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

Apr 29, 2025 - The New PDL Process for GenAI Projects Consistent with the requirements of the EO, the most recent deliverable completed in February 2025 makes changes to the state ’s technology project procurement and approval processes.
https://lao.ca.gov/Publications/Report/5034

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

Apr 11, 2025 - This would make estimates of performance more accurate and potentially more achievable for some counties. Although making this change might only result in modest changes to the statewide performance payment, compared to the Governor ’s proposal, it may have a larger impact on smaller, more rural, counties that are more affected by small changes in failure-to-prison rates.
https://lao.ca.gov/Publications/Report/5031

Improving Legislative Oversight of Emergency Authorities [Publication Details]

Apr 10, 2025 - In this report, we describe how the Legislature has delegated some of its core powers to allow the Governor to exercise emergency authorities during a state of emergency. Next, we assess the degree to which this is necessary to facilitate emergency response and whether there are adequate oversight mechanisms in place.
https://lao.ca.gov/Publications/Detail/5029

Improving Legislative Oversight of Emergency Authorities

Apr 10, 2025 - Moreover, at the federal level, the President can also make similar emergency declarations. For example, the President can make a Major Disaster Declaration when there is a natural event beyond the capacity of the state and local governments to respond, typically when the amount of damage caused by disaster events exceeds certain per capita dollar thresholds.
https://lao.ca.gov/Publications/Report/5029

Rethinking California's Reserve Policy

Apr 10, 2025 - This makes the state ’s reserve policy more like an individual saving for retirement. A person saving for retirement does not know how long they will live or exactly what their expenses will be in retirement, but they nonetheless must plan for this eventuality by making the best possible choices in the meantime.
https://lao.ca.gov/Publications/Report/5028

California New Car Registrations: February 2025 [EconTax Blog]

Apr 8, 2025 - Additionally, consumers often borrow money to buy cars, likely making this indicator particularly sensitive to changes in credit markets. The Department of Motor Vehicles ’ monthly registration data are more timely than other key indicators of state-level consumer spending.
https://lao.ca.gov/LAOEconTax/Article/Detail/826

California New Car Registrations: February 2025 [EconTax Blog]

Apr 8, 2025 - Additionally, consumers often borrow money to buy cars, likely making this indicator particularly sensitive to changes in credit markets. The Department of Motor Vehicles ’ monthly registration data are more timely than other key indicators of state-level consumer spending.
https://lao.ca.gov/LAOEconTax/article/Detail/826

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 - Our review focuses on aspects of child care and State Preschool funding that are not within the scope of collective bargaining because the Legislature has more flexibility to make changes in these areas.
https://lao.ca.gov/Publications/Report/5024