State budget stallers and laggards

The Takeaway

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New York has balanced its budget, and California finally shed its reputation as a fiscal laggard, reaching its budget on time for the first time in years. But other states are not on similar paths.

In Minnesota, if the Democratic governor and Republican-led legislature cannot agree on a budget by midnight tonight, all nonessential services will shut down, including state parks — dire news, ahead of the July 4 weekend.

So why is it taking so long? And what can we learn from states that have already settled their books?

Matthew Mitchell, a research fellow on State and Local Policy at George Mason University’s Mercatus Center helps answer some of these questions on The Takeaway.

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“The Takeaway” is a national morning news program, delivering the news and analysis you need to catch up, start your day, and prepare for what’s ahead. The show is a co-production of WNYC and PRI, in editorial collaboration with the BBC, The New York Times Radio, and WGBH.

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