The Fiscal Link
May 2014
The Fiscal Link provides a monthly look at news and reports from NCSL, state legislative fiscal offices, the Federal Government and other independent groups.
Visit the NALFO homepage for more information on the National Association of Legislative Fiscal Offices. Visit the NALFO homepage
If you would like to be added to the distribution list for The Fiscal Link, or know a legislator or legislative staff person who should be added, contact Erica Michel or Todd Haggerty. Please note that links to external websites and reports are for information purposes only and do not indicate NCSL’s endorsement of the content on those sites.
Email Todd Haggerty
Email Erica Michel
View Past Issues of The Fiscal Link
NCSL and NALFO Updates
Legislative Summit
Registration is now open for NCSL’s Legislative Summit in Minneapolis, Aug. 19-22. Visit the 2014 Legislative Summit page for full meeting details, registration and hotel information. Click here to see NALFO’s meeting agenda.
View the Summit homepage
View the NALFO agenda
Fiscal Analysts Seminar
The 2014 Fiscal Analysts Seminar will take place in Seattle, Oct. 20-22. View the latest information on the meeting. This year’s meeting will consist of program tracks on Revenue Forecasting and Tax Policy, Transportation, Corrections, and Health Care in addition to plenary discussions aimed at developing and honing fiscal and analytical skills.
Read the FAS homepage
Public-Private Partnerships
A recent NCSL Legisbrief explores the growing use of transportation public-private partnerships.
View the Legisbrief
State Budget Update
NCSL’s State Budget Update: Spring 2014 report is now available.
View the SBU report
State Tax Change Proposals
View NCSL’s summary of 2014 state tax change proposals. Twenty-three states reported significant tax changes were being considered during 2014 legislative sessions.
Read the summary
Film Tax Incentives
NCSL updated a report detailing film tax incentive programs in the 50 states.
View the report
STate news and reports
Connecticut
The Office of Fiscal Analysis published a report estimating major state aid to municipalities in the revised FY 2015 state budget.
Read the report
New Mexico
The Legislative Finance Committee released its 2014 post-session review, which discusses budget changes and spending priorities in the FY 2015 budget.
Read the review
North Carolina
A memo from the Fiscal Research Division found that a film industry study incorrectly concluded that the state’s film incentives create positive returns.
Read the memo
Oregon
The Legislative Revenue Office published a summary of revenue measures passed during the 2014 legislative session.
View the summary
Wisconsin
The Legislative Fiscal Bureau published a memo outlining tax law changes in the state since January 2011.
Read the memo
Federal news and reports
New England Public Policy Center
The New England Public Policy Center at the Federal Reserve Bank of Boston published a new report examining the role of economic, fiscal and financial shocks in public pension funding.
Read the report
Federal Reserve Bank of New York
The Federal Reserve Bank of New York’s Liberty Street Economics blog explored young student borrowers’ participation in the 2013 housing and auto markets.
Read the blog
Congressional Budget Office
The Congressional Budget Office released a letter analyzing the amount of federal funding commitments that could be made from the Federal Highway Trust Fund.
Read the letter
U.S. Census Bureau
The U.S. Census Bureau published an infographic of the American economy and employment. Health care is now the nation’s leading sector in employment.
View the infographic
Governmnet Accountability Office
The Government Accountability Office published a review of the Department of Energy (DOE) loan programs, finding that the DOE does not have consistent policies in place to evaluate effectiveness.
Read the review
Other Items of interest
Lincoln Institute of Land Policy
The Lincoln Institute of Land Policy and Minnesota Center for Fiscal Excellence issued their 13th study of effective property tax rates.
Read the study
Western Interstate Commission for Higher Education
The Western Interstate Commission for Higher Education published a report examining state financial aid policies and how they can help promote access to higher education and improve student success.
Read the report
Bipartisan Policy Center
The Bipartisan Policy Center blogged about several proposals in Congress to replace the Earned Income Tax Credit.
Read the blog
Pew Research Center
The Pew Research Center published research examining student debt and the U.S. economy.
View the research
Rockefeller Institute of Government
The Rockefeller Institute of Government published a data alert with preliminary tax collection information for the first quarter of 2014.
View the data