The 2021-22 Budget: California's Fiscal Outlook

Nov 18, 2020 - A new statutory requirement to provide supplemental payments on top of the minimum level makes even more funding available for schools and community colleges but contributes to the state ’s operating deficit.
https://lao.ca.gov/Publications/Report/4297

The 2025-26 Budget: Overview of the Spending Plan

Oct 16, 2025 - Borrowing ($10 Billion) The budget package primarily addresses the budget problem using borrowing —these solutions represent $10  billion or roughly two ‑thirds of the total solutions. We define “borrowing ” as budget actions that achieve savings in the present, but result in an obligation or higher cost for the state in a future year.
https://lao.ca.gov/Publications/Report/5079

The 2024-25 Budget: Overview of the Governor's Budget

Jan 13, 2024 - Introduction On January 10, 2024, Governor Newsom presented his proposed state budget to the California Legislature. In this report, we provide a brief summary of the Governor ’s budget based on our initial review as of January 12.
https://lao.ca.gov/Publications/Report/4825

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

May 17, 2021 - (We also include links to Appendix tables at the end of this post and the top left of this page. These appendix tables itemize select proposals by policy area based on our understanding at this time.)
https://lao.ca.gov/Publications/Report/4432

Rethinking California's Reserve Policy

Apr 10, 2025 - These problems are also clear when California ’s reserves are compared to other states —California ranks near the top in terms of revenue volatility, but below average in terms of reserves. As such, our recommendations are an honest reflection of the volatility in the state ’s tax system.
https://lao.ca.gov/Publications/Report/5028

The 2022-23 Budget: Fiscal Outlook for Schools and Community Colleges

Nov 17, 2021 - The  top of Figure 10 shows how funding and costs change over the period under our main forecast. The lighter shaded area represents the amount available for new commitments, assuming no changes to current law or policy.
https://lao.ca.gov/Publications/Report/4473

The 2025-26 Budget: Multiyear Budget Outlook

May 24, 2025 - Both our office and the Department of Finance (DOF) project operating deficits ranging from $10  billion to $20  billion over the multiyear period. These shortfalls represent future budget problems that would require additional budget-balancing decisions.
https://lao.ca.gov/Publications/Report/5052

The 2024-25 Budget: Initial Comments on the Governor’s May Revision

May 17, 2024 - (The Legislature also can withdraw the entire “discretionary ” balance of the BSA at any time, which are amounts that were deposited into the fund on top of Proposition  2 requirements.) In the May Revision, the Governor proposes withdrawing about $3  billion from the BSA —significantly less than the roughly $12  billion withdrawal proposed in January.
https://lao.ca.gov/Publications/Report/4902

The 2024-25 Budget: Overview of the Spending Plan

Sep 6, 2024 - Update (10/2/24): Figure 8 has been updated for final actions.
https://lao.ca.gov/Publications/Report/4922/1

The 2024-25 Budget: Overview of the Spending Plan

Sep 6, 2024 - Update (10/2/24): Figure 8 has been updated for final actions.
https://lao.ca.gov/Publications/Report/4922/2