Finance
Unemployment insurance fraud during the pandemic cost states $135B—and counting
Fraudsters are still finding ways to collect on claims. But there are two crucial ways to get the problem under control, experts say.
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Today’s finance teams carry a heavy burden, supporting everything from growth strategies to long-term planning – all while continuously delivering monthly and quarterly numbers and keeping cash flowing. But even as demands on finance departments grow, many still spend excessive time using paper, spreadsheets, and e-mails to process vendor invoices, approvals, and payments.
After several years of rapid growth, state budgets are downsizing
For most states, 2025 represents a return to more typical economic conditions after an atypical period for their budgets.
The devil is in the (financial reporting) details
States and localities don’t have the manpower to handle the current load of burdensome financial reporting requirements—let alone the series of new ones announced yearly. They're pushing back.
School vouchers were supposed to save taxpayer money. Instead they blew a massive hole in Arizona’s budget.
Arizona, the model for voucher programs across the country, has spent so much money paying private schoolers’ tuition that it’s now facing hundreds of millions in budget cuts to critical state programs and projects.
States, cities consider ‘mansion taxes’ to fund affordable housing
From sales taxes to real estate transfer taxes, governments are desperately trying to identify dedicated funding tracts for homelessness and housing initiatives.
New data tool looks to cure medical debt woes
As state and local governments grapple with the impacts of medical debt on their communities, a new resource looks to help inform strategies aimed at remedying the financial burden.
States take a more measured approach to ESG mandates
There's great recognition—on both sides of the issue—that strict pro- and anti-environmental, social and governance investing strategies can lead to unintended costs and administrative challenges.
Federal regulator: Pharmacy middlemen appear to be raising prices, hurting patients
The Federal Trade Commission released an interim report saying that sprawling health care conglomerates are driving out competition in the pharmacy sector and appear to be increasing prices in the process.
Gas taxes can’t pay for roads much longer, but Amazon deliveries might
More states could follow Colorado and Minnesota in putting a fee on retail deliveries.
Fireworks sales have fallen back to Earth after years of explosive growth. Here’s why.
During the COVID-19 pandemic, when people were stuck in their homes and social distancing was common, fireworks use shot up.
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$1 trillion a year in tax breaks goes out the door. Are states keeping track?
A new report from the Volcker Alliance highlights the lack of transparency around tax expenditures, and calls on states to better monitor whether the tax breaks are achieving their intended effects.
13 states with Republican governors opt out of summer food program for kids
They cite opposition to ‘welfare’ and administrative costs in declining to participate in Summer EBT.
Is it time to dig into rainy day funds?
Despite reserves bulging and revenue receding, state legislators and governors are reluctant to spend savings.
The fuzzy line between sports betting and fantasy games
Several states have already clamped down on fantasy apps for getting too close to sports betting. Virginia could be next.
In tax code ruling, U.S. Supreme Court declined to open ‘Pandora's box’
Justices sided with the government, avoiding a decision that could have upended the tax code and cost state and local governments trillions of dollars.
The great Salt Lake City tax tradeoff
In a few weeks, the city council will be voting on a 0.5% sales tax to support economic development downtown. But it’s not the money that is drawing all the attention, it’s what the city is giving up.
How local government fraud has—and hasn’t—changed since the pandemic
We spoke to a leading state auditor about how remote work and artificial intelligence are ushering in new kinds of fraud in state and local governments.
Big districts like Philadelphia ‘gamble’ on higher spending as enrollment falls, study finds
End of federal relief funds means 'all of the big districts at once' face decisions about layoffs and school closures, says Manhattan Institute.
States struggle to help patients navigate insurance hurdle known as ‘step therapy’
Insurers often refuse to cover a specific drug until after the patient has tried cheaper alternatives.
More cities are seeing budget gaps: Here’s what not to do
A growing number of cities are having to make tough decisions this spring in order to balance next year’s budgets.
