The 2021-22 Budget: Creating a New Department of Better Jobs and Higher Wages

Feb 10, 2021 - Do the potential benefits outweigh the potential costs? Is the reorganization well planned? How should the reorganization be implemented? Labor Agency Serves Similar Functions as Proposed New Department.
https://lao.ca.gov/Publications/Report/4361

MOU Fiscal Analysis: Bargaining Unit 8 (Firefighters)

Aug 19, 2025 - We do not know how Unit 8 compensation currently compares with federal firefighters because it was not included in the compensation survey. Bargaining With Unit 8 Current MOU Scheduled to Expire June 30, 2026.
https://lao.ca.gov/Publications/Report/5066

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 2021-22 Budget: Interest Payment on Federal Unemployment Insurance Loan

Feb 10, 2021 - The federal Families First Coronavirus Response Act, enacted in March   2020 i n response to the COVID ‑ 19 p andemic, allows states to waive interest accrued during calendar year 2020 o n federal UI loans.
https://lao.ca.gov/Publications/Report/4360

The 2025-26 Budget: Concession Bargaining

May 19, 2025 - Notably, peace officers and firefighters do not earn these benefits. Most state employees earn Medicare. The benefit levels and employer and employee contributions towards Social Security and Medicare are determined by the federal government.
https://lao.ca.gov/Publications/Report/5047

MOU Fiscal Analysis: Bargaining Unit 6 (Corrections)

Jun 23, 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/5058

MOU Fiscal Analysis: Bargaining Unit 9 (Professional Engineers)

Jun 27, 2025 - State law allows employers to adopt a leave cap whereby employees do not accrue new vacation leave once their leave balance has reached the cap. 640-Hour Cap. The state caps the amount of vacation or annual leave that most state workers —including Unit 9 —may accumulate at 640 hours (80 days).
https://lao.ca.gov/Publications/Report/5061

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

Climate Change Impacts Across California - Workers and Employers

Apr 5, 2022 - Additional data could give the state a clearer sense of whether existing state programs, such as unemployment insurance and workforce development programs, are equipped t o address the needs of workers impacted by climate change.
https://lao.ca.gov/Publications/Report/4587

MOU Fiscal Analysis: Bargaining Units 10 (Professional Scientists) and 18 (Psychiatric Technician)

Sep 9, 2025 - In the past, the state has (1)  imposed furloughs and negotiated PLP at the bargaining table, (2)  established furloughs as mandatory days when employees do not work (state offices would be closed one, two, or three “Furlough Fridays ” each month), and (3)  allowed employees to have “self-directed ” furlough days where employees have discretion to use furlough days as they would vacation or other leave benefits.
https://lao.ca.gov/Publications/Report/5073