State budgets

The state Senate on Tuesday gave a green light to the general appropriations act, which now goes into a constitutionally required 72-hour cooling off period before a Friday vote.

Additional spending was permitted by a rosier revenue forecast that lifted expected general fund revenues through the next biennium.

Maine's tax collection season was better than expected, bucking expectations at the threat of looming recession, a state committee told lawmakers.

While fiscal 2023 and 2024 budgets remain balanced, outyear gaps increase to $4.2 billion, $6.0 billion and $7.0 billion in fiscal 2025 through 2027, respectively.

Almost a month late, the New York Senate and Assembly are expected to soon pass the $229 billion fiscal 2024 budget.

Pandemic funding cuts may pop up in any of the four big-ticket, must-pass bills Congress will take up this year.

"The funds made available to local governments in the American Rescue Plan Act have been a lifeline to our nation's communities," said National League of Cities CEO Clarence Anthony.

The bill follows the same lines as Gov. Maura Healey's tax relief package proposed in February, but comes with a smaller price tag.

Texas, Virginia, Idaho, Mississippi, Montana, Nebraska, New Hampshire, South Dakota and Utah, have all signed briefs urging the Court to take on the case.

"I think there is a certain amount of anxiety for New York — and many other states — as federal pandemic funds run out and questions about the potential for a recession emerge," said Evercore's Howard Cure.