When the Savings Don’t Materialize
COMMENTARY | Sometimes, state and local governments don’t end up seeing the results they hoped for. Then what happens?
Federal Spending on Kids Falls, as More Dollars Flow Toward Older Adults and Debt
The findings are included in the latest edition of an annual report. “In a sense in our budget, we’re treating kids worse and worse,” said one of its authors.
City Voters Reject Plan to Cap Spending and Divert Savings Toward Pensions
The ballot initiative in Phoenix is on track to fail by a wide margin.
Unemployment Uptick May Signal State Recessions
Minnesota and North Carolina may already be in a recession.
Some States Are Seizing Leftover Money on Gift Cards to Boost Their Budgets
Strapped for cash, state governments are plugging holes using unspent gift cards. Not everyone thinks it’s a good idea.
Voters in One City to Decide On an Unusual Pension Funding Proposal
A pending ballot proposition in Phoenix calls for imposing strict limits on city spending until funding for the city’s retirement programs reaches a certain threshold.
Marijuana Tax Revenues ‘Highly Unpredictable,’ Researchers Warn
They urge states to be careful when planning for how to spend the money.
Socking Away Money for the Bad Times Requires Strategic State Practices
The Volcker Alliance report grades states on their reserve fund balances and policies and makes 10 recommendations for how states can control withdrawals from rainy day funds, replenish spent funds, and address revenue volatility.
Key Senators Pledge to Move on Federal Highway Bill This Summer
But lawmakers acknowledge that figuring out a long-term plan to pay for transportation infrastructure remains a major challenge.
A State Opts to Use Added Online Sales Tax Revenue to Offer Income Tax Cuts
Wisconsin will soon begin collecting sales taxes from companies that provide online marketplaces for other vendors.
State Savings Policies Evolve Amid a Decade of Economic Growth
The amount states have in reserve is at a high mark and savings practices have become more sophisticated. But lawmakers are at times still drawn to tap the large pots of money.
Gap Grows Between Well-Off and Troubled State Public Pension Plans
The findings from The Pew Charitable Trusts come as the U.S. enters a record phase of economic expansion.
Tracking State Spending in Real Time with Budget Transparency Websites
Oklahoma and Idaho are the latest states to launch budget transparency websites as a way to give residents access to real-time agency spending data.
Report: State Expenditures Now Growing at Greatest Clip Since Before the Recession
A new report estimates state expenditures will grow to $883 billion and rainy day funds will reach $68.2 billion in fiscal 2019.
How One City Gets Residents to Actually Participate in the Budget Process
Fort Collins, Colorado uses a "budgeting for outcomes" system that officials say prioritizes initiatives that are likely to help the city achieve its overall goals.
Years Later, the Recession’s Sting is Still Tough to Shake for Many States
New research takes a look at the lingering mark the downturn left on state budgets.
A State Forges Ahead With a Controversial Plan to Control Pension Costs
Public employee unions have decried the pension measure as unfair, but Oregon Gov. Kate Brown and others have framed it as a needed step to ease the strain on government finances.
The Economic Cost of Devastating Hurricanes and Other Extreme Weather Events is Even Worse Than We Thought
With hurricane season starting in June, coastal areas should understand the comprehensive cost of storm damage.
As Airbnb Grows, This Is Exactly How Much It’s Bringing Down Hotel Prices and Occupancy
COMMENTARY | The number of Airbnb properties has exploded since its founding in 2008. A hospitality management expert looked at how this has hurt hotels.
One City May Become the First to Directly Fund Abortion Access
The New York City comptroller has proposed directing $250,000 to an abortion access fund in response to tightening abortion restrictions around the country.
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