Illinois can’t seem to stop itself from digging pension holes. Back in September, Chicago settled a two-week-long strike by giving its teachers a 17.6 raise over the next four years while ignoring that its penion fund pays out more in benefits each year than it brings in. On Tuesday, voters statewide rejected a proposed amendment to the constitution that would have raised the threshold foContinue Reading »

Here in San Antonio (where I am attending the National Conference of State Legislatures) it is 103 outside. Inside, where legislators are discussing state budgets, the feeling is pretty chilly. You hear a fair bit of gallows humor: “Our budget for (fill in your favorite state service) is fully funded – or at least it was until yesterday.”

But to get to budget stability,Continue Reading »