California’s budget increased cumulatively more than the maximum rate of population growth plus inflation in state funds and all funds from 2016-25, meaning taxes are higher than the average taxpayer can afford.

  • The 2025 state funds budget is $133.3 billion higher than it would have been had spending grown at the rate of population growth plus inflation over the past decade.
  • Because the state funds budget grew faster than population growth plus inflation for the last ten years, the state spent $560.7 billion too much.
  • The 2025 funds budget is $189.8 billion higher than it would have been had spending grown at the rate of population growth plus inflation over the past decade.
  • Because the all funds budget grew faster than population growth plus inflation over the past decade, the state spent $990.7 billion too much.

State Funds Budget Data

  • Estimated FY 2026 Only State Funds Budget ($ Billions): $ 348.17
  • FY 2027 Only State Funds Budget Limit ($ Billions): $ 359.22
  • FY 2027 Only State Funds Budget Limit Growth (%): 3.17%
  • Cost per person of only state funds budgeting more than pop+inf over the last decade in 2025 budget: $ 44,453
  • Cost per family of 4 of only state funds budgeting more than pop+inf over the last decade in 2025 budget: $ 3,386
  • Cumulative cost per person of only state funds budgeting more than pop+inf over the last decade from 2016-25: $ 14,248
  • Cumulative cost per family of 4 of only state funds budgeting more than pop+inf over the last decade from 2016-25: $ 56,991

All Funds Budget Data

  • Estimated FY 2026 All Funds Budget ($ Billions): $ 525.74
  • FY 2027 All Funds Budget Limit ($ Billions): $ 542.42
  • FY 2027 All Funds Budget Limit Growth (%): 3.2%
  • Cost per person of all funds budgeting more than pop+inf over the last decade in 2025 budget: $ 69,617
  • Cost per family of 4 of all funds budgeting more than pop+inf over the last decade in 2025 budget: $ 4,822
  • Cumulative cost per person of all funds budgeting more than pop+inf over the last decade from 2016-25: $ 25,174
  • Cumulative cost per family of 4 of all funds budgeting more than pop+inf over the last decade from 2016-25: $ 100,697

Other Economic and Fiscal Considerations