The 2026-27 Budget: Estimated State Savings From Proposition 47

Feb 23, 2026 - As shown in Figure  1, these estimates represent a $13  million (14  percent) and a 501 person (13  percent) decline relative to the 2023-24 savings, the year before Proposition  36 took effect. These declines primarily reflect the administration ’s estimate of the impact of Proposition  36 —which went into effect halfway through 2024-25.
https://lao.ca.gov/Publications/Report/5108

Addressing Chronic Vacancies in Prison Mental Health Care

Feb 23, 2026 - Assess Effectiveness of Other Steps Before Considering Across ‑the ‑Board Pay Increases. We found that (1)  most mental health classifications appear to be relatively well paid compared to the broader market even before recent bonuses, (2)  other non ‑compensation factors appear to influence vacancy rates, (3)  the mental health Receiver plans to reassess whether
https://lao.ca.gov/Publications/Report/5134

The 2026-27 Budget: California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation

Feb 23, 2026 - To address chronic mental health staffing vacancies, we recommend the Legislature take the following  the  steps: Assess Effectiveness of Other Steps Before Considering Across ‑the ‑Board Pay Increases.
https://lao.ca.gov/Publications/Report/5137

The 2026-27 Budget: Judicial Branch

Feb 11, 2026 - The sizeable increase in funding raises questions on whether sufficient oversight was in place to appropriately assess the scope of work and costs before the project began. Sufficient oversight would ensure the Legislature has the information it needs as it weighs court facility projects against its other priorities.
https://lao.ca.gov/Publications/Report/5113

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

Jan 13, 2025 - These include funds for water recycling, wildfire prevention activities at state parks, and dam safety activities. The proposal would then provide a like amount of funding from Proposition  4, the climate bond approved by voters in November 2024.
https://lao.ca.gov/Publications/Report/4951

The 2025-26 California Spending Plan: Judiciary and Criminal Justice

Oct 24, 2025 - This includes $11.5  million to construct new potable water wells at Ironwood State Prison in Blythe. In addition, the budget package includes legislation to modify the process for disposing of surplus CDCR properties, including deactivated prisons, to increase the likelihood that the properties can be disposed of.
https://lao.ca.gov/Publications/Report/5085

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

May 17, 2021 - CalEPA = California Environmental Protection Agency; CalFire = California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection; CalRecycle = California Department of Resources Recycling and Recovery; CARB = California Air Resources Board; ZEV = zero ‑emission vehicle; CCC = California Conservation Corps; CEC = California Energy Commission; CNRA = California Natural Resources Agency; DFW = Department of
https://lao.ca.gov/Publications/Report/4432/7

Retail Theft in California: Looking Back at a Decade of Change

Jun 12, 2025 - Protective orders allow employees to call law enforcement to have such people arrested before they commit additional crimes if they return to the  establishment. What Are Key Questions for Legislative Oversight?
https://lao.ca.gov/Publications/Report/5055

The 2024-25 Budget: California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation

Feb 22, 2024 - For example, with the deactivation of DVI in Tracy, the state was able to avoid a water ‑treatment   project —estimated  in 2018 to cost $32   million —that  would have been necessary to comply with drinking water standards.
https://lao.ca.gov/Publications/Report/4852

The 2025-26 Budget: Judicial Branch

Feb 12, 2025 - While the judicial branch eventually sought legislative input before moving ahead with implementing the restoration of the $42  million reduction in 2024 ‑25, it is concerning that it had first moved to act without legislative oversight.
https://lao.ca.gov/Publications/Report/4959