Tax Revenues Strengthen State Budgets

[DFWdem]

http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20050707/ap_on_re_us/state_b...

"The nation's governors reported Thursday that soaring income, sales and corporate tax receipts beat expectations in 42 states during the budget year that ended in June. That is a stark reversal of fortunes from the dark days of 2002, when 42 states saw revenues fall below estimates."

"Still, long-delayed spending needs and the rising costs of education and Medicaid, the health care program for the poor, are placing heavy pressure on state budgets. The report urged caution, warning that states faced difficult choices ahead."

Looks like the states have more money than they need. Quick, send every taxpayer a $300 check!

[slothrop]

1. revenues

Oh this must be why property taxes are going up and medical benifits are going down, Did not Wisconsin just shut down the state Govt? This piece must be nothing more than feel good propaganda.

[DFWdem]

2. Well, obviously...

There's a surplus. This isn't the government's money, this is taxpayers' money. I think Americans know how to better spend their money than the gov't does. At least, that's what my fearless leader told me a couple of years ago, so it must be true.

[mbperrin]

3. Hmmm.....this must be why Texas still hasn't passed school funding

for the year starting in August. They're asking retirees to take a $1.5 Billion dollar cut in benefits immediately; asking all active teachers to take a $500 per year pay cut by elominating the $500 state contribution to health benefits, gutting health benefits for both current and future retirees, increasing the retirement age by 10 years. And more...

It's clear! The Pubs have us so awash in money!!!!

[DFWdem]

4. You mean they won't take the requested cuts?

Why do they hate America?

[mbperrin]

5. It's too true! There's just too damn many of us who are in their

50s who have two degrees and 6 teaching licenses who just have the irrational feeling that we oughta be able to retire before 70, not have to eat dog food then, or practice our own medicine from the OTC section of the supermarket!


Hmmm....you're right! We SHOULD take it! Doesn't really sound THAT bad, does it?

[DFWdem]

6. You needn't worry

Under Bush's social security reform plan, your benefits won't change one bit because you're over 50. Obviously any deductions in your pension and/or salary will be more than offset by your social security income. Don't you feel better now?

[mbperrin]

7. I would, of course, except that the 22 years I paid into

Social Security don't count. In Texas, teachers can only draw their TRS benefits. We've got nearly the whole Congress ready to pass it as co-sponsors, but some guy named DELAY won't let it come up!

Heard of him?