California’s Strong Revenue Trends Mask Looming Budget Risk

Jan 23, 2026 - Given that this deficit is estimated to range from $20  billion to $35  billion in the years ahead, addressing it gradually, rather than all at once, reduces fiscal disruption and more readily provides for legislative input and flexibility.
https://lao.ca.gov/Publications/Report/5104

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

Jan 12, 2026 - Both our office and the administration expect the state to face multiyear deficits, with estimates ranging from $20  billion to $35  billion annually. These deficits are concerning for three reasons.
https://lao.ca.gov/Publications/Report/5101

Rethinking California's Reserve Policy

Apr 10, 2025 - Subscribe | California State Legislature | Online Voter Registration | Privacy Policy | Accessibility Legislative Analyst's Office | The California Legislature's Nonpartisan Fiscal and Policy Advisor 925 L Street, Suite 1000 Sacramento, CA 95814 | (916) 445-4656
https://lao.ca.gov/Publications/Report/5028

The 2025-26 Budget: Multiyear Budget Outlook

May 24, 2025 - Both our office and the Department of Finance (DOF) project operating deficits ranging from $10  billion to $20  billion over the multiyear period. These shortfalls represent future budget problems that would require additional budget-balancing decisions.
https://lao.ca.gov/Publications/Report/5052

Whether or Not to Tap Reserves to Solve Estimated Budget Problem Emerges as Key Fiscal Decision Facing California’s Legislature

Apr 19, 2023 - Subscribe | California State Legislature | Online Voter Registration | Privacy Policy | Accessibility Legislative Analyst's Office | The California Legislature's Nonpartisan Fiscal and Policy Advisor 925 L Street, Suite 1000 Sacramento, CA 95814 | (916) 445-4656
https://lao.ca.gov/Publications/Report/4762

The 2023-24 Budget: Multiyear Assessment

Feb 15, 2023 - Subscribe | California State Legislature | Online Voter Registration | Privacy Policy | Accessibility Legislative Analyst's Office | The California Legislature's Nonpartisan Fiscal and Policy Advisor 925 L Street, Suite 1000 Sacramento, CA 95814 | (916) 445-4656
https://lao.ca.gov/Publications/Report/4687

The 2023-24 Budget: Overview of the Spending Plan (Final Version)

Oct 16, 2023 - Appendix 4, Figure 7 Remaining Large One ‑Time and Temporary Augmentations From the 2021 ‑22 and 2022 ‑23 Budget Packages: Resources and Environment General Fund (In Millions) Emergency surge (helitanker contract component) $45 Clean Energy Reliability Investment Plan (SB 846) 100 Diablo Canyon land use planning — Coastal resilience SB 1 implementation 55 Clean Cars 4 All and other equity (ZEV
https://lao.ca.gov/Publications/Report/4788/4

Strong Tax Collections Belie California's Challenging Fiscal Outlook

Apr 26, 2022 - Subscribe | California State Legislature | Online Voter Registration | Privacy Policy | Accessibility Legislative Analyst's Office | The California Legislature's Nonpartisan Fiscal and Policy Advisor 925 L Street, Suite 1000 Sacramento, CA 95814 | (916) 445-4656
https://lao.ca.gov/Publications/Report/4590

The 2022-23 Budget: State Appropriations Limit Implications

Mar 30, 2022 - As the figure shows, the state most likely would face budget deficits ranging from $5  billion to $20  billion as soon as next fiscal year regardless of revenue growth. By 2025 ‑26, those deficits would most likely grow to $20  billion to $60  billion.
https://lao.ca.gov/Publications/Report/4583

The 2021-22 California Spending Plan: The State Appropriations Limit

Aug 30, 2021 - While, under these estimates, appropriations subject to the limit do exceed the limit across 2019 ‑20 and 2020 ‑21, under the administration ’s interpretation of the SAL, excess revenues do not occur until the first year of “negative room ” and the immediately proceeding fiscal year.
https://lao.ca.gov/Publications/Report/4449