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

Feb 23, 2026 - If this could lead to budget adjustments, the Legislature may wish to schedule some of the proposed funding to expire after 2027 ‑28. Direct CDTFA to Stop Spending General Fund on Cannabis Tax Program Immediately.
https://lao.ca.gov/Publications/Report/5132

The 2025-26 Budget: Update on Implementation of New Firearm and Ammunition Tax

Feb 19, 2025 - Beginning July 2024, Chapter  231 of 2023 (AB  28, Gabriel) imposed a new excise tax on firearm dealers, firearm manufacturers, and ammunition vendors. Specifically, an 11  percent tax is applied to the gross retail sales of firearms, firearm precursor parts, and ammunition.
https://lao.ca.gov/Publications/Report/4970

The 2025-26 California Spending Plan: Other Provisions

Oct 16, 2025 - These fee increases, which are estimated to generate about $50  million in new revenue through 2027-28, are designed to help DFPI address a significant structural deficit in the Financial Protection Fund.
https://lao.ca.gov/Publications/Report/5081/

Updating the California Necessities Index

Aug 14, 2025 - Figure 1 Average Historical Differences Between Proposed Measures and Current CNI Measure Average Historical Difference (Absolute Value) Percent of Years Higher Option A: Remove discontinued category 0.20 Option B: Reassign expenditure weights 0.24 Option C: Use national estimate 0.19 Option D: CA CPI ‑U 0.99 Option D: CA CPI ‑W 1.12 28 CNI = California Necessities Index; CA CPI
https://lao.ca.gov/Publications/Report/5065

The 2025-26 Budget: CDTFA’s Tobacco Programs

Feb 14, 2025 - CDTFA ’s estimated cost to implement AB  3218 and SB  1230 is $3.3  million in 2024-25, $5.5  million per year in 2025-26 and 2026-27, and $3.1  million in 2027-28 and ongoing. The new laws create penalties that could raise revenue to offset some of these costs.
https://lao.ca.gov/Publications/Report/4966

Fixing Unemployment Insurance

Dec 2, 2024 - During the phase ‑in period, the state also entered the dot ‑com recession. These two cost pressures absorbed the remaining flexibility in the state ’s UI tax system. As  shown in Figure  4 , the state began this period in Schedule C but quickly moved to Schedule F+, the highest tax schedule, where it has remained since.
https://lao.ca.gov/Publications/Report/4943

The 2023-24 Budget: Multiyear Budget Outlook

May 23, 2023 - Across all programs in this agency (including, for example, Medi ‑Cal, In ‑Home Supportive Services, developmental services, and child care), our estimates are $6  billion higher than the administration ’s projection by 2026 ‑27.
https://lao.ca.gov/Publications/Report/4772

Evaluation of a Tax Exemption for Zero-Emission Buses

Apr 15, 2024 - In 2020, 10  percent of buses entering service for large transit agencies were ZEBs; by 2022, that share had grown to 28  percent. In 2020, 11  percent of buses entering service for small transit agencies were ZEBs; by 2022, that share had grown to 38  percent.
https://lao.ca.gov/Publications/Report/4890

California’s Low-Wage Workers and Minimum Wage

Mar 11, 2024 - We consider five different specifications of the model for Figures 3 and 7, and four different specifications for Figures 4, 5, and 6. All specifications for the wage gaps between specific demographic groups include the indicators for those demographic groups.
https://lao.ca.gov/Publications/Report/4878/4

Tax Credit Expansions in the American Rescue Plan

Apr 13, 2021 - Maximum Benefit Increased to $3,600 for Dependents Under 6. The ARP expands the credit for 2021: For single filers with income of up to $75,000 ($112,500 for heads of household, $150,000 for joint filers), the maximum credit rises to $3,600 for dependents from ages 0 to 5 and $3,000 for dependents ages 6 to 17.
https://lao.ca.gov/Publications/Report/4410