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Recent Articles from Stateline.org
Highway money on states’ radar
States are hoping that a job-creating initiative to be outlined by President Obama on Dec. 8 will include billions of dollars for infrastructure projects. Meanwhile, recession-worn Michigan may be ineligible for $475 million in federal highway money next year because it can't find $84 million in matching state funds.
After furloughs, states mull permanent cuts
Moving from furloughs of state employees to more permanent downsizing, states are girding for the deepest workforce cuts yet when they hammer out their fiscal 2011 budgets next year. In preparation, many are taking stock of every position in state government to determine what effect job cuts and the possible elimination of whole departments will have on revenues, expenses and the quality of govern[...]
Budget insiders see worse ahead in Calif., Mich.
Two of the states hit hardest by the Great Recession-California and Michigan-are bracing for an even tougher time making ends meet next year, putting big spending cuts or outright elimination of some services on the table, top budget officials from both states said Nov. 13.
Report: 11 states emerging from recession
As the national economy starts its slow recovery, 11 states and the District of Columbia are showing signs of emerging from the recession, according to a new report.
Behind open doors, states track stimulus money
What do an FBI fraud team, a showdown between a governor and the legislature, and a sophisticated online system called geographic information systems have in common? All are part of states' efforts to ensure that billions in federal stimulus money are spent wisely within their borders.
Report shows states’ most important revenue sources
Oregon, more than any other state, relies on its residents' income tax payments for revenue, while its northern neighbor, Washington, depends more heavily than any other state on sales taxes, according to a new 50-state analysis of state finances.
Report: State deficits loom despite stimulus
The federal government paid out all but $1 billion of the anticipated $49 billion in stimulus money for states and localities for fiscal 2009, a Congressional watchdog reported Sept. 23. But while stimulus dollars helped states patch holes in their budgets, "states will continue to be fiscally strained," the U.S. Government Accountability Office said in its latest bimonthly report of how 16 sel[...]
States forgive penalties, reap late taxes
State legislators looking for extra money to balance their budgets are historically quick to forgive penalties for tax delinquents, provided they pay their back taxes during amnesty periods. Twelve states are offering programs this year, including two - Hawaii and Oregon - that are holding amnesties for the first time.
Scandals, social issues headline 2009 governors’ races
In the first statewide elections since the Great Recession was declared, economic issues are competing with ethics and social issues for voters' attention in New Jersey and Virginia - the only gubernatorial contests this year.
Credit unions help strapped state employees
As state employees across the country are being hammered by layoffs, pay cuts and forced unpaid days off, some state employees' credit unions are stepping in to help workers get through these tough times. Services include a variety of loan programs and even one Web site for recession and job-related tips.
State tax hikes take aim at top earners
Two months into the current fiscal year and still without a budget, Connecticut state senators voted at 2:30 a.m. on Sept. 1 to send Gov. M. Jodi Rell (R) a spending plan that generates revenue by hiking income taxes on the state's wealthiest residents.
Budget cuts test state personnel policies
Forced to dramatically cut payrolls, some states are finding low-cost ways to boost employee morale, even as they struggle to maintain basic human resource functions such as training, recruiting, hiring and regular performance reviews.
