STATE BUDGET

Apr 02 2026POLITICS

Indiana's colleges slim down: 200 degree programs face cuts under new rules

Indiana is shaking up its college degrees. Nearly 20% of public college programs will disappear or merge soon after state leaders set new rules. Why? Many degrees had almost no students and were costing money for almost no return. The state reviewed over 1, 000 programs and decided 210 must go, anot

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Mar 21 2026POLITICS

Budget Boosts: State Legislators Add Billions to Governor’s Plan

The New York state budget, originally set at $263 billion by Governor Kathy Hochul, has just received a significant upgrade from the lawmakers in Albany. Democratic members of both houses have passed resolutions that inject several new spending projects into the plan, pushing the total amount higher

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Feb 28 2026OPINION

Who Will Get the Money From Alaska’s New Willow Oil Field?

The upcoming oil run at Alaska’s Willow field has sparked a debate over who should receive the royalties. The federal law that covers oil on the National Petroleum Reserve‑Alaska splits the revenue 50/50 between the U. S. government and the state. But Alaska has not taken its half, because a 1976 ag

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Feb 06 2026POLITICS

California’s Health Care Tug‑of‑War

The governor of California is caught between two big fights. One side wants to keep every child and adult, no matter where they come from, covered by state health care. The other side worries that the budget is already tight and more spending could hurt the economy. Newsom promised a future where

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Jan 27 2026EDUCATION

Utah's Schools Face Another Budget Hit

Utah's higher education system is bracing for another round of budget cuts, following two tough years of reductions. This time, the state is looking at a 5% cut, which could mean $94 million less for public colleges and universities. School leaders are not happy about it, especially since they've al

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Dec 21 2025POLITICS

Colorado's Money Woes: What's Next?

Colorado is facing another tough year when it comes to money. Lawmakers are getting ready for a tough time, as the state's income is expected to drop. This means they will have to cut spending by a lot, around $850 million. They already cut $1. 2 billion this year and another $783 million over the s

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Dec 15 2025FINANCE

Tax Trouble: Why Idaho Homeowners Are Paying More

Taxes are climbing for homeowners in Nez Perce County, and the state government is the main reason. The county's budget is set to grow by 1. 62%. Schools and the city of Lewiston are also getting more money, with increases of 2. 8% and 5% respectively. But homeowners are facing much steeper hikes.

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Nov 20 2025EDUCATION

Wisconsin's Special Education Funding Falls Short Again

Wisconsin's public schools are facing a funding crunch for special education. The state is only covering 35% of the costs, way less than the 42% promised in the budget. This drop happened because schools spent more on special education than the state expected. Advocates are worried. They say this f

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Nov 20 2025HEALTH

Oregon Steps Up to Save Health Care Access

Oregon has taken a big step to keep health care accessible for many people. The state recently approved $7. 5 million in emergency funds to support Planned Parenthood centers. This money helps make up for lost Medicaid payments caused by a federal budget change. Planned Parenthood in Oregon was fac

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Nov 13 2025EDUCATION

Oregon's School Funding: Who's Right?

Oregon's lawmakers claim they've finally met the school funding targets set by the Quality Education Commission. This is the first time in 25 years they've said this. But not everyone is convinced. The commission said the state needed $13. 5 billion to fully fund schools. Lawmakers approved $11. 36

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