'Election Victory' Celebrations Short-Lived for State Leaders

11/7/2002

From: Bob Adams or David Wargin of the American Legislative Exchange Council, 202-466-3800

WASHINGTON, Nov. 7 -- When nearly two-dozen freshman governors - the largest contingent in years -- and state lawmakers assume office in early 2003, they will face one of the worst state budget deficits in decades. The cumulative state budget shortfall will exceed $50 billion.

In a republished report, "Show Me the Money: Budget-Cutting Strategies for Cash-Strapped States," the American Legislative Exchange Council and the Manhattan Institute offers state leaders a comprehensive evaluation of state budgets, offering strategies for cutting state budget deficits, including short-, medium-, and long-term plans for reducing the cost of government.

"Every state leader in America ought to read this report," said William D. Eggers, author of the report and senior fellow at the Manhattan Institute." "Not only does it offer remedies for the current fiscal crisis, it gives states a budgetary blueprint for a generation."

Experts available for comment:

William Eggers, senior fellow at the Manhattan Institute and author of the report, is available to discuss the ideas and research behind the report. A nationally recognized expert on government reform, Eggers has written and advised policy makers on issues such as government efficiency, e-government, privatization, civil service reform, and government performance.

The Manhattan Institute is a think tank whose mission is to develop and disseminate new ideas that foster greater economic choice and individual responsibility.

Chris Atkins, director of ALEC's Tax and Fiscal Policy Task Force, is a contributor of the report and author of numerous policy reports and papers. Atkins is a tax and fiscal policy expert whose opinion pieces have appeared frequently on the op-ed pages of the nation's major newspapers, and has made appearances on national networks.

------ The American Legislative Exchange Council is the nation's largest bipartisan, individual membership organization of state legislators, with nearly 2,400 members across the nation.