The Bay-Delta Plan and Voluntary Agreements: Ensuring Effective Legislative Oversight

Mar 18, 2026 - Other fish that migrate through or live in the Delta also are listed as threatened or endangered, including Central Valley steelhead and Delta smelt. State Failing to Meet Goal for Doubling Natural Salmon Population.
https://lao.ca.gov/Publications/Report/5163

Climate Change Impacts Across California - Crosscutting Issues

Apr 5, 2022 - Moreover, many existing structures were built to different standards than are commonplace today, making them less resilient to the effects of climate change. For instance, many older homes were built with features —such as wood shake roofs, cedar siding, or single ‑paned windows —that make them more vulnerable to igniting during wildfires.
https://lao.ca.gov/Publications/Report/4575

Living Under Smoky Skies—Understanding the Challenges Posed by Wildfire Smoke in California

Nov 14, 2022 - This reduced the acreage burned and associated emissions, but also has contributed to the poor forest health that exists across the state today. Wildland Fire Smoke Prevalent Before European Settlement Wildland Fires Burned Large Areas Before Modern Fire Exclusion Policies.
https://lao.ca.gov/Publications/Report/4644

The 2026-27 Budget: Framework for Approaching the Natural Resources, Environmental Protection, and Agriculture Budget

Feb 10, 2026 - Recommended Framework for Approaching Environment Budget Decisions Below, we offer a framework for approaching environment budget decisions in today ’s challenging fiscal circumstances —namely , how to evaluate the Governor ’s new spending proposals across CNRA, CalEPA, and CDFA in the context of a General Fund condition that is only precariously balanced in the near term and faces significant deficits in the coming years.
https://lao.ca.gov/Publications/Report/5116

Summary of Major 2022 Climate and Energy Legislation

Jan 6, 2023 - A total of 5.5  million Californians live within a mile of one or more oil or gas wells, and 2.7  million Californians live within 3,200 feet of a well. Living near oil and gas wells increases exposure to air pollutants that are known to worsen health outcomes.
https://lao.ca.gov/Publications/Report/4660

The 2025-26 Budget: Overview of the Governor's Budget

Jan 13, 2025 - The underlying budget dynamics today are particularly challenging for three reasons. First, revenues have not caught up with expenditures. Second, under our estimates, expenditure growth exceeds estimated revenue growth.
https://lao.ca.gov/Publications/Report/4951

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

Jan 13, 2023 - (That is, in our view, these costs would not have occurred absent legislative action and as a result do not contribute to the budget problem the Legislature faces today.) Comparison to LAO November Outlook.
https://lao.ca.gov/Publications/Report/4662

Assessing California’s Climate Policies—Residential Electricity Rates in California

Jan 7, 2025 - Accordingly, customers in the portions of Culver City that are served by LADWP pay significantly less for electricity than those who live in the portions of the city served by  SCE. Electricity Rates Have Increased Notably in Recent Years.
https://lao.ca.gov/Publications/Report/4950

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

Jan 10, 2021 - Conclusion The pandemic has disrupted the lives and livelihoods of millions of Californians and continues to take the lives of thousands of Californians each month. In the spring of 2020, the Legislature faced an unprecedented challenge to respond to the pandemic and adopt a budget in the face of unprecedented economic uncertainty.
https://lao.ca.gov/Publications/Report/4309

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

May 12, 2022 - This prioritization involves considering which Californians the Legislature believes are most in need of financial relief —such as those who consume the most fuel, those who own cars, those who ride transit, those who have the least financial resources, or all who live in the state (given higher overall  prices).
https://lao.ca.gov/Publications/Report/4597