NJ budget shifts to black from red
Legislative budget analysts are set to announce today that they believe New Jersey is heading into the next budget year with a windfall, not a shortfall.
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Archive of Taxes & Budget on Tuesday May 13, 2008
NJ budget shifts to black from red
Legislative budget analysts are set to announce today that they believe New Jersey is heading into the next budget year with a windfall, not a shortfall. Read More
Schwarzenegger drops plan for early release of 22,000 inmates
Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger has dumped his plan to release about 22,000 lower-risk inmates from prison before they complete their terms, The Bee learned Monday. Read More
Panel rebukes Rounds on tax memo
The Legislature's Executive Board on Monday sent a stern message to Gov. Mike Rounds to rescind what they say is a new tax on mid-range ethanol blends. Read More
Bredesen focuses cuts on three areas
The state should cut from TennCare spending, higher education and employees' salaries to respond to its deepening economic downturn, Gov. Phil Bredesen told lawmakers Monday, saying the state must act "decisively and conservatively" to weather its financial crisis. Read More
Palin to offer plans for state energy relief
Gov. Sarah Palin will announce plans for statewide energy relief on Thursday, and legislators are weighing in on what should be in those plans. Read More
Administration announces energy relief special session
ANCHORAGE, Alaska -- Gov. Sarah Palin has announced the Alaska Legislature will be called into an additional special session this summer. Read More
Palin, lawmakers to revisit energy relief
Gov. Sarah Palin will call the Legislature into a special session this summer meant to provide Alaskans some relief from the soaring cost of energy. Read More
Some school districts to get tax windfall; 14 must repay excess
The state Department of Education will pay millions of dollars to several Northwest Arkansas school districts in the coming months to align with a 2007 school-funding law. Read More
Governor's deal with builders irks senators
Some Republican state lawmakers on Monday blasted a "backroom deal" between Gov. Janet Napolitano and a Valley home-builders group that would exempt residential developers from sharing a portion of the costs of a major transportation initiative in exchange for a $100,000 contribution to boost the signature-gathering campaign. Read More
Deficit ensnares another governor
The famous catchphrase spoken by Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger in one his action movies, "I'll be back," can now refer to his handling of the state budget. Read More
Federal judge stays order for governor, Rincon band to reach gambling agreement
SAN DIEGO - A federal judge has put on hold, for now, his order that Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger and North County's Rincon Indian band reach an agreement on a gambling expansion by July. Read More
CalPERS names interim CEO
SAN FRANCISCO - The California Public Employees' Retirement System has named a longtime administrator within its ranks to serve as interim chief executive of the nation's largest public pension fund. Read More
Ruling to lift ban on state's unclaimed property program affirmed
A federal appellate court Monday affirmed a Sacramento judge's decision to lift an injunction that had halted operation of the state's multibillion-dollar unclaimed property program. Read More
EdFund executives seek at least $3 million in severance
The executive staff of EdFund, the student loan guarantor the state plans to sell to a private investor, has crafted its own severance package worth more than $3 million. Read More
Fixing state budget is Bass' top priority
Los Angeles Democrat Karen Bass will be sworn in today as the first African American woman to serve as speaker of the Assembly. Bass, a 54-year-old former nurse, physician's assistant and Los Angeles community organizer, sat down Monday with the The Bee's Capitol Bureau. Read More
Election hard time to tinker with TABOR
Many political, business and community leaders agree the budget gridlock enshrined in the state constitution needs fixing, but as the continued unraveling of a plan to relax TABOR shows, now may not be the time. Read More
Tuition waivers, safety training among new state laws
The following are among the bills that passed the General Assembly in its recent session. Read More
Rell restricts use Of purchasing cards
Gov. M. Jodi Rell is directing the state's Department of Administrative Services to restrict the use of state purchasing cards, which are similar to credit cards. Read More
Company fined over prison food
One of the two companies that feed state prisoners has racked up nearly $250,000 in fines since the beginning of the year for violations including not having enough food and staffing shortages. Read More
Perdue says no to gas tax moratorium for Georgia
Farmers and timber companies got a break from record-high fuel prices on Monday as Gov. Sonny Perdue suspended the state sales tax on diesel for off-road uses. But Georgians driving the state's roads shouldn't be expecting any such relief. Instead, the state's gasoline tax will rise on July 1. Read More
Governor rules out relief for other drivers
Farmers and timber companies got a break from record-high fuel prices Monday as Gov. Sonny Perdue suspended the state sales tax on diesel for off-road uses. Read More
Off-road diesel tax suspended to aid struggling farmers
Local farmers are feeling the pain of rising fuel prices, and Gov. Sonny Perdue's suspension of the tax on off-road diesel fuel only will help a little. Read More
Perdue signs film tax credit
Governor Sonny Perdue has signed legislation designed to make Georgia the Hollywood of the South. Read More
Questions raised about budget bill amendment
Questions are being raised about a last-minute amendment to a budget bill that deals with special 1-cent sales taxes that voters have approved in hundreds of Iowa cities. Read More
Otter aides to tout ID state retiree benefits changes
Aides for Gov. C.L. "Butch" Otter plan meetings with government workers and retirees in August and October across Idaho over proposed changes to their benefits plan. Read More
Zell rejects Wrigley sale to ISFA
The Tribune Co. has reportedly spurned plans by the Illinois Sports Facilities Authority to buy Wrigley Field and instead intends to sell the Chicago Cubs ball club and the historic field together, the Chicago Sun-Times reported Tuesday. Read More
The promise of prisoners
THOMSON, Ill. ? Construction workers completed a $140 million state-of-the-art maximum-security prison here seven years ago. But today the prison remains mostly empty, filled only to a fraction of its capacity. Read More
Lawmakers hear, see diabetic study
If lawmakers can see the prevalence of diabetes in their communities on a big screen, they may be more motivated to set aside dollars necessary to better prevent the disease. Read More
Rezko lawyer savages Levine
CHICAGO ? Political fundraiser Antoin ?Tony? Rezko?s defense attorney ripped into the government?s star witness against his client Monday, describing him as an admitted lifelong liar and swindler whose brain was all but rendered useless by three decades of abusing powerful narcotics. Read More
Ill. lawmakers return with long list of unfinished business
The calendar says Illinois lawmakers are supposed to finish their spring session in just three weeks, but it may take far longer. Read More
RTA chief chastises state leaders for failure to fund transit and roads
The chairman of the Regional Transportation Authority lashed out at state politicians Monday for failing to work aggressively toward completing a capital spending plan for mass transit and repairing deteriorating roads. Read More
Lawmaker wants state to cancel lease with firm linked to Rezko
A state senator on Monday called for the state to cancel its office lease with a firm linked to political fundraiser Antoin "Tony" Rezko and seek the return of $3.4 million in rent the state has paid since 2004. Read More
Corrupt mastermind or victim of frame-up?
Antoin "Tony" Rezko was attacked by the prosecution as the mastermind of an elaborate fraud scheme but excused by the defense as a total bystander as closing arguments began Monday in the trial of the Blagojevich administration insider. Read More
Why all the potholes? City blames the state
Chicago is fighting a losing battle against potholes because arterial street re-surfacing has been put on hold for the last two years, aldermen were told Monday. Read More
Docking renovation funds out
Reconstruction of the dilapidated Docking State Office Building will have to wait another year after lawmakers ended the 2008 legislative session last week with state budgets that didn't include money for the $96 million project. Read More
A tax quirk holds out promise for a hard-pressed town
EWING, Ky. - Leaders of this town in the bluegrass country of northeast Kentucky are facing a problem any mayor would envy: how to spend a windfall. Read More
Bill to end income tax stalls
Behind-the-scenes negotiations are under way at the State Capitol to scuttle a proposal that would gradually eliminate the state income tax, lawmakers said Monday. Read More
Airport proposals pass legislative hurdles in House
Companion bills that would allow the state to assume control of the Louis Armstrong International Airport and, in exchange, funnel about $500 million in bond money to the city of New Orleans as a way to develop biomedical research, entertainment and sports districts cleared separate committees Monday with no opposition. Read More
Panel approves bill tripling legislative pay
A pay raise that would triple the base salaries of state legislators was approved Monday by the Senate Finance Committee without opposition. Read More
Senators back budget overhaul bill
The Senate approved legislation Monday that would change the way the state handles funding for construction projects. Read More
Retiree benefits proposals rapped
A Senate panel on Monday approved two separate retirement increases despite opposition from state officials who seek a uniform fix to the differences between different kinds of state employees. Read More
Radio ad targets tuition grant foe
An advocacy group has ratcheted up the debate over Gov. Bobby Jindal's proposed private school tuition grant program for New Orleans public school students with a radio advertising campaign criticizing a leading opponent of the plan. Read More
Bill would cut N.O.'s health care
The New Orleans region could lose up to $70 million a year in health care financing under a bill approved overwhelmingly by the Senate on Monday that aims to redistribute the way money is divided among southern Louisiana charity hospitals. Read More
Panel backs doubling lawmakers' pay
A bill that would more than double the salaries of state senators and representatives sailed out of a Senate committee Monday after supporters argued that lawmakers often work full-time hours in their part-time positions. Read More
Public transit grows popular
As gasoline prices climb toward $4 a gallon, more commuters in Maryland are leaving their cars and trucks at home and hopping a bus or train to work. Read More
Gas prices may fuel vacation reroutes
OCEAN CITY, Md. - Mid-Atlantic resorts are hoping gas prices spiraling toward $4 a gallon and a cooling economy won't keep vacationers at home this summer - but they're bracing for shorter stays and less spending on restaurants and entertainment while people holiday. Read More
Gas sales tax holiday urged in Mich.
Michigan motorists would get a three-month holiday from the state sales tax on gas this summer -- a break of about a quarter per gallon -- under a plan unveiled Monday by a couple of House Republican lawmakers. Read More
Voters may have say in pay
The House of Representatives on Monday passed a plan to ask Minnesotans whether an appointed body should set salaries and reimbursement rates for state legislators and constitutional officers. Read More
Property tax cap stalling legislators
End-of-session negotiations between legislative leaders and Gov. Tim Pawlenty are still focused on property tax relief. Read More
Deal eludes Pawlenty, lawmakers
It was a week before they must go home for a year, but with no deal to balance the budget Minnesota legislators Monday debated health-care reform, a constitutional amendment and whether to allow dogs on cafe patios. Read More
As school districts look to save, athletic programs lose out
Even when it's not basketball season, Brock Tesdahl likes to shoot baskets in the gym at Crosby-Ironton High School. The sophomore was part of the Rangers team that finished second in Class 2A at the boys' state tournament in March, and he's already thinking about next season. But his junior year might be the last chance he gets to play high school basketball. Read More
Hints of an agreement have Capitol on standby
Action on bills that could change Minnesotans' taxes and alter programs they depend upon came to a halt Monday amid hints of progress in negotiations for a "global agreement" to resolve the major issues of the 2008 legislative session. Read More
At The Capitol / Health bill OK'd in House, Senate
Minnesota lawmakers defied a veto threat from Gov. Tim Pawlenty on Monday in approving a reform measure that would define affordable health care, offer more Minnesotans state-subsidized health care and promote public health. Read More
Minnesota Legislature / Few answers about spendy conference
Minnesota lawmakers hoped to learn more Friday about how and why public money was used for an international game-warden conference last July in St. Paul. Read More
Barbour signs most bills
Gov. Haley Barbour has signed into law the final batch of bills passed by the 2008 Legislature. Read More
Mississippi's rainy day fund will be full -- but does it matter?
Mississippians can expect to hear plenty of bragging about the next few months about the healthy condition of the state's "rainy day fund." Read More
Candidate Steele targets state spending
Republican Larry H. Steele of Great Falls said he's running for governor to rein in state spending. Read More
Tax fight is likely for Easley
Gov. Mike Easley is proposing tax increases on cigarettes and alcohol, but he has stiff opposition from state legislators as they return to Raleigh today. Read More
Key numbers in Easley's budget
Highlights from Gov. Mike Easley's $21.5 billion state budget proposal: Read More
Funds for mental health in governor's plan
Gov. Mike Easley's proposed budget seeks to improve the state's troubled mental health system, shoring up local services and state hospital care. But Easley, legislators and others concerned about mental health services said still more needs to be done. Read More
Easley tax proposals greeted coolly
Gov. Mike Easley's proposal to raise taxes on alcohol and cigarettes ran into nearly immediate skepticism from senior lawmakers Monday, who characterized the idea as anywhere between "ambitious" and "unlikely." Read More
Easley seeks escalation in 'sin taxes'
Gov. Mike Easley's plan to give teachers dramatic raises and spend $68 million to reform the mental health system depends on his ability to sell increases in so-called "sin taxes" to the legislature in an election year. Read More
LPS to get $64.5 million in state aid
The Lincoln Board of Education will start its budget discussions in earnest now that it knows exactly how much state aid is coming the district's way. Read More
UNH poll: Most NH residents unaware of budget situation
DURHAM, N.H.- A new poll says many New Hampshire residents don't know much about the state's budget shortfall that has prompted spending cuts and debate over how to raise more money. Read More
Some charter schools may not get boost
Seven of the state's 12 charter schools may have been dealt a fatal blow yesterday by the Senate Finance Committee, which rejected a bill that would have extended the cash-strapped schools a $1.5 million lifeline. Without it, charter advocates said, the small schools will likely be forced to close. Read More
N.J. hospital workers rally against proposed budget cuts
TRENTON, N.J. -- Gov. Corzine said yesterday that he was "bound and determined" to right troubled state finances as New Jersey hospital workers rallied outside the Statehouse against his plan to cut state hospital aid by 14 percent. Read More
Coalition to urge more 'clean elections'
Members of a new coalition today vowed to push for more publicly funded legislative elections next year despite the state's budget problems. Read More
Pol flips over prof
The $1 million-a-year SUNY professor who flipped the bird for a photo at an office party was insulting the very taxpayers who foot his salary, an angry lawmaker charged yesterday. Read More
Picture worth a thousand words?
Pay Alain Kaloyeros the highest salary of any state employee, and officials gush about why he's worth it. Splash a picture of him flipping the bird at a photographer in the New York Post, and lawmakers tell you about his great sense of humor. Read More
Blurred line in pension rules
An Albany County judge accrued nearly two decades' worth of taxpayer-funded pension credits while working as the legal adviser for the Albany City School District. Read More
Pay raise suit no excuse for judges
New York's judges can't refuse to hear cases involving state lawmakers or legislators' law firms because Chief Judge Judith Kaye and the Unified Court System are suing the Legislature for a judicial pay hike, the Commission on Judicial Conduct said Monday. Read More
Member Exchange - Soaring costs may strain welfare changes
CIRCLEVILLE, Ohio - The vegetable garden is going in now, and Heather Algoe will tend it with a fervor not afforded a mere hobby. She needs this food to feed her family. Read More
Supporters urge more funds for state highway improvements
Advocates for better highways urged legislative leaders Monday to give the state highway program more money through legislation or a bond issue this year. Read More
Taxpayer bill in Pa.'s Bonusgate grows
First, taxpayers footed large, secretive government bonuses to legislative staffers. Now, more than a year into a criminal probe known as Bonusgate, the General Assembly's cost to tighten ethical standards and cope with the scandal has topped the $1 million mark and is growing. Read More
Fumo appeals new assessment on his Phila. home
State Sen. Vincent J. Fumo has filed an appeal of the property-tax hike on his Spring Garden mansion, contending that the city illegally singled him out for a 281 percent increase. Read More
Last, best turnpike offers solicited
Pennsylvania received multiple bids from companies wanting to lease its turnpike but has given at least some bidders until the end of this week to produce a final offer, Gov. Ed Rendell said Monday. Read More
New regulations tighten state's film tax credits
Spurred by questions about how much Rhode Island has benefited financially from the $55 million-plus in tax write-offs it has offered television and movie producers as an incentive to film here, state officials took steps yesterday to tie the credits more closely to money spent here. Read More
R.I. National Guard chief makes frequent trips out of state
In his first 22 months as Rhode Island's adjutant general, Maj. Gen. Robert T. Bray spent at least 130 days out of state at conferences, ceremonies and on military trips, at times collecting two paychecks -- his state salary plus pay from the federal government. Read More
State prison system asks to run $4.3 million deficit
The state's prison system, which already spends less per inmate than any other in the nation, won't have enough money to finish the fiscal year and has asked to run a $4.3 million deficit, records released today show. Read More
SC Supreme Court -- Casino boats don't have to report wagers
The state Supreme Court says casino boats operating out of South Carolina do not have to report how much money they take in each month to the state Revenue Department. Read More
Senate to resume spending limit debate
The Senate could resume debate on a constitutional amendment limiting state government spending. Read More
SC prison agency says it will run $4.3 million deficit
Despite a frugal daily diet of $1.43 worth of macaroni, rice, turkey parts and organ meat for each of its 23,977 prisoners, the South Carolina Department of Corrections can't pay its bills and the agency is considering closing some facilities. Read More
Vote sets up battle on video lottery
Sioux Falls and the state of South Dakota could be heading for a legal showdown after councilors Monday expanded restrictions on video lottery businesses. Read More
Nashville - Bredesen urges lawmakers to 'act decisively'
Gov. Phil Bredesen told lawmakers Monday that state taxpayers "expect us to live within our means" as he fleshed out plans to slash nearly a half billion dollars from the state budget. Read More
$100M fund to attract jobs
Gov. Phil Bredesen proposed Monday a revised state budget that puts $100 million into a new economic development "contingency fund" while cutting $80 million from a TennCare program for the "medically needy." Read More
Bredesen budget cuts jobs, TennCare, pre-K
Funding for state universities will be cut $56 million and 80,000 fewer people with huge medical bills will be enrolled in TennCare. Read More
Buyout talk changes state workers' retirement plans
The prospect of lucrative buyout packages is leading some state employees to put their retirement plans on hold. Read More
Budget cuts won't touch fund for recruiting industry
A $100 million state fund designed to help land new manufacturing plants and corporate headquarters for Tennessee won't be cut, despite the budget crisis, state officials said Monday. Read More
Nashville - Megasite incentives on tap despite cuts
Tennessee Finance Commissioner Dave Goetz said Monday that Gov. Phil Bredesen intends to merge $100 million from reserves with savings from several other areas as a "contingency" fund for "some potential large economic-development projects that we hope are going to bear fruit." Read More
Bredesen focuses cuts on three areas
The state should cut from TennCare spending, higher education and employees' salaries to respond to its deepening economic downturn, Gov. Phil Bredesen told lawmakers Monday, saying the state must act "decisively and conservatively" to weather its financial crisis. Read More
Texans take on big debts, taxes
A weak economy and angst over ever-rising property taxes didn't keep Texas voters from approving 66 school bond elections this past weekend. Read More
Kaine, GOP clash over transit solution for Virginia
Gov. Timothy M. Kaine yesterday raised the specter of aging bridges, traffic-clogged hurricane evacuation routes and the financial impact of gridlock to make his case for $1 billion in new taxes and fees for transportation. Read More
Kaine says more taxes necessary to fix highways
Gov. Tim Kaine said Monday that the mounting cost of highway maintenance and the possible consequences of ignoring it led him to propose another statewide tax increase for transportation, despite opposition from key Republican legislative leaders. Read More
Kaine - state needs $1.1 billion for roads
Governor Tim Kaine asked legislators to boost state taxes by about $1 billion a year to improve roads Monday, and Republican lawmakers swiftly said no. Read More
GOP says Kaine's road tax plan will go nowhere
Minutes after Gov. Timothy M. Kaine unveiled a plan Monday afternoon for an almost $860 million tax increase to help transportation, House Republican leaders declared it all but dead. Read More
Kaine pitches highway program
Gov. Tim Kaine unveiled a transportation plan yesterday that would raise about $1 billion a year for roads. Read More
Va. GOP lawmakers reject Kaine's latest transportation fix
RICHMOND, Va. - Virginia Gov. Timothy M. Kaine proposed Monday raising $1.1 billion in taxes and fees to build and repair roads, including boosting the sales tax by 1 cent in Northern Virginia and Hampton Roads. Read More
Doyle not happy with state budget deal
Gov. Jim Doyle hinted today that a budget repair compromise proposed by legislative leaders may be a target for his veto pen, which despite a recently enacted constitutional amendment scaling back his veto powers, is nonetheless a force to be reckoned with. Read More
Budget fix includes borrowing, some cuts, but no hospital tax
Legislative leaders announced a deal Monday to fix a $527 million hole in the state budget by nixing a major tax hike, cutting some spending, increasing borrowing and delaying payments. Read More
Fitzgerald wants highway fund left alone
One state lawmaker wants assurances that Governor Jim Doyle won't raid the transportation fund. Read More
Lawmaker sees more budget games
State Rep. Steve Nass slams a budget deal, which the Whitewater Republican says is "just more fiscal games." Read More
Giving state workers some time off
Even though a state budget deal appears close, one lawmaker is offering another possible solution to save Wisconsin some money. Read More
State lawmakers set plan to fix budget
Legislative leaders on Monday announced a budget-repair package they intend to pass over the next two days - a plan Democratic Gov. Jim Doyle said he expects to rework with vetoes when it hits his desk. Read More
Water trouble for city, county
City and county leaders wonder how consumers will be able to swallow yet another rate increase by West Virginia-American Water Co. Read More
Groups form to discuss reform of property taxes
CODY, Wyo. -- Despite relatively low property tax rates compared with most other states, some Wyoming homeowners say that sharply rising real estate values and a lack of market transparency are putting a big pinch on taxpayers. Read More
States, locals swamp immigration program
Sudden demand by state and local police to join the federal 287(g) initiative, which lets local police start deportation proceedings for suspects and criminals who are illegal immigrants, is overwhelming the federal government. That means long waits and alternative programs offered to police departments that want to join. Read More
Oh say, is that banner made in the U.S.A.?
Lawmakers in 10 states have taken steps to require that American flags bought with state funds be manufactured in this country. While not all the legislation has passed, one state’s new law even bans the sale of foreign-made American flags in that state. Read More
Parents turn to states for autism help
(UPDATED 4 p.m. EDT, Thursday May 1) One of the toughest problems facing autism patients, their families and policymakers is paying for treatment. Families are increasingly relying on states to help them cope with the financial, medical and educational needs. Read More
Congress encroaching on state priorities
Far scarier than the economic downturn for states is the growing trend on the part of Congress to restrict state revenue and spending prerogatives and to replace them with congressional priorities, writes Raymond C. Scheppach, executive director of the National Governors Association, in his latest commentary for Stateline.org. He cites provisions in two bills now making their way through Congress as important examples. Read More
The economic downturn: an opportunity for governors?
Most governors recognize that they have the best political job in America. Most also would concede that the job is more satisfying when the economy is strong and revenues are growing than during an economic downturn, when cutting budgets becomes the major task. But even a recession can present opportunities for governors to make improvements that yield lasting benefits for their states. Read More
Governors pitch ambitious programs
Billion-dollar deficits in California, New York and Arizona haven’t stopped governors there and elsewhere from proposing big-ticket items for 2008. Stateline.org looks at proposals from governors’ 2008 "state of the state" speeches and provides an exclusive summary of all the addresses so far.
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The recession, the states, and economic stimulus
Red ink in state budgets could prolong the economic downturn and could necessitate a second economic-stimulus package, warns Raymond C. Scheppach, executive director of the National Governors Association, in his latest commentary for Stateline.org. Read More
Medicaid: Biggest insurer is a budget buster
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