One of the most under-publicized news stories, or series of stories is the fiscal comeback of many of our 50 states. Previously reported here, Alaska leads the other states in fiscal prudence. Governor Sean Parnell's website projects a $2.2 billion surplus for Fiscal Year 2011! They already had a surplus of $12 billion or $16,000 per person.
Those are absurd numbers. Baseball celebrates Ted Williams for batting over .400 in a season. By analogy, Alaska's fiscal batting average is approaching 1.000. Damn near perfect and performed without the presumed to be performance-enhancing state income tax. If only we could find someone from Alaska...
While Alaska's Herculean performance might eclipse the other states in their comeback efforts, there are plenty of success stories to go around.
Connecticutt claimed a $680 million surplus but it was scaled down to $34 million after the accounting tricks were removed. Still more impressive than the Potomoc leaders, however.
http://jonpelto.wordpress.com/2011/05/24/fake-state-budget-%E2%80%9Csurplus%E2%80%9C-goes-from-680-to-35-in-a-blink-of-an-eye/
Montana has $340 million in the bank
http://billingsgazette.com/news/state-and-regional/montana/article_b2679a9d-20fd-560b-b105-3dd1f2b759b9.html
In Indiana, Governor Daniels is handing out $20 million in bonuses to deserving state workers. Sounds like a lot of money, but when you have a $1.18 Billion surplus, you can reward those people who do a good job.
http://www.citizen-times.com/article/B2/20110715/NEWS02/307150082/Indiana-budget-surplus-means-bonuses-state-workers
Ohio, Arkansas...
http://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2011/jul/17/many-states-celebrate-surpluses-as-congress-strugg/
Virgina and North Carolina and Wisconsin might join the list after all the accounting sleight of hand is addressed.
Now for the obvious question. If states can balance their budgets, why can't our Federal Government do the same?
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