State Budget Update: November 2004

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State finances are improving, at least in the near term. The recovery that began last year is stronger and more widespread today. Revenues for the first few months of fiscal year (FY) 2005 are on target or above projections in nearly every state. Budget overruns are less severe than in recent years. Budget gaps are practically non-existent. In short, state finances are stable or improving for most states.

This reprieve from budget problems may be temporary, however. An early glimpse at FY 2006 budget issues reveals that another round of fiscal challenges is developing. Funding pressures from elementary-secondary (K-12) education, Medicaid and other state programs coupled with concerns about structural gaps will make next year's budget deliberations difficult.

This report is based on information collected from legislative fiscal directors in November 2004. It covers the revenue and expenditure situation for the first four months of FY 2005 for most states.* It includes information on budget gaps, spending overruns, revenue performance and the top fiscal issues anticipated for 2005 legislative sessions.

*Forty-six states began their fiscal year on July 1. The exceptions are Alabama (begins October 1), Michigan (begins October 1), New York (begins April 1), and Texas (begins September 1).

FY 2005 Budget Gaps

Since FY 2001, lawmakers have closed an aggregate budget gap exceeding $235 billion. About $36 billion of this amount was resolved with the enactment of FY 2005 budgets. Information collected through the first four months of the current fiscal year shows that these budgets are holding stable.

Only three states report that gaps have opened since the beginning of the fiscal year. This compares with 10 states last year and 31 states two years ago.
The cumulative budget gap is $568.1 million, compared to $2.8 billion last year and $17.5 billion two years ago.
The projected FY 2005 gaps are in Michigan (2.2 percent), Nebraska (2.2 percent) and New Hampshire (3.1 percent). Nebraska's gap is relative to the state's statutory minimum reserve requirement (absent that provision, the state would not project a gap).

FY 2005 Spending Overruns

Although about half the states are reporting budget overruns four months into the current fiscal year, the extent and magnitude of these gaps appears less severe than in past years.

Twenty-three states report spending overruns for some portion of the budget.
As in past years, Medicaid is the category most commonly over budget. So far in FY 2005, Medicaid spending is exceeding appropriations in 16 states.
Corrections expenses are over budget in seven states.
Other programs above budgeted levels include welfare, mental health services, district courts, state parks, employee health insurance and K-12 education.

FY 2005 Revenue Performance

Revenues for the first few months of FY 2005 are performing substantially better than they have in recent years. Some analysts attribute strong growth rates to the low bases on which the increases are occurring. Others note that original forecasts were conservative, so news about collections exceeding estimates are partly explained by these conservative starting points. In any case, revenue recovery is welcome news for state lawmakers.

General fund revenue collections are above forecasts in 36 states and on target in 10. Last year the numbers were 21 and 13, respectively.

Only three states-Michigan, New Jersey and Tennessee-report collections below the original forecast, compared with 16 states under forecast at this time last year. In New Jersey, new revenues from recently enacted tax increases are expected to hit state coffers in the spring, so collections are expected to rebound.

States generally are reporting strong growth in one or more revenue categories. Personal income and sales tax collections, which represent about two-thirds of state tax collections, are above target in nearly every state. Only two states-New Jersey and North Carolina-reported that personal income taxes were below forecast. Seven states reported that sales tax collections were lagging estimates.

Corporate income taxes also are performing above expectations, in many cases substantially above. Many states are even reporting double-digit growth compared with the forecasts, including Arizona (46.8 percent), Georgia (97.4 percent), Kansas (58.5 percent) and Maine (41.1 percent). Hawaii is seeing collections 106 percent above actual collections last year. Although growth rates are sizeable in many states, nationally, corporate income taxes represent only 5.2 percent of state revenues.

Many states report that all three major taxes-personal income, sales and corporate income-are exceeding projections. California notes that these three taxes are up a combined $900 million through October and are projected to be $2 billion higher than the budgeted estimate by the close of the fiscal year.

Energy-related taxes are exceeding forecasts in seven states. In Alaska, crude oil prices are running 33 percent above forecast, so the state could realize a sizeable surplus by the end of the fiscal year instead of the shortfall originally projected.

Because revenue performance is widely exceeding forecasts, 26 states already have revised their FY 2005 revenue estimates. Collections are on target or above the revision in nearly every state.

Consistent with the overall improvement in revenue performance, states are more optimistic about the revenue outlook for the remainder of the fiscal year than they were one and two years ago.

Table 1. Revenue Outlook for the Remainder of the Fiscal Year
Outlook as of	November 2002 (FY 2003)	November 2003 (FY 2004)	November 2004 (FY 2005)
Optimistic	2	8	17
Stable	8	24	31
Concerned	29	15	2
Pessimistic	9	2	0

Top Fiscal Issues for 2005 Legislative Sessions

Legislative fiscal directors are keenly attuned to the budget demands and fiscal pressures confronting legislatures. This year's survey asked these fiscal experts to identify the top fiscal issues their states are expected to address in the 2005 legislative sessions.

Medicaid, health care costs or some other health-related matter is anticipated to top legislative agendas in 30 states. Most concerns focus on Medicaid-reductions in the Federal Medical Assistance Percentage and rapidly rising costs stemming from caseload growth, benefit increases and medical cost inflation. Several states also note that employee health insurance costs will be a key fiscal issue in 2005.

Twenty-six states expected K-12 education to be a fiscal priority in next year's sessions. Attention will focus on adequate funding levels, court orders, school finance reform, funding pre-kindergarten and class-size reduction and public school facilities.

Notwithstanding the improvement in state finances, 22 states note that overall budget problems will garner top attention next year. Replacing one-time revenues used in FY 2005 and addressing looming budget gaps in FY 2006 and beyond are expected to capture most attention. Other broad budget discussion will address spending and revenue caps, budget reform and how to fund rapid increases in program growth. On the other side of this coin, Wyoming notes that dealing with its budget surplus will top legislative deliberations.

Ten states expect tax discussions to dominate legislative attention. The focus will not be tax increases, but reform, relief and tax credits.

Other commonly cited issues include corrections/public safety (seven states), transportation (five states), and gaming, higher education and human services (four states each).

Table 2. FY 2005 Budget Gaps

Budget Gap

State

No

Yes

Amount
(millions)

Percent

Notes

Alabama

x

Alaska

x

Arizona

x

Arkansas

x

California

x

Colorado

x

Connecticut

x

Delaware

x

Florida

x

Georgia

x

Hawaii

x

Idaho

x

Officials anticipate a large surplus at the end of FY 2005.

Illinois

x

Indiana

x

Iowa

x

Kansas

x

Kentucky

x

Louisiana

x

Maine

x

A FY 2004 positive revenue variance of $63 million (2.4%) after setting aside statutory reserves will increase the budgeted ending balance at the close of FY 2005 to $10.7 million, which may help offset program shortfalls.

Maryland

x

The Department of Legislative Services currently is projecting a FY 2005 closing balance in excess of $550 million.

Massachusetts

x

Michigan

x

$465.0

2.2%

A special consensus revenue estimating conference held in early December lowered general fund and school aid fund revenues for FY 2005. The combined gap for these two funds is $465 million (2.2%).

Minnesota

x

A Dec. 1, forecast revision projects a $495 million balance at the end of FY 2005.

Mississippi

x

Missouri

x

Montana

x

Nebraska

x

$62.1

2.2%

A budget gap is expected relative to Nebraska's statutory minimum ending balance requirement. However, the projected ending balance is positive and does not take into consideration disposition of prior year receipts collected in excess of estimates and how that may be used in the next budget cycle. Under current law such excess collections are automatically transferred to the rainy day fund. If the transfer had not occurred and the receipts retained in the general fund, there would not be a budget gap for the current FY 2005.

Nevada

x

New Hampshire

x

$41.0

3.1%

New Jersey

x

New Mexico

x

New York

x

North Carolina

x

North Dakota

x

Ohio

x

Oklahoma

x

The state will not have an official estimate until mid-December.

Oregon

x

Oregon budgets on a biennial basis. The most recent forecast for the 2004-2005 biennium does not anticipate a budget gap for the second year of the biennium.

Pennsylvania

x

Rhode Island

x

Officials anticipate a small surplus of $2 million (0.06%).

South Carolina

x

South Dakota

x

Tennessee

x

Texas

x

Utah

x

Vermont

x

Virginia

x

Washington

x

West Virginia

x

Wisconsin

x

Re-estimates of FY 2005 revenues and expenditures will be issued in January 2005.

Wyoming

x

Total

47

3

$568.1

Source: NCSL survey of legislative fiscal offices, November 2004.

Table 3. FY 2005 Spending Overruns
State	No	Yes	Notes
Alabama	x
Alaska		x	Fire suppression ($40 million).
Arizona		x	Medicaid.
Arkansas	x
California		x	General government and corrections.
Colorado	x		Potentially health care policy and finance (Medicaid). Officials will not know for certain until Jan.1, 2005, when the governor submits supplemental requests.
Connecticut		x	A $74.7 million increase in expenditures is largely attributable to projected deficiencies totaling $61.4 million. Of this amount, $37.3 million in net deficiencies are occurring within the Department of Children and Families ($13.8 million), the Department of Corrections ($13.5 million) and the Office of Policy and Management for energy contingency ($10 million). These numbers represent relatively minor amounts given the size of each agency's budget.
Delaware	x
Florida	x
Georgia	x
Hawaii	x		None reported, but officials anticipate that emergency appropriation requests will be submitted.
Idaho		x	Medicaid and corrections.
Illinois	x		Spending for most core functions remains largely at anticipated levels.
Indiana	x
Iowa		x	Medicaid has an anticipated supplemental need of between $52 million and $85 million.
Kansas		x	Medicaid.
Kentucky	x		None at this point. There is not an enacted state budget at this time.
Louisiana	x
Maine		x	Several programs in the Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) have been running over budget. Medicaid and Medicaid administration are $33 million over budget and child welfare is over budget by $3.4 million. DHHS is still looking for ways to self-fund these shortfalls. No other significant negative variances have been reported at this time. Given the projected shortfall for the 2006-2007 biennium, most or all of FY 2005 overruns will need to be "self-funded" without a net increase in supplemental appropriations.
Maryland		x	Spending shortfalls for FY 2005 could approach $200 million of which approximately $142 million falls under the areas of Medicaid and Mental Health services. Other large components where shortfalls may occur include foster care because of caseload growth and under attainment of federal funds ($38 million), payments to local jails for part of the cost of certain short-term sentenced offenders ($15 million) and a number of smaller miscellaneous programs.
Massachusetts	x
Michigan		x	The FY 2005 budget gap reflects a projected $67 million supplemental appropriation for Medicaid due to revised caseload estimates.
Minnesota	x
Mississippi		x	Medicaid.
Missouri		x	Medicaid.
Montana		x	District courts and corrections department.
Nebraska	x
Nevada	x
New Hampshire		x	Medicaid and employee health insurance.
New Jersey	x
New Mexico	x
New York	x
North Carolina	x
North Dakota		x	Medicaid and corrections.
Ohio		x	Property tax relief is $88.2 million (26.9%) above estimate (likely due to timing issues that should even out by the end of December). Medicaid is $48.6 million (1.5%) above estimate.
Oklahoma		x	The Department of Corrections and the Department of Human Services likely will require supplemental appropriations.
Oregon	x
Pennsylvania	x
Rhode Island		x	Human Services-welfare and developmentally disabled caseloads have increased.
South Carolina	x
South Dakota	x
Tennessee	x
Texas		x	Medicaid and K-12 public education.
Utah	x
Vermont		x	Medicaid costs are increasing. The state's mental hospital budget is under pressure because of temporary federal decertification and federal funding decisions affecting institutes of mental disease with more than 16 beds. Corrections is up because of caseload and medical services. The state has caseload pressures in child care, and revenue concerns in the state parks and the fish and wildlife budgets. Officials expect to address these and whatever else comes to light for FY 2005 in the budget adjustment process.
Virginia		x	Medicaid, by about $100 million.
Washington		x	General assistance program.
West Virginia	x
Wisconsin		x	The administration is projecting a funding shortfall for the Medical assistance program by the close of FY 2005.
Wyoming	x
Total	27	23
Source: NCSL survey of legislative fiscal offices, November 2004.

Table 4. FY 2005 General Fund Revenue Collections
State	Original FY 2005 Revenue Estimate*	On Target	Below		Above		Revenue Period Covered		Notes
			Amount (millions)	Percent	Amount (millions)	Percent	Sept. 2004	Oct. 2004
Alabama	16.2%	x						x	The state's fiscal year began Oct. 1, so the state has receipts for only the first month of FY 2005. This information pertains to the state's general fund, not the Education Trust Fund.
Alaska	-12.5%				$250.0	33%		x	An official revenue forecast is due in December. Crude oil prices for Alaska North Slope oil are running 33% above projections. Although there isn't an official year-end projection yet, the state could realize a surplus of about $400 million (a significant change from the spring forecast of a $376 million deficit).
Arizona	8.3%				$130.0	6.0%		x
Arkansas	3.4%				$85.5	7.3%		x
California	0.6%				$1,100.0	4.9%		x
Colorado	6.2%				$54.0	0.9%		x
Connecticut	3.4%				$242.0	1.8%		x	About $189 million of the $242 million increase is anticipated from the personal income tax.
Delaware	2.5%	x					x		Net general fund collections are on target when adjusted for removal of Medicaid State Institution as a revenue source and simultaneously removing the appropriation in the budget for same.
Florida	2.9%				$398.4	8.0%	x		Hurricanes caused a shortfall in sales taxes for September, but overages in other categories more than made up for it.
Georgia	6.1%	x						x
Hawaii	8.6%				$26.2	2.2%		x
Idaho	1.2%				$33.5	10.1%		x	Revenues are 10.1% over the same four months last year.
Illinois	0.8%	x						x
Indiana	4.7%				$99.2	2.9%		x	The 4.7% original revenue forecast refers to the general fund and the property tax replacement fund.
Iowa	0.6%				$114.7	9.5%	x		Collections are above forecast when compared to the revenue estimate made in March 2004.
Kansas	2.2%				$32.3	2.3%		x
Kentucky	(N/A)				$76.9	(N/R)		x	The most recent revenue estimate was made in June 2004.
Louisiana	1.1%	x						x
Maine	1.2%				$38.2	5.1%		x	The personal income tax is running ahead of budget by $17.8 million (5.8%) for the first four months of FY 2005, but a good portion of this positive year-to-date variance is thought to be a timing issue. The June adjustment to the year-end revenue accrual likely will reduce the positive variance.
Maryland	6.2%				Above	Above		x	Officials are not tracking FY 2005 monthly revenue attainment vis-à-vis the budgeted revenue estimate. The revenue estimate was revised upward in September and officials are using that new estimate as the basis for comparison with monthly revenues. Since Maryland currently is running ahead of the revised estimate, it is undoubtedly the case that revenue attainment through October is exceeding the budgeted revenue estimate as well, but by how much either in dollar or percent terms is unknown.
Massachusetts	1.6%				$80.0	1.6%		x
Michigan	1.4%		$150.0	0.8%				x	The state's fiscal year began Oct. 1. Collections from the major taxes during September and October have fallen considerably below the official May 2004 consensus revenue estimate.
Minnesota	3.4%				$59.7	0.4%		x
Mississippi	3.9%				$6.9	0.6%		x	State general fund collections are slightly above the estimate through October, and 7.7% over the prior year collections for the same period.
Missouri	-4.4%	x						x
Montana	-2.9%				$61.4	4.6%		x
Nebraska	2.3%				$55.7	6.4%		x
Nevada	8.7%				Above	Above			In the first four months of FY 2005, gaming revenues have increased 3.7 percent over the same period one year ago. There have only been two months of sales tax collections in FY 2005 which reflect an increase of 16.3 percent compared to the same period one year ago.
New Hampshire	-1.8%				$22.9	4.2%		x
New Jersey	10.8%		(N/R)	1.0%				x	Revenues are slightly below expectations, but new revenues from major tax increases are expected to hit primarily in the spring of 2005.
New Mexico	-3.9%				$2.1	0.2%		x	The original FY 2005 forecast was negative because significant non-recurring revenues were posted in FY 2004 (due to a move to accrual revenue accounting). The original estimate for FY 2005 recurring revenues was 2.4% growth above FY 2004 collections.
New York	-1.2%				$526.0	3.1%	x
North Carolina	5.9%				$70.0	1.5%		x
North Dakota	-2.1%				$11.5	6.0%	x
Ohio	6.1%	x						x	The total general revenue fund is $6.3 million (0.1%) below estimate, but up 1.9% compared to FY 2004. State-source revenue is $29.1 million (0.5%) above estimate and up 4.5% compared to FY 2004. Federal grants are $35.4 million (1.9%) below estimate and down 5.3% compared to FY 2004 (the comparison to FY 2004 is distorted by the $193 million received in October 2003 under the Jobs & Growth Tax Relief Reconciliation Tax Act of 2003). Tax revenue is $30.4 million (0.5%) above estimate and up 4.9% compared to FY 2004.
Oklahoma	3.4%				$164.3	11.3%		x
Oregon	8.0%				$73.0	6.3%	x		The estimate is adjusted for voters' disapproval of an income tax increase.
Pennsylvania	3.9%				$166.2	2.4%		x	About half the overage ($72 million) is in non-tax revenue.
Rhode Island	4.0%				$22.9	4.8%		x	This is based on the Revenue Estimating Conference estimate of November 2004.
South Carolina	2.7%				$37.0	2.0%	x
South Dakota	9.7%	x						x
Tennessee	2.7%		$54.0	2.3%				x
Texas	0.1%	x							The state's fiscal year began Sept. 1. The budget for FY 2005 was passed in May 2003 (the second year of the two-year budget).
Utah	1.8%				$23.2	2.6%	x
Vermont	-0.9%				$14.7	4.7%		x	This is compared to the revenue forecast set on July 15. The 4.7% is based on the targeted level through October 2004. The July 15 revision resulted in an increase of $27.4 million over the level used when the budget was adopted.
Virginia	7.4				Above	Above		x	Collections are performing at 10.5% through October, against a revised 4.5% growth rate for FY 2005 (which reflects the actual performance in FY 2004), and is roughly $400 million ahead of the end of October last year.
Washington	3.1%				$10.0	0.3%	x
West Virginia	-0.2%				$94.6	10.0%		x
Wisconsin	4.7%								Re-estimates of FY 2005 revenues and initial estimates for the 2006-2007 biennium will be issued in January 2005.
Wyoming	1.0%	x					x
* The original FY 2005 revenue estimate information shown in this table is from a summer 2004 survey of legislative fiscal offices. The figure represents the percentage change in the FY 2005 revenue forecast compared with FY 2004 collections. The official revenue forecast may have changed since the information originally was provided. All other data in this table are from a November survey updating state budget information. N/A -- Kentucky did not enact a budget for FY 2005. Source: NCSL survey of state legislative fiscal offices, November 2004.

Table 5. Performance of Major Tax Categories
State	Notes
Alabama	Individual income and sales taxes are performing significantly above estimates; however, those taxes are earmarked for the Education Trust Fund. Major taxes in the general fund include the insurance premium tax (its first payment was due Nov. 15 so is not included in October receipts); oil and gas (above estimates); and court fees (below estimates).
Alaska	Crude oil prices for Alaska North Slope oil are running 33% above projections.
Arizona	The sales tax is 9.6% over last year; the personal income tax is 11.7% over last year, and the corporate income tax is 46.8% over last year.
Arkansas	Through October, personal income tax collections are 7.2% above expectations; corporate income tax collections are 20.1% above expectations and refunds are only 72% of expectations; gross receipts taxes are 4.1% above expectations.
California	Personal income, sales, and corporation taxes are up by a combined $900 million. Specifically, personal income tax is up $291 million (2.6%), the sales tax is up $17 million (0.2%), and the corporate income tax is up $607 million (31%).
Colorado	Through October, sales and use taxes are running $12 million lower than budgeted, personal income taxes $42 million above, and corporate income taxes $24 million above.
Connecticut	The personal income tax is 3.7% above budget plan and all other categories are close to budget plan with the exception of the oil companies tax, which is up $39.9 million or 44.5% above budget plan due to the 70% increase in crude oil prices since January 2004.
Delaware	All are on target within a variation of less than 1% through the September estimate from June. The realty transfer tax continues to be strong and was increased by 6% in September.
Florida	All major tax categories-sales, corporate, document stamps, insurance premium, intangibles, and estate tax-are performing well. Real estate-related sources-document stamp and the non-recurring intangibles tax-are particularly strong.
Georgia	The personal income tax is up 9.6% for the year (October up 4.9%); the general sales tax is up 8.1% (October up 6.1%); and the corporate income tax is up 97.4%
Hawaii	Through October, personal income taxes have increased $59.9 million (15.5%) over FY 2004 levels, corporate income taxes have increased $10.7 million (106%) and general excise taxes have increased $30.9 million (4.9%). The transient accommodations tax has increased $6.1 million (10.2%) over FY 2004 levels, but these revenues are designated to counties, debt and operating expenses for the convention center, and a special fund for statewide tourism marketing.
Idaho	The sales tax is increasing 10%, the personal income tax 7.5% and the corporate income tax 22%.
Illinois	Both personal and corporate income taxes have performed at or even slightly better than anticipated thus far. The sales tax also has done pretty well.
Indiana	All three major taxes are performing well with corporate tax collections having the largest percent of collections over estimates.
Iowa	Through September, all major tax categories are performing above expectations, particularly the corporate income tax. "Other" tax receipts are significantly above projections because insurance premium tax rate and due date changes are taking place in FY 2005, which will result in extra revenue in the first eight months of the year and reduced revenue in the last four months of the fiscal year.
Kansas	Personal income tax revenues are up $5.2 million (0.8%); general sales tax revenues are down $9.2 million (1.6%); and corporate income tax revenue is up $23.7 million (58.5%).
Kentucky	With the exception of property taxes, all taxes show increases above the most recent revenue estimate (June 2004).
Louisiana	General fund tax collections are on target with budgeted projections.
Maine	The personal income tax is running ahead of budget by $17.8 million (5.8%) for the first four months of FY 2005, but a good portion of this positive year-to-date variance is thought to be a timing issue and the June adjustment to the year-end revenue accrual will likely reduce the positive variance. The sales tax is ahead of budget by $7.1 million (2.8%). The corporate income tax is well ahead of budget by $11.5 million (41.1%). The cigarette tax is slightly under budget. The insurance premium tax is ahead of budget by $1.6 million (29.4%). A smaller revenue source, the real estate transfer tax, is running ahead of budget by $4.7 million (76.8%). This largely reflects a substantial increase in real estate values, which also has been one of the major reasons for the recent initiatives for property tax relief.
Maryland	The sales tax is growing strongly compared to last year and is running about 1.2% ahead of the estimate. The corporate income tax is over last year's level by 114% but that reflects (to some unknown degree) a law change related to the use of Delaware holding companies. The bill required companies to reflect the new treatment of Delaware holding companies in their tax year 2004 third quarter payment that was due in September. The third quarter payment was up substantially (over 40%) but there is no way to know how much of the increase is due to the law change. Compared to the estimate, corporate income tax receipts are up 26%. The personal income tax is up 36% over last year but this reflects a number of changes in the law the most important of which was changing the withholding due date for most taxpayers from monthly to three business days after the end of the payroll. Because of this change, Maryland has collected roughly an extra month's worth of withholding compared to last year.
Massachusetts	Personal income tax revenues are $77 million over year-to-date benchmarks. Sales tax revenue is $6 million below year-to-date benchmarks. Corporate income tax revenue is $3 million below year-to-date benchmarks.
Michigan	The major weakness appears to be in the sales tax and the single business tax.
Minnesota	Corporate taxes have been above forecast with minor variations in other areas.
Mississippi	Sales tax collections are above the current estimate with other major taxes on target. All taxes (except the use tax) are significantly above the prior year for the period July through October.
Missouri	Officials are seeing positive growth in personal income, corporate income and sales taxes.
Montana	Personal and corporate income taxes, as well as the oil and gas production tax, are the primary sources contributing to the above estimate performance.
Nebraska	The sales tax is $20.9 million (5.3%) above estimate; the personal income tax is $19.1 million (5.1%) above; the corporate income tax is $7.2 million (16.4%) above; and miscellaneous revenue is $8.5 million (13.7%) above.
Nevada	Gaming percentage fees and sales taxes represent 60 percent of state general fund revenues. In the first four months of FY 2005, gaming revenues have increased 3.7 percent over the same period one year ago. There have been only two months of sales tax collections in FY 2005, which reflect an increase of 16.3 percent compared to the same period one year ago.
New Hampshire	Business taxes are over budget by $8.9 million (8.8%).
New Jersey	Personal income, sales and corporation taxes combined account for two-thirds of the state's budgeted revenue. These are performing slightly below expectations. A personal income tax rate increase primarily will affect spring collections, complicating current revenue assessments. Other revenues appear to be close to targets overall.
New Mexico	General sales, selective sales and personal income taxes are roughly on track. Corporate income tax receipts through October are much higher than expected as well as energy related taxes and rents and royalties due to high energy prices.
New York	Personal income, sales, and corporate income tax collections are performing above budget estimates. Other taxes, mainly estate taxes, are performing below estimates.
North Carolina	The withholding portion of the income tax is growing at 4.0% rate versus 5.0% forecast. Sales tax growth is 7.6% compared to the 5.7% budget estimate, though the rate of growth is beginning to slow because of high energy prices. Corporate income tax collections are far above the budgeted amount.
North Dakota	Sales, personal income and oil taxes are generating the majority of the additional revenue.
Ohio	The personal income tax is $50.1 million (2.1%) above estimate and is up 5.8% compared to FY 2004. The nonauto sales tax is $36.2 million (1.6%) above estimate and is up 11.3% compared to FY 2004. The auto sales tax is $14.2 million (3.5%) below estimate and is down 8.4% compared to FY 2004 (the comparison to FY 2004 is distorted due to the timing of a base expansion and rate increase in FY 2004). The corporate franchise tax (CFT) is $22.3 million (41.9%) below estimate and is down 35.4% compared to FY 2004. (Activities under the CFT in the first half of the fiscal year are generally refunds, tax payments due to audit findings, late payments and other tax reconciliations. The timing of refunds and tax reconciliations is unpredictable, so monthly variances in CFT revenues have little meaning in the first half of the fiscal year. Through September, CFT revenue was $3.3 million above estimate; October revenues came in $25.6 million under estimate.) The cigarette tax is $9.8 million (5.8%) below estimate and is down 3.2% compared to FY 2004.
Oklahoma	For the first four months of the fiscal year, the net income tax is over the estimate by $99.7 million (15.8%) and gross production taxes are over the estimate by $47.5 million (40.6 %). Other revenue sources are coming in closer to the estimate.
Oregon	Personal income tax revenue is on target and corporate income tax is well above forecast.
Pennsylvania	The major tax categories are above estimate through October. The personal income tax is over estimate by $41.6 million (1.7%); the sales tax is over by $11.7 million (0.4%); and the corporate net income tax (CNIT) is over by $56 million (12.5%). Total corporation taxes, which include the capital stock and franchise tax as well as the CNIT, are $54.3 million (7.2%) above estimate.
Rhode Island	Major tax categories are performing above estimate.
South Carolina	All three major categories are performing above the Appropriation Act estimate by 2% to 3%, which has resulted in the Board of Economic Advisors revising the FY 2005 estimate.
South Dakota	Taxes are $1.4 million (0.5%) below the estimate.
Tennessee	The sales tax is down $54 million, franchise and excise taxes are up $5.9 million and gasoline and motor vehicle registration revenues are down $3.4 million.
Texas	The general sales tax is slightly above estimate. It is too early to tell regarding other taxes.
Utah	Sales and personal income taxes are performing slightly ahead of expectations after four months into FY 2005. Corporate taxes are performing slightly below expectations at this point.
Vermont	Compared to targets set by the revised July 15 forecast, the personal income tax is $4.2 million (2.7%) above target, the sales tax is $5.1 million (7.7%) over target, the meals and room tax is $1.2 million (3%) over target, the corporate income tax is $2.9 million (21.8%) over target; and all others are $1.4 million (3.5%) over target.
Virginia	Personal income, withholding, sales, corporate income and recordation taxes are all performing above forecast.
Washington	Major tax categories are performing on target.
West Virginia	The personal income tax is $14.2 million above estimate, the general sales tax is $2.3 million below estimate, the corporate income tax is $13.5 million above estimate and severance taxes are $32.6 million above estimate.
Wisconsin	Re-estimates of FY 2005 revenues will be issued in January 2005.
Wyoming	Major tax categories are performing on target with the revised forecast.
Source: NCSL survey of legislative fiscal offices, November 2004.

Table 6. Revised Revenue Estimates for FY 2005
State	Revenue Estimate Revised			Notes
State	No	Yes	Date	Notes
Alabama	x			Officials will revise the FY 2005 estimate for budget hearings that begin in early January.
Alaska	x
Arizona	x
Arkansas		x	Nov. 10, 2004	The forecast was revised up by $118.5 million (3.3%).
California		x	Nov. 17, 2004	Personal income, sales and corporation taxes are projected to be $2 billion higher than the estimate made when the budget was enacted last summer. These figures were just revised.
Colorado		x	September 2004	Collections are $20 million (0.3%) below the revised forecast.
Connecticut	x
Delaware		x	Sept. 20, 2004
Florida		x	Nov. 12, 2004	Collections are on target with the revised forecast.
Georgia	x
Hawaii		x	Sept. 10, 2004	Collections are $24 million above the revised forecast.
Idaho		x	September 2004	Revenues are $28.6 million (10.1%) over the same four months last year versus the 6.2% revised projection.
Illinois	x
Indiana	x			A revised forecast is expected on Dec. 14, 2004.
Iowa		x	Oct. 11, 2004	Revenues are performing significantly higher than estimates, but because the current growth is believed not to be sustainable throughout the year, the outlook is stable to cautiously optimistic.
Kansas		x	Nov. 3, 2004	Data aren’t yet available comparing actual collections to the revised revenue estimate.
Kentucky	x
Louisiana	x
Maine		x	Nov. 19, 2004	Approximately $70 million was added to the FY 2005 general fund revenue estimate.
Maryland		x	September 2004	Through October, general fund revenues are over the estimate by $14 million (0.5%), but this includes underattainment in the personal income tax of $43 million (3.0%). This under-performance in the income tax is driven entirely by withholding, which has been subject to a number of changes in the law. Because of these changes, there is not a clear idea of what to expect from withholding on a month-to-month basis. The bottom line is that the under-performance in the personal income tax may not be real but simply a function of an inability to predict monthly withholding given the various changes in the law but most especially the change in the due date.
Massachusetts	x
Michigan		x	Dec. 3, 2004	The revised estimate reduced FY 2005 general fund revenues by $256.8 million and the school aid fund revenue estimate by $113.2 million.
Minnesota		x	Dec. 1, 2004	The forecast for FY 2005 was revised on Dec. 1, and will be revised again in late February 2005, as part of new state budget forecasts. The December revision increased the forecast by $455 million, with $362 million of this amount from a projected increase in personal income tax collections.
Mississippi	x			The FY 2005 general fund estimate may be revised prior to the convening of the Legislature in January.
Missouri	x
Montana		x	Nov. 15, 2004	Collections are on target with the revised forecast.
Nebraska		x	Oct. 29, 2004	Comparisons of how collections are performing relative to the revised forecast are not yet available. Officials are in the process of conducting an ex-post analysis of monthly amounts.
Nevada		x	Nov. 2, 2004	Data aren’t yet available comparing actual collections to the revised revenue estimate.
New Hampshire	x
New Jersey	x
New Mexico		x	October 2004	Overall, collections are on target with the revised forecast.
New York		x	Nov. 1, 2004	The estimate has just been revised so there is no comparison with current collections.
North Carolina	x
North Dakota		x	August 2004	Collections are $8.6 million (4.4%) above the revised forecast.
Ohio	x
Oklahoma	x
Oregon		x	September 2004	Collections are $35 million (3.8%) above the revised forecast. The corporate income tax accounts for over half the increase, but only 8% of total revenue.
Pennsylvania	x
Rhode Island		x	November 2004	The revenue forecast was recently revised so collections are on target with the revised forecast.
South Carolina		x	Nov. 10, 2004	The revenue estimated was increased $109 million. Collections are on target with the revised forecast.
South Dakota	x			The forecast will be revised Feb. 1, 2005.
Tennessee	x
Texas		x	April 2004	Collections are on target with the revised forecast.
Utah	x
Vermont		x	July 15, 2004	The FY 2005 forecast was revised on July 15, 2004, and will be revised again on Jan. 15, 2005. The July increase was $27.4 million (3%) over the forecast used when the budget was adopted. Collections to date are $14.7 million (4.7%) above the revised forecast. The January revision probably will reflect the positive trend indicated so far with collections to date estimated at 2% to 3%. This is compared to the revenue forecast set as of July 15. The 4.7% is calculated based on the targeted level through October 2004.
Virginia	x
Washington		x	September 2004	Collections are on target with the revised forecast.
West Virginia	x
Wisconsin	x			Re-estimates of FY 2005 revenues will be issued in January 2005.
Wyoming		x	October 2004	Collections are on target with the revised forecast.
Total	24	26

Table 7. Revenue Outlook for the Remainder of FY 2005
State	Optimistic	Stable	Concerned	Pessimistic
Alabama		x
Alaska	x
Arizona	x
Arkansas		x
California	x
Colorado		x
Connecticut	x
Delaware	x
Florida	x
Georgia		x
Hawaii	x
Idaho	x
Illinois		x
Indiana		x
Iowa		x
Kansas		x
Kentucky	x
Louisiana		x
Maine	x
Maryland		x
Massachusetts		x
Michigan			x
Minnesota		x
Mississippi		x
Missouri		x
Montana	x
Nebraska	x
Nevada		x
New Hampshire		x
New Jersey			x
New Mexico	x
New York		x
North Carolina		x
North Dakota		x
Ohio		x
Oklahoma	x
Oregon		x
Pennsylvania		x
Rhode Island		x
South Carolina		x
South Dakota