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Welcome to the Budget Academy

The Budget Center’s essential resources for understanding and navigating the California state budget — all in one place. Explore tools, videos, and expert insights designed to strengthen your advocacy and guide informed decision-making.

Have a question about the state budget? Contact us.

Learn the Lingo

Understanding budget-related terms is essential for navigating the state budget and legislative process and effectively engaging with decision-makers to advocate for just policy solutions for Californians.

California State Budget Terms Defined

What’s the difference between a trailer bill and a policy bill? A surplus and an operating surplus? Special funds and the General Fund? And what exactly is a “Budget Bill Jr.”? Understanding these and other key budget-related terms is critical to navigating the state budget process and effectively engaging decision-makers in order to advocate for … Continued

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Tax and Revenue Policy Glossary

What’s the difference between income and wealth? Taxes for individuals and corporations in California? Tax credits and deductions? Understanding these key terms is critical to navigating the state budget and its intersection with California’s tax and revenue system to generate ongoing resources and provide quality education, affordable health care, child care, housing, and other services … Continued

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State Budget Process and Legislative Process: Key Activities and Deadlines

The most common way for Californians to shape state funding decisions and policy priorities is through the state budget process and the legislative (or policy bill) process. The deadlines for the state budget process are established in California’s Constitution or in state law and rarely change. In contrast, most of the deadlines for the legislative … Continued

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Where to Start? Our Essential Resources

Our resources on the California state budget can help us all ask: What kind of California do you want to live in?

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Guide to the California State Budget Process

A comprehensive guide to the California state budget process: we provide an overview of the year-round state budget cycle, detail the roles of the key players, and lay out the timeline for state budgeting as well as opportunities for input. Our hope is that this guide makes the state budget process more accessible for policy staff, advocates, and the media, as well as to broaden participation in the budget debate.

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How California Policies Are Made: Legislative Process Highlights

Table of contents Legislative Process: The Basics The legislative process — also known as the policy bill process — provides a key pathway through the state Legislature for Californians who want to change state law. Each year, members of the state Assembly and Senate collectively introduce thousands of bills that move, partially or all the … Continued

Fact Sheet

Federal Funds Drive One-Third of California’s State Budget

Federal dollars support a wide array of public services and systems that touch the lives of all Californians — from health care and food assistance to child care and public schools. Under the incoming Trump administration and a Republican-controlled Congress, many of these services are expected to face significant reductions — in large part to … Continued

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California’s State Budget Reserves Explained

How much money is in California’s state budget reserves? When can the funds be withdrawn? How can the funds be used by the state?

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Master the Budget, Build a Stronger California Together

With the right tools, we can work together to shape policies that create a more equitable and thriving California for all.

Budget Breakdown: Videos to Learn

Explore our video series for a breakdown of key elements of California’s state budget. More videos coming soon!

Understanding California’s Budget Process: What Are Trailer Bills?

Illustration of California state capitol building with a hand drawing on the right side. A yellow checkmark inside a speech bubble is shown, alongside the text 'Take effect immediately upon being signed by the Governor' in relation to trailer bills.

What is Proposition 98? Guaranteed School Funding Explained

Get Your Guide

Enter your email to get our free infographic, Navigating the California State Budget Process, and discover when and how YOU can engage in shaping California’s future.