Want to see the real cost of these occupations?

[unhappycamper]

States face another $12 billion budget shortfall
By Hibah Yousuf, staff reporter
July 27, 2010: 8:36 AM ET

NEW YORK (CNNMoney.com) -- States filled an $84 billion gap to balance their 2011 fiscal year budgets, which took effect earlier this month. But they could collectively face a new $12 billion hole if Congress fails to help cover growing Medicaid costs.

Without another injection of government money for Medicaid, four states -- California, Texas, North Carolina and New York -- could face new gaps exceeding $1 billion each, while 21 others could see shortfalls over $100 million, according to a budget report issued by the National Conference of State Legislatures.

The Recovery Act initially paid out additional money for the insurance program -- which helps the poor -- through Dec. 31, the halfway point for most states' 2011 budgets.

Then, earlier this year the House and the Senate approved measures that extended the payments through June 30, 2011. As a result, many state legislatures became optimistic and planned their budgets around having the additional funding.

But the bills have since fallen victim to mounting concerns over the national deficit.



unhappycamper comment: War is good for bidness. It sucks for human beings and other living things.

[jaksavage]

1. Our souls. nt