State lawmakers pursue homeowner tax cuts, but counties, schools and towns face shortfalls.
With little public detail about its methods or goals, the governor’s new investigative unit raises questions about transparency, political intent and the future of local oversight.
Groups focused on food security are scrambling following the cancellation of federal programs supporting purchases from local farmers.
Pension funds enjoyed enormous stock market returns during the pandemic but slower gains and underfunding has increased their liabilities.
Tucked into President Donald Trump’s sweeping tax and spending bill, the new rural health fund has state leaders rushing to design plans. But clinic advocates worry vague guidance and uneven distribution could dilute its impact.
But tariffs and deportations threaten economic damage in the Southeast United States.
Phone lines that provide mental health support to tens of thousands of Californians say they are on the verge of shutting down or dramatically scaling back as a result of cuts in the state’s new budget.
States are expecting flat revenues and increasing costs in this new fiscal year. They’ll face hard choices even if Congress does not cut major aid programs.
States are spending 15 percent of their home-generated revenue on the program, seeing their largest cost increases in 20 years.
Now 25,000 members strong, financially secure and long blessed with thoughtful leadership, the Government Finance Officers Association is poised to address the challenges to come for those who manage the public purse.
The bill would devote most new funds to highways but transit would also get a boost. The major revenue raiser is a 15-cent increase to the gas tax.
Local transit agencies are facing a budget gap of nearly $800 million. The Illinois Senate has passed a bill to provide nearly double that amount and overhaul the systems but the House has not yet acted.
Hospital associations say more rural facilities will close if Medicaid cuts go through. Potential aid includes changes to matching rates and provider taxes.
Most states have seen their collections drop below 15-year trends. Federal actions may also provide a drag on revenue.
With Congress on the verge of passing new mandates, state Medicaid directors warn that the planned implementation date at the end of next year is too soon.
The city faces a $250 million shortfall. It’s hired 4,000 more workers over the past decade and expanded services, but post-pandemic spending patterns have led sales tax collections to flatten.
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