Budget & Taxes Breakthrough on NC Budget North Carolina Gov. Pat McCrory (R) and legislative leaders have finally agreed to spend $21.74 billion this fiscal year. The state has been operating without a budget - running on continuing resolutions... Read More

Budget & Taxes SEVERANCE-TAX STATES SUFFER IN OIL-PRICE SLUMP: Motorists across the country have welcomed the more than 50 percent drop in oil prices since last summer, from over $100 a barrel in June to $50 this month. But the same can't be... Read More

Budget & Taxes US House Passes Budget The U.S. House has seen only disarray in recent weeks with the ouster of speaker John Boehner (R-Ohio) at the hands of his party’s far-right Freedom Caucus. But last Wednesday the chamber passed a... Read More

Budget & Taxes MUNICIPALITIES CONTEND WITH TRAFFIC-CAMERA BACKLASH: Speed and red-light cameras have generated millions of dollars for municipalities across the country. But a backlash against the cameras by motorists has led many of those municipalities... Read More

Budget & Taxes Costly Legal Cases Pending in TX A pair of legal cases could have a big impact on budget decisions in Texas next year, when lawmakers meet again in regular session. One of the cases, set to go before the Texas Supreme Court... Read More