Free Republic

More bad news for Gov. Chris Christie: New Jersey is dead last in the nation in terms of its fiscal solvency, according to a new report. The study, released this week by the free-market Mercatus Center at George Mason University, ranked each state's financial health based on a variety of measures, such as cash on hand to pay its current bills, budget surpluses or deficits, unfunded liabilities and ability to provide adequate public services. The Mercatus study used 2012 data. New Jersey came in last on two of those measures — budget and long-term solvency — and finished in the...

I have come up with a new idea on raising state revenue that is purely voluntary. I think it would bring in quite a lot of money with absolutely minimal overhead to collect.. I have attempted to contact my Governor but I just get the usual e:mail reply brush off. I will speak to any other high state official (any state) and will take no more than 5 minutes of their time.. They can contact me by "private reply" here on Freep.

For the third time in a month, an analysis of state finances is warning that budget deficits and spending cuts are on the way. Thirteen states say they could face shortfalls for the fiscal year that begins July 1 in most states, including large states like California and New York. The deficits could reach at least $23 billion, according to an analysis by the Center on Budget and Policy Priorities released Tuesday. The report says another 11 states expect problems with their budgets over the next two years, suggesting a return to the bleak economic outlook states faced at the...

Measure 23 backers concede likely defeat 11/05/2002 By JEFF BARNARD, Associated Press Writer An initiative to create the nation's first state-financed universal health care system in Oregon appeared to be stumbling Tuesday in the face of well-financed corporate opposition. Before the results on Measure 23 were in, Health Care for All Oregonians campaign chairman Mark Lindgren conceded the likelihood of defeat and said he was planning to try again in 2004. "It took decades to free slaves and give women the right to vote," said Lindgren. J.L. Wilson, Oregon state director of the National Federation of Independent Business and...