The Fiscal Link
June 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
Fiscal Notes Webinar
Register today for a July 17 free webinar “Understanding Fiscal Notes.” Two legislative fiscal office directors will explore important questions for staff preparing or reviewing fiscal notes and those who want to better understand the process.
Register for the webinar
Casino gamblin in the states
A recent NCSL Legisbrief explores online casino gambling in the U.S. states and territories.
View the Legisbrief
STate news and reports
Arizona
The Joint Legislative Budget Committee examined state funding for child safety and reports of child maltreatment in the state.
Read the report
California
The Legislative Analyst’s Office published an overview of proposed long-term plans for cap-and-trade expenditures.
Read the overview
Colorado
The Legislative Council released an issue brief on mechanisms used to refund revenue over the state’s Taxpayer’s Bill of Rights (TABOR) limit.
Read the issue brief
Florida
The Office of Economic and Demographic Research conducted a five-year analysis of the state’s gross domestic product.
View the analysis
Maryland
The Department of Legislative Services issued a report summarizing legislative activity from 2011 to 2014, including significant legislation that both passed and failed.
Read the report
Texas
The Legislative Budget Board has produced a series of interactive graphics that provide a visual display of Texas data and trends.
View the graphics
Federal news and reports
Congressional Budget Office
The Congressional Budget Office published a presentation that explores the coverage effects of limiting the federal tax exclusion for employment-based health insurance.
View the presentation
Federal Reserve Bank of San Francisco
The Federal Reserve Bank of San Francisco’s most recent FedViews provides an overview of the U.S. economic outlook.
Read the blog
U.S. Census Bureau
In honor of Flag Day on June 14, the U.S. Census Bureau created an infographic showing the value of U.S. flag imports and exports.
View the infographic
Federal Reserve Bank of Chicago
The Federal Reserve Bank of Chicago held a forum in April with the Civic Federation to examine how municipalities are responding to fiscal stress in the wake of Detroit’s bankruptcy filing. The findings of the forum are published in the most recent Chicago Fed Letter.
Read the report
Other Items of interest
National Association of State Budget Officers
The National Association of State Budget Officers published a report examining capital budgeting practices in the states.
Read the report
The Brookings Institution
The Brookings Institution’s blog UpFront provided an overview of Federal Reserve Chair Janet Yellen’s press conference on June 18.
Read the overview
The Rockefeller Institute
A report from The Rockefeller Institute of Government explores state government involvement in the internationalization of U.S. higher education.
Read the report
National Consumer Law Center
The National Consumer Law Center published a report to highlight 10 steps state policy makers can take to strengthen oversight of for-profit schools.
Read the report