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- States' Fiscal Health
Facing Facts
An analysis of public attitudes toward fiscal problems in five diverse states—Arizona, California, Florida, Illinois and New York—shows residents have strikingly similar priorities for state government, but their preferences clash with fiscal reality.
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- Stateline Story
Public Broadcasting Cuts at Issue in Virginia
TODAY'S TAKE: A proposal by Virginia's governor to phase out state funding for public broadcasting ran into trouble in the state House of Delegates on Wednesday (April 21), as legislators sought to defend what they see as a valuable educational tool, particularly for children. Public programming has been a little-discussed victim of budget cuts in states from New York to Utah.more -
- Stateline Story
Summary of the New Jersey State of the State Address
Outgoing New Jersey Gov. Jon Corzine (D) told the Democratic-controlled Legislature Jan. 13 that he was disappointed he was not re-elected last November to serve a second term and that he hadn't done more to reduce property taxes. more
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- Stateline Story
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 Friday (Nov. 13).more -
- Stateline Story
Budget 'Fixes' Run into Trouble
TODAY'S TAKE: Unlike the federal government, almost every state is required by law to balance its budget. But that doesn't mean state lawmakers always balance the books in the most straightforward of ways: by matching revenues with spending.more -
- Stateline Story
Weekly Wrap: Rating Agency Slams Conn. on Borrowing
Agency lowers Conn. credit outlook; federal broadband grants will be delayed a month; and confusion continues on stimulus job claims.more -
- Stateline Story
Weekly Wrap: California Faces July 1 Deadline
California Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger (R) vows to let government operations come to a "grinding halt" if state lawmakers don't plug a $24 billion budget gap by July 1. As Detroit automakers GM and Chrysler deal with bankruptcy, Michigan announces the six dates that state government offices will close this summer to save money. For a quick update on the top recession news in the states, read Stateline.org's "Weekly wrap."more -
- Stateline Story
Despite Stimulus, Schools Feel Budget Pain
The economic stimulus will help public schools and colleges survive the recession over the next two years. But in some states the fiscal situation is so precarious that schools are still going to suffer large cuts.more -
- Stateline Story
California's agony can't be ignored
Everyone knows public finances in California, America's once-fabled Golden State of opportunity, are in shambles. But should the rest of us care? The state's ever-rising deficit has hit $24.3 billion as the legislature's liberal Democrats and conservative Republicans remain in constant deadlock. Voters in May overwhelmingly rejected five "budget reform" ballot measures.more -
- Stateline Story
The Path to California's Fiscal Crisis
California has always been a trendsetter. What happens in California often pops up elsewhere. Which raises this question: Are the perpetual billion-dollar deficits that haunt California state government unique to the Golden State or the harbinger of what other states can expect?more