State budgets

Oregon Gov. Kate Brown called the availability of the surplus "a pivotal moment" for the state.

High material costs and labor shortages are expected to persist through 2022 just as states and localities are planning how to spend the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act money.

Fitch's commentary suggests a rating upgrade from BBB-minus is in the offing if the governor's proposed budget passes.

The Volcker Alliance looks at the state’s outstanding municipal bonds and $83 billion in other obligations and suggests improved transparency and oversight.

Between unspent money from last year and excess revenues, Oregon lawmakers have nearly $1 billion of extra money to spend.

Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer's proposed budget provides mostly one-time spending hikes, makes a modest deposit into the rainy day fund, and offers targeted tax relief.

Susana Mendoza argues that a budget plan that would use surpluses to pay down bills and raise pension contributions shows the state is on the right fiscal path.

Restricting the use of IIJA funds for new highway capacity "flies in the face" of Congressional intent, said Sen. Mitt Romney.

Illinois' burdensome pension tab and questions over whether revenue can keep pace with spending in the long term pose strains, but the governor's plan to use surpluses to pay bolster the rainy day fund and pension contributions and pay down bills moves the state in the right direction.

Gov. J.B. Pritzker highlighted rating recent upgrades as he presented an election-year budget that would also offer tax relief and reduce the bill backlog.

Illinois Gov. J.B. Pritzker will unveil a proposed, fiscal 2023 spending plan Wednesday that offers some modest, one-time targeted tax relief.

Michigan's Democratic governor joined the legislature's Republican majorities in proposing tax relief but they have different ideas about how to do it.

The think tank seeks papers with a focus on research related to the impact of COVID-19 on public finance, innovations in funding infrastructure and threats posed by climate change.

Wisconsin now expects a $3.8 billion surplus in its current two-year budget, setting the stage for a partisan fight over what to do with it.

Gov. Tim Walz is pitching a record $2.7 billion capital bonding package and has proposals for the legislature about how to use a record $7.7 billion surplus.

In the near term, federal aid is sitting on balance sheets ready to be deployed if some of the downside economic risks become reality, experts say.

The budget proposal reflects the state’s improving financial position, due in part to aid from the federal government.

Glenn Youngkin outlined his administration's priorities in Virginia; West Virginia Gov. Jim Justice unveiled a slightly larger budget plan for fiscal 2023.

The Department of the Treasury’s warning letter to Arizona may be a warning to all states who defy the Biden Administration’s rules related to ARPA funding, but disclosure related to clawbacks could be a problem for muni issuers.

Gov. Gavin Newsom listed homelessness, wildfire prevention, climate change and continuing efforts to reduce pension liabilities as budget priorities.