State and local budgets

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Research report
State and Local Issues

Governing with Tight Budgets

Changing demographics, technology, and inflation are creating an increasingly difficult environment for state budgets. An aging population puts more pressure on spending programs while reducing tax revenues from some sources. State sales tax revenue systems have not kept up as technology has...

September 11, 2015
Norton FrancisFrank Sammartino
Research report
State and Local Issues

Prepping for the New Session: End-of-Summer Reading for State Budget Analysts

Every year, the Urban Institute produces hundreds of reports, briefings, webcasts, and blog posts. In this publication, Urban’s State and Local Finance Initiative has brought together the latest evidence-based research, data, and solutions with direct relevance for analysts charged with crafting...

August 20, 2015
Norton FrancisTracy GordonMegan Randall
Research report
State and Local Issues

A Comparison of State Minimum Wages

This Tax Fact examines minimum wages across states. The current federal minimum wage, which applies to almost all employees, is $7.25 per hour unchanged since 2010. The District of Columbia and 21 states set minimum wages higher than the federal rate.

April 1, 2014
Norton FrancisYuri Shadunsky
Brief
State and Local Issues

California's Initiative Turns 100: Initiatives Aren't as Bad as You Think

This year marks the 100th Anniversary of California's initiative process. In 1911, California famously adopted the direct initiative process and ballot box decision-making has become almost as synonymous with the Golden State as beaches, hi-tech innovation, and Hollywood. While 75% of voters in...

October 12, 2011
Tracy Gordon