This Mercatus on Policy paper shares eleven bold reform ideas that could help states balance their 2012 budgets and avoid boom-and-bust budgeting cycles in the future.
Across the country, state legislatures and governors are looking for opportunities to reduce spending and fill revenue holes as state budget deficits totaled some $191 billion and $130 billion in the 2010 and 2011 fiscal years, respectively. States should seize this opportunity and go beyond merely duct-taping together a budget that limps across the fiscal-year finish line. They should explore opportunities for fundamental reform of state spending, budget, and management practices. Below are eleven bold reform ideas that could help states balance their 2012 budgets and avoid boom-and-bust budgeting cycles in the future.