The 2026-27 Budget: In-Home Supportive Services [Publication Details]

Mar 18, 2026 - In this brief, we analyze and provide background on the primary cost drivers of the In-home Supportive Services (IHSS) program, describe and analyze the Governor’s budget proposals related to IHSS, and provide additional considerations and questions for the Legislature to ask regarding the Governor’s proposals.
https://lao.ca.gov/Publications/Detail/5166

The 2026-27 Budget: Re-Envisioning State Education Governance

Mar 18, 2026 - Conflicts of interest arise when the SPI is asked to perform duties that are in tension. For example, the SPI is sometimes asked to implement policies that do not align with the individual ’s priorities.
https://lao.ca.gov/Publications/Report/5165

The 2026-27 Budget: In-Home Supportive Services

Mar 18, 2026 - We Recommend the Legislature Ask Clarifying Questions and Weigh Trade ‑Offs of Each Proposal. For each of the proposed solutions in the IHSS program, we suggest the Legislature ask the administration key, clarifying questions as it weighs the trade ‑offs of each proposal.
https://lao.ca.gov/Publications/Report/5166

The 2026-27 Budget: Department of Developmental Services

Mar 13, 2026 - The Legislature could ask the department at budget hearings to provide an updated savings estimate for this budget solution. How Will the Quality Incentive Program Balance Meaningful Standards With Achievability?
https://lao.ca.gov/Publications/Report/5157

The 2026-27 Budget: Contract to Achieve Operational Efficiencies

Mar 10, 2026 - For example, the budget subcommittees could (1)  ask questions to better understand the potential benefits of using a contractor to identify efficiencies as opposed to directing departments to develop them, (2)  ask for an update on the work with CDCR and The State Fund given that the activities will have likely progressed somewhat since February, and (3)  probe
https://lao.ca.gov/Publications/Report/5156

The 2026-27 Budget: County Administration and H.R. 1 Implementation

Mar 5, 2026 - As part of its deliberations, the Legislature may wish to ask the administration to report on its plans for the $20  million made available to support county implementation of work requirements in CalFresh as part of the 2025 ‑26 spending plan.
https://lao.ca.gov/Publications/Report/5149

The 2026-27 Budget: Child Welfare

Mar 3, 2026 - Given the significant resources DSS is dedicating to preparing for Tiered Rate Structure Implementation while future funding is not guaranteed, the Legislature may wish to ask the administration to provide additional information around the department ’s plans going forward.
https://lao.ca.gov/publications/report/5147

Addressing Chronic Vacancies in Prison Mental Health Care

Feb 23, 2026 - Ask Court to Allow Tele ‑Mental Health Providers to Work From Out ‑of ‑State. We recommend the Legislature direct CDCR to request that the Coleman court remove the requirement that tele ‑mental health staff work in California.
https://lao.ca.gov/Publications/Report/5134

The 2026-27 Budget: California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation

Feb 23, 2026 - Ask the court to allow tele ‑mental health providers to work from out of state. Require CDCR report on the feasibility of concentrating the mental health population in prisons that are easier to staff.
https://lao.ca.gov/Publications/Report/5137

The 2026-27 Budget: CalWORKs

Feb 18, 2026 - The Legislature may wish to ask the administration at budget hearings to provide more information on the impacts of an extended funding freeze on CalWORKs, and other programs that receive TANF funding.
https://lao.ca.gov/Publications/Report/5122