What a Difference a Year Makes: More States are Facing Budget Woes

NCSL policy experts discuss the release of new State Budget Update report.

Wednesday, July 23
11:45 am - 12:15 am CDT
Press Conference Room - 213, Second Floor, Morial Convention Center
Dial In 888-687-4838 passcode: 32838580
12:30 p.m., issue forum entitled State Budget Update and Roundtable Discussion

Ernest N. Morial Convention Center
900 Convention Center Blvd.
New Orleans, LA 70130

NEW ORLEANS, July 23 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- One year ago, states appeared
to be financially stable. Based on revenue and expenditure forecasts,
policymakers anticipated that FY 2008 balances would fall, but the decline in
state finances has been worse than expected, according to a new report
released tomorrow.

The National Conference of State Legislatures' State Budget Update: June
2008is based on information collected from legislative fiscal directors in
June and early July.

The report will be unveiled and handed out at a press conference on Wednesday,
July 23 from 11:45 to 12:15 in room 213 at the Morial Convention Center.

NCSL experts will briefly discuss the overall condition of state budgets,
projections of FY 2009 budget gaps and actions states took to close them.
Reporters are welcome to attend the issues forum entitled State Budget Update
and Roundtable Discussion immediately following the press conference. It will
be held in room 220-221 on the second floor of the convention center 12:30 pm
- 2:00 pm.

NCSL is the bipartisan organization that serves the legislators and staff of
the states, commonwealths and territories. It provides research, technical
assistance and opportunities for policymakers to exchange ideas on the most
pressing state issues and is an effective and respected advocate for the
interests of the states in the American federal system.

For more information, please visit www.ncsl.org.

SOURCE National Conference of State Legislatures

Michelle Blackston, +1-202-413-0534, or Meagan Dorsch, +1-720-381-7611, both
of National Conference of State Legislatures