28 States Didn’t Have Enough Money to Cover Their Bills in Fiscal 2022: Report

DECEMBER 24, 2023 | PENNSYLVANIA DAILY STAR | by Bethany Blankley

"In fiscal 2022, 28 states didn’t have enough revenue to pay all of their bills, according to the 14th annual Financial State of the States report, published by the Chicago-based nonprofit Truth in Accounting.

The report provides a comprehensive analysis of the fiscal health of all 50 states based on the latest available data from states’ fiscal year 2022 annual comprehensive financial reports.

New Jersey ranked last for having the worst fiscal health and the greatest taxpayer burden. Not far behind was Connecticut, followed by Illinois, Massachusetts, Hawaii, Kentucky, Delaware, Louisiana, California and Vermont in the bottom ten.

By contrast, 22 states reported surpluses, the majority of which are led by Republican governors."

 

Financial State of the States 2022

OCTOBER 24, 2022

This year's report found that 31 states did not have enough money to pay all of their bills.

New study measures financial transparency among state governments

NOVEMBER 16, 2021

PRESS RELEASE

Financial Transparency Score 2021

NOVEMBER 16, 2021

To encourage the publication of transparent and accurate government financial information, Truth in Accounting has created a transparency score for financial reporting by the states. 

Majority of state finances worsened during beginning of pandemic

SEPTEMBER 28, 2021

PRESS RELEASE - FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Financial State of the States 2021

SEPTEMBER 28, 2021

Truth in Accounting's twelfth annual Financial State of the States report, a nationwide analysis of the most recent state government financial information.

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.

Fiscal conservatism begins with honest accounting

FEBRUARY 4, 2020 | INFORUM (FARGO, NORTH DAKOTA) | by Rob Port

In his column today, Mike Jacobs writes about some intraparty competition in North Dakota's District 8, where longtime lawmaker Jeff Delzer is seeking re-election to the state House but facing a challenge from two other Republicans.

2019 North Dakota financial report released

JANUARY 15, 2020 | THE DICKINSON PRESS (NORTH DAKOTA) | by Kayla Henson

The Office of Management and Budget today released the 2019 Comprehensive Annual Financial Report (CAFR), a document that encompasses the fiscal activity for all of state government 

ND Republican’s Senate campaign ‘fact checking’ website promotes false claim on CBO estimates

JUNE 19, 2018 | INFORUM | by Washington Post

"Heitkamp's talk of deficits is pure speculation and none of it takes into account the economic growth the Trump pro-growth agenda is delivering." - statement on the website Get the Facts ND, June 4, 2018

Second wave of 2017 FSOS now available!

MAY 15, 2018 | by Truth in Accounting

See the financial condition of Alaska, Connecticut, Delaware, Iowa, Illinois, North Dakota, Utah, Washington and West Virginia.

Supreme Court not sold on ending online sales tax ban

APRIL 18, 2018 | GOVERNING | by Daniel Vock

The justices pressed attorneys on Tuesday about the potential consequences of overturning the court’s 26-year-old ruling.

Sen. Heitkamp says addressing pension crisis is ‘moral imperative’

APRIL 4, 2018 | WEST FARGO PIONEER (NORTH DAKOTA) | by Tu-Uyen Tran

Before an audience of appreciative retired truck drivers, Sen. Heidi Heitkamp, D-N.D., said Tuesday, April 3, that if their pension funds were allowed to collapse, the ripple effects could “take down our economy.”

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.

The hidden $700 billion debt owed to public workers

SEPTEMBER 21, 2017 | REASON | by Eric Boehm

States collectively owe more than $1 trillion in pension benefits to current public workers and retirees, but that oft-cited figure does not include the cost of other retirement benefits for government workers and public school employees.

Illinois second-worst in state debt, worst in taxpayer trust

SEPTEMBER 20, 2017 | ILLINOIS NEWS NETWORK | by Greg Bishop

Got $50,000 laying around you can hand over to the state? Illinois taxpayers owe that much in debt racked up by state government.

North Dakota finances second best in the nation; earns an A grade

SEPTEMBER 19, 2017 | TRUTH IN ACCOUNTING

Despite the healthy status of its finances, North Dakota still has room to improve its accounting and reporting. 

Cities and states prefer public banks to Wall Street

APRIL 20, 2017 | BANKING ON NEW JERSEY

Public banks are owned by cities, states or other jurisdictions and serve to keep funds local instead of being deposited on Wall Street.

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