Preliminary Assessment of Significant Changes to State's Technology Project Approval and Oversight Processes

Apr 29, 2025 - Knowing if and when additional funding might be requested through the annual budget process for GenAI POCs will better help the Legislature assess and prepare for discussions on these types of projects.
https://lao.ca.gov/Publications/Report/5034

The 2025-26 Budget: SB 678 County Probation Grant Program

Apr 11, 2025 - Recommendations Below, we recommend changes to the Governor ’s proposed SB  678 grant formula that would help address the issues we identified above. These changes would result in a system that would better achieve the stated goals of the program.
https://lao.ca.gov/Publications/Report/5031

Improving Legislative Oversight of Emergency Authorities

Apr 10, 2025 - To help facilitate effective emergency response, the Legislature has granted authority to the Governor to proclaim a state of emergency and given the Governor broad authorities to undertake activities related to proclaimed emergencies.
https://lao.ca.gov/Publications/Report/5029

Rethinking California's Reserve Policy

Apr 10, 2025 - In this report, when revenues are insufficient for the state to pay for its core service level, we describe the difference as a funding shortfall. A funding shortfall is distinct from a budget deficit, which occurs when revenues are insufficient for the state to pay for all of its currently authorized services (not just core services).
https://lao.ca.gov/Publications/Report/5028

The 2025-26 Budget: Medi-Cal Pharmacy Spending

Apr 3, 2025 - After paying pharmacies for the drugs, Medi ‑Cal submits claims to drug makers for negotiated rebates. These rebates provide money back to the Medi ‑Cal program, effectively helping to offset some of the cost of the drugs.
https://lao.ca.gov/Publications/Report/5026

The 2025-26 Budget: Department of Financial Protection and Innovation [Publication Details]

Apr 3, 2025 - In this post, we assess administration-proposed trailer bill language that would increase certain fees charged by the Department of Financial Protection and Innovation and make recommendations to help ensure the department has the resources it needs to meet its oversight and regulatory mission.
https://lao.ca.gov/Publications/Detail/5025

The 2025-26 Budget: Department of Financial Protection and Innovation

Apr 3, 2025 - In this post, we assess administration-proposed trailer bill language that would increase certain fees charged by the Department of Financial Protection and Innovation and make recommendations to help ensure the department has the resources it needs to meet its oversight and regulatory mission.
https://lao.ca.gov/Publications/Report/5025

The 2025-26 Budget: Child Care and State Preschool

Mar 28, 2025 - Oversight of programs allows the state to determine whether existing programs are well‑designed to address their key goals, as well as help inform legislative actions that might be needed to help balance the state budget over the next few years.
https://lao.ca.gov/Publications/Report/5024

Overview of K-12 Career Technical Education

Mar 25, 2025 - Other allowable uses of the funds include paying for field trips and student conferences. Specialized Secondary Programs (SSP). The state provides $4.9  million ongoing for SSP to encourage high schools to create curriculum and pilot programs in specialized fields, such as technology and the performing arts.
https://lao.ca.gov/Publications/Report/5021

The 2025-26 Budget: Department of Real Estate [Publication Details]

Mar 19, 2025 - In this post, we assess key drivers of the structural imbalance of the Department of Real Estate’s primary source of funding—the state Real Estate Fund—and make recommendations to help ensure solvency.
https://lao.ca.gov/Publications/Detail/5019