Author
Pamela M. Prah
Infographic: S&P State Credit Ratings, 2001–2014
By: Pamela M. Prah, Jake Brown and Stephen Fehr - June 9, 2014
Surpluses and Tax Cuts for Some States, Deficits for Others
By: Pamela M. Prah - June 9, 2014
© AP Florida Gov. Rick Scott and New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie visit a Tampa Bay port. While Florida used a $1 billion surplus to cut taxes this year, New Jersey is facing a $2.7 billion two-year budget deficit. For the first time since the recession ended, state revenues and employment have both surpassed pre-recession […]
Nine States Still Have High Unemployment
By: Pamela M. Prah - January 28, 2014
Nine states and the District of Columbia had jobless rates measurably higher than the national 6.7 percent unemployment rate in December. Rhode Island leads the country with the highest unemployment rate, at 9.1 percent, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics reported Tuesday. Following Rhode Island are: Nevada at 8.8 percent, Illinois 8.6 percent, Michigan 8.4 […]
Florida’s Population Edges Closer to New York’s
By: Pamela M. Prah - December 30, 2013
New York held off fast-growing Florida to keep its third-place rank among the most populous U.S. states in 2013. Only 98,000 residents separated New York and Florida in population in 2013, according to the latest U.S. Census data released Monday. New York posted 19.65 million residents to Florida’s 19.55 million. But sunny Florida, with its […]
States Get Share of $13 Billion JPMorgan Chase Settlement
By: Pamela M. Prah - November 19, 2013
New York will get more than $1 billion of the $13 billion settlement with JPMorgan Chase that resolves federal and state lawsuits over risky mortgage practices, the largest share among states. As part of the settlement, $9 billion will be paid to settle federal and state civil claims related to the company’s packaging and marketing […]
States Get OK to Reopen National Parks, but With Strings
By: Pamela M. Prah - October 10, 2013
Under pressure from several governors, the federal government will allow states to use their own money to open national parks that are closed because of the shutdown. “Responding to the economic impacts that the park closures are having on many communities and local businesses, Secretary (Sally) Jewell will consider agreements with governors who indicate an […]