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Weekly wrap: Forecasting revenue is a lot like predicting the weather these days

By Stephen C. Fehr, Stateline.org Staff Writer — 11/20/2009

Indiana is mulling changes to how it estimates monthly revenues, while several states are considering mergers and consolidations of government agencies, universities, school districts and more to save money.

Economy to sway 2010 gov races

By Pamela M. Prah, Stateline.org Staff Writer — 11/18/2009

The tax hikes that so many states levied to plug holes in their recession-ravaged budgets this year could endanger a few incumbent governors’ careers in 2010 when 37 gubernatorial contests are at stake.

US: Energized Republican governors aim for majority status

By Dan Balz

AUSTIN, Texas -- Republican governors wrapped up a two-day pep rally here on Thursday with an expression of confidence that the political winds have begun to shift in their direction, thanks to what they called a backlash among many voters against the policies of the Obama administration. (Also see: US: GOP officials urge candidates to avoid shrill tone )

US: Watchdog urges caution on claims of 640,000 stimulus jobs

By Michael Cooper

WASHINGTON — The government watchdog overseeing the federal stimulus program testified Thursday that he could not vouch for the Obama administration's recent claims that the money had saved or created 640,000 jobs. He suggested that the administration should have treated the number with more skepticism.

MD: The mortgage crisis deepens

By Jamie Smith Hopkins

BALTIMORE -- The mortgage crisis has worsened to the point that about one in every 10 prime borrowers in Maryland and nationwide -- homeowners judged to be good credit risks -- were behind on payments in September.

CA: UC regents approve 32% student fee hike

By Larry Gordon and Amina Khan

With the chants of protesters wafting into their meeting room and armed police standing guard, the University of California's Board of Regents approved a 32%, or $2,500, increase in undergraduate fees Thursday, but promised more financial aid to keep needy students from dropping out. (Also see: CA: California lawmakers, officials face 18% pay cut )

TX: Perry rejects clemency in death penalty case

By Mike Ward

Rejecting a rare recommendation to commute a death sentence, Gov. Rick Perry refused Thursday to stop the execution of a man convicted of murder for his role in the 1996 shooting death of a Houston convenience store clerk. Less than an hour later, Robert Lee Thompson, 34, was executed at a state prison in Huntsville.

MN: In new role, Minnesota to aid other states

By Devin Henry

A 7.7-magnitude earthquake strikes the New Madrid seismic zone on the Kentucky-Missouri border. Communications go offline, highways are severely damaged, and there is not enough shelter space to house those displaced by the quake.

NE: University weighs tighter limits on stem cell research

By Monica Davey

LINCOLN, Neb. — In an unusual pushback against President Obama's expansion of federal financing of human embryonic stem cell research, the University of Nebraska is considering restricting its stem cell experiments to cell lines approved by President George W. Bush.

NY: Giuliani won't run for governor, GOP officials say

By Joseph Spector

Former New York City Mayor Rudolph Giuliani is not planning to run for governor next year after spending months considering whether to seek the seat, Republican officials said Thursday.

NJ: A forceful entry by Christie, and a sober exit by Corzine

By David M. Halbfinger

ATLANTIC CITY, N.J. — In a vivid contrast of their styles and standing, a soft-spoken Gov. Jon S. Corzine delivered a choked-up goodbye here Thursday while Governor-elect Christopher J. Christie vowed to "force change" on New Jersey even if it meant dragging his adversaries to the table.

MA: State jobless rate declines, bucking trend

By Robert Gavin

The Massachusetts unemployment rate dropped last month for the first time in two years, and job losses slowed - signs the state's beleaguered job market may be stabilizing.

RI: R.I. jobless rate dips, but 73,000 are still out of work

By Cynthia Needham

For the first time in nearly three years, Rhode Island's unemployment rate dropped, to 12.9 percent in October, offering a faint but reassuring sign that the state's economy may be on the road to improvement.

WA: State's budget hole expands to $2.6 billion

By Curt Woodward, The Associated Press

Tax increases probably can't be avoided as the state tries to patch a budget deficit that's ballooned to about $2.6 billion, top Democratic lawmakers said Thursday.

VA: Va. faces $3.5 billion hole in next two-year budget

By Michael Martz

PORTSMOUTH, Va. -- Local governments aren't likely to escape the pain when the General Assembly attempts to eliminate an estimated $3.5 billion hole in the next two-year budget.

NE: Senators will work around Heineman's schedule to wrap up session

By JoAnne Young

Gov. Dave Heineman called 49 senators to Lincoln 2 1/2 weeks ago to find a solution to a budget crisis. He met with the Appropriations Committee and other key committee chairs Nov. 2, and held briefings with others, to outline his proposal to cut the two-year budget to fill a gap in revenue. Then, according to a few senators, he more or less disappeared.

WV: Special session to last another day for gas-tax bill

By Phil Kabler

Legislators will spend one more day in special session, after House Republicans blocked a passage vote Thursday on a bill (SB4004) to freeze the state's gasoline tax at the current 32.2 cents a gallon.

NY: Gay couple rights OK'd by state's top court

By Joseph Spector

In a case that mirrors a Rochester-area decision, the state's top court on Thursday upheld the rights of Westchester County and the state to legally extend benefits to same-sex couples married in other states.

NY: For Bruno, how Albany works is also on trial

By Nicholas Confessore

The longtime secretary for one of the most powerful politicians in New York spent as much time on his private business, handling bills and correspondence, as she did on his public duties, like arranging meetings with lawmakers.

FL: Cigarette tax boosts state budget

By Marc Caputo

A new tobacco tax is doing just what its proponents envisioned -- reducing cigarette sales while fattening state coffers.

US: Great American Smokeout 2009 -- Which states have most smokers?

By Tracey D. Samuelson

Those promoting Thursday's Great American Smokeout 2009 have their work cut out for them. That's because cigarette use among Americans, after declining for decades, has remained virtually unchanged for five straight years, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).

Beyond California: States in Fiscal Peril

In its new report “Beyond California: States in Fiscal Peril,” the Pew Center on the States shows that some of the same pressures that have pushed California toward economic disaster are wreaking havoc in a number of other states, with potentially damaging consequences for the entire country. Arizona, Florida, Illinois, Michigan, Nevada, New Jersey, Oregon, Rhode Island and Wisconsin join California as the 10 states highlighted by Pew’s analysis.

36 states may miss Real ID deadline

By Stateline.org Staff Reports — 11/19/2009

TODAY'S TAKE: While Congress debates national health care legislation that could put new fiscal burdens on the states, the nation's governors are pushing Capitol Hill for a reprieve from another costly federal program that states have long criticized: Real ID.

More lottery games on the way

By Stateline.org Staff Reports — 11/18/2009

TODAY'S TAKE: No state currently offers its lottery players the chance to play both Powerball and Mega Millions, but expect both lottery games to be offered in some states soon.

Tax talks already under way

By Stateline.org Staff Reports — 11/17/2009

TODAY'S TAKE: Emerging budget gaps already are leading to talk of new or higher taxes and fees in some states, well before lawmakers return for regularly scheduled legislative sessions early next year.

Illinois offer reignites Guantanamo debate

By Stateline.org Staff Reports — 11/16/2009

TODAY'S TAKE: The prospect of creating thousands of jobs in Illinois has led Gov. Pat Quinn (D) and other Democrats to offer up a little-used, maximum-security prison in the state as a potential destination for detainees now housed at Guantanamo Bay, Cuba. As economic development projects go, however, few are as politically explosive.

Budget insiders see worse ahead in Calif., Mich.

By Daniel C. Vock, Stateline.org Staff Writer — 11/14/2009

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).

Weekly wrap: Reports spell deep trouble

By John Gramlich, Stateline.org Staff Writer — 11/13/2009

The recession has cut so deep that state governments will suffer for at least 10 years — or what the National Governors Association bluntly calls "the Lost Decade." That was among the conclusions in a trio of reports this week that should raise eyebrows over just how bad states' finances have become.

'Political downsizing': Coming to states?

By Stateline.org Staff Reports — 11/12/2009

TODAY'S TAKE: In western New York State, voters frustrated with their economic situation on the local level are choosing to reduce the number of seats on their town councils. In continuing tough times, will so-called 'political downsizing' spread to statehouses?

Labor flexing its muscle in states

By Stateline.org Staff Reports — 11/11/2009

TODAY'S TAKE: State jobs have been a common target for governors and lawmakers seeking budget reductions. But labor unions in many states are fighting back, sometimes winning court decisions and political concessions to stave off cuts.

'Maine Miracle' faces challenge

By Stateline.org Staff Reports — 11/10/2009

TODAY'S TAKE: Even as other hard-hit states hiked personal income taxes this year to generate revenue, Maine drew national attention for doing the opposite. But the 'Maine Miracle' may face a challenge at the polls next year.

20% cuts being planned in Michigan

By Stateline.org Staff Reports — 11/09/2009

TODAY'S TAKE: Michigan Gov. Jennifer Granholm (D) already is talking budget cuts for the 2011 fiscal year, which doesn't begin until next October. Her proposals are prompting worries about what kind of state government will remain.

Weekly wrap: Louisiana pleasantly surprised by haul from tax amnesty program

By Stephen C. Fehr, Stateline.org Staff Writer — 11/06/2009

More than $300 million is generated from delinquent Louisiana taxpayers; California finance chief hangs it up; Iowa Gov. Culver campaigns as problem solver; and stimulus Web site turns up boo-boos.

Spending limits, gambling top fiscal 2009 ballot measures

By Pamela M. Prah, Stateline.org Staff Writer — 11/02/2009

The national spotlight may be focused Nov. 3 on elections for governor in New Jersey and Virginia, but voters elsewhere could take action to profoundly change the way their states get and spend taxpayers’ money.

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