Here’s a look at some of this week’s most interesting, and consequential, budget- and economy-related issues in the 50 states:
The Virginian Pilot reported last week that for 12 years, a government employee in Norfolk, VA drew pay and benefits without a day on the job.
Late last week, the Denver Post called for a balanced budget amendment, saying “reckless spending by both parties has left Americans with an unsustainable $13 trillion federal debt, which is still getting “rapidly worse.’”
Jim Kelly argues in the Pittsburgh Post Gazette that we need to cut more than just defense spending. “We’re in a fiscal emergency. We have to watch what we spend even on vitally important things. So the question isn’t why cut defense spending? It’s why cut only defense spending?”
In an editorial, the Pittsburgh Post Gazette laments the sad state of the economy and the inability of lawmakers to generate solutions. “A worrisome part of the problem is the government doesn’t seem to know what to do to end the suffering.”
The Cincinnati Enquirer reported that the increase in federal funds received by Ohio in 2009 outpaced the national average. Across the country, federal domestic spending increased 16%. Ohio saw a 19% increase in federal dollars compared to 2008.
According to the New York Times, state tax revenues increased 2.2% in the second quarter of 2010. “The greatest year-over-year growth in percentage terms was in Alaska, where revenues shot up 106.3 percent.”
there are no fast solutions out of this mess.those that pander andtry to use the present situation for political advantage should be ashamed of them selves.that goes for this whole radical teaparty movement