Why Public-Owned Bank Beats Wall Street

JANUARY 16, 2025 | LA PROGRESSIVE

Like private banks, a publicly owned bank has the ability to create money in the form of bank credit on its books, and it has access to very low interest rates. But the business model of private banks requires them to take advantage of these low rates to extract as much debt service as the market will bear for the benefit of the bank’s private investors. A public bank can pass low rates on to local residents and businesses. It can also recapture the interest on local government projects, making them substantially cheaper than when funded through the bond market.

The BND’s profits belong to the citizens and are generated without taxation, lowering tax rates.On Oct. 2, 2024, Truth in Accounting’s annual Financial State of the States report rated North Dakota #1 in fiscal health, with a budget surplus per taxpayer of $55,600.

North Dakota, Minnesota tops in nation for 'taxpayer truth in accounting'

DECEMBER 7, 2024 | DAILY NEWS

The 15th annual Financial State of the States report compiled by Truth in Accounting and the report shows 27 states did not have enough money to pay their bills.

However, North Dakota finished No. 1 of all 50 states with an “A” grade and Minnesota was ranked 11th with a “B” grade.

The 144-page final report provides a comprehensive analysis of the fiscal health of all 50 states.

Financial State of the States 2024

OCTOBER 3, 2024

Our fifteenth annual Financial State of the States (FSOS) report provides a comprehensive analysis of the fiscal health of all 50 states.

Financial Transparency Score 2024

APRIL 23, 2024

Truth in Accounting has once again created a transparency score for the financial reporting by state governments to encourage the publication of transparent and accurate government financial information.

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.

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