Even though most states are required to balance their budgets, in practice they don't do it, and "years of irresponsible budgeting" have led to the current crisis, Clinton said Tuesday at a symposium in Philadelphia designed to bring attention to the eroding financial condition of state governments.
"We shouldn't let this crisis pass without using it as an opportunity to reform budget systems up and down the line," Clinton, a former Arkansas governor, said at the National Constitution Center. "And they essentially need to be more conservative and responsible."
He also expressed support for immigration legislation making its way through the Senate as well as an Internet sales tax, saying both would broaden the tax base. And he said states and cities should work to attract private investment to infrastructure projects.
