State Tax Collections Rise 5.7% in 32 States

“The financial condition of states looked dire after the 2008-09 financial crisis, but now things are starting to look up.

In 32 states for which data are available, state tax collections in the first 10 months of fiscal year 2013 were 5.7 percent higher on average than in the same period last year, according to a June report from the Center on Budget and Policy Priorities.

Just a year ago the Center wrote that “states’ ability to fund services remains hobbled by slow economic growth.” At that point, 31 states still suffered from budget deficits, CNBC reports.

States appear to be handling their increased revenue wisely. State “rainy day” funds surged to $57.7 billion, or 8.3 percent of spending, in fiscal 2013, from $32.5 billion, or 5.2 percent of spending in fiscal 2010, according to the National Association of State Budget Officers. …”

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