The 2026-27 Budget: Overview of the Governor's Budget [Publication Details]

Jan 12, 2026 - On January 9, 2026, Governor Newsom’s administration presented its proposed state budget to the California Legislature. In this report, we provide a high-level summary and our initial analysis of the Governor’s budget based on our preliminary review (as of January 10). Assembly Budget Handout (PDF) Senate Budget and Fiscal Review Handout (PDF)
https://lao.ca.gov/Publications/Detail/5101

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

Jan 12, 2026 - (We consider a proposal to be “discretionary” if it provides more funding for a program or a service above what is already committed under current law or policy.) After 2026‑27, these proposals would add about $200 million in ongoing spending.
https://lao.ca.gov/Publications/Report/5101

The 2026-27 Budget [Publication Details]

Jan 1, 2026 - As we release publications aimed at addressing the 2026-27 budget situation, we will add them to this index page.
https://lao.ca.gov/Publications/Detail/5107

The 2025-26 Budget: California Spending Plan Series [Publication Details]

Oct 16, 2025 - Each year, our office publishes California Spending Plan, a series of publications that summarize the annual state budget. The flagship report of this series, Overview of the Spending Plan, is presented here along with short online posts that focus on major areas and features of the 2025-26 budget package. As the posts become available, we will add them below.
https://lao.ca.gov/Publications/Detail/5105

California’s Strong Revenue Trends Mask Looming Budget Risk

Jan 23, 2026 - The added risk variable weighs on the range of revenue outcomes that we view as most plausible. The middle of the range, which becomes our main revenue forecast, is thus lower than if we did not include the stock market risk indicator.
https://lao.ca.gov/Publications/Report/5104

The 2025-26 Budget: Overview of the Spending Plan

Oct 16, 2025 - During the special session, the Legislature added Control Sections 90.00 and 90.01 to the 2024 ‑25 Budget Act providing up to $2.5  billion one ‑time for response and recovery costs related to the January 2025 Southern California wildfires.
https://lao.ca.gov/Publications/Report/5079

Flexible Funding to California in the American Rescue Plan

Mar 23, 2021 - We will know more once the guid ance is released. When Will We Know More? The ARP sets a statutory deadline of 60 days for the funds to be distributed to state and local governments. As such, we expect Treasury to release guidance in the coming weeks.
https://lao.ca.gov/Publications/Report/4407

California's Legislative Analyst's Office and the Value of Independence

Nov 15, 2024 - As such, our independent fiscal assessment underlies the Legislature ’s ability to assert an informed check on the executive branch, making any added complexity from diverging estimates a worthwhile trade-off.
https://lao.ca.gov/Publications/Report/4938

Rethinking California's Reserve Policy

Apr 10, 2025 - A person saving for retirement does not know how long they will live or exactly what their expenses will be in retirement, but they nonetheless must plan for this eventuality by making the best possible choices in the meantime.
https://lao.ca.gov/Publications/Report/5028

The 2025-26 Budget: Initial Comments on the Governor's May Revision

May 17, 2025 - Finally, although we have not previously recommended the Leg islature take decisive action to address the structural deficits, the state ’s persistent fiscal imbalance and the added downside risks —particularly from potential federal actions —suggest a need for a more proactive approach.
https://lao.ca.gov/Publications/Report/5044