Thirty-nine states ill-prepared for coronavirus pandemic

SEPTEMBER 22, 2020

The 2020 Financial State of the States report surveys the fiscal health of the 50 states prior to the coronavirus pandemic. This data is released today by Truth in Accounting (TIA), a think tank that analyzes government financial reporting.

State general revenue shortfall projections

JUNE 1, 2020 | by Bill Bergman, Sheila Weinberg

How large could the shortfall in state government general revenues be, amidst the coronavirus and related crises? 

US oil crash adds to revenue woes for energy-producing states

APRIL 22, 2020 | KFGO 790-AM (NORTH DAKOTA) | by Karen Pierog

The massive downturn in the beleaguered oil market is compounding financial problems for U.S. states and local governments that rely on energy production for revenue and raising concerns for their bond investors, analysts said on Tuesday.

We don’t spend money we don’t have

DECEMBER 11, 2018 | RAPID CITY JOURNAL | by Dennis Daugaard

Every December, the state Legislature meets to receive a budget proposal from the governor. This proposal is the starting point for the legislative budget process, which ends with the passage of a budget bill at the end of session in March.

Think your state is fiscally sound? Think again

OCTOBER 11, 2018 | REASON | by Veronique de Rugy

It's that time of the year again when we find out how deep in the red our country is thanks to the 2018 edition of the Mercatus Center State Fiscal Rankings.

Scott Rasmussen’s Number of the Day: 1,166

JUNE 22, 2018 | BALLOTPEDIA | by Scott Rasmussen

The filing deadlines for candidates to enter state legislative races have already passed in 31 states.

State pension funding hits record shortfall, report finds

APRIL 13, 2018 | U.S. NEWS & WORLD REPORT | by Geoff Mulvihill

A new report finds that states' funding gap for public employee pensions hit a record $1.4 trillion in 2016.

Unfunded state liabilities total $1.5 trillion

FEBRUARY 2, 2018 | NEWSMAX | by Scott Rasmussen

Forty-one U.S. states do not have enough money to pay their bills, collectively they have racked up $1.5 trillion in unfunded liabilities.

10 states with the best pension funding: a tale of two discount rates

JANUARY 4, 2018 | BENEFITSPRO | by Nick Thornton

How trustees of state-sponsored pension plans value the cost of future liabilities, and in turn determine funded ratios, is a touchy subject among retirement policy experts and lawmakers.

States hiding true pension debt

NOVEMBER 17, 2017 | HEARTLAND INSTITUTE | by Matthew Glans

In this Research & Commentary, Matthew Glans examines how many states hide their true pension liabilities through their accounting practices and how states can make their reporting more accurate.

State pension funds continue to fall behind. Here’s how much you owe

OCTOBER 19, 2017 | CNBC

Voters worried that Congress and the White House can't tame federal borrowing may be overlooking another big debt bomb closer to home.

Trouble ahead: unfunded liabilities in state pension funds

MAY 11, 2017 | AMERICAN INSTITUTE FOR ECONOMIC RESEARCH

At the state level, public pension funds bear significant stress. 

Bad balancing acts, best taxpayer ROI and double taxation

MARCH 31, 2017 | GOVERNING

Roundup of recent news by Liz Farmer, includes "... When it comes to where taxpayers get the best bang for their buck, New Hampshire rises to the top.

The problem with public pensions

JANUARY 11, 2016 | KIPLINGER | by Sandra Block

Government workers need to fully assess how this income stream fits into their future retirement income plans.
 

Defusing the debt bomb

JANUARY 4, 2016 | THE WASHINGTON TIMES | by David Walker

Fiscal survey of the states

DECEMBER 16, 2015 | NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF STATE BUDGET OFFICERS

Enacted state budgets for fiscal 2016 represent a sixth consecutive year of spending and revenue growth, according to this report. 

2015’s most and least recession-recovered cities

SEPTEMBER 15, 2015 | WALLET HUB | by Richie Bernardo

The effects of the recession still reverberate in various parts of the U.S., falling deeper into debt and leaving millions of Americans wondering whether the recession has indeed blown over. Since 2008, a total of 14 municipalities, including Detroit, have declared the rare Chapter 9 bankruptcy.

A tax-hating state businesses have grown to love

JUNE 24, 2015 | CNBC

Op-ed by South Dakota Governor Dennis Daugaard.

Truth in Accounting Releases South Dakota Report

AUGUST 7, 2014 | KELO 1320 AM (SOUTH DAKOTA)

"... South Dakota is in the top five of states with the best fiscal health. …”

Wyoming 3rd Best in Financial State of the States Report

AUGUST 1, 2014 | KGAB 650 AM (WYOMING)

"...TIA researchers ranked Wyoming as the third best Sunshine State..."

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