16 0 FORTUNE DECEMBER 2020 /JANUARY 2021
STATE BUDGETS ON THE BRINK
BY THE DUBIOUS STANDARDS OF GOVERNMENT FINANCE, the past decade was almost a model of prudence in statehouses across the
U.S. After the financial crisis of 2008—a rare instance when collective state revenue fell—many states created new (or supplemented
existing) “rainy day” funds. As a result, state and local governments entered 2020 with a combined $119 billion in such savings, accord-
ing to the Brookings Institution. But the economic slowdown caused by COVID-19 has blown up budgets from coast to coast, and the
impact will be lasting. Moody’s Analytics estimates that state and local government budget shortfalls could be a combined $450 billion
over the next three years even as the economy recovers. Above, a state-by-state breakdown of the looming deficits. BRIAN O’KEEFE
INFOGRAPHIC BY NICOLAS RAPP SOURCE: MOODY’S