State Policy Reports

For those interested in subscribing to State Policy Reports, a recent issue is available for review:

November 2021, Volume 39, Issue 22

Mapping and Bridging the Digital Divide Even before the COVID-19 pandemic, Congress was working to bridge the digital divide, but its efforts have accelerated.

Wrenches in the Census A report from the Urban Institute attempts to quantify the accuracy and fairness of the 2020 decennial census.

Annual indices are also available:

November 2022, Volume 40, Issue 21

State Spending from Fiscal Recovery Funds

How quickly are states spending their fiscal recovery funds and where are they targeting them?

States Stepping Up to Expand School Meals

With federal waivers expiring, many states are taking matters into their own hands.

The State of State Unemployment Insurance Loans

As of October 31, 2022, five states and one territory still had unemployment insurance loan balances with the federal government.

October 2022, Volume 40, Issue 20

The Power of Public Spending

The Census Bureau has released 2021 poverty estimates using both the traditional measure and the newer Supplemental Poverty Measure.

What to Do About the Federal Budget Deficit?

The Committee for a Responsible Federal Budget has released a blueprint to stabilize federal debt and reduce deficits.

October 2022, Volume 40, Issue 19

About Those Employment Numbers

The national economy has recovered all the jobs lost in the COVID pandemic, but not every state has.

About Those Personal Income Numbers

How important were selected COVID policies in boosting state personal income?

Assessing Pro-Worker Policies in States

An annual report focuses on state policies that further workers’ rights.

September 2022, Volume 40, Issue 18

Index of State Economic Momentum

The Index of State Economic Momentum ranks states based on their most recent performance in three key measures of economic vitality: personal income growth, employment growth, and population growth. Reports updates the index each quarter. In the third 2022 update, Idaho claimed the top ranking, while Wyoming came closest to the nationwide economic momentum.

September 2022, Volume 40, Issue 17

State and Local Finances in FY 2020

The Census Bureau has released its state and local finance series for fiscal year 2020, which allows an apples-to-apples comparison of tax structures and burdens among the states. This issue highlights the revenue data.

August 2022, Volume 40, Issue 15-16

The 2022 Camelot Index

The Camelot Index was developed by Reports founding editor Hal Hovey, a longtime observer and analyst of state budgets and economies. It ranks states on six “quality of life” measures: economy, health, crime, education, society, and state government. The top-ranking state in 2022 is New Hampshire.

July 2022, Volume 40, Issue 14

House Prices and Inflation

July 2022, Volume 40, Issue 13

Business Tax Climate: Corporate Tax

June 2022, Volume 40, Issue 12

Index of State Economic Momentum

June 2022, Volume 40, Issue 11

Business Tax Climate: Individual Income Tax

May 2022, Volume 40, Issue 10

The Best Sales Tax is No Sales Tax

May 2022, Volume 40, Issue 9

Cannabis Taxes Ascendant