MOU Fiscal Analysis: Bargaining Unit 6 (Corrections)

Sep 7, 2023 - The valuation does not provide separate normal costs for the benefit for employee hired before 2017 versus those hired after 2017; however, the normal cost for the benefit earned by new employees certainly is lower than the normal cost for the benefit earned by employees hired before 2017.
https://lao.ca.gov/Publications/Report/4800

MOU Fiscal Analysis: Bargaining Unit 16 (Physicians, Dentists, and Podiatrists)

Jul 14, 2025 - The state and Unit 16 agreed to this prefunding arrangement in 2017 , with the fund expected to be fully funded for Unit 16 within 30 years. In 2025-26, the state and employees represented by Unit 16 each contribute 1.4 percent of pay to prefund the benefit for Unit 16 members.
https://lao.ca.gov/Publications/Report/5064

MOU Fiscal Analysis: Bargaining Unit 12 (Craft and Maintenance)

Jun 27, 2025 - The state and Unit 12 agreed to this prefunding arrangement in 2017 with the fund expected to be fully funded for Unit 12 within 30 years (we note that the state and Unit 12 had agreed to some prefunding of this benefit in 2013, as described in the actuarial valuation as of June 30, 2016).
https://lao.ca.gov/Publications/Report/5060

MOU Fiscal Analysis: Bargaining Unit 8 (Firefighters)

Aug 19, 2025 - We do not know how Unit 8 compensation currently compares with federal firefighters because it was not included in the compensation survey. Bargaining With Unit 8 Current MOU Scheduled to Expire June 30, 2026.
https://lao.ca.gov/Publications/Report/5066

MOU Fiscal Analysis: Bargaining Unit 5 (Highway Patrol)

Aug 23, 2024 - Given the limited amount of time we have to complete our analysis, we do not know why the vacancy rate for CHP officers has grown faster than the statewide vacancy rate. It is possible that the higher vacancy rate is due to some combination of turnover and recruitment challenges.
https://lao.ca.gov/Publications/Report/4920

The 2024-25 Budget: State Employee Compensation

Mar 21, 2024 - In our 2017 analysis of this process, we concluded that the budget position transparency process lacked transparency. The Legislature amended Control Section 4.11 to end this review beginning in 2021‑22.
https://lao.ca.gov/Publications/Report/4888

The 2025-26 Budget: Concession Bargaining

May 19, 2025 - Notably, peace officers and firefighters do not earn these benefits. Most state employees earn Medicare. The benefit levels and employer and employee contributions towards Social Security and Medicare are determined by the federal government.
https://lao.ca.gov/Publications/Report/5047

MOU Fiscal Analysis: Bargaining Unit 6 (Corrections)

Jun 23, 2025 - While we are not at the bargaining table and do not know what issues were discussed, we feel it was a missed opportunity for the parties to not find a solution that simplified the prefunding arrangement while also helping address the current budget problem.
https://lao.ca.gov/Publications/Report/5058

MOU Fiscal Analysis: Bargaining Unit 9 (Professional Engineers)

Jun 27, 2025 - State law allows employers to adopt a leave cap whereby employees do not accrue new vacation leave once their leave balance has reached the cap. 640-Hour Cap. The state caps the amount of vacation or annual leave that most state workers —including Unit 9 —may accumulate at 640 hours (80 days).
https://lao.ca.gov/Publications/Report/5061

Climate Change Impacts Across California - Crosscutting Issues

Apr 5, 2022 - Not only do high ‑severity wildfires take lives and level homes, businesses, and community infrastructure, they also destroy fish and wildlife habitats. Moreover, intense wildfires can also impair air quality throughout the state.
https://lao.ca.gov/Publications/Report/4575