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Subscribe to RSSThe finances of state governments are improving, but states face deep uncertainty in the coming fiscal year as they grapple with the new costs of Medicaid expansion and the long-term costs of state employee pensions.
According to a survey of state fiscal officials released Tuesday by the National Conference of State Legislatures, state revenue has begun to return to pre-recession levels. Thirty states ended their fiscal year with combined balances and rainy day funds of 5 percent or more of their general fund spending.
But the report notes that “the robust return of state revenue collections that typified previous recoveries remains elusive.”
States’ general fund revenue increased in fiscal year 2012 by nearly 3 percent over the prior year, while spending increased by roughly the same amount.
Fiscal officials’ estimate for FY 2013 is that state revenues will go up by 3.7 percent from FY 2012, while they forecast that spending will go up by 2.4 percent.
In most states, the fiscal year runs from July 1 to June 30 of the following calendar year.
Asked to identify the biggest challenges they will face in the coming fiscal year, officials from 22 states indicated that the expansion of the Medicaid program mandated by the Affordable Care Act or other health care costs will be their most difficult problem.
Energy producing states Wyoming and Oklahoma cited low or declining prices for natural gas, coal, and oil as big challenges, while North Dakota said the energy boom in the state is causing a need for increased state spending on infrastructure.
Missouri, Pennsylvania and Montana all cited state employee pensions as the major fiscal challenge in the year ahead, while Alabama and California both cited ballot initiatives on taxing and budgeting as the biggest fiscal tests.
In Alabama, a September ballot measure would transfer $146 million from the oil and gas trust fund into the general fund. If voters reject that ballot measure, the governor and state legislature will need to make budget cuts.
In California, Democratic Gov. Jerry Brown has proposed a sales tax increase and an income tax increase on those earning more than $250,000 a year. The Brown proposal will be put to the voters on the Nov. 6 ballot.
Asked what they see as sources of fiscal strength in the year ahead, officials in most states said revenue growth coming from higher incomes and from increased tax collections. In Pennsylvania, for example, tax revenues are expected to grow at a rate of 3.4 percent, while in Tennessee tax collections have exceeded estimates for 22 consecutive months.
In 2010 and 2011 state governments were able to keep more employees on their payrolls than they otherwise would have due to an infusion of cash from the $830 billion federal stimulus. But that money has mostly run out and, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the number of state employees -- which had risen from 4.9 million in 2004 to 5.2 million in 2008 -- had fallen to just above 5 million in July.
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One of the fundimental problems in this discussion is HOW states are to right themselves when we have a federal government actively attempting to limit the state's powers to regulate and run themselves. I can't stand all of the divisive tactics being used when states and muncipalities are on the brink of failure. People complain about how it's a republican problem as republican governors like Scott Walker work to adjust their state's contracts, pensions, etc. as needed to stay afloat. Guess what, the same is happening in other states with democrat governors. Sure some states are going to do little and fail (think California) but I'd venture that most states are actually trying to head off the problem. Yes, people are going to be angry- wouldn't you be angry if you got great raises and pension promises just to have your employer say that it can't happen anymore. I don't begrudge anyone for feeling let down.
I do say blame a politician for your animosity- both parties used the system to get elected and stay elected. They promised the "x" union big raises for their support, then "y" group for theirs, etc. and slowly built up a house of cards that simply couldn't stand on it's own. Sorry, but its come-uppance time.
I do feel bad for the state workers that were effectively lied to, but I think you're analysis is correct for most states. In FL our state pension plan is in good shape, but I don't think many other states can say the same.
"officials in most states said revenue growth coming from higher incomes and from increased tax collections."
Not only does an increase in state finances not equal a good economy or "recovery", it is actually taking more money out of peoples pockets.
Scott Walker did nothing to adjust the state's contracts, pensions etc. as needed to stay afloat. The unions had ALREADY agreed to every single fiscal demand he had made because unlike what you and he claim, they actually DO understand the issues and were willing to make the sacrifices.
The dispute wasn't over money. Scott Walker got everything he claimed he needed. The dispute was over the rights of unions to exist at all, over the right of state employees to have some eventual say in their destiny. Wisconsin decided 'no.'
Another pathetic liberal lie. There is nothing Walker did that would outlaw unions. What Walker did was give people the choice. But of course liberal fascists can't stand freedom of choice, they always lose. In WI, AFSCME union went from 76,000 members to 28,000 members, that's how many were forced to join against their will by the fascist left.
Conservatives = freedom, liberals = fascism.
Exactly. Thank you. Unions have every right to exist (although I would argue the appropriateness of a public union that can simply vote in members to give them access to state funds, that are then used to re-elect politicians, that are then used for more access to state funds).
I just don't understand how you can argue with choice. Why should you be forced to be in a union just because you're a teacher? Oh, ok, so the union worked for your current salary/benefits. Well maybe you don't agree with the method of attaining that salary package, but you still feel passionate about teaching children. Does that mean you should be mandated to forfeit a chunk of your pay to support unions who send money to campaigns you don't politically support? Why do many liberals think that is ok??
JoeNY===Joe you don't know how right you are. I'm in complete agreement with you.
Ron-1861300===Ron the State of Florida was the first State to sue the Federal Government over Obama-Care. Your State's Attorney General stated that the State of Florida would not be able to afford the cost of Obama-Care in the future. If that is the case then get ready for your States benefits to be reduced, your cost of your the benefit going up being cut. So get ready for the storm that is coming.
Byron Raum== Ha, ha, ha you gave me a good laugh with your comment. You missed the actions taken. Good Grief read some more news articles. Just Google your thoughts for an answers.
Obama's Wall street top donors are reeling record profits at our expense and driving the DOW 13000 with profits from China, banking, and Big Oil. Then why is Obama's policies not helping Main Street? Trickle up is not working with a measely $700 Billion added to the GDP. That will not even cover the stimulus. We are headed for a $16 Trillion debt with no end sight.
Major cities across the United States are declaring themselves bankrupt in the face of huge debts and declining revenues. The great Patriot Paul Ryan has tried to work with Democrats and the President and has warned of impending doom.
30 States Now Officially Bankrupt: $37.8 Billion Borrowed From Treasury To Fund Unemployment; CA, MI, NY Worst:
California
New York
Penn.
Ohio
Illinois
N.C.
Indiana
New Jersey
Florida
Texas
S.C.
Kentucky
Missouri
Connecticut
Minnesota
Georgia
Nevada
Mass.
Virginia
Arkansas
Alabama
Colorado
R.I.
Idaho
Maryland
Kansas
Vermont
S.D.
Tennessee
Virgin Islands
Delaware
Why is FL on that list? We are not bankrupt and our public pension system is well funded.
The list dynamic. I will verify your data about Florida
Florida still has a debt, but it is decreasing.
Florida operates on an annual budget cycle. Its fiscal year begins July 1 and it is currently in FY2013.
The Florida State Legislature passed the $69.9 billion FY2013 Florida state budget on March 9, 2012.[1] Gov. Rick Scott signed the budget into law on April 17, 2012, after vetoing $142.7 million in spending.[2]
Florida has a total state debt of approximately $139,156,956,000, when calculated by adding the total of outstanding official debt, pension and other post-employment benefits (OPEB) liabilities, Unemployment Trust Fund loans, and the budget gap. [3]
Read more: #ixzz22rt8BLQl
You worry about Obama's Wall St donors? What about Romney's Wall St donors?
Think about this fact. While our cities and states are foundering in red ink, the politicians are sending vast sums of money to Israel, a country that is doing quite well, without the welfare America provides.
Our representatives just approved 9 billion dollars in loan guarantees, in addition to the 3 billion in annual aid and another 1 billion for their "iron dome" project. Only 2 people in the House voted against the loan and the Senate only took a voice vote, so their votes could not be recorded. The mainstream media has failed to even mention this travesty. Note: The tea partiers went right along wioth the vote. They must really love Israel. Israel has never had to repay a loan to the US. Our politcians always find it in their hearts to forgive the loans.
The House passed their version [H.R.4133] on May 9, pledging unlimited loyalty
and riches to our "special friend" Israel, with only two congressman
dissenting- Ron Paul and Democrat John Dingell of Michigan.
The U.S. Senate passed their version on Friday June 29, 2012. Known in the
Senate as S.2165, the measure guaranteed an astonishing $9 billion dollars in
loans to Israel (plus all fees and interest!) in addition to giving
"military assistance- stockpiles of defense articles" valued at $200
million for 2013 and $200 million for 2014.
Boxer praised passage of the bill, stating "I am so pleased that the
Senate moved quickly to pass this important bill, which reaffirms the important
bond between the United States and Israel and helps ensure that Israel has the
necessary tools to defend itself in this time of dynamic change in the Middle
East."
Initially seeking documentation of which way turncoat Rand Paul voted on this
treasonous bill, I tried to find the roll call votes. But as Harry Reid pointed
out during the session, "THE NEXT ROLL CALL VOTE WILL BE AT NOON ON
TUESDAY, JULY 10". The Senators passed this bill anonymously, in a
so-called "voice vote"!...
"it is U.S. policy to: (1)
reaffirm the commitment to Israel's security as a Jewish state, (2) provide
Israel with the military capabilities to defend itself and help preserve its
qualitative military edge, (3) expand military and civilian cooperation, (4)
assist in a negotiated settlement of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict that
results in two states living side by side in peace and security, and (5)
encourage Israel's neighbors to recognize Israel's right to exist as a Jewish
state.
Expresses the sense of Congress that the United States should take specified
actions to assist in Israel's defense.
Amends the Department of Defense Appropriations Act, 2005 to extend authority
to transfer certain obsolete or surplus Department of Defense (DOD) items to
Israel.
Amends the Foreign Assistance Act of 1961 to extend authority to make additions
to foreign-based defense stockpiles.
Amends the Emergency Wartime Supplemental Appropriations Act, 2003 to extend
specified loan guarantee authority to Israel.
The law required that a Senate report be done on the
bill. The law required that a Senate report be
done on the bill. On June 27, two days before the voice vote, Skull and bones
member John Kerry presented the obligatory "written report No.
112-179"...
These politicians most assuredly have to be taking big money bribes to vote this way, with their own states going bankrupt. How much of the money loaned is funneled back to these crooks? Who do these people think they represent? It certainly isn't the American people. These bills were written by Jewish Congressmen and women, working hard for Israel, a definate conflict of interest.
That pales in comparison to Obama $20 Billion Green jobs massive failures.
All these companies have failed under Obama's Green Jobs initiative,
This is a list of just some Obama's Green Jobs failures:
LightSquared
BrightSource
Beacon Power Corp
Ener1 Inc
NextEra
Amonix Inc
Abound solar
A 123 systems
First Solar
Oh, almost forgot, Solyndra
Billions gone, thousands laid off, where is the money??
Hey p*ssed off, how do you feel about the 3.5 trillion dollar war in Iraq in which Bush and Cheney started? How did you like the financial meltdown that occurred during Bush's watch, where we almost lost our auto makers? Obama made a few mistakes, but they pale in comparison to those of the Republican party, who wrote the bill to remove Glass- Steagall protections, which served our country well, since the "great depression".
We need solar to replace the oil and coal, which pollute and cause global warming. Of course you don't belive in global warming because you let Rush Limbaugh and Republican doctrine determine your beliefs, rather than science.
Where are those WMD? How about those mobile biological weapons labs that turned out to be for filling weather balloons. Talk about stupid. Your own leaders were complicit in 9/11. Start with Dick Cheney. A false flag attack and an inside job.
550 Metric tons of yellow cake found in Iraq 2008 reported by CNN. Shipped by our military to Canada for storage.
Syrian rebels are reporting that are coming accross huge cashe's of WMD. But, they are not Sryian. They are from Iraq. Syrian defectors are saying that they were moved out Iraq prior to the invasion by Putin's Spetsnaz under an called Operation Sarandar.
This was the most successful secrete operation in modern times.
Along with the WMD, 60 Iraqi Nuclear Eningeers and thir equipment were moved to Syria. This led directly to the development of the Syrian reactor that Isreal took out under operation Orchade.
that is a lie...there was no yellowcake found in Iraq...bush lied and thousdand died needlessly...this brings into questions anything else you have said on here...
"officials in most states said revenue growth coming from higher incomes and from increased tax collections."
Ah, just what the economy needs... increased "state finances" at the expense of the personal finances of consumers, this should really hep the economy. (sarcasm)
Why are we even discussing federal expenditures like Iraq or green energy funding? The article is about the our states' finances, which are supposed to operate independently of federal spending. Let's try and stay on topic here.
Try this news source. It is MSNBC
http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/25546334/ns/world_news-mideast_n_africa/t/secret-us-mission-hauls-uranium-iraq/
CNN and CBS both reported it,
http ://articles.cnn.com/2008-07-07/us/iraq.uranium_1_yellowcake-uranium-cameco?_s=PM:US
Publius - Get your head out of your anus. There never was a threat from Iraq. Case closed! The Iraq war is predicted by experts to cost between 3.5 and 4.5 trillion dollars., which dwarfs any mistake Obama could make times 1000. Uranium yellowcake is not WMD and there was no trace of a nuclear weapons program found in Iraq, as Bush and the neocons tried to imply.
If you or anyone on these forums really think Iraq was a threat to our freedoms, you have to be dumber than a turnip. Iraq had no viable air force, navy, missiles or army large enough to inflict any more thanm a pinprick on the USA or even Israel. Why is it that Bush and Cheney, staffed the Pentagon with Jewish lawyers to plan and sell the Iraq war. Every one of them was on a first name basis with Netanyahu and Sharon and had actually drawn up a plan for Israel's future, which included regime change in Iraq using American power.
Romney has just about said he will bring us to war with Iran, if he becomes president. He has many of the same neocon advisors that lied us to war in Iraq. He is a puppet of the Zionists.
Zionist
warmongers like Ken Adelman and the Zionist Washington Post pushed the war in
an editorial titled, “Cakewalk in Iraq.” Jewish supremacists Richard Perle and
Paul Wolfowitz told you that Iraq would “Welcome us as liberators.” Iraq became
the longest war in American history. Here is a report from USA Today: “Pentagon
officials estimated for the first time Wednesday that up to 360,000 Iraq and
Afghanistan veterans may have suffered traumatic brain injuries.” Now that’s
not counting tens of thousands who have suffered maiming, amputations, or death
in this war based on lies.
This is what we get for listening to Zionists. It seems like a high price to pay, doesn't it? What did America get for our effort? People are still getting killed in Iraq every day, where Saddam has brought Iraq some stability, except for the Kurds in the North, who wanted their own country, kind of like the South, in our own civil war.
If you read the entire article, you will find that the yellowcake had been in Irag for a long time, was used int he energy production, and was under the control of the U.N. nuclear inspectors. The excuse for the invasion still remains a fabrication.
As someone said earlier, this article is about state finances, why are we discussing this stuff?
Which confirms Saddam had a nuclear program. Yellow cake can be used for a dirty bomb, and is used in the processing of weapons grade plutonium.
The centrifuges were moved out of Iraq into Syria. That is how Syria developed their reactor that Isreal took out.
Saddam had both WMD and a Nuclear program.
Every intel agency on the planet did not get it wrong, Putin played a number on everyone.
Just like he is doing now with Syria.
But! Where is Waldo?
I just love conspiracy theorists! You crazies provide some fun fantasy reading. And, if you are going to make accusations about things being done in secret, please try learning how to spell the damn word.
And your point is? Have there never been failures before? Obama stabilized the economy and saved GM. That is a lot more than the $20 billion lost.
So why did we invade Iraq? Why did we not invade Syria?
BTW, Syria never had a reactor that Israel took out. That was still Iraq, back when we were somewhat friendlier with Iraq.
If Saddam had a nuclear weapons program, he would have needed centrifuges to enrich the uranium to 90%. He didn't even have one centrifuge. Quit lieing.
If you think every intelligence service on the planet was monitoring Iraq, you are deluding yourself. Just because the Zionists newspapers made claims that the whole world believed Saddam had WMD, does not mean or prove anything. Most people believe what they read in the papers and the news media is controlled by Zionists who wanted the war. The neocons in the Pentagon were feeding writers like Judy Miller of the NY Times, bs about Iraq being behind the anthrax attacks. We now know the stories were all untrue and that the anthrax itself, originated in the US.
Newsflash: They now want another war, this time with Iran.
See Snopes - already debunked. This was material already discovered and cached by UN inspection teams.
They have been claiming Operation Sarandar since 2003. In the last 9 years they have found just as much evidence for Sarandar as they did WMD's. Think, just think for a minute. If Saddam had the capabilities you claim he did, do you think they could eradicate all evidence of them in even 10 years? It takes massive infrastructure to manufacture such things - roads, buildings, factories and even entire towns where teams of scientists and workers live and work. Where is the proof? There is none.
There is none! George W. Bush lied, Dick Cheney lied and you just can't get over it!
Ralph, not sure where you got your figures of the cost of the wars. It costs a lot of money to keep a military with over 1000 bases worldwide going. We also spend a whole lot of money even during peace time, ever heard of exercises? It is not so much the wars that cost, but the huge amount of waste and unnecessary bases.
And it wasn't that Bush lied, Saddam did a real good job of making everyone think he did have WMDs. I do think there were other motivating factors. Oil and control over the oil fields in that region. We know Iraq and Iran hated each other at that time, and maybe Bush feared Iran taking Iraq.
We keep trying to police the world and it has financially broke our back.
The great patriot Paul Ryan? What are you huffing? A career politician who has never worked in the private sector. Dedicated to the destruction of Social Security and Medicare even though he personally benefited from Social Security payments to dependent children when he was a kid. Has more than $5 million in his war chest, more than any other member of Congress. His district is so gerrymandered that Mother Teresa could not win if she ran as a Democrat.
You can always tell who is a Republican...They run faster than a Ferrari when it's time for accountability and then when something positive shows its face...they are always right there to take credit. Remember th credit Ronald Reagan took when he sent his emissary Bush '41 to Iran and secretly told the Iranians to delay releasing the hostages until after his election, even after Carter had already set the deal?
Or, how about that cute little episode when Big Daddy Bush decided to bail out the S&Ls using massive infusions of taxpayer dollars one of which was his son Neil's Silverado S&L all while Mr. Kinder Gentler to Big Business was involved in Iran ContraGate that now is supposed to never again be mentioned by Repubbo lips?
The reality is that President Obama's policies which he had ZERO cooperation from Repubbos that saved this country from a Bush/Cheney disaster. Now..before you bully bois of the GOP puff out those all too massive chests and start marching to your own tunes...Republicans created the mess and it WAS and IS up to Repubbos to fix the mess. Most adult mentalities know and understand that concept. Just not the GOP that suffers from affluenza...And how much help exactly did you all get from taxpayers? Or do you just take credit for taxpayer, consumer and employee help because lame brains most always do that?
Tack and Cover--sorry but Rep Ryan DID work in the private sector--even if it WAS his family's business.
Obama, on the other hand, NEVER did. Unless you count being a teacher at the same time as he was a STATE Rep?
And both got their big step into politics in about the same time frame.
I love it when either side wants to judge the other guy by standards their own guy doesn't look much different on.
MoMaid...One big difference...Ryan is trying to impose his ideology on people who don't want it. President Obama, as the country No. 1 leader is charged with the duty of service to his country and for ALL the people. Ryan pulls tantrums when he doesn't get his way. Like all Republicans always do. I should know...I was a Republican until Bush's policies changed that forever.
I have a distinct disliking working just to help the rich stay that way and paying the bills of Big Businesses that can afford to pay their CEOs outrageous salaries and benefits all off my payroll deductions. No Big Oil Boi needs a dime of my tax dollars. Sorry.
ewent--would that be like the DEMS trying to give CLINTON credit for the 'balanced budget' he handed over to Bush, even tho he was FORCED into that by the Pubs' 'contract with America'?(and control of both houses of Congress?)
And I have to laugh when people refer to the REP congress's so called ''obstructionism" right now.
That is a seemingly little known factor in our constitution that allows for BALANCE of POWER. All those 'newly elected Pubs' were ELECTED by their districts because those districts did not WANT the Dems to run rough shod over everything.
I voted for Obama in 2008, despite misgivings about giving the DEMS the same power the Pubs misused 2000-2006, and IF I were to vote for him again this time, it would ONLY be to keep the PUBS from having total control either.
And that is a PIZZ poor reason to vote for someone.
Illinois will spend more money on teacher pensions by 2015 than it will on education as a whole. Boy have priorities been twisted.
I find it laughable when our elected folk say we need to boost spending on education. What they really mean is we need to shore up pensions and give raises to public sector unions.
It is terrible. Teachers union chiefs can make $500K a year, teachers bonuses can be as high as $50K.
And what do we get? Our kids rank 25th in world in math and science.
And now more schools are going to a four day week
According to data collected by NCSL :
-Twenty-one states currently have school districts (with public schools) operating on a four-day week.
-These states include: Arizona, California, Colorado, Georgia, Idaho, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Montana, Nebraska, New Mexico, Nevada, Oklahoma, Oregon, South Dakota, Utah, Wisconsin and Wyoming.
-There are more than 120 school districts that host four-day school week programs.
We need change, this country is headed in the wrong direction.
Can pissed off be any less informed...500K teachers pensions? Really?
I guess your teachers never taught you reading comprehension. I believe this was the post you're referring to:
We spend percent of GDP to education around 50th in the world. No wonder we are 25th. That is actually pretty good considering...
yourealoser:
If that sounds so good to you then go and be a teacher and spend 30 years dealing with rotten, bratty kids. No, I"m not a teacher. You could not pay me enough & I would want combat pay.
Brendan...Why take a hit on teacher, cops and firefighters salaries when the real 800 lb. gorilla in the room are the pigs at the top all swilling off moolah they can only get from consumers, taxpayers and stiffing hell out of their employees?
But the big time excuse from the Big Moolah bois I especially find pukey is how they claim they simply "can't hire or create jobs because they don't know what the economy will be like in the next 5 years." So from that we are supposed to infer that over a 5 year span their neurosis will be such that they won't get an undeserved salary increase or hefty bonuses? Of course, no one knows what the US economy will be like...duh...no one has ESP. And since when has this economy hurt a single Big Banker's annual salary increase or a hotcha CEO from losing a dime in profit? More BS than this and the TX longhorns are going to riot from the competition.
@ youraloser.....
And what is your neighbor's educational credentials?
Masters Degree?
Based on years of experience and educational background she may very well be worth every penney of that $89K/yr.
You want your kids taught by teachers that haven't graduated from high school themselves, and will do it for $18K/yr?
Ask California if they are recovering. Do you read your own article you dumb sh__?
I am convinced there isn't one journalist that actually researches a story before they write something stupid.
"officials in most states said revenue growth coming from higher incomes and from increased tax collections."
Yayyyyy! Property tax hikes for everyone!
The title should be:
"State governments increase the robbing of taxpayers"
If state finances are "recovering" by taking in more taxes, just what do you think is happening to personal finances?
California is starting a recovery. BTW, California pays more into the US then any other state period. For every dollar California sends, it receives .70 cents back. The top ten states that receive more than they send are all red welfare states. If California was able to keep its money, it wouldn't have any financial problems. Talk about double standards. California works hard to keep your red states afloat.
NJ is recovering...no thanks to our Republican governor. In actuality, NJ's jobs creation is a result of a push in the solar energy industry in our state...big time profits and jobs for plumbers, electricians, contractors, roofers and anyone in structural and construction engineering.
The reality is everything in any government needs regular reform. The only people who want ZERO reform are those profitting from lack thereof.
Of course, the neoconartists in this country want to put teachers out of business. Of course, they don't want towns to have adequate fire and emergency services...to these affluent jerks, lack thereof costs them less in taxes. For these greedheads, it's always and only ALL about them getting their taxes reduced to zero. So, when you look at it right...they don't want to pay any taxes. They want everyone else to pay for the government services and infrastructure they use 100 times more than any other individual.
And the benefit to neoconartists of reducing these vitals services? A nation they so stupid and uneducated they can control it more easily A nation living in fear of massive fires and lack of emergency services that would further reduce the populations numbers...See? Black Death Mentalities of the right...everything must be black except the color of their president.
Michigan is on the coming back and moving forward since Snyder took over for Jennifer Granholm.
He's done more in his short tenure then Granholm did in the 8 years she SAT in Lansing.
He's working on bringing the state and Detroit back but the mainstay Black Leaders don't want anything to do with prosperity.
They want to live in the past with the unions controlling the city and keeping the graft coming.
I say give it back to the Black Leaders and when they have turned into another Thrid World Country they might open their eyes and see that it takes some intelligence to run a city.
You don't sit in meetings and demonstrate in the streets yelling that the governor wants to take over Detoirt and preaching the white man wants the city.
I think there are genuine people in Detroit who want to make the city and state better but it's he 80 / 20 rule that is screwing things up.
I'm long on Michigan and feel if Detroit was out of the picture the state would do better.
Tony Z...One black leader, President Obama, saved Michigan's auto industry...NOW ...man up.
ewent--sorry, but ONE black leader did NOT save "Michigan's auto industry"--he saved, at GREAT expense to both the tax payers AND the stock holders, the UNION PENSION FUND of GM.
Funny how FORD managed to survive without that give-away.
And PSSST--just spent 4 days in FL for my daughter's wedding, and rented a Chevy, and ALL 4 of us driving it HATED that Impala--found it a gas guzzler, awkward to drive, and full of problems.
THREE of us will be in the market in the next year or two for a new car. Guess what brand we will NOT be buying?
Affordable care act!! Has a nice ring does'nt it? Yet it's putting how many states in financial trouble plus how many other people is it going to bury? Obama should have to pay for all the harm he has caused this country. And don't think i'm a romney fan he is nothing but another thieving no good SOB as well.
Do you know Romney or just know him from what you read in these dumb post?
You said it, Obama has proved he doesn't know what he's doing so why put an incompetent person back in charge?
By putting a Obama back in charge would fall well within the insanity rule of doing the same thing over and over and expecting different results.
I bet you can't list one thing he has done for the country that has proven to be good for the country.
Tony
kept us out of a depression, got Bin Laden and a bunch of his henchmen ... I have lots more if you would like.
Now just close your eyes and picture this ... the old man and the ding bat won the election in 2008 .... headlines today "25% unemployment, riots in the streets no food available to feed the masses"
We have known for over a year that Obamacare will kill what is left of the U.S. economy..... not that MSNBC ever reported it.
U.S. will pay for half of all health care costs by 2020 - July 28, 2011
"Total health care spending is expected to nearly double to $4.6 trillion in 2020, from $2.6 trillion in 2010.
Health care spending per capita is forecast to increase to $13,708 in 2020 from $8,327 in 2010, the report said.
By 2020, nearly 30 million additional people are expected to have health insurance because of reform.
Over the 10-year period, the report showed that the biggest annual jump in health care spending will happen in 2014 when health reform is fully implemented.
CMS estimates that in 2014 about 23 million uninsured consumers will gain access to health insurance, mainly through government programs such as Medicaid and through the creation of federal and state-funded health insurance exchanges.
As a result, the government expects Medicaid spending to surge 20% in 2014 and private health insurance spending to increase 9.4%.
Norwalk said the estimated sharp surge in Medicaid spending just in one year, is very concerning given that states are already struggling with their budgets.
As millions more gain access to health insurance, the government expects spending on prescription drugs, physician and hospital services to increase as well.
CMS expects prescription drug spending to jump by 10.7% in 2014 and to account for 11% of national health spending by 2020. Spending on physician and clinical services is forecast to rise by 8.9% by 2014, representing 19% of overall health care spending."
http://money.cnn.com/2011/07/28/news/economy/healthcare_spending_forecast/index.htm?source=cnn_bin&hpt=hp_bn3
P.S. Keep in mind these are even the government released numbers, the reality will be much worse.
As opposed to the Republicans "unaffordable care act" wherein all of our payroll tax deductions for Medicare and healthcare end up on Wall Street? Who do you people think you are fooling?
How many Wall Street crashes, Wall Street frauds and Wall Street bailouts do you expect Main Streeters to pay for? Sorry, smart Americans don't buy that Republican BS story about how much better off healthcare would be if privatized...And just what is and was healthcare if not privatized by Horizon, Aetna and the rest of the private healthcare corporations? Oh and let's not forget that scandal and fraud at Healthcare South wherein Mr. Hotcha CEO helped himself while he rejected claims, jacked premiums and made healthcare unaffordable so his salary could lavish him with luxuries?
Here is the Teachers Union Chief that makes over $500K a year.
New Jersey Education Association Executive Director Vincent Giordano appeared the "New Jersey Capitol Report" this weekend to discuss the costs of education. Giordano tells poor families who can't afford to go to better schools "life's not always fair." Transcript below.
Host: The issue of fairness, I mean this is the argument that a lot of voucher supporters make. People who are well off have options. Somebody who is not well off and whose child is in a failing school, why shouldn't those parents have the same options to get the kid out of the failing school and into one that works with the help of the state?
NJEA boss Vincent Giordano: Those parents should have exactly the same options and they do. We don't say you can't take your kid out of the public school. We would argue not and we would say 'let's work more closely and more harmoniously' …
Host: They can't afford to pay, you know that. Some of these parents can't afford to take their child out of these schools.
Giordano: Life's not always fair and I'm sorry about that.
Publius...You are a liar. I live in NJ. That union chief's actual salary is slightly over $200K. Now...admit you lied. There's one other little factor you managed to omit to post...That union chief is "union" and not necessarily a working class teacher. Get your stories straight.
Yeesh..what's with the righties out there? Didn't their McMommies and McDaddies ever teach them not to lie?
When the right isn't warring with the president, they try their damnedest to start a war with our public workers and the private sector and all to what end? To save righties from having to pay ANY taxes.
When you consider what Charles and David Koch, Adelson and Rove all earn as annual salaries, a union chief earning $200K is peanuts.
Hey don't shoot the messsenger.
It is all over the news, prove these soruces wrong.
Giordano makes over $500K a year and he is not the only one.
http: //www.realclearpolitics.com/video/2012/02/07/nj_teachers_union_boss_with_500k_salary_tells_poor_lifes_not_always_fair.html
http: //unionwatch.org/the-brazen-hypocrisy-of-the-teachers-unions/
http: //airmodal.com/2012/02/page/2/
Once again Obama shows his policies are working. And since Romney is no longer Governor that state can prosper too!
Did the fact that 30 states are broke and we are going on a $16 Trillion debt fly over your head like a Frizbee??
Massachusetts is Broke since Romney left
So Publius, does this mean you are against giving more than 13 billion dollars to Israel this year? You worry about the states, but I haven't seen any concern from you about our federal government supporting another country. This year we will have given the equivalent of over $2000 to each man, woman and child in Israel.
It is people like Romney who took high paying jobs in America and sent them to Asia, so the CEOs could make greater profits and earn millions in bonuses. He created many jobs in Asia. Then as a reward to the CEOs, Romney wants to cut their American taxes. Maybe they can then build more factories in China. What a guy!
Name the jobs Romney sent over seas. While you scambling for that. Consider this:
The GM the scam of the century, it provided jobs 35,000 Chinese, and 11 new plants. No American jobs were saved with that money, in fact, 25,000, and now 18 plants closed. GM has informed congress of their intent to move all their U.S. Manufacturing off shore. The Volt and Cadillac production are in the process of moving right now.
Then there is GE Apparently Immelt's idea of being part of the solution is to ship as many jobs overseas as he possibly can.
A recent article on the Huffington Post documented how GE has been sending tens of thousands of good jobs out of the country....
As the administration struggles to prod businesses to create jobs at home, GE has been busy sending them abroad. Since Immelt took over in 2001, GE has shed 34,000 jobs in the U.S., according to its most recent annual filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission. But it's added 25,000 jobs overseas.
At the end of 2009, GE employed 36,000 more people abroad than it did in the U.S. In 2000, it was nearly the opposite.
GE is supposed to be creating the "jobs of tomorrow", but it seems that most of the "jobs of tomorrow" will not be located inside the United States.
The last GE factory in the U.S. that made light bulbs closed last September. The transition to the new CFL light bulbs was supposed to create a whole bunch of those "green jobs" that Barack Obama keeps talking about, but as an article in the Washington Post noted, that simply is not happening..
China gets more from Obama:
China
Stimulus Funds
North Carolina-Based LED Maker Cree Inc. Received Over $39 Million Through The Stimulus And Later Opened Its First Plant In China. Over Half Of The Company's Employees Are Now Located In China And Cree's CEO Says The Company's Strategy Is "Cree Chip, China Heart."
Loan Guarantees
Sempra Received A $337 Million Loan Guarantee For An Arizona Solar Plant. The Solar Panels Will Be Supplied By SunTech, A Chinese Solar Panel Manufacturer.
Jobs Council
General Electric Cancelled An Order From Wind Turbine Manufacturer ATI Casting In Order To Get The Parts Cheaper From China. After ATI Offered To Match The Price, GE Still Refused The Order. ATI Was Forced To Layoff 302 Workers Due To The Move.
General Electric Has Also Been Criticized For Using Chinese Made Wind Towers Over American Towers At The Stimulus Funded Shepherds Flat Wind Farm In Oregon.
Stimulus Funds
Solar Power Industries Received A $5.4 Million Stimulus Grant Before Laying Off American Workers Based On An Increased Reliance On Imports From China.
How did you get your name change Publius? Your posts started out with the name p*ssed off and somehow were changed to publius. Do you work for NBC News? You must be a professional poster.
My post said "people like Romney sent the jobs overseas". The CEOs that run GE and GM are going to be seeking the Romney tax cuts, will they not? Tell me, what have they done to deserve tax cuts. Our nation is in trouble because of people like them and Romney. Apparently, it is just fine with you for America to send its money to Israel. It will be 13 billion this year alone. What will it be next year if they get away with this s--t?
I always read in these discussions about how much disappoint you find in OBAMA'S policies that they haven't help or help to improve this economy. Maybe some you here forgot about the situation we were before he took office in 2008 that was caused by the republican administration after twelve years of real failure. When the republicans got there massive tax cut that was suppose to stimulate the economy. The tax cut did nothing for the economy except caused massive lay-offs, job losses of of over 875,000 a month that amount to 8 million jobs lost to the american people,Wall Street meltdowns,banks failing and the housing foreclosing. Let's not forget the two wars we fought for no reason.
OBAMA pulled the country out a depression that the worst one since the 30's. with the stimulus money he received and even then the republican water down the bill. Romoney want implement the same policies that the reason he won't go into details about his cause if people hear this from he would be ruin. It even get worst Romney tax plan encourage corporations to move offshore to avoid taxes and you want this man for president that is not transparent.
frazier58
The Recession ENDED in June or July 2009. So your saying that in 5 or 6 months Obama PULLED us out of a Depression? NAME ONE THING HE DID TO ACCOMPLISH THAT FEAT.Even the Great FDR took at least 10 years to get out of the Great Depression.
slodon...Wrong...The recession didn't end completely in June 2009. The Financial Meltdown according To George W. Bush's decimation proclaimation was in September 2009. Skinnying up the facts don't help. When you can tally up the huge profits Halliburton and Blackwater both earned courtesy of taxpayer dollars for Iraq and Afghanistan...please do provide their actual profit numbers or is that another of the Republican taboos no one is allowed to question?
The recession was declared over around September 2010. Under President Obama, the U.S. has added jobs to the private sector every month without exception since March 2010. A total of 4.5 million jobs have now been created, more than Bush created in 8 full years.
"Even the Great FDR took at least 10 years to get out of the Great Depression."
Exactly. A reminder that no President could have engineered a quicker recovery than President Obama did. You can't turn around an ocean liner on a dime. It took a few years, and it will take a few more, following the worst Recession in several lifetimes.
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2010/09/20/the-recession-is-over-say_n_731450.html
There is no question that good news for state budgets will increase Obama's chances for reelection. We even saw Romney ask Florida's Rick Scott to please stop talking about how things are getting better.
Republican leaders in states that are recovering nicely, like Virginia, are in a bind. If they boast about their state's improvement, they make it look like the economy is recovering -- which is bad news for the Republicans.
If they downplay any improvements at the state level and bemoan the economic morass they're in, it's good for the party but it makes them look like bunglers.
Yup, Wisconsin, and Michigan, are seeing surpluses now. Florida soon to be on the list as well.
That will leave 28 states broke thanks to Obama's Trickle up.
How is Cali and NY doing by the by??
It shows Republican policies work
Robert: LOL! I almost feel sorry for Romney-he can't take a stand on any issue because the Republican party is so fractured & divided he's damned if he does and damned if he does'nt! Talk about a rock and hard place...........I know the economy is improving-my realtor friend told me this a.m. she is swamped with business and when the housing industry improves the economy will follow.
OBAMA/BIDEN 2012
Who better than Obama to explain what is going on with our economy and what we can expect with his borrow and spend till you drop policies that have created a debrt crisis, created a national debt of $16 trillion that is only $700 billion away from reaching his $16.7 trillion debt ceiling..
The fact that we are here today to debate raising America’s debt limit is a sign of leadership failure. It is a sign that the U.S. Government can’t pay its own bills. It is a sign that we now depend on ongoing financial assistance from foreign countries to finance our Government’s reckless fiscal policies.
And the cost of our debt is one of the fastest growing expenses in the Federal budget. This rising debt is a hidden domestic enemy, robbing our cities and States of critical investments in infrastructure like bridges, ports, and levees; robbing our families and our children of critical investments in education and health care reform; robbing our seniors of the retirement and health security they have counted on.
Every dollar we pay in interest is a dollar that is not going to investment in America’s priorities. Instead,
interest payments are a significant tax on all Americans–a debt tax that Washington doesn’t want to talk about. If Washington were serious about honest tax relief in this country, we would see an effort to reduce our national debt by returning to responsible fiscal policies.
Increasing America’s debt weakens us domestically and internationally. Leadership means that “the buck stops here. Instead, Washington is shifting the burden of bad choices today onto the backs of our children and grandchildren. America has a debt problem and a failure of leadership. Americans deserve better.
I therefore intend to oppose the effort to increase America’s debt limit.
Sen. Barack Hussein Obama, Jr., (Senate – March 16, 2006)
I guess his position has "evolved" since then.
My gawd, His trickle up has added a measely $700 Billion to the economy. That will not even cover the stimulus.
We are headed north of $16 Trillion in debt with no end in site.
Publius
His trickle up policy is designed to take it from the middle class so he can give it to the rich. What better proof of that was his actions in 2010 when he had the power with democratic control of Congress to implement his job creating tax reform, but chose instead to support and get the Bush tax cuts to the rich extended.
Least we now know why Obama said the middle class is doing fine. He really believes it, so there was never a need for him to implement his job creating tax reform.
How can anyone trust anything Obama says for his actions scream volumes over his words.
Wow, you ate a big old bowl of crazy for breakfast today, didn't you? Wow. You have twisted the facts so incredibly, I am surprised you are able to type. Wow. Just wow.
AlaskaGirl
As a tipical uninformed Obama supporter you deny facts out of ignorance. You should try acting like an adult and research the facts before you deny them. But speaking out of ignorance is a skill all you Obama supporters seem to excel at.
Sorry to disappoint the doom & gloomers... the economy is improving-IN SPITE OF the Republican Senate! HEADS UP AMERICA- INVEST in your future, invest in America. Last November me and my better half bought our dream house for peanuts. We listed our old property the first of June (2 months ago) & are currently 'closing' & making a small profit. My Realtor friend told me she is "swamped" & actually asked if I knew anyone who needs a job-AND google Airbus. Airbus is coming to town & bringing tons of money & business to America. Based on MY personal experience the Housing Industry is in recovery and the Housing Industry reflects our country as a whole-the construction business in EVERY STATE supports WE THE PEOPLE .................And please do not forget that NASA landed the Curiosity on MARS.....I LOVE this country & the American people......(well-MOST of them)
I guess the reporter never hear of Illinois, California, New York and most states controlled by Democrats. Nothing could be further from the truth but when did the truth ever enter into the propaganda of NBCNews?
Here in Texas we face the same problems. Our governor and the nut jobs in the Senate and House are talking about cutting still more from our budget. At the same time, our rich continue to build million dollar homes and cramming into Saks and Nieman's. We do not face a expense crisis, we face a revenue crisis. And so long as the "Christian" right and their allies run this state, nothing is going to get better.
obama, dem shill-- dont be a fool they all are on the same side and it is not your side
You said it, brother! Ever since the tea party express bullied their way into the once somewhat amiable Republican party, this country and the Republican party has gone down hill.
"Let's cut spending and lay off workers during a recession! Woooo!"
FEISTY!
Twitter rumor leads to sharp increase in the price of oil
http://news.yahoo.com/blogs/technology-blog/twitter-rumor-leads-sharp-increase-price-oil-173027289.html
Horn rallying the troops to the front.....
Bull@!$%#....Why would anyone base the increase of gas prices on a rumor that was spread via twitter? Those responsible for the gas increase need to be brought before the governments ethics committee and charged with scamming the American people. If these people raised the price of gas because of a rumor started on Twitter without first finding out if the rumor was true or not then how would they react in a real situation where America was being attacked. Would they rely on Twitter rumors to lead them to their decision to respond or not?
It's plain to see that those responsible for the recent gas hike are purposely raising the gas price for any reason they can.
I would have to say that those responsible for the gas increase are aligned with Pro-Chinese business practices to keep Syria in the hands of Russia and China and out of the hands of the Syrians fighting against Assad because such forces are being supported by America.
Their is economic spy in the U.S. business sector that is causing the economy here to suffer because of the high gas prices just so their country can prosper.
The only one that I can think of is Romney who has outsourced jobs to China as well as bankrupting American companies causing Americans to lose their jobs just so he can make alot of money as well as being part of Big Oil.
We as Americans need to find those responsible and bring them to justice so that gas prices, which is the main reason why the economy is tanking and the only reason so the GOP can create a base to politick from, back down to an average of $2.50 a gallon so OUR economy can continue to grow which means the rest of the worlds economies can grow as well.
Find those responsible put pressure on the Senators and Congressmen to replace them or they will be replaced.
America is done feeding the gullets of the elitists.
What''s the problem? All of these states both blue and red will do as they have done for years. Claim that the problem with the economy is lack of education, then go ahead and try to balance the budget buy cutting education spending by another few million. So we loose good teachers and the kids fall below the standardize test. We saved money.
Great post Jim from olly- That's the big plan, cut budgets for teachers, fireman and police and then stand back and wonder why our kids are uneducated, homes burn down, and crime is up! But hey let's give the rich another tax break! LOL!
The better question, hummbird, is why our school and property taxes keep going up but the level at which our children read and their mathematical skills are not? Could the answer be that we are investing more into their (teachers) pension funds and health insurance than we are our children's educations?
My family teaches our kids to read before they reach 1st grade. My daughter completed 2nd grade but she reads at a 5th grade level because we read together for 15 minutes per night. all my nieces and nephews also read above grade level.
Class sizes are now around 30 kids per class. if they have 120 minutes a day for learning reading, that means each kid is getting a maximum 0f 4 minutes of individual reading help at school. 120/30= 4
SpecialEd, your post makes me wonder how my father ever learned to read, write and solve math problems in that little one room school house with grades K-8 all in together? And that's not to mention that there were no less than 25 kids, at one time, being taught....
"In California, Democratic Gov. Jerry Brown has proposed a sales tax increase and an income tax increase on those earning more than $250,000 a year. The Brown proposal will be put to the voters on the Nov. 6 ballot."
Being a California Native. It will be entertaining watching Governor Brown Nose told to take his Proposals and use them for rolling papers to smoke that crap he's been smoking since the 70's. What a shame. In the sixties, California was actually nice place to live. Sure the Land is still Beautiful. If you overlook all the Drug Cartels polluting the Forests with their poison used to grow their trash weed. That is than exported to the Mid West. We don't even get any of the Sales Tax!(LOL)
Brown Nose wants to make California a Sanctuary State. What for? We have POTUS turning the Nation into a Sanctuary Nation.
Thank God for term limits. I guess FDR served a purpose after all.....
Missouri, Pennsylvania and Montana all cited state employee pensions as the major fiscal challenge in the year ahead, while Alabama and California both cited ballot initiatives on taxing and budgeting as the biggest fiscal tests.
In California, Democratic Gov. Jerry Brown has proposed a sales tax increase and an income tax increase on those earning more than $250,000 a year. The Brown proposal will be put to the voters on the Nov. 6 ballot.
CA is COMPLETELY controlled by demoslug scumbags. CA sited ballot initiatives on taxing and budgeting as the biggest fiscal tests?? WTF?
How about a $16BILLION deficit AFTER the largest tax increase in US HISTORY of $75BILLION!! How about the cost of ILLEGAL IMMIGRAITON which is at least $10BILLION!! More the HALF our deficit!
How about the fact that even though CA has only 12% of the US population, WE HAVE 33% OF ALL WELFARE RECIPIENTS IN THE US!!
And this @$$wipe of a "governor" wants to spend $9BILLION on a high speed rail to f'n nowhere!!
Folks, look at CA. We are THE PRIME EXAMPLE OF DEMOCRAT-CONTROLLED GOVT.!!
And OBOZO, hairy reid and skank spewlosi are taking the ENTIRE COUNTRY in the same direction!
Wake up America...the US is the next CA!!!!!!!
You got that right. Agreed!! Time for Obama to go,
If Liberals had a dollar for every dollar they want to take from Conservatives....
....they'd be Conservatives.
NO: LMAO! There isn't enough money on planet earth that would make me a conservative!
May the States Budgets always be in Surplus and their revenues keep coming in. Let the states also spend on various Welfare Programmes for the Americans. But the states budgets should always be in Surplus. This will help the states avoid bankruptcy. GOD Bless the Americans. GOD BLESS THE USA.
Kevin Valentine Moraes
Mira Road (Thane)
Thank goodness for the stimulus, which gave huge amounts of money to the states, in order to keep them solvent.
Um, you do understand that 30 states are broke,
The stimulus only made Obama's top donors on wall street rich at our expense.
In California Jerry the Jackass continues to engage in political sodomy with the unions. As long as this slimebug permeates California politics with the unions, California will remain in near bankruptcy.
to Airborn7 - see my post below-
California's biggest problem? How to raise taxes ... again!
How to raise taxes without voting themselves out of office. Using the old strategy of attacking small voting groups. Could you imagine California was targeting 35-40% of their voting base for new taxes? They wouldn't get their more revenue, that's for sure.
Tax the other guy. That's the liberal way.
Both of these parties are doing the same thing - slashing social programs, abandoning the poor, turning their backs on the veterans, closing prisons and mental hospitals, and basically doing the same thing that they're doing in Europe and the Middle East - balancing their budgets on the backs of the poor and middle classes. The only difference in these 2 parties is the republicans are honest bastards, and the democrats are lying bastards.
The democrats have to lie otherwise their voters might actually wake up from their brainwashing.
Up to this point, all the comments have been bordering on mass hysteria and fake outrage peppered with the most outrageous conspiracy theories. And you wonder why this country is so screwed up! What a pathetic example you are to make any pretense of sane discourse or representative thought for this country.
Continue on, ladies and gentlemen. The world awaits to read the next enlightened comment.