State budgets

State governments generally are better prepared for an economic downtown than at any other time since the National Association of State Budget Officers began keeping records in 1988.

States struggle to reap the full benefits of the multibillion-dollar legal marijuana industry becuase of conflicts with federal law.

Deputy Governor Dan Hynes says the recent legislative session put the state on an "upward trajectory," but underfunded pensions dog the state.

Water, health care and housing lead the agenda in budget discussions.

State lawmakers at this year’s session provided $993 million for 1,600 bond-funded projects around the state.

State lawmakers punted the touchy subject of reimposing tolls to Gov. Ned Lamont, who may call a special session.

Soaring liabilities for post-employment benefits other than pensions are adding further weight to the state’s fiscal challenges.

The highest-ranked states were mostly west of the Mississippi River, driven by expanding economies and population growth.

Karel Citroen, head of municipal credit research at Conning, talks about states and credit quality.

"The elephant in the room is still there," an analyst says.

Texas surpassed $3 billion in sales tax revenue, the highest total for any month on record.

New revenue and fewer one-shot revenue solutions make the fiscal 2020 budget more acceptable to analysts, but dark long-term clouds remain.

The Ohio House’s two-year operating budget bill boosts spending for higher education adding an extra $21.8 million for higher education next year and $20 million in 2021.

The $178 million bond sale comes as a legislative concurrence panel plans to negotiate the commonwealth’s proposed $42.7 billion fiscal 2020 budget.

Lawmakers authorized more than $23 billion of borrowing and approved a $45 billion six-year capital plan.

While Texas Republican leaders have expressed muted opposition to President Trump's plan to impose tariffs on Mexico, state Comptroller Glenn Hegar warned of threats to the state's economy.

Bills to limit the revenue flexibility of local governments and put more state funding toward schools were driven by a desire to limit property taxes.

State Controller Betty Yee blames the state's new digital accounting system for delaying the comprehensive annual financial report.

Minority Republicans had gummed up progress by forcing the House clerk to read every line of every bill, before two members broke ranks.

Gov. Ned Lamont and Connecticut lawmakers are studying a proposal to essentially exchange much of the state’s income tax for a payroll tax.