Gov. J.B. Pritzker's says potential federal funding relief would go first to pay down short-term debts likes its Federal Reserve borrowing and the state's bill backlog.

Indiana, Michigan and Ohio budget proposals benefit from a revenue picture that is more optimistic than feared earlier in the COVID-19 pandemic.

Howard Cure of Evercore and Maria Doulis, formerly of the Citizens Budget Commission, explore New York City's fiscal variables amid the pandemic. Paul Burton hosts. (30 minutes). Recorded Jan. 26.

Gov. Jim Justice outlined a vision to repeal the state income tax, which drives almost half of the state's general fund revenue.

The governor, in his $46 billion biennial budget proposal, called for both as the state seeks to plug a deficit from the effects of COVID-19. The plan also has a bond provision.

Local governments would get 40% of the $350 billion in direct federal aid to state and local governments.

J.B. Pritzker laid out a few details of his upcoming budget proposal, saying he won't seek a tax hike and will hold spending steady.

The state plans a series of municipal bond sales with tailwinds from upbeat fiscal news, including its first surplus on a GAAP basis.

Tom Kozlik of Hilltop Securities examines variables related to President Biden's first-stage rescue package, including market reaction, state-local aid and vaccine rollout. Paul Burton hosts; Recorded Jan. 27. (19 minutes).

The Pennsylvania governor can expect pushback from Republican lawmakers over budget-balancing plan aimed at higher wage earners.

Maria Doulis, named deputy comptroller, was vice president at the watchdog Citizens Budget Commission while Todd Scheuermann, assistant comptroller in the Division of Budget and Policy Analysis, had been secretary to Senate finance committee.

Fitch says Biden administration comments that it expects to maintain higher levels of Medicaid matching dollars through 2021 will help states.

A Pioneer Institute report cited “a persistent trend” of high-income earners leaving high-tax states for low-tax ones.

Lee Igel of New York University's Tisch Institute for Global Sport explores what's behind the mad scramble among states to legalize sports betting. Paul Burton hosts. (15 minutes)

Over half of the $4.3 billion rise in the $96.6 billion budget proposal is related to costs associated with the COVID-19 pandemic.

Rising state-supported debt and sidestepping best practices alarm the comptroller.

State tax collections are faring better than predicted early in the COVID-19 pandemic but uncertainties abound, says a University of Illinois task force fiscal report.

Gov. Tim Walz's proposed tax hikes to eliminate a budget gap and produce new revenue for his economic initiatives drew GOP backlash.

This is the first time a coalition representing the buy-side, sell-side and others on the business side of public finance will lobby for specific municipal bond provisions on the Hill.

The case has also has fiscal implications for Arkansas, Delaware, Nebraska, New York, and Pennsylvania.