California Legislative Analyst’s Office Warns Governor’s Budget Plan Appears Unconstitutional

The office said the plan seems to violate a measure passed by voters in 2014 that mandates minimum annual debt payments.

A view of the California state capitol building in Sacramento, Calif., on March 13, 2024. Arturo Holmes/Getty Images for National Urban League

With the state facing a record deficit of $73 billion while carrying approximately $1.6 trillion in debt across local and state governments, the nonpartisan Legislative Analyst’s Office advised lawmakers that aspects of California Gov. Gavin Newsom’s budget proposal are potentially unconstitutional.

At issue is a plan to apply an existing payment from the 2023–2024 fiscal year to the following year for the California Public Employees’ Retirement System, better known as CalPERS.