The 2026-27 Budget: Fiscal Outlook for Schools and Community Colleges

Nov 19, 2025 - During the next economic downturn, the state could obtain savings by reverting to the regular payment schedule. The advance payment would function like the opposite of a traditional payment deferral.
https://lao.ca.gov/Publications/Report/5093

The 2026-27 Budget: Proposition 98 Guarantee and K-12 Spending Plan

Feb 4, 2026 - If the stock market declines or an economic downturn occurs, the deficits would be much larger. Moreover, these estimates exclude the future cost of providing the $5.6   billion payment. Making that payment in next year ’s budget, for example, would increase the deficit to about $32   billion (holding other factors constant).
https://lao.ca.gov/Publications/Report/5110

Assessing a Shift to Enrollment-Based School Funding

Jan 6, 2026 - (The  state adopted this mechanism in the early 1990s to prevent disproportionate funding reductions during economic downturns.) The state could use this approach during a transition period while districts adjust to enrollment ‑based funding, and then repeal it once attendance rates stabilize.
https://lao.ca.gov/Publications/Report/5100

The 2025‑26 Budget: Fiscal Outlook for Schools and Community Colleges

Nov 20, 2024 - Despite this economic weakness, total pay for California workers has been growing quickly. During  the first quarter of 2024, for example, total pay increased at an annualized rate of 17   percent —one of the strongest quarters on record.
https://lao.ca.gov/Publications/Report/4940

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

Jan 13, 2025 - (On a technical basis, under the administration ’s estimates, we estimate the balance of the Special Fund for Economic Uncertainties [SFEU] would be about $3  billion before the Governor ’s proposals.)
https://lao.ca.gov/Publications/Report/4951

The 2023-24 Budget: Fiscal Outlook for Schools and Community Colleges

Nov 16, 2022 - Planning for the Upcoming Year Economic Uncertainty Abounds as Legislature Prepares for Upcoming Budget Cycle. The current economic environment poses a substantial risk to state revenues. In the past, economic conditions similar to the conditions we have observed over the past several months have typically resulted in subsequent revenue declines.
https://lao.ca.gov/Publications/Report/4648

The Local Control Funding Formula for School Districts and Charter Schools

Jan 9, 2023 - Funding from the Economic Recovery Target can be used for any educational purpose. More than 120 districts (13  percent of districts statewide) receive funding through the Economic Recovery Target, for total costs of $61  million.
https://lao.ca.gov/Publications/Report/4661

The 2025-26 Budget: Educator Workforce

Mar 7, 2025 - The gap between the state and the national average is driven by the outcomes for economically disadvantaged students, which NAEP defines as students with family incomes below 130  percent of the federal poverty level.
https://lao.ca.gov/Publications/Report/5012

The 2021-22 Budget: Initial Comments on the Governor’s May Revision

May 17, 2021 - CAC = California Arts Council; CalVet = California Department of Veterans Affairs; CDE = California Department of Education; CDFA = California Department of Food and Agriculture; CDI = California Department of Insurance; CDT = California Department of Technology; SOC = Security Operations Center; IT = information technology; CMD = California Military Department; CPUC = California Public Utilities
https://lao.ca.gov/Publications/Report/4432/6

The 2021-22 Budget: Initial Comments on the Governor’s May Revision

May 17, 2021 - CalEPA = California Environmental Protection Agency; CalFire = California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection; CalRecycle = California Department of Resources Recycling and Recovery; CARB = California Air Resources Board; ZEV = zero ‑emission vehicle; CCC = California Conservation Corps; CEC = California Energy Commission; CNRA = California Natural Resources Agency; DFW = Department of
https://lao.ca.gov/Publications/Report/4432/7