Archives: State Budgets / Articles
Archives: State Budgets / Articles (page 16)
-
Municipal Bankruptcy: An Overview for Local Officials
Cities and other municipalities falling on hard financial times is nothing new, but it is rare that any such entity files for bankruptcy as a way of addressing its massive debts.
-
Federal Aid to the States 2008-2011
As the U.S. debt clock nears $16.5 trillion, shortfalls and deficits are the talk of the 2013 fiscal year. Not only does the deficit affect the federal government, but it affects state governments as well.
-
How Reality-Based Budgeting Can Permanently Resolve State Budget Gaps
In 2012, numerous studies call necessary attention to the fiscal crisis in the states. State Budget Solutions' third annual state debt study revealed that aggregate debt across the 50 states amounted to $4.17 trillion.
-
State Budget Crisis Task Force Outlines Extent of Illinois’ Budget Crisis
The State Budget Crisis Task Force, a group chaired by former New York Lieutenant Governor Richard Ravitch and former Federal Reserve Board Chair Paul Volcker, recently released a report focused on the critical state of Illinois' finances.
-
State Budget Solutions’ Third Annual State Debt Report Shows Total State Debt Over $4 Trillion
For the third consecutive year, State Budget Solutions examined state debt and calculated the total amount of debt that each state faces. This year's report shows that aggregate debt across the 50 states amounted to $4.17 trillion.
-
State Spending Transparency Portals Vary in Their Approaches and Results
In a way, the very idea of state budget reform presumes some basic level of government transparency. Yet the amount of information related to the spending of tax dollars provided by each of the state governments varies wildly.
-
Is State Debt Constitutional?
A recent Rasmussen Report found that sixty-eight percent of voters view Congress' job performance as poor. Failure in the eyes of the public doesn't belong only to federal representatives. Many state legislatures face equally dismal public approval ratings.
-
Budget Gimmicks Used by States
According to the Encyclopedia of Mental Disorders, "denial" is "the refusal to acknowledge the existence or severity of unpleasant external relations." Many states are ignoring the requirement to have a balance budget and thereby denying the reality that deep and permanent reductions are needed in the size and scope of government.
-
Analysis of Total State Debt Shows Alaska, New Jersey, and Hawaii Among States in Worst Fiscal Situations
State Budget Solutions' (SBS) latest study reveals total state debt averages $13,754 for every American and $38,721 for each of the private sector workers in this country.
-
Report Reveals Aggregate State Debt Exceeds $4 Trillion
State Budget Solutions' (SBS) second annual state deficit report reveals aggregate state debt presently exceeds $4 trillion.
-
The Difficulty of Accessing Clear State Budget Data
One of the largest obstacles to covering state budget issues is often state government itself. Accessing simple budget data such as revenue and expenditure totals can create a headache harsh enough to discourage even the most determined citizen activist.
-
How States Should Prepare for Federal Budget Cuts
States face the potential loss of federal funds that may come when the 12-member Congressional "super committee" makes its recommendations for cutting $1.5 trillion from the federal deficit.
-
States of Denial
Millions of Americans are using common sense to make difficult choices about their family budgets. Unfortunately, that same common sense approach is in short supply in state capitals as legislators and governors ignore financial reality and avoid facing tough choices about their state's budget.
-
Why State Budgets are Broken
The state budget processes in the 50 states are broken. Governors, state legislators, journalists, and political pundits all know that the process is broken.