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“How Reality-Based Budgeting Can Permanently Resolve State Budget Gaps”
State Budget Solutions recommends that state legislators take action in 2013 to resolve the serious state financial crises by changing their focus from inputs to outcomes by redesigning budgets from the ground up based on priorities and performance.
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“Medicaid needs to be fixed before it is expanded”
Find the latest coverage on state expansion of Medicaid and why SBS President Bob Williams believes expansion it is not the optimal way to ensure the best medical care for states' neediest citizens.
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“Federal Aid to State Budgets Continues to Rise... But is the End Near?”
It is well understood that the federal government must make spending cuts-these cuts will most likely drastically change the amount of federal dollars that are allocated to the states. Unfortunately for most states, dependence on federal funding has continually risen since 2008.
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“Municipal Bankruptcy: An Overview for Local Officials”
This guide serves as an overview of the basics of municipal bankruptcy, and boils down the municipal bankruptcy process so that officials and citizens have a framework within which to discuss whether bankruptcy is a viable option. It outlines who, what, where and when, as well as costs and benefits.
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“Unbalanced: Why State Balanced Budget Requirements Are Not Enough”
State balanced budget requirements are far more complex than traditionally understood. Moving beyond these misconceptions is an important step in being able to recognize the many ways that policymakers manipulate state finances to "balance" budgets and put an end to the growth of state debt.
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“Tobacco Settlement Fund Gimmicks Alive and Well”
The many varied uses of tobacco settlement funds illustrate how any state can and will manipulate the budget process. The many ways lawmakers have manipulated this one source of state budget money shows the different ways officials rely on budget gimmicks.
Pensions
Chicago-area pension funding gap jumps to $32 billion: report
The Chicago-based Civic Federation said Tuesday the funding gap for 10 Chicago-area public pension systems widened by 16.7 percent to $32 billion in fiscal 2011 from the year, warning of service cuts or tax hikes to bridge the gap.
State Pension Performance, Fees at Heart of South Carolina Feud
Since South Carolina Treasurer Curtis Loftis took office more than two years ago and has made it his mission to overhaul the state investment commission that oversees the state's pension fund.
Gov. Quinn: Illinois Has Chance To Make History
"There's nothing more that government can do to help jobs and economic growth than for the Legislature to put a comprehensive public pension bill on my desk by the end of this month," Gov. Pat Quinn said.
Omaha think tank: State, city underestimating pension liabilities
According to the report, it's unreasonable for public pension plans to assume an 8-percent rate of return when many economists project lower returns in the future.
State universities, colleges agree to slowly pick up pension costs
A plan to gradually shift ongoing pension costs to state universities and community colleges surfaced in the Illinois House Thursday and could be the model for shifting pension costs for K-12 schools.
State pension fund leaders fire back at Mandel
Dissatisfied with state pension reforms enacted last year that affect 1.8 million current and former government workers, Ohio Treasurer Josh Mandel says without more changes "there will be nothing left at the end of the rainbow" when public employees retire.
In the News
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Rich States, Poor States, 6th Edition
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House-Senate deal clears Texas budget logjam
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Senate Republicans moving NC budget to House
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Senate Democrats want more money for schools in state budget
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Chicago-area pension funding gap jumps to $32 billion: report
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Gov, GOP reach deal on surplus
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Mass. Senate to begin debating state budget plan
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Are lawmakers playing "chicken" with state budget?
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State Budget Issues
Click on any of the issues below for in depth analysis, learn how it is factoring into the budget debate in your state and find our solutions.
The Williams Report Launches
SBS President Bob Williams compiles the recent developments in state budgets, pensions and collective bargaining on a weekly basis. SBS has now combined those three updates into The Williams Report, a comprehensive overview of the latest headlines and information from all 50 states.