The state of state and local finances

Snashots of the 50 states and large cities are being compiled by multiple organizations to highlight the situation of these entities.   Often the CAFR is the document being used in these reports.  http://www.governing.com/columns/public-finance/col-state-state-local-government-finances.html

Forbes ranks for 2012 the best States for business

The article provides a link whereby you can look up your state's ranking and the factors that went into this.  This is the 7th year this list has been in existence.   http://www.forbes.com/sites/kurtbadenhausen/2012/12/12/utah-tops-list-of-the-best-states-for-business/

U.S. deficit falling- How could that be?

This article discusses the decreasing trend of the deficit as a % of GDP.  According to this article from fiscal 2009 to fiscal 2012, the deficit shrank 3.1 percentage points.  http://news.investors.com/blogs-capital-hill/112012-634082-federal-deficit-falling-fastest-since-world-war-ii.htm

GASB encourages readiness

on the part of state and local governement official and pension system administrators regarding the implementation of the new pension requirements.   http://www.gasb.org/cs/ContentServer?c=Document_C&pagename=GASB%2FDocument_C%2FGASBDocumentPage&cid=1176160498236

Medicare tax increases for those

who earn over 200,000 a year (this is just less than 1% on the amounts exceeding 200,000 of earnings, and is part of the 2010 health care legislation.   This article talks about the regulations that the IRS is putting into place related to the implementation on earnings after 12/31/12  http://www.journalofaccountancy.com/News/20126942.htm