The 2025-26 Budget: Concession Bargaining

May 19, 2025 - At What Level of Budget Problem Does the Administration View Reductions in Employee Compensation Necessary? What Principles Would Guide the Administration at the Bargaining Table to Seek Concessions From Bargaining Units?
https://lao.ca.gov/Publications/Report/5047

MOU Fiscal Analysis: Bargaining Unit 8 (Firefighters)

Aug 19, 2025 - The provisions of the ratified MOU will further increase state costs by an unknown amount above what was envisioned in the 2024-25 budget. Reporting on Effects of Shorter Duty Week Not Expected Until Spring 2026.
https://lao.ca.gov/Publications/Report/5066

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

Jun 27, 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/5060

MOU Fiscal Analysis: Bargaining Unit 6 (Corrections)

Jun 23, 2025 - We note that overtime costs in 2020-21 increased 12  percent compared with 2019-20; however, we cannot assess what share of this increase was due to PLP 2020, operational effects from the COVID-19 pandemic, or other factors.
https://lao.ca.gov/Publications/Report/5058

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

Jul 14, 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/5064

The 2024-25 Budget: Proposition 2 Debt Payment Proposals

Mar 20, 2024 - …And Other Years When CalSTRS Sets State Rate Higher Than What Otherwise Would Be Actuarially Required. In contrast, in some other years, the combination of funding plan factors results in the CalSTRS Board —based on recommendations from system actuaries —electing to set the state ’s supplemental rate higher than what would be actuarially required in that year to pay down unfunded liabilities by 2046.
https://lao.ca.gov/Publications/Report/4887

The 2024-25 Budget: State Employee Compensation

Mar 21, 2024 - What are the administration ’s goals regarding hybrid work? How do those goals vary by department and classification? How could hybrid work be implemented to improve recruitment and retention? What aspects, if any, of the hybrid workforce and the proposed elimination of the telework stipend will be determined through the collective bargaining process?
https://lao.ca.gov/Publications/Report/4888

MOU Fiscal Analysis: Bargaining Unit 5 (Highway Patrol)

Aug 23, 2024 - Similar to what CalHR has done with other bargaining units, the proposed Unit 5 agreement would link the state ’s business and travel reimbursement policy for Unit 5 to the rates established by the U.S.
https://lao.ca.gov/Publications/Report/4920

MOU Fiscal Analysis: Bargaining Unit 7 (Public Safety)

Sep 7, 2023 - That being said, it is not clear what methodology, if any, was used to identify which classifications should receive SSAs and at what levels. While there is evidence of possible recruitment and retention issues of some Unit 7 occupations, the administration does not provide a justification for the various SSAs, but states they are the result of the bargaini ng process.
https://lao.ca.gov/Publications/Report/4802

The 2023-24 Budget: Overview of the Governor's Budget

Jan 13, 2023 - In both cases, the difference stems from what is considered baseline spending —that is, what spending was approved in prior budgets. Specifically, the administration views the following as baseline spending: a $3  billion unallocated set ‑aside for inflation ‑related costs and a shift of $1.4  billion in authorized capital outlay projects from lease revenue bonds to cash.
https://lao.ca.gov/Publications/Report/4662