California’s Strong Revenue Trends Mask Looming Budget Risk

Jan 23, 2026 - After the dot-com bust and the Great Recession, it took four and five years, respectively, for revenues to recover. Incorporating revenue risk into the budget now, therefore, reflects prudence, not pessimism.
https://lao.ca.gov/Publications/Report/5104

The 2026-27 Budget: California's Fiscal Outlook

Nov 19, 2025 - Amid these conditions, California businesses have pared back hiring, resulting in no payroll job growth in the state so far this year. California consumers similarly are limiting spending, with sales of taxable goods flat over the last year.
https://lao.ca.gov/Publications/Report/5091

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

Oct 27, 2021 - Dymally Institute — Regional K ‑16 education collaboratives — Hastings College of the Law California Institute on Law, Neuroscience, and Education — Hastings College of the Law Alternative campus safety program College savings accounts (General Fund share) — CCC Expanded Entitlement Program ‑ base awards — CCC Expanded Entitlement Program ‑
https://lao.ca.gov/Publications/Report/4448/1

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

Apr 19, 2023 - Other downturns, such as the 2001 so-called dot-com recession, had severe fiscal implications while inflicting somewhat milder economic damage. The 2008 Great Recession had brutal effects on both the state ’s economy and budget.
https://lao.ca.gov/Publications/Report/4762

Rethinking California's Reserve Policy

Apr 10, 2025 - Options to Reach This Higher Threshold If the cap is raised substantially—ideally to 50 percent by 2055—the state would also need to set aside more in reserve deposits to dependably reach this higher amount.
https://lao.ca.gov/Publications/Report/5028

The 2024-25 California Spending Plan: Other Provisions

Oct 2, 2024 - Loan to the Contingent Fund of the Medical Board of California. The budget includes a $27  million loan to the Contingent Fund of the Medical Board of California (Contingent Fund) from the High Polluter Repair or Removal Account, which supports the Bureau of Automotive Repair.
https://lao.ca.gov/Publications/Report/4934

The 2024-25 California Spending Plan: Other Provisions

Oct 2, 2024 - Loan to the Contingent Fund of the Medical Board of California. The budget includes a $27  million loan to the Contingent Fund of the Medical Board of California (Contingent Fund) from the High Polluter Repair or Removal Account, which supports the Bureau of Automotive Repair.
https://lao.ca.gov/Publications/Report/4934/governors-office-of-emergency-services

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

Jan 13, 2025 - Savings Proposals Generates $1.6 Billion School and Community College Settle‑Up Obligation in 2024‑25. The Governor’s budget proposes providing $1.6 billion less in total funding for schools and community colleges than the estimated constitutional minimum funding level for 2024‑25.
https://lao.ca.gov/Publications/Report/4951

The 2023-24 Budget: Multiyear Assessment

Feb 15, 2023 - Three of those —the recession in the early 1990s, the dot ‑com bust in the early 2000s, and the Great Recession —resulted in large revenue shortfalls and ensuing multiyear deficits, even for some years after each recession ended.
https://lao.ca.gov/Publications/Report/4687

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

Jan 12, 2026 - Generates $5.6 Billion School and Community College Settle‑Up Obligation in 2025‑26. The State Constitution sets a minimum spending requirement for schools and community colleges. For 2025‑26, this requirement is up $6.9 billion under the administration’s estimates, but the Governor’s budget provides $5.6 billion less than this revised estimate.
https://lao.ca.gov/Publications/Report/5101