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."

 

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.

Finance Wyoming becomes first US state to legally recognize DAO

JULY 9, 2021 | YAHOO | by Sean Dickens

By Sean Dickens, includes “The state of Wyoming has become the first in the US to approve and legally recognise a Decentralised Autonomous Organisation (DAO). … The mission of the American CryptoFed DAO is to create and sustain a monetary system with zero inflation, zero deflation and zero transaction costs.”

Wyoming ranked 5th for lowest tax rates in country

MARCH 10, 2021 | BUCKRAIL (WYOMING) | by Jacob Gore

Includes “… With Tax Day looming and 74% of people disapproving of how the government has used tax dollars during the COVID-19 pandemic, WalletHub today also released its 2021 Taxpayer Survey … 74% of people say the government has not handled their tax dollars wisely during the COVID-19 pandemic. … 38% of people would move to a different country for a tax-free future.”

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.

Lost the ‘entire payroll?’ Dire budget choices loom for state

MAY 26, 2020 | BUFFALO BULLETIN (WYOMING) | by Andrew Graham

State government will soon experience “profound” budget cuts because of a global pandemic and oil market crash, Gov. Mark Gordon said on Wednesday, though to what degree, when and how they will be applied remain to be seen. 

Looking for a new job? These cities will pay you to relocate

MAY 2, 2018 | FOX BUSINESS | by Leia Klingel

The U.S. job market is so tight that some cities are offering bonuses to employees willing to relocate. 

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.

Interior Department worked behind the scenes with energy industry to reverse royalties rule

OCTOBER 6, 2017 | THE WASHINGTON POST | by Juliet Eilperin

Top Interior Department officials worked privately with energy industry representatives during the first weeks of the Trump administration to suspend a new accounting system that would have forced companies to pay millions of dollars more in royalties to the government, documents show.

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.

Wyoming finances third best the nation; earns an A grade

SEPTEMBER 19, 2017 | TRUTH IN ACCOUNTING

Wyoming is lucky to essentially have $4.3 billion in available assets after their bills are deducted,.

State Treasurer lobbies for Amendment A in Jackson

NOVEMBER 8, 2016 | JACKSON HOLE NEWS & GUIDE

By John Spina, includes “State Treasurer Mark Gordon stopped in Jackson last week to lobby for Amendment A, a ballot measure facing voters today.

How to break through America’s budget gridlock

JULY 13, 2016 | THE FISCAL TIMES | by Mike Enzi

"Updating these rules would provide Congress with the honest, accurate information necessary to allocate taxpayer dollars responsibly..."

Wyoming Gov. Matt Mead wants to "borrow" state savings to balance budget

JANUARY 5, 2016 | EAGLEFORDTEXAS.COM | by Trevor Brown

Faced with declining mineral revenues, Gov. Matt Mead wants to “borrow” state savings to help fund local governments, pay for building and road projects, and keep some state-funded programs running.

Defusing the debt bomb

JANUARY 4, 2016 | THE WASHINGTON TIMES | by David Walker

Wyoming 3rd Best in Financial State of the States Report

AUGUST 1, 2014 | KGAB 650 AM (WYOMING)

"...TIA researchers ranked Wyoming as the third best Sunshine State..."

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