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November 1, 2008 - The state’s already difficult budget situation was made worse this year by a significant drop in revenues due to a sluggish economy. The enacted budget, combined with special session actions in February 2008, contains about $24 billion in solutions and projects a General Fund reserve of $1.7 billion. Overall, the state spending plan for 2008–09 includes total budget expenditures of $131.6 billion. This includes $103.4 billion from the General Fund and $28.2 billion from special funds. Total state spending declines slightly by $511 million from 2007–08 (0.4 percent). Bond fund spending is expected to increase by 1.3 percent, as the state continues to allocate funds from the $43 billion bond package approved at the November 2006 election.
November 1, 2008 - We did not publish a Major Features report in 2008. The links above will open instead the California Spending Plan 2008-09: The Budget Act and Related Legislation, published in November, 2008, which provides similar information in more detail.
October 8, 2008 - Statements of intent for requests for studies adopted by the Legislature as a supplement to the 2008 Budget Act. (This report was updated on October 8, 2008, to reflect Errata language.)
June 2, 2008 - Presented to the Senate Budget and Fiscal Review Committee: LAO and DOF revenue overview and possible action hearing
May 19, 2008 - Elizabeth Hill discusses the LAO's Overview of the 2007-08 May Revision.
May 19, 2008 - The state faces a remaining budget shortfall of $15 billion, after accounting for the $7 billion in solutions adopted as part of the special session. We have updated our LAO alternative budget, which remains balanced through our forecast period, to reflect the state’s worsening fiscal situation. Our plan includes a more responsible lottery securitization—resulting in a General Fund benefit of $5.6 billion over two years—with a dramatically reduced risk to education’s lottery funding. Finally, we offer some much simpler approaches to increasing the size of the state’s reserve in good fiscal times.
March 13, 2008 - After 32 years of service to the Legislative Analyst’s Office, including nearly 22 years as the Legislative Analyst, Elizabeth Hill advised Legislative Leadership and Members of the Joint Legislative Budget Committee late yesterday that she will retire at the end of this legislative session. Ms. Hill, the fourth Legislative Analyst in the office’s 67 year history, expressed her thanks for the opportunity to serve the Legislature in this nonpartisan capacity advising the body on fiscal and policy issues. Here she answers questions from the media.
February 26, 2008 - In an interview on the California Channel's "California Conversations" Elizabeth Hill answers questions the state's fiscal condition and the LAO's alternative budget plan.
February 26, 2008 - Legislative Analyst's Office presentation on the proposed 2008 budget; presented to the Senate Budget and Fiscal Review Committee:
February 20, 2008 - Elizabeth Hill discusses highlights from our 2008-09 Analysis of the Budget Bill and Perspectives and Issues.
February 20, 2008 - In contrast to the administration’s across-the-board reduction budget-balancing approach that fails to prioritize state spending, we offer an alternative approach for the Legislature’s consideration. By making more targeted reductions; eliminating or modifying ineffectiveness or nonessential programs; and adding ongoing revenue solutions, we believe this approach offers the Legislature a better foundation to begin crafting a 2008-09 budget that focuses on essential services. This piece provides an overview of the key components of this alternative approach. Our alternative budget would end the 2008-09 fiscal year with a $1.3 billion reserve, and remain balanced through 2012-13.
February 20, 2008 - Our annual detailed examination of the Budget Bill based on the Governor's Budget. It includes hundreds of findings and recommendations related to education, health and social services, criminal justice, transportation, resources, capital outlay, information technology, and local government.