The 2026-27 Budget: How to Use One-Time Revenue Improvements

Feb 20, 2026 - At the same time, the state would continue to use $10  billion in reserves in 2025-26 under the administration ’s plan. In addition, recent budgets have relied on nearly $30  billion in borrowing to address deficits, and the Governor ’s budget proposes almost $6  billion in additional borrowing (see Figure  1).
https://lao.ca.gov/Publications/Report/5133

The 2025-26 Budget: Overview of the Spending Plan

Oct 16, 2025 - Middle Class Scholarships (MCS) Arrears Budgeting ($1 Billion). The budget package reflects $1 billion in savings by deferring recognition of MCS program costs from 2025‑26 to 2026‑27 on a budgetary basis.
https://lao.ca.gov/Publications/Report/5079

The 2026-27 Budget: Overview of the Governor's Budget

Jan 12, 2026 - In this report, we provide a high ‑level summary and our initial analysis of the Governor ’s budget based on our preliminary review (as of January 10). In the coming weeks, we will analyze the plan in more detail and release many additional issue ‑specific budget analyses.
https://lao.ca.gov/Publications/Report/5101

The State Appropriations Limit

Apr 21, 2021 - In 1986 ‑87, the state had excess revenues of $1. 1  b illion. Proposition   4 r equired the excess to be rebated to  taxpayers. Proposition   98  (198 8) a nd Proposition   111  Made Changes to the SAL.
https://lao.ca.gov/Publications/Report/4416

The 2026-27 Budget: Overview of the Governor's Budget [Publication Details]

Jan 12, 2026 - On January 9, 2026, Governor Newsom’s administration presented its proposed state budget to the California Legislature. In this report, we provide a high-level summary and our initial analysis of the Governor’s budget based on our preliminary review (as of January 10). Assembly Budget Handout (PDF) Senate Budget and Fiscal Review Handout (PDF)
https://lao.ca.gov/Publications/Detail/5101

The 2025-26 Budget: Multiyear Budget Outlook

May 24, 2025 - As shown in Figure  1, our estimates are broadly consistent with those of the administration. Both our office and the Department of Finance (DOF) project operating deficits ranging from $10  billion to $20  billion over the multiyear period.
https://lao.ca.gov/Publications/Report/5052

The 2021-22 Budget: Overview of the Spending Plan (Final Version)

Oct 27, 2021 - In terms of direct assistance to families, the budget uses ( 1) r ealignment funding to provide a 5. 3 p ercent increase to the CalWORKs grant and ( 2) f ederal COVID ‑ 19 r elief funds to provide a one ‑time payment of about $ 640 t o families.
https://lao.ca.gov/Publications/Report/4448

Rethinking California's Reserve Policy

Apr 10, 2025 - The  Governor proposes two changes to the state ’s reserve policy: (1)  raise the cap on constitutional deposits from 10  percent of General Fund taxes to 20  percent, and (2)  make reserve deposits excludable from the state appropriations limit.
https://lao.ca.gov/Publications/Report/5028

The 2024-25 Budget: Overview of the Spending Plan

Sep 6, 2024 - The 2024-25 Budget: Overview of the Spending Plan Update (9/11/24): Managed care organization tax increase corrected in Appendix 1 (Figure 4) and Appendix 2 (Figure 1). Update (10/2/24): Figure 8 has been updated for final actions.
https://lao.ca.gov/Publications/Report/4922/3

The 2024-25 Budget: Overview of the Spending Plan

Sep 6, 2024 - The 2024-25 Budget: Overview of the Spending Plan Update (9/11/24): Managed care organization tax increase corrected in Appendix 1 (Figure 4) and Appendix 2 (Figure 1). Update (10/2/24): Figure 8 has been updated for final actions.
https://lao.ca.gov/Publications/Report/4922/2