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

Jan 12, 2026 - Some of the largest spending augmentations proposed for the budget window include: (1) $76 million for utility replacement and site improvements at Exposition Park, (2) $67 million to the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection for fixed‑wing aircraft pilot and mechanics contract increases, (3) $60 million to the Department of Health Care Access and Information for
https://lao.ca.gov/Publications/Report/5101

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

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

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

The 2021-22 Budget: Overview of the Governor's Budget

Jan 10, 2021 - Also, whereas last year the administration announced it was exploring whether to pursue a new federal funding opportunity for residential services for individuals with mental illness, the current proposal announces an intent to pursue this opportunity.
https://lao.ca.gov/Publications/Report/4309

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

Oct 27, 2021 - Resources and Environment: Discretionary Spending Proposals in the 2021 ‑11 Budget Package General Fund (In Millions) Environmental justice initiative (Climate resilience package) — Emergency response and preparedness: fire crews — Various wildfire resilience programs (Wildfire resilience package) — Waste reduction and recycling programs (Circular economic package) — Clean vehicle incentive
https://lao.ca.gov/Publications/Report/4448/1

The 2025-26 Budget: California's Fiscal Outlook

Nov 20, 2024 - Outside of government and health care, the state has added no jobs in a year and a half. Similarly, the number of Californians who are unemployed is 25  percent higher than during the strong labor markets of 2019 and 2022.
https://lao.ca.gov/Publications/Report/4939

The 2024-25 Budget: California's Fiscal Outlook

Dec 7, 2023 - The Legislature also could explore using more of the state ’s recently reauthorized tax on managed care organization to offset the General Fund costs of Medi ‑Cal, rather than for other costs, such as increasing provider  rates.
https://lao.ca.gov/Publications/Report/4819

The 2022-23 Budget: Fiscal Outlook for Schools and Community Colleges

Nov 17, 2021 - The state could explore providing grants for districts to assess their vulnerability, conduct emergency response planning, purchase emergency equipment, and retrofit buildings to improve their resiliency to these  trends.
https://lao.ca.gov/Publications/Report/4473