Reducing the Destructiveness of Wildfires: Promoting Defensible Space in California

Sep 30, 2021 - Research suggests that the resources required to complete defensible space work —in the form of time and money —can be a significant barrier. In particular, certain activities, such as removal of large trees, can be difficult and cost thousands of dollars if the homeowner hires someone to conduct the removal.
https://lao.ca.gov/Publications/Report/4457

The 2026-27 Budget: Cap-and-Invest Expenditure Plan

Feb 10, 2026 - We note that the language of S B  840 indicates that the methodology applies to “moneys in the fund ” and thus does not clearly limit it exclusively to auction revenues. However, the administration indicates that the intent of S B   840 was to apply the methodology only to auction revenues, consistent with historical practice.
https://lao.ca.gov/Publications/Report/5114

A Framework for Evaluating State-Level Green Stimulus Proposals

Jan 5, 2021 - For example, studies evaluating a past federal program that paid households to retire their older high‑polluting vehicles and purchase new cleaner vehicles—also known as “Cash for Clunkers”—found that the program had limited stimulative effects.
https://lao.ca.gov/Publications/Report/4308

The 2021-22 Budget: Initial Comments on the Governor’s May Revision

May 17, 2021 - Reflecting very strong cash collections in recent months, the May Revision adjusts 2020 ‑21 revenues (and transfers) up by $26.8  billion to $182  billion. This represents a 27  percent increase over 2019 ‑20, the largest single year increase in over four decades.
https://lao.ca.gov/Publications/Report/4432

The 2025-26 California Spending Plan: Other Provisions

Oct 16, 2025 - Flexible Cash Assistance for Survivors of Crime Grant Program Reversion. To help address the fiscal difficulties facing the state, the budget reverts $50  million General Fund from the Flexible Cash Assistance for Survivors of Crime pilot program.
https://lao.ca.gov/Publications/Report/5081

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

Jan 13, 2023 - The Governor ’s budget proposes making nearly one ‑third of all spending ‑related solutions subject to trigger restoration language. Under this proposed language, program spending that otherwise would have occurred in 2023 ‑24 would not be allocated as part of the June budget act.
https://lao.ca.gov/Publications/Report/4662

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

Jan 13, 2025 - The reason for the reduction is the recent voter approval of Proposition  35 (2024), which requires the state to spend less MCO tax money on offsetting General Fund spending and more money on provider rate increases.
https://lao.ca.gov/Publications/Report/4951

The 2024-25 Budget: Insolvency Risks for Environmental and Transportation Special Funds

Feb 27, 2024 - First, the Legislature could direct the administration to make a loan or transfer to MVA from another fund source such as the General Fund. However, the current General Fund condition and overall budget problem would make this challenging.
https://lao.ca.gov/Publications/Report/4858

The 2026-27 Budget: Proposed Zero-Emission Vehicle Incentive

Feb 24, 2026 - However, the state already has overarching programs —such as cap ‑and ‑invest and LCFS —that are aimed at helping ensure that the state continues to make progress decarbonizing and shifting to cleaner transportation fuels.
https://lao.ca.gov/Publications/Report/5140

The 2026-27 Budget: California Public Utilities Commission’s Implementation of AB 1207

Feb 10, 2026 - In our view, making significant changes to the basic structure of the credit on a regular or ongoing basis is problematic. This is because frequent changes to the approach could increase customer confusion and make bills more unpredictable.
https://lao.ca.gov/Publications/Report/5120