State Savings Prop Up Spending After 2001 Recession

Publication Date: May 2007

Publisher: Tax Policy Center

Author(s): Elaine Maag; David Merriman

Research Area: Government

Keywords: Tax Policy; State and Local Issues; Taxes, the Budget, and the Economy; Budget Issues

Type: Report

Abstract:

The states experienced rapid and dramatic nominal revenue declines following the 2001 recession, but spending did not follow suit. The chart in this article shows general fund revenues and spending from 2000 to 2006 (not adjusted for inflation) and savings as a percent of prior-year expenditures. Spending over the 2001-2003 period was essentially flat in the face of lower revenues, and a drop in savings made up some of the shortfall.