State Budget Watch 2026-27

Tracking the 2026 Budget Release

Update (January 9, 2026): EveryChild CA has released initial analysis and details of ealy care and education in the state budget. Read our e-mail here.

Update (January 8, 2026): We have received confirmation that the Governor’s January Budget Revision will be released this Friday at 10:00 AM. The press conference will be streamed live on the Governor's YouTube page.  All budget documents can be located at www.ebudget.ca.gov once they are posted, typically around 10:15am the morning of the budget press conference. 

The first version of the California state budget is expected to be released this week. Under the California Constitution, the Governor is required to release a proposed budget by January 10, marking the official start of the annual budget process. This initial release will include the Governor’s budget summary along with the full budget text, offering a first look at the state’s proposed spending and revenue projections. This year’s proposal is expected to reflect a projected $18 billion budget deficit, which may feel jarring or concerning for many in our community. It’s important to remember, though, that this is truly just a first draft. The Governor’s Office and legislative budget committees fully expect the budget to evolve through months of negotiations. Those discussions will continue through the spring, with a final budget required to pass by June 15, 2026. In other words, the choices outlined in January are not set in stone.

That’s why ongoing advocacy matters so much right now. Early engagement helps shape the conversations that follow this initial release. At EveryChild California, our team will be reviewing the budget carefully, identifying key impacts and opportunities for advocacy, and working alongside our members to help ensure that California’s child care community navigates this budget process together.

For the most up-to-date information, it helps to watch a few sources at the same time:

• California Department of Finance, eBudget: This is where the official budget documents will be posted.
  https://ebudget.ca.gov/home

• Governor’s YouTube Channel: This is where budget press events are often livestreamed.
  https://www.youtube.com/@cagovernor/streams

• Governor’s Newsroom and Press Releases: This is where the budget announcement is typically posted.
  https://www.gov.ca.gov/newsroom/

We’ll continue to share updates, context, and next steps as more details become available.