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State Budget Condition Publications

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Report

Analysis of the 2004-05 Budget Bill and Perspectives and Issues

February 18, 2004 - 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.

Report

Overview of the 2004-05 Governor's Budget

January 13, 2004 - We believe that the Governor's proposal provides a solid starting point for budget deliberations. It includes realistic revenue and caseload assumptions, as well as real and ongoing solutions from most areas of the budget. At the same time, however, it presents the Legislature with numerous policy issues and concerns. For example, its reductions would have far-reaching consequences for the scope of state services in a variety of program areas. Some of its proposals lack detail or have savings estimates that may not be achievable. And, even with the serious spending reductions it proposes in 2004-05 the plan does not fully address the state's ongoing budget problem—leaving a roughly $6 billion shortfall between expenditures and revenues in 2005-06.

Letter

Comments on the Administration’s Spending Limit Proposal

December 1, 2003 - Our comments on the administration’s spending limit proposal as requested by the Assembly Budget and Senate Budget and Fiscal Review Committees.

Handout

Fiscal Overview

November 20, 2003 - Handout presented to the Senate Budget and Fiscal Review Committee on November 20th, 2003.

Handout

Fiscal Overview

November 19, 2003 - Handout presented to the Assembly Budget Committee on November 19th, 2003.

Report

California's Fiscal Outlook: LAO Projections, 2003-04 Through 2008-09

November 14, 2003 - According to our projections, the state is facing a year-end shortfall of $10.2 billion in 2004-05 assuming the vehicle license fee (VLF) rate increase remains in effect, and substantially more if the rate is rolled back and the state resumes backfill payments to localities. Over the longer term, absent corrective actions, the state faces annual current-law operating deficits that remain over $9 billion through the end of the forecast period—and $14 billion if the VLF rate is rolled back.

Report

California Spending Plan 2003-04: The Budget Act and Related Legislation

October 23, 2003 - The Legislature was faced with addressing an enormous two-year General Fund budget shortfall in developing the state's spending plan for 2003-04. We discuss the factors underlying this shortfall, describe the key actions taken to address it, and provide detail on the adopted budget package.

Report

Supplemental Report of the 2003 Budget Act: 2003-04 Fiscal Year

September 11, 2003 - Statements of intent for requests for studies adopted by the Legislature as a supplement to the 2003 Budget Act.

Report

Major Features of the 2003 California Budget

August 1, 2003 - The budget package, as passed by the Legislature, authorizes total spending of $98.9 billion. Of this amount, $70.8 billion is from the General Fund, $20.5 billion is from special funds, and $7.5 billion from bond funds. It addresses an enormous General Fund shortfall through a combination of program savings, borrowing, new revenues, funding shifts, and deferrals.

Handout

The 2003-04 Budget Bill (AB 1765) as Amended on July 26, 2003

July 28, 2003 - Highlights of the Budget Bill as adopted by the Senate.

Handout

State Expenditures: History and Forecast

July 16, 2003 - Presented to the Senate Select Committee on Fiscal Restructuring

Handout

State Expenditures: History and Forecast

July 10, 2003 - Presented to Senate Select Committee on Fiscal Restructuring

Handout

The 2003-04 Assembly Budget Bill AB 100 (Oropeza)--as Adopted by the Budget Committee

June 2, 2003 - A summary of the Assembly Budget Bill as adopted by the Budget Committee.

Handout

The 2003-04 Senate Budget Bill SB 53 (Chesbro)--As Adopted by the Budget and Fiscal Review Committee

June 2, 2003 - A summary of the Senate Budget Bill as adopted by the Budget and Fiscal Review Committee.

Report

Overview of the 2003-04 May Revision

May 19, 2003 - The May Revision adopts a multiyear approach to addressing the state's massive budget problem, relying more on borrowing and less on near-term spending reductions than the January proposal. Adoption of the plan would likely result in a precariously balanced 2003-04 budget, but would leave the state with a still-formidable structural imbalance between ongoing revenues and expenditures in the future. Primarily because of this imbalance, we believe that if the Governor's multiyear approach is adopted, it should include additional ongoing solutions beyond those proposed in the May Revision.

State Budget Condition Staff

Ann Hollingshead
(916) 319-8305
State Budget and Federal Funding
 
Carolyn Chu
(916) 319-8326
Chief Deputy Legislative Analyst