Impact 2008 Recession

Titled "State of the States 2010", a February 2010 Pew Center  reports looks at recessionary forces reshaping state government in lasting ways raising issues such as:

  • “Will budget constraints lead to permanent downsizing of government and lasting changes in how states deliver services and who pays for them?
  • Do some states have such dire budget problems that it is time to re-examine how states split the tab with the federal government for expensive joint responsibilities, such as health care?
  • Will incumbents in the 2010 elections—when 37 governors’ offices and legislative seats in 46 states are on the ballot—pay a price at the polls for their tough choices to balance state budgets?
  • What are the states to watch that could be leading indicators of trends in both politics and critical policy areas?”