News & Updates - LAO: Deficit Likely Higher Than Jerry Brown’s Estimate
California’s budget deficit is likely worse than Gov. Jerry Brown’s estimate of $15.7 billion, the state’s top fiscal analyst indicated Friday.
Brown proposed a $91.4 billion general fund budget Monday that slashes health and welfare programs, courts and state worker pay. His proposal also relies on voters temporarily raising taxes on sales and wealthy earners to help cover this year’s budget gap and deficits in future years.
The nonpartisan Legislative Analyst’s Office said Friday that Brown’s revenue forecast is “reasonable,” though the Analyst’s own projection is still $550 million below the governor’s through June 2013. On top of that, the LAO warned that Brown’s estimate of money available from former redevelopment programs could be overstated by $900 million.
Read more or view LAO’s report.