Updating the California Necessities Index

Aug 14, 2025 - Recent changes were made to the publication of statistics required to calculate the California Necessities Index, which is used to adjust certain benefit rates and cost-of-living adjustments. In this brief, we provide details on the changes and evaluate alternatives for the index that require only currently available data and conform to the original intent of the index.
https://lao.ca.gov/Publications/Report/5065

Updating the California Necessities Index [Publication Details]

Aug 14, 2025 - Recent changes were made to the publication of statistics required to calculate the California Necessities Index, which is used to adjust certain benefit rates and cost-of-living adjustments. In this brief, we provide details on the changes and evaluate alternatives for the index that require only currently available data and conform to the original intent of the index.
https://lao.ca.gov/Publications/Detail/5065

California Housing Affordability Tracker (4th Quarter 2025) [EconTax Blog]

Jan 24, 2024 - Our post provides an updated snapshot of housing affordability in California. Over the last few years, we have seen a rapid increase in California housing costs, led by the dramatic increase in the costs of purchasing a home. Despite no significant growth in housing prices since 2024, monthly costs for a newly purchased home are about $2,400 higher than they were just a few years ago.
https://lao.ca.gov/LAOEconTax/Article/Detail/793

California Housing Affordability Tracker (4th Quarter 2025) [EconTax Blog]

Jan 24, 2024 - Our post provides an updated snapshot of housing affordability in California. Over the last few years, we have seen a rapid increase in California housing costs, led by the dramatic increase in the costs of purchasing a home. Despite no significant growth in housing prices since 2024, monthly costs for a newly purchased home are about $2,400 higher than they were just a few years ago.
https://lao.ca.gov/LAOEconTax/article/Detail/793

The 2023-24 Budget: California's Film Tax Credit

Feb 28, 2023 - The 2023-24 Budget: California's Film Tax Credit 17% for relocating TV series 8% for independent films Base: 20% of qualified spending. Base: 20% of qualified spending, plus additional: Base: 20% of qualified spending, plus additional: Independent films: 25% 5% of spending outside LA 5% of visual effects 5% to 10% of spending outside LA (up to 30% total) 5% of visual
https://lao.ca.gov/Publications/Report/4713

The 2025-26 Budget: California’s Film Tax Credit

Feb 28, 2025 - Film and Television Tax Credit Program California Film Tax Credit Created in 2009. In response to the proliferation of state ‑level tax credits and other incentives for film and TV production in the early 2000s, the Legislature approved the creation of its own credit in 2009.
https://lao.ca.gov/Publications/Report/5000

The 2024-25 Budget: Preliminary May Revision Analysis for Child Welfare

May 24, 2024 - Passing only what is necessary this year would allow more time for the remaining stakeholder questions and policy issues to be worked out and give the Legislature the chance to assess whether the rates structure is in line with its vision for permanent CC R rates.
https://lao.ca.gov/Publications/Report/4909

How Have Past Stock Market Downturns Affected Income Tax Revenue? [EconTax Blog]

Mar 9, 2026 - Focus Here on Major Downturns Because Short-Lived Corrections Usually Have Little Impact on Revenues. Smaller, short-lived corrections occur frequently, among them the 1997 Asian financial crisis, the 2011 U.S. debt celing standoff, the 2015 Chinese growth slowdown, the early pandemic drop in 2020, and the 2025 tariff selloff.
https://lao.ca.gov/LAOEconTax/Article/Detail/852

How Have Past Stock Market Downturns Affected Income Tax Revenue? [EconTax Blog]

Mar 9, 2026 - Focus Here on Major Downturns Because Short-Lived Corrections Usually Have Little Impact on Revenues. Smaller, short-lived corrections occur frequently, among them the 1997 Asian financial crisis, the 2011 U.S. debt celing standoff, the 2015 Chinese growth slowdown, the early pandemic drop in 2020, and the 2025 tariff selloff.
https://lao.ca.gov/LAOEconTax/article/Detail/852

Assessing Community College Programs at State Prisons

Jul 1, 2024 - Division of Rehabilitative Programs Television (DRP ‑TV). The state provided $3.5  million one ‑time funding for equipment in 2016 ‑17 and provides about $400,000 ongoing funding for DRP ‑TV, which is a closed ‑circuit platform that delivers 24/7 televised programming content.
https://lao.ca.gov/Publications/Report/4913