What Limits Remain on Government Funding of Religion?
A recent case permits executive agencies to fund religious groups and activities without fear of constitutional litigation.
Dismal Views of the National Economy : It’s the Inflation, Stupid
Public satisfaction with the state of the nation is about as low as it has been in 20 years of Pew polling; but optimism about the future rises somewhat.
States Besieged by Budget Woes
Already, 22 states have a collective budget shortfall of at least $37 billion; if the current slowdown follows the path of previous recessions, 35 to 40 states could face budget cuts in 2009.
Bush Budget Gives States Little to Cheer About
President Bush’s $3 trillion fiscal 2009 budget comes at a time when many states face a budget shortfall; new restrictions on health insurance for children, Medicaid and other programs may add to their burdens.
GOP Debate’s Economic Focus Mirrors Country’s Growing Concern
But candidates’ perceptions on economic growth and tax cuts diverge from overall public priorities.
Election ’07: Lessons Learned
Tuesday’s elections proved once again that all politics is local as voters in three states soundly rejected governors’ pet projects and others put big-ticket spending items on the state’s credit card while providing possible clues to the voters’ mood for ’08. Also a graphic look at the before and after in three states where the entire legislatures were up for grabs.
Thompson Stands with GOP Rank and File during First Debate
In his first appearance on a debate stage with his rivals for the Republican nomination, the former Tennessee senator stuck to very traditional — and very popular — positions among his party’s voters.
Florida is Test Bed for Medicaid Overhaul
Halfway through a two-year test run, Florida’s nationally acclaimed pilot program to introduce competition to its Medicaid program has met mixed success.
Governors Expect Tighter Budgets in 2008
Only three states ran into red ink this year, while more than half sailed through with higher-than-expected revenues. States overall are finishing a spending spree, but the best revenue picture in six years may be behind them.
Surge in Support for Social Safety Net
Support for government programs to help disadvantaged Americans, as well as sympathy for the plight of the poor, have surged since 1994 and returned to levels last seen in 1990 prior to welfare reform, with gains occurring among virtually every major social, political and demographic group.
