Through a year-long process, the Department of Finance prepares, explains and administers California's annual financial plan, the California Budget. The Governor submits the Governor's Budget to the Legislature in January, it is revised in May, and the fiscal year begins July 1. Mission Statement: • Serve as the Governor’s chief fiscal policy advisor. • Promote responsible resource allocation through the state’s annual financial plan. • Ensure the financial integrity of the state. Core Values: Finance has a strong history of laudably fulfilling its responsibilities. That history of performance has garnered the Department respect from successive Administrations and Legislatures and earned it a reputation as a venerable institution. The foundation of this reputation is a set of core values that guide the actions of the employees who, collectively, are the Department of Finance. • Integrity • Expertise • Teamwork • Respect • Problem Solving