California Has a Spending Problem

The Problem

California's budget doubled in size over the last decade.

The state's annual spending grew from $161 billion in 2015 to $322 billion in 2025.

Median incomes grew at half that rate, increasing just 49% from $64,500 in 2015 to $96,300 in 2025.

Nearly 1.3 million people moved out of the state over the past five years.

Despite the state doubling its total annual spending over the last 10 years:

Homelessness increased by 60% in California.
Home prices nearly doubled from $475,000 in 2015 to $909,000 in 2025.
60% of third-graders in the state can't read or write at grade level.
K-12 education ranks 38th in the nation, behind Mississippi and Louisiana.
Today, one in six people in California lives in poverty.
California has the highest unemployment rate in the country, and job growth is slowing.

In 2024, California conducted its first-ever large-scale audit of state homelessness programs.

California spent $24B over five years on homeless programs, but didn't consistently track outcomes.

The audit found that a majority of state homelessness programs were likely ineffective.

This election, vote for candidates who will fix problems, not just spend our tax dollars.

Ask your State Senator and Assemblymember if they have a plan to track spending and outcomes better.

Hold elected officials accountable for how they spend your money, and call for more transparency.

If we spend our tax dollars in smarter ways, we can solve our greatest challenges and see results soon.

Send an email to ask about their plans to track state spending and outcomes better