Understanding $100 Billion in Spending Growth: Causes and Fiscal Implications

Apr 28, 2026 - Specifically, these are: Medi ‑Cal, the state ’s Medicaid program; the Department of Developmental Services (DDS), which provides services to individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities; IHSS, which provides supports to eligible aged, blind, and disabled individuals who cannot remain safely in their homes without assistance; child care; the universities, including UC and CSU; California State Teachers ’ Retirement System; CalWORKs; and financial aid programs.
https://lao.ca.gov/Publications/Report/5176

The 2021-22 Spending Plan: Other Provisions

Sep 23, 2021 - Visit California is responsible for marketing the state as a tourism destination and is funded through a voluntary assessment on the tourism industry. Increases Visit California Transparency. The budget package requires Visit California to prepare reports for the Legislature that identify how the public funds provided for tourism marketing were used and that measure the effectiveness of those marketing activities.
https://lao.ca.gov/Publications/Report/4452

The 2025-26 Budget: California's Fiscal Outlook

Nov 20, 2024 - Without Broader Economic Improvements, Recent Gains Are on Shaky Ground. With a boost from the booming stock market, our forecast puts tax collections on track to beat expectations by $7  billion over the budget window (that is, from 2023 ‑24 through 2025 ‑26).
https://lao.ca.gov/Publications/Report/4939

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

May 17, 2025 - Without this legislative action, the current budget problem would be substantially larger. How Has the Budget Picture Changed Since January? In January, both our office and the administration assessed the budget as roughly balanced.
https://lao.ca.gov/Publications/Report/5044

Rethinking California's Reserve Policy

Apr 10, 2025 - In other words, this is our assessment of the reserves that are needed for the state to maintain its core service level over time without cutting core services or raising taxes. Chapter 2: Where Are We Now?
https://lao.ca.gov/Publications/Report/5028

The 2023-24 Budget: State Appropriations Limit Estimates

Feb 1, 2023 - However, the Legislature does have the flexibility to identify its own set of solutions, as well as addr ess a possibly larger budget problem, by reducing excluded spending without additional SAL requirements.
https://lao.ca.gov/Publications/Report/4667

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

Apr 19, 2023 - The alternative would be to solve the currently estimated budget problem without tapping reserves, which we have indicated is possible by curtailing previous temporary spending allocations. The main benefit of this approach is that it would preserve budget flexibility in case the economy were to enter a downturn.
https://lao.ca.gov/Publications/Report/4762

The 2025-26 Budget: Overview of the Governor's Budget

Jan 13, 2025 - Instead, the gains appear largely tied to the booming stock market, a situation which can change rapidly and without warning. The  administration appears to share some of these concerns, noting recent job losses among high ‑wage workers and the risks posed by the inherent volatility of tax receipts tied to stock market gains.
https://lao.ca.gov/Publications/Report/4951

The 2024-25 Budget: Deficit Update

Feb 20, 2024 - As a result, reductions tend to be concentrated in these areas because they are the ones where the state has the most flexibility to reduce spending without raising issues related to requirements imp osed by courts, the voters, and the federal government.
https://lao.ca.gov/Publications/Report/4850

The 2021-22 Budget: Overview of the Spending Plan (Final Version)

Oct 27, 2021 - The 2021-22 Budget: Overview of the Spending Plan (Final Version) Overview of the Spending Plan (Final Version) Appendix: Discretionary Spending Proposals Criminal Justice: Discretionary Spending Proposals in the 2021 ‑22 Budget Package General Fund (In Millions) Augmentation to California Violence Intervention and Prevention Program ­ — One ‑Time Augmentation to Adult Reentry Grant — Funding for
https://lao.ca.gov/Publications/Report/4448/1