Updating the California Necessities Index

Aug 14, 2025 - Overall, we think that option C, which uses a national estimate instead of metropolitan area estimates for the household fuels and other utilities category, is best able to replicate the current CNI.
https://lao.ca.gov/Publications/Report/5065

The 2025-26 Budget: Governor’s Office of Business and Economic Development

Mar 18, 2025 - However, the grant program has the same evaluation structure as the credit, which suggests it could be similarly effective at identifying the best applicati ons. Grant Eligibility Rests on Subjective Assessments.
https://lao.ca.gov/Publications/Report/5018

The 2022-23 Budget: Supply Chain and Port Infrastructure Proposals

Feb 15, 2022 - Issues for Legislative Consideration The Legislature may want to modify the Governor ’s proposal so that it best address its priorities. Some factors that merit legislative consideration include: Role of the State.
https://lao.ca.gov/Publications/Report/4540

The 2022-23 Budget: Fuel Price and Other Fiscal Relief Options

May 12, 2022 - Which Potential Policies Best Align With the Legislature ’s Relief Priorities? Once the Legislature has established which groups it wants to prioritize, it will want to select policies that align with its intended objectives for providing relief.
https://lao.ca.gov/Publications/Report/4597

Fixing Unemployment Insurance

Dec 2, 2024 - In putting together these recommendations, we started with the best practice principles outlined in the U.S. Department of Labor (DOL) report Guidelines for the Construction and Analysis of State Unemployment Insurance Financing Structures .
https://lao.ca.gov/Publications/Report/4943

The 2022-23 Budget: Fuel Tax Rates

Feb 11, 2022 - The connection between this fundamental policy choice and the annual inflation adjustment is tenuous at best, so we encourage the Legislature to regard the Governor ’s proposal as just one among a wide range of options.
https://lao.ca.gov/Publications/Report/4528

The 2021-22 Budget: Business Tax Incentives

Jan 28, 2021 - Among the Governor ’s proposals, this one is best suited to assisting the businesses hit hardest by the pandemic. Consequently, we suggest that the Legislature prioritize expanding this program. For example, the Legislature could broaden eligibility and increase the value of the credit.
https://lao.ca.gov/Publications/Report/4327

The 2023-24 Budget: California's Film Tax Credit

Feb 28, 2023 - Nonetheless, the best available evidence suggests that we cannot be confident that the economic benefit of film tax credits exceeds alternative uses of state funds. Comparing Film Credits to Some Alternatives.
https://lao.ca.gov/Publications/Report/4713

The 2022-23 Budget: Governor’s Office of Business and Economic Development Proposals

Feb 11, 2022 - The proposal also is unclear whether the purpose is to incentivize innovation —to develop a new pilot program —or to deploy programs or best practices developed in other  places. Grant Administration Details.
https://lao.ca.gov/Publications/Report/4529

Evaluating State Economic Stimulus Proposals

Feb 1, 2021 - Federal funds, if available, are the best source of funding for fiscal stimulus because they may not require a reduction in other state spending. The potential economic benefits of federally funded stimulus depend on the specific circumstances of the federal programs providing funds.
https://lao.ca.gov/Publications/Report/4331