MOU Fiscal Analysis: Bargaining Unit 12 (Craft and Maintenance)

Jun 27, 2025 - The Unit 12 lead in total compensation ranged from 3  percent above market in the case of highway maintenance workers to 32  percent above market in the case of stockers and order fillers. Wages Less Competitive Among Local Governments and Certain Regions.
https://lao.ca.gov/Publications/Report/5060

MOU Fiscal Analysis: Bargaining Unit 6 (Corrections)

Jun 23, 2025 - Following a recommendation from our office, Chapter 39 of 2023 (AB 130, Committee on Budget) amended Section 19826 of the Government Code to establish a regularly occurring cycle so that a new compensation study for each bargaining unit would be released every two years, regardless of the status of its MOU.
https://lao.ca.gov/Publications/Report/5058

Retail Theft in California: Looking Back at a Decade of Change

Jun 12, 2025 - Subsequently, between 2021 and 2023, retail theft increased by 32  percent. Over the entire ten ‑year period —2014 to 2023 —reported retail theft increased by 48 crimes per 100,000  people, or 11  percent.
https://lao.ca.gov/Publications/Report/5055

Cannabis Tax Revenue Update (2025 Q1) [EconTax Blog]

Jun 3, 2025 - Chapter 56, Statutes of 2022 (AB 195, Committee on Budget) eliminated the cultivation tax on July 1, 2022. This law also requires the administration to increase the retail excise tax rate to 19 percent effective July 1, 2025.
https://lao.ca.gov/LAOEconTax/Article/Detail/831

Cannabis Tax Revenue Update (2025 Q1) [EconTax Blog]

Jun 3, 2025 - Chapter 56, Statutes of 2022 (AB 195, Committee on Budget) eliminated the cultivation tax on July 1, 2022. This law also requires the administration to increase the retail excise tax rate to 19 percent effective July 1, 2025.
https://lao.ca.gov/LAOEconTax/article/Detail/831

The 2025-26 Budget: State Mandates—Regional Water Quality Control Boards

May 30, 2025 - This includes 32 pending test claims and 4 additional claims for which CSM has already identified state-reimbursable mandated activities but has not yet developed cost estimates. Each test claim submitted to CSM is different and has to be considered individually.
https://lao.ca.gov/Publications/Report/5054

Firearms and Ammunition Revenue Update (2025 Q1) [EconTax Blog]

May 21, 2025 - Firearms and Ammunition Revenue Update (2025 Q1) [EconTax Blog] Firearms and Ammunition Revenue Update (2025 Q1) May 21, 2025 Seth Kerstein Beginning July 2024, Chapter 231 of 2023 (AB 28, Gabriel) imposed an 11 percent excise tax on retail sales of firearms, firearm precursor parts, and ammunition, with some exemptions.
https://lao.ca.gov/LAOEconTax/Article/Detail/830

Firearms and Ammunition Revenue Update (2025 Q1) [EconTax Blog]

May 21, 2025 - Firearms and Ammunition Revenue Update (2025 Q1) [EconTax Blog] Firearms and Ammunition Revenue Update (2025 Q1) May 21, 2025 Seth Kerstein Beginning July 2024, Chapter 231 of 2023 (AB 28, Gabriel) imposed an 11 percent excise tax on retail sales of firearms, firearm precursor parts, and ammunition, with some exemptions.
https://lao.ca.gov/LAOEconTax/article/Detail/830

The 2025-26 Budget: Cap-and-Trade Reauthorization and Greenhouse Gas Reduction Fund Proposals at May Revision

May 19, 2025 - The planned reductions affect multiyear spending plans included in prior budget agreements for activities such as the AB  617 community air protection program, support for local transit agencies, and various zero-emission vehicle programs.
https://lao.ca.gov/Publications/Report/5049

Ethnic studies course at the California State University. [Ballot]

May 15, 2025 - Chapter 32 of 2020 (AB 1460, Weber) requires CSU undergraduates to complete a three-unit ethnic studies course to graduate. The ethnic studies course could not increase the total n umber of units required to graduate.
https://lao.ca.gov/BallotAnalysis/Initiative/2025-003