Pandemic Programs Expire, Leaving States with Major Funding Gaps

OCTOBER 14, 2025

States face a significant loss of federal dollars as temporary pandemic-related programs that were initiated in 2020 come to an end and national fiscal pressures rise.

Financial State of the States 2025

SEPTEMBER 25, 2025

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

Financial Transparency Score 2025

JULY 8, 2025

In the spirit of promoting clear and accurate fiscal information, Truth in Accounting has once again assessed the transparency of state governments’ financial reporting. While state budgets receive most of the public and media’s attention, their outcomes are detailed in each government's Annual Comprehensive Financial Report (ACFR), which is audited annually by certified public accountants. Our transparency score is based on key criteria outlining best practices, offering government officials and citizens a roadmap to enhance fiscal transparency and accountability.

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.

Hot off the Press! The State Report is Out: How Did Your State Do???

DECEMBER 10, 2023

Now Available

Our annual report on state fiscal health. Debt among the states improved slightly. Going from $1.2 trillion down to $938.6 billion. 

What happened? 

How did your state do? Read the full report below. 

https://www.truthinaccounting.org/news/detail/financial-state-of-the-states-2023

Accounting is a methodology for measuring value. It's the process of identifying, measuring, and communicating economic information to enable well-informed assessments and choices for those who rely on the informationgood accounting matters!  

 

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.

Surplus or mirage? Why WV Gov. Jim Justice’s budget numbers aren’t what they seem

JULY 28, 2021 | WEST VIRGINIA PUBLIC BROADCASTING | by Ian Karbal

By Ian Karbal (Mountain State Spotlight), includes “On July 1, Gov. Jim Justice announced that in the 2021 fiscal year, which ended the previous day, West Virginia had a budget surplus of $413 million, topping previous expectations for the year."

Sixteen states lost population in 2020

FEBRUARY 1, 2021 | BALLOTPEDIA | by Scott Rasmussen

By Scott Rasmussen, includes “… On a percentage basis, the biggest increases were found in Idaho, Arizona, Nevada, and Utah.”

Virginia sees improvement on U-Haul ranking of states people are moving to

JANUARY 11, 2021 | INSIDE NOVA (VIRGINIA)

Ranking 28th out of 50 on any list may not be something to brag about, but for Virginia, it represents a degree of improvement.

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.

West Virginia officials cheer budget surplus

AUGUST 4, 2020 | THE WEIRTON DAILY TIMES | by Steven Adams

Hindsight is 20/20, with Gov. Jim Justice and state revenue officials looking back on the last fiscal year and the first month of the new fiscal year, which both showed surpluses even as the pandemic affects the economy.

West Virginia expected to end the year with small surplus

JUNE 29, 2020 | THE INTELLIGENCER (WEST VIRGINIA) | by Steven Adams

When the 2020 fiscal year ends Tuesday, West Virginia could still end up with a small surplus after sweeping state agencies for cash and utilizing excess Medicaid dollars.

McKinley miner pension bill heads to house floor

OCTOBER 25, 2019 | THE INTER-MOUNTAIN (WEST VIRGINIA) | by STEVEN ADAMS

U.S. Rep. David McKinley, R-W.Va., hopes his version of a fix for coal miner pensions passes the House of Representatives and breaks through the blockage in the U.S. Senate.

Justice confirms state ending fiscal year with budget surplus

JULY 9, 2018 | METRONEWS (WEST VIRGINIA) | by Brad McElhinny

Gov. Jim Justice confirmed today that West Virginia’s state budget will end the fiscal year with a surplus.

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.

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.

Congress should act to ease student loan crisis

MAY 7, 2018 | THE HERALD-DISPATCH (WEST VIRGINIA) | by Nigel Jeffries

The student loan bubble is going to burst in the very near future. Student loan debt is second only to housing debt at $1.4 trillion in outstanding loans.

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