The 2026-27 Budget: In-Home Supportive Services

Mar 18, 2026 - This is particularly important for the IHSS hours shift proposal, as the mechanics of how this will work remains unclear to us at this time. In  particular, we note that the proposal to shift IHSS hours growth costs to counties does not assume savings until 2027 ‑28.
https://lao.ca.gov/Publications/Report/5166

The 2026-27 Budget: Contract to Achieve Operational Efficiencies

Mar 10, 2026 - We discuss our understanding of additional information that the administration shared with us in late February 2026 in the bullet points below. Given the work is ongoing, it is possible that some of this information is now out of date.
https://lao.ca.gov/Publications/Report/5156

The 2026-27 Budget: Governor’s Sustainable Aviation Fuel Tax Credit Proposal

Feb 24, 2026 - However, given the existing ample availability of other, likely more cost ‑effective GHG ‑reduction programs and policies, such a costly focus on the aviation sector is not compelling to us at this time.
https://lao.ca.gov/Publications/Report/5139

The 2026-27 Budget: CDTFA’s Cannabis and Tobacco Programs

Feb 23, 2026 - The administration tells us that this spending came from CDTFA ’s General Fund appropriation in the budget act. Department ‑Level Perspective. The administration appears to have approached this issue by trying to “work within CDTFA ’s budget. ” Viewed through this department ‑level lens, one could argue that spending General Fund on the Cannabis Tax Program makes sense.
https://lao.ca.gov/Publications/Report/5132

The 2026-27 Budget: Proposition 4 Spending Plan

Feb 10, 2026 - While none of the administration ’s proposed activities raised specific concerns for us through our review, approving or modifying these proposals represents the Legislature ’s opportunity to confirm and express its intent and priorities —which could differ from what the Governor is proposing.
https://lao.ca.gov/Publications/Report/5115

Assessment of CSU’s Graduation Initiative 2025

Dec 10, 2025 - CSU administrators shared with us that implementing GI 2025 helped shift the expectation of graduation from being the sole responsibility of the student to being the joint responsibility of the student and institution.
https://lao.ca.gov/Publications/Report/5099

Time limits, environmental reviews, and judicial reviews for certain types of infrastructure projects. [Ballot]

Dec 10, 2025 - The measur e also allows essential project applicants that had submitted their applications prior to this measure taking effect to withdraw their applications and resubmit them in order to us e the new process.
https://lao.ca.gov/BallotAnalysis/Initiative/2025-023

Disabled Veteran Business Enterprise Program Review

Dec 2, 2025 - Lack of data prevents us from determining the effects of the policy on prime contractors ’ compliance with DVBE program rules. Additionally, stakeholders have raised concerns about the $10,000 withholding amount —arguing it may be too small to influence behavior on large contracts and too large for small businesses to manage —though current evidence is inconclusive.
https://lao.ca.gov/Publications/Report/5095

California Labor Market Showing Broad Signs of Weakness [EconTax Blog]

Sep 30, 2025 - California Labor Market Showing Broad Signs of Weakness [EconTax Blog] California Labor Market Showing Broad Signs of Weakness September 30, 2025 Chas Alamo Recap: What Does the Main Monthly Jobs Report Tell Us?  
https://lao.ca.gov/LAOEconTax/article/Detail/839

California Labor Market Showing Broad Signs of Weakness [EconTax Blog]

Sep 30, 2025 - California Labor Market Showing Broad Signs of Weakness [EconTax Blog] California Labor Market Showing Broad Signs of Weakness September 30, 2025 Chas Alamo Recap: What Does the Main Monthly Jobs Report Tell Us?  
https://lao.ca.gov/LAOEconTax/Article/Detail/839