Conservatives backed criminal justice reforms in hopes of driving down corrections costs and state budgets. A lot of violent and repeat offenders would have to be released to achieve real savings.
After reaching a record high in fiscal 2024, state reserve capacity fell to a median of 46.9 days of spending in FY 2025 as revenue slackens and spending demands rise.
When police or other agencies face major lawsuits, figuring out how to fund settlements can be difficult.
In Virginia, lottery income funds about 10 percent of the K-12 budget. Economic fears are leading residents to play less.
Not much for now, with next year’s insurance premiums jumping far more than general inflation and tax revenues. Employers’ only hope to begin stemming these costs long term is a stronger, unified front at the state and national levels. There also could be an important role for public pensions.
States and localities rely on the regularity and reliability of federal data. Disrupting it undermines everything from pensions to budgets and threatens public trust in government.
While understandably feeling under the gun, there are many ways states can continue to grow both their economies and revenues.
Federal import duties may squeeze state budgets over time, particularly in manufacturing and trade-heavy jurisdictions, a new Pew analysis found.
State and local government leaders know their budgets are being swamped by federal changes. They need to act fast to mitigate the impacts.
Congress and the states run on different fiscal calendars. Blame Nixon.
State humanities councils connect Americans with their past and each other. That work is under threat due to federal cuts.
Colorado’s revenue dropped by $1.2 billion due to tax code changes in the One Big Beautiful Bill Act. Lawmakers altered some tax credits but left spending cuts up to Gov. Jared Polis.
Inflation, tight property tax caps and cooling sales tax revenue are forcing municipalities to cut contracts, raise fees and reduce services.
With nearly $7 billion in K-12 support delayed, districts are bracing for cuts to staff, programs and student services.
Blame Ozempic. And maybe tariffs.
Chicago is $1.15 billion short. A report commissioned by Mayor Brandon Johnson looks unlikely to solve that problem.
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