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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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“Common Core Standards could costs states”
Change is coming to American K-12 education in the form of the Common Core Standards (CCS) and implementing them could costs states billions.
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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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“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.
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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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“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.
Pensions
OK governor vetoes pension reform bill
Gov. Mary Fallin wanted to consolidate Oklahoma's half-dozen employee pension funds, but did not happen this year.
Pension relief still a way off
For the first time in recent years, New York state's pension fund exceeded its target rate of return, but E.J. McMahon, an analyst with the conservative Empire Center, cautioned that worse-than-targeted performance in recent years means the fund lost out on gains it should have booked.
How a state bond sale escaped pension penalty
Illinois got a good deal on a $300 million bond sale today, illustrating what happens when the Chicago economy and not the state's pension obligations drive how investors look at the state's creditworthiness.
Hawaii's unfunded liabilities loom large
Hawaii lawmakers took modest steps to address the state's record $25-billion in unfunded liabilities during the 2012 and 2013 legislative sessions but taxpayer watchdogs are critical that not enough is being done to address looming debts.
Harrisburg Hit by SEC Fraud Charges
The Securities and Exchange Commission has put local government officials on notice that it is closely monitoring the way they describe their cities' fiscal health, charging Harrisburg, Pa., with securities fraud for allegedly failing to disclose information on its financial troubles.
North Carolina Senate OKs hike in alternative investments for state pension fund
State Treasurer Janet Cowell, the pension fund's sole trustee, wants more flexibility on asset allocation.
In the News
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Education Budget “Turkeys” Include College Buildings, Charter School Database
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State pension fund leaders fire back at Mandel
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State universities, colleges agree to slowly pick up pension costs
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Medicaid needs to be fixed before it is expanded
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State budget negotiators meeting. Is there a deal?
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Mass. senators unveil $34B state budget proposal
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Arizona Senate begins moving budget bills, could pass within days of introduction
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Louisiana has surplus envy now that other state budgets are doing better
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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.