December, 2003

Proposition 58

The California Balanced Budget Act

Background

California’s Budget Situation

California has experienced major budget difficulties in recent years. After a period of high growth in revenues and expenditures in the late 1990s, state tax revenues plunged in 2001 and the budget fell badly out of balance. Although policymakers reduced program spending and increased revenues to deal with part of the shortfalls, the state has also carried over large deficits and engaged in a significant amount of borrowing. The state budget faces another major shortfall in 2004-05 and it has a variety of other obligations—such as deferrals and loans from special funds—that are outstanding at this time.

Constitutional Provisions Relating to Budgeting and Debt

There are several budget- and debt-related provisions in California’s Constitution that are affected by this proposition.

Proposal

This proposition amends the Constitution, making changes related to (1) the enactment and maintenance of a balanced state budget, (2) the establishment of specific reserve requirements, and (3) a restriction on future deficit-related borrowing. The provisions are discussed in more detail below.

Balanced Budget Provisions

This proposition requires that the state adopt a balanced budget and provides for mid-year adjustments in the event that the budget falls out of balance.

Balanced Budget. In addition to the existing requirement that the Governor propose a balanced budget, this measure requires that the state enact a budget that is balanced. Specifically, estimated revenues would have to meet or exceed estimated expenditures in each year.

Mid-Year Adjustments. Under this measure, if the Governor determines that the state is facing substantial revenue shortfalls or spending deficiencies, the Governor may declare a fiscal emergency. He or she would then be required to propose legislation to address the problem, and call the Legislature into special session for that purpose. If the Legislature fails to pass and send to the Governor legislation to address the budget problem within 45 days, it would be prohibited from (1) acting on any other bills or (2) adjourning in joint recess until such legislation is passed.

Reserve Requirement

The proposal requires that a special reserve—called the Budget Stabilization Account (BSA)—be established in the state’s General Fund.

Annual Transfers. A portion of estimated annual General Fund revenues would be transferred by the State Controller into the account no later than September 30 of each fiscal year. The specific transfers are 1 percent (about $850 million) in 2006-07, 2 percent (about $1.8 billion) in 2007-08, and 3 percent (about $2.9 billion) in 2008-09 and thereafter. These transfers would continue until the balance in the account reaches $8 billion or 5 percent of General Fund revenues, whichever is greater. The annual transfer requirement would be in effect whenever the balance falls below the $8 billion or 5 percent target. (Given the current level of General Fund revenues—approximately $75 billion—the required reserve level would likely be $8 billion for at least the next decade.)

Suspension of Transfers. The annual transfers could be suspended or reduced for a fiscal year by an executive order issued by the Governor no later than June 1 of the preceding fiscal year.

Allocation of Funds. Each year, 50 percent of the annual transfers into the BSA would be allocated to a subaccount that is dedicated to repayment of the deficit-recovery bond authorized by Proposition 57. These transfers would be made until they reach a cumulative total of $5 billion. Funds from this subaccount would be automatically spent for debt service on that bond. The remaining funds in the BSA would be available for transfer to the General Fund.

Spending From the Account. Funds in the BSA could be transferred from this account to the General Fund through a majority vote of the Legislature and approval of the Governor. Spending of these monies from the General Fund could be made for various purposes—including to cover budget shortfalls—generally with a two-thirds vote of the Legislature (same as current law).

Related Provisions in Proposition 56. Proposition 56 on this ballot also contains new, but different, requirements related to a state reserve fund.

Prohibition Against Future Deficit Borrowing

Subsequent to the issuance of the bonds authorized in Proposition 57, this proposal would prohibit most future borrowing to cover budget deficits. This restriction applies to general obligation bonds, revenue bonds, and certain other forms of long-term borrowing. The restriction does not apply to certain other types of borrowing, such as (1) short-term borrowing to cover cash shortfalls in the General Fund (including revenue anticipation notes or revenue anticipation warrants currently used by the state), or (2) borrowing between state funds.

Other Provisions

This measure also states that:

Fiscal Effects

This measure could have a variety of fiscal effects, depending on future budget circumstances and future actions taken by Governors and Legislatures. Possible fiscal effects include:


Return to Initiatives and Propositions

Return to Legislative Analyst's Office Home Page