM. Most of these reductions are associated with the assumption that biomethane produced by a digester will displace diesel fuel in heavy ‑duty vehicles, which is a significant source of these air pollutants.
https://lao.ca.gov/Publications/Report/4483

The 2022-23 Budget: Water and Drought Response Proposals

Jan 31, 2022 - In addition to potentially restoring some existing groundwater deficits (and mitigating associated negative impacts) and increasing the water supply upon which farmers and residents can draw during dry periods, such projects often have the co ‑benefit of reducing flood risk.
https://lao.ca.gov/Publications/Report/4509

The 2021-22 Spending Plan: Natural Resources and Environmental Protection

Oct 18, 2021 - The 2021‑22 budget package provides a total of $21.7 billion from various fund sources—the General Fund, bond funds, and various special funds—for programs administered by the California Natural Resources and Environmental Protection Agencies. This is a net increase of $4.8 billion (22 percent) compared to 2020‑21 estimated expenditures.
https://lao.ca.gov/Publications/Report/4463

The 2024-25 California Spending Plan: Resources and Environmental Protection

Sep 12, 2024 - The budget package also includes trailer legislation that requires CalFire to report on the wildfire resilience-related co-benefits achieved as a result of the change in the workweek. Figure 16 Resources Provided to Implement a 66 ‑Hour Workweek As of 2024 ‑25 Budget Act (Dollars in Millions) 2024 ‑25 Reduction of Firefighter I Costs ‑14 Contracts for Aircraft Staffing and
https://lao.ca.gov/Publications/Report/4928

Living Under Smoky Skies—Understanding the Challenges Posed by Wildfire Smoke in California

Nov 14, 2022 - Some key criteria for the Legislature to consider as it chooses among these and other available options include: (1)  whether the state is the appropriate entity to undertake the activity, (2)  whether there is a demonstrated need for the activity, (3)  the strength of the evidence of the activity ’s cost ‑effectiveness, (4)  the extent to which the activity targets vulnerable groups, and (5)  the co ‑benefits that the activity provides beyond reducing the impacts of smoke.
https://lao.ca.gov/Publications/Report/4644