william t. pound executive director, ncsl
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The State Fiscal Outlook University of Denver Strategic Issues Panel on the Future of State Government November 4, 2010. William T. Pound Executive Director, NCSL. Overview. State revenue performance is improving. Sizeable budget gaps loom in many states. - PowerPoint PPT PresentationTRANSCRIPT
The State Fiscal OutlookUniversity of Denver
Strategic Issues Panel on the Future of State Government
November 4, 2010
William T. PoundExecutive Director, NCSL
Overview
State revenue performance is improving.
Sizeable budget gaps loom in many states.
States have reported a total estimated budget gap of $537.2 billion (FY 2008 through FY 2013 est.).
Year-Over-Year Percent Real Change in Major Taxes
Source: The Nelson A. Rockefeller Institute of Government. State Revenue Report, August 30, 2010.
HI
OR
ND
SD
NE
KS
OK
MN
IA
MO
AR
MI
IL
OH
KY
GA
SC
NC
VAWV
VTNH
MA
RI
CT
NJ
DE
MD
Projected FY 2010 Revenues (Compared to FY 2009 Collections)
Source: NCSL survey of state legislative fiscal offices, 2009.
Higher n = 9Flat n = 1
Lower n = 40
Unknown n = 1
Puerto Rico
TN
HI
OR
ND
SD
NE
KS
OK
MN
IA
MO
AR
MI
ILOH
KY
GA
SC
NC
VAWV
VT
NH
MA
RI
CT
NJ
DE
MD
Projected FY 2011 Revenues (Compared to Estimated FY 2010 Collections)
Puerto Rico
Source: NCSL survey of state legislative fiscal offices, March 2010
Higher n = 42Flat n = 4
Lower n = 5
FY 2011 Total Tax Forecast(Compared to FY 2010 Collections)
Source: NCSL survey of state legislative fiscal offices, Summer 2010
Not available or no response: South Dakota, Utah and West Virginia.
FY 2011 Personal Income Tax Forecast (Compared to FY 2010 Collections)
N/A: 7 states do not levy a personal income tax. NH and TN have limited individual income taxes.No Response: Hawaii and Utah.
Source: NCSL survey of state legislative fiscal offices, Summer 2010
FY 2011 Sales and Use Tax Forecast (Compared to FY 2010 Collections)
N/A: 5 states do not levy a sales tax.No Response: Hawaii and Utah.
Source: NCSL survey of state legislative fiscal offices, Summer 2010
FY 2011 Corporate Income Tax Forecast (Compared to FY 2010 Collections)
N/A: 4 states do not have a corporate income taxNo Response: 4 states.
Source: NCSL survey of state legislative fiscal offices, Summer 2010
Long-Term Tax Forecasts (Projected Total Tax Collection Growth Rate)
Forecast Unavailable: FY 2012= 21 states; FY 2013=24 states; FY 2014 =29 states.No Response: California.
Source: NCSL survey of state legislative fiscal offices, Summer 2010
Peak in General Fund Revenue Collections
Source: NCSL survey of legislative fiscal offices, November 2009.
Projected Return to Peak Revenue Collections
N/A: North Dakota Not in the current forecast horizon: 19 statesNo Response: 2 states
Source: NCSL survey of state legislative fiscal offices, Summer 2010
$26.9
$72.1$64.3
$37.2
$12.8
$0
$20
$40
$60
$80
$100
$120
$140
$160
$180
2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 2013
Bill
ions
of D
olla
rs
Fiscal Year
$79.0 $83.7
$37.0
$117.3
$174.1
$96.2
State Budget Gaps FY 2002-FY 2013 (projected)
No estimat
e
Amount After Fiscal Year Began
Amount Before Budget Adoption
Projected Amount
Source: NCSL survey of state legislative fiscal offices, various years.
State Actions to Close Budget Gaps
Budget cuts: All programs & services subject to cuts
Tax increases Other revenue increases Federal stimulus funds Wide array of other actions, many one-
time in nature Renewed focus on streamlining and
efficiency
Digging for DimesIn Bull Semen and Tacos
IDEAS THAT PREVAILED• Colorado lawmakers, aiming to recoup $100 million, removed several tax exemptions and credits, including the exemptions restaurants received for the cost of purchasing condiments and take-out containers; tax breaks ranchers got when buying pesticides and bull semen; and incentives bulk mailers enjoyed for printing coupon booklets. • Wisconsin adopted “Taco Tuesday” at all state prisons, saving 10 cents a meal. • Missouri clarified that yoga and Pilates classes are recreational rather than spiritual services and subject to a sales tax. • The Wisconsin Supreme Court determined symphony tickets are subject to the sales tax since a concert is more entertainment than education. • The Oklahoma State Penitentiary cut expenses for its annual prisoner rodeo to save $120,000.
IDEAS THAT STALLED• Tennessee lawmakers defeated a proposal to tax complimentary breakfasts offered by hotels. • The Illinois Senate voted against a proposal to eliminate free bus rides for seniors. A proposal to sell the state’s executive air fleet for $22 million also failed. • Mississippi defeated a proposal to allow some advertisements on school buses. • Illinois’ governor backed off on a proposal to collect sales taxes on Internet downloads. • California considered the sale of digital advertising space on license plates.
Source: State Legislatures, September, 2010.
Net State Tax Changes by Year of Enactment
$15.4
$28.6
5.4% 3.7%
-5%-4%-3%-2%-1%0%1%2%3%4%5%6%7%8%9%10%11%
-$12-$10-$8-$6-$4-$2$0$2$4$6$8
$10$12$14$16$18$20$22$24$26$28$30
Billions of dollars
Percent of previous year's collections
Source: NCSL survey of legislative fiscal offices, various years.
*FY 2010 figures are preliminary
Net Tax Changes by Type of Tax 2009 & 2010
2009 ($28.6 Billion)
2010* ($4.0 Billion)
Personal Income Tax: a decline of $629 million.
Source: NCSL survey of legislative fiscal offices, 2009 & 2010 *FY 2010 figures are preliminary
The State Budget Landscape is Mixed
Arizona: The fiscal situation appears to be stabilizing. Maine: A small revenue surplus will begin to replenish
reserves depleted during the last two years. Ohio: In recent months year-over-year comparisons for
major taxes have turned positive.
The State Budget Landscape is Mixed
Montana: The revenue decline projected in February 2010 has not declined further; however, this does not change the fact that the next Legislature will have a significant task developing the biennial budget.
Tennessee: Recent signs indicate revenues are beginning to stabilize, but state economic news continues to give mixed signals that recovery is not yet firmly underway.
The State Budget Landscape is Mixed
Colorado: The budget shortfall for FY 2012 could be as high as $1 billion (14 percent).
California: The state's fiscal situation will depend on whether the legislature and governor reach agreement on long-term fiscal reform or restructuring.
Illinois: For many reasons, both financial and political, the fiscal situation is tenuous at best.
Fiscal Ballot Measures 2010
Referendum
Initiative
Both
A Few Measures to Watch Arizona: Propositions 301 & 302
--Transfers Land Conservation Fund to the general fund--Sweeps First Things First Fund to the general fund
California: Propositions 19, 21, 22, 24, 25 & 26--Legalizes & taxes marijuana --Imposes vehicle license surcharges--Limits states access to transportation funds--Repeals corporate tax breaks--Moves from supermajority to simple majority to pass budget--Requires 2/3 vote for fee increases, etc.
A Few Measures to Watch
Colorado: Amend. 60 & 61, Prop. 101--Reduces property taxes--Prohibits state borrowing--Reduces the personal income tax rate
Massachusetts: Question 3--Cuts sales tax rate
Washington: Initiative 1098 & 1107--Creates a personal income tax for high earners--Repeals taxes on soda, bottled water and candy
Key Concerns Looking Ahead
Replacing federal stimulus funds Impact of further budget cuts Mounting spending pressures Length of time before revenues rebound Feasibility of raising more revenues New political landscape in states
Impact of ARRA Funds on State Budgets
Percentage Point Increase
in Spending Attributable to ARRA Funds
Number of States
FY 2009 FY 2010
0.1 - 2.9 15 9
3.0 - 5.9 15 9
6.0 - 8.9 3 14
> 9.0 1 6
States Moving from Negative
to Positive Spending Change
9 12
N/A or N/R: FY 2009 = 17 states; FY 2010 = 13 states
Source: NCSL survey of state legislative fiscal offices, 2009.
Focus of State Government Reform
The easy to moderate cuts have been made:-- Real estate sales
-- Vehicle fleet reductions
-- Furloughs/layoffs, across the board cuts, etc.
Further cuts ahead will require tough policy decisions:-- Corrections (close prisons, release geriatric inmates, reform parole)
-- Public employee benefits must be brought in line with private sector
-- Infrastructure investments will require new user fees
Cost Reduction
Healthcare costs are unsustainable for both public and private sector.
By 2014, states will oversee 130 million people through Medicaid and the Exchanges.
States will be forced to be the "agents of change" in health reform.
States will need to be much more aggressive in going after quality and price.
What States Will Need to Do
Focus on the Exchange decision
Create a comprehensive all payers database ("what you don't know will hurt you")
Convene stakeholders (providers, plans, consumers and business) around data, quality and costs
Use all existing policy levers and create new ones if necessary to tackle costs
Communicate with the public
What is Likely to Happen? More pushback from the states
-- ARRA requirements/mandates
Growing interest in revenue increases in states More structural deficits in states post ARRA State government gets smaller? Federal Action--or inaction will drive state changes Adjustments driven by change in state economies and
resources
Change is Occurring
K-12 Education Evaluations Testing Standards Charters "Race to the Top"
Higher Education Relationships changing Decline in state funding Emphasis on financial aid
to students, not institutions
Change is Occurring
Corrections Taxes
-- Elimination of tax breaks
-- Aversion to tax increases
Transportation and Infrastructure -- More public-private-partnerships
Health Care Retirement Systems
-- Increased member contributions
-- Reduced benefits
Conclusion
State revenues are starting to show growth. Many forecasts offer little room for error. States face at least two more years of budget gaps. Few states have concrete plans to address the end of federal
stimulus funding. The new political landscape will shape state actions to deal
with budget problems.
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