According to a new study 40 out of 50 states in the U.S. are anticipating a rise in tax revenue next year. Corina L. Eckl, author of the report and director of the fiscal affairs program at the NCSL, claims that 2011 will be the turning point for many local economies.
The vast majority of state governments are anticipating a rise in tax revenues this year after two years of sharp drops. Analysts caution that most states will face large budget gaps in the next few years.
Forty states forecast having an increase in tax receipts in the current fiscal year, according to a forthcoming report by the National Conference of State Legislatures. Slow economic growth is boosting proceeds from income and sales taxes.
That could reduce the impact of states' budget struggles on the economy. State budget shortfalls have led to widespread layoffs, tax increases, spending cuts and other measures that have restrained economic growth.
"We do think 2010 is the bottom and we are at a turning point," said Corina L. Eckl, director of the fiscal affairs program at the NCSL and author of the report.
Still, state officials aren't without enormous challenges. States will lose federal stimulus money in coming years and will struggle to close large budget gaps. Tax revenues are well below pre-recession level. High unemployment puts heavy demand on state-run social service programs.