Fiscal Responsibility vs. Party Control. What do the numbers say?

CAPT Kevin B. — Tue, 07 Jul 2015 21:43:56 -0400

There's an interesting article in USA Today with one take on the long term financial health of states, in particular their pensions. They created an interesting map. I decided to grab a map of what parties control the legislatures in 2014 as it was handy. It's interesting to see that some of the long term Democratic controlled states have the worst problems, while a number of long term Republican controlled states tend to stay away from the bottom third more. Some likely exceptions exist for which party has less to do with it like Alaska with all the oil money and Nevada with gambling revenues. So without detailed analysis that I'm not going to do because I'm retired, there is a general trend that would say Republican controlled states tend to be more fiscally sound.

These are just two snapshots and there are others out there which would perhaps tell a different story. It is interesting though.

Check it out: http://www.usatoday.com/story/money/business/2015/07/06/state-fiscal-health-pension-funds-report/29763379/

Response by SPC Jan Allbright, M.Sc., R.S. made Jul 7 at 2015 9:52 PM

SPC Jan Allbright, M.Sc., R.S. — Tue, 07 Jul 2015 21:52:00 -0400

"Based on 2013 data"
California now has a budget surplus.

Response by PO1 John Miller made Jul 8 at 2015 12:52 PM

PO1 John Miller — Wed, 08 Jul 2015 12:52:04 -0400

CAPT Kevin B., I guess the numbers don't lie!