California’s Strong Revenue Trends Mask Looming Budget Risk

Jan 23, 2026 - The current discrepancy over the size of the state ’s budget deficit —$18  billion under the Legislative Analyst ’s Office estimate versus $3  billion in the Governor ’s budget —fits squarely within that pattern.
https://lao.ca.gov/Publications/Report/5104

The 2024-25 Budget: Overview of the Spending Plan

Sep 6, 2024 - These slots will have full ‑year costs of $305  million beginning in 2025 ‑26. The  budget also modifies and adds into statute details related to the multiyear slot expansion plan. (In 2021 ‑22, the Legislature and Governor agreed to add 206,500 child care slots by 2025 ‑26.
https://lao.ca.gov/Publications/Report/4922

The 2026-27 Budget: California's Fiscal Outlook

Nov 19, 2025 - Figure 3 General Fund Condition Under Fiscal Outlook (In Millions)
https://lao.ca.gov/Publications/Report/5091

The 2022-23 Budget: Overview of the Spending Plan

Oct 12, 2022 - The budget package also reflects UC ’s continued implementation of its statutory nonresident replacement plan, with an additional 902 nonresident slots replaced with resident slots in 2023 ‑24. The budget package sets no 2023 ‑24  enrollment expectation for CSU.
https://lao.ca.gov/Publications/Report/4616

The 2024-25 Budget: Initial Comments on the Governor’s May Revision

May 17, 2024 - Nearly $3  billion of the May Revision spending-related solutions are delays. As a result, proposed spending is higher in the out-years. Reversions. Costs for state programs sometimes come in lower than the amount that was appropriated.
https://lao.ca.gov/Publications/Report/4902

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

Oct 27, 2021 - Human Services: Discretionary Spending Proposals in the 2021 ‑22 Budget Package General Fund (In Millions) Expand APS to older adults aged 60 and over and enhance services — Fund county costs associated with CalFresh simplifcations — Augment CFAP monthly benefits to their maximum per household size $24 Expand CFAP benefits to some previously ineligible immigrants — Augment CFAP benefits by 15
https://lao.ca.gov/Publications/Report/4448/1

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

Oct 27, 2021 - The budget package includes $ 735 m illion in 2021 ‑22 ($1. 6 b illion ongoing) across state and federal fund sources to provide additional slots for child care across several child care programs. The Legislature and Governor further agreed to add 80, 000 c hild care slots through 2025 ‑26, which is anticipated to cost an additional $ 1 b illion General Fund by 2026 ‑27.
https://lao.ca.gov/Publications/Report/4448

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

The 2026-27 Budget: How to Use One-Time Revenue Improvements

Feb 20, 2026 - For example, we recommend the Legislature: Do Not Suspend the $3  Billion True Up Into the Budget Stabilization Account (BSA). The Governor ’s budget proposes suspending a roughly $3  billion true-up deposit that otherwise would be required in 2025-26.
https://lao.ca.gov/Publications/Report/5133

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