Budget Processes

Compiled by Victoria Enright, December 2000
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Annual and Biennial Budgeting: The Experience of State Governments. National Conference of State Legislatures, Ronald K. Snell, February 2000 (updated November 2000). This paper discusses the differences between budgeting cycles in annual and biennial budget states and focuses on the advantages and disadvantages of biennial budget cycles. Includes a chart of states that have changed their budget cycles.
http://204.131.235.67/programs/fiscal/annlbien.htm

Dollars and Sense: Policy Choices and the Wisconsin Budget. University of Wisconsin-Madison, Robert M. La Follette Institute of Public Affairs, James K. Conant, 1990-1994. (336.121/W7i2) These 3 volumes examine state budget process and public policy issues. "In the past two decades, that process has become the almost exclusive forum for matching state revenues with program and policy priorities." - back cover. Contains essays, statistical charts, and appendices.

Governors, Legislatures, and Budgets: Diversity Across the American States. Edward J. Clynch and Thomas P. Lauth, 1991. (336.121/C62) Includes essays on budgeting procedures in various states.

Inside the Legislative Process: A Comprehensive Survey of the American Society of Legislative Clerks and Secretaries. National Conference of State Legislatures, February 1998 (Updated February 1999). (328.4/N21d/1998) Includes sections on legislative organization and procedures, bill processing, committee procedures, and floor action. Contains charts and graphs with information obtained from each state.

"Late State Budgets". Corina Eckl, NCSL Legisbrief, March 1998. (328/N21h/vol.6, no.14) Summary of state provisions to address late state budgets.

Legislative Budget Procedures: A Guide to Appropriations and Budget Processes in the States, Commonwealths and Territories. National Conference of State Legislatures, Fiscal Affairs Program, June 1998. (336.121/N211c) Discusses budget cycles and legislative sessions. Focuses on budget development, deliberations, enactment, and revisions. Includes data compiled from each state.

Legislative Budget Procedures: Deliberation on the Recommended Budget: Maximum Time Legislature or Committee May Consider the Budget. National Conference of State Legislatures, Fiscal Affairs Program, Updated March 23, 1999. Contains executive summary and tables with information from each state. http://204.131.235.67/programs/fiscal/lbptabls/lbpc5t1.htm

Legislative Budget Procedures: Post-Enactment Budget Revisions and Supplemental Appropriations: Executive Authority to Cut the Enacted Budget. National Conference of State Legislatures, Fiscal Affairs Program, Updated March 25, 1999. Contains executive summary and tables from each state.
http://204.131.235.67/programs/fiscal/lbptabls/lbpc7t1.htm

The Legislative Process in Wisconsin. Wisconsin Legislative Reference Bureau, reprinted from the 1993-1994 Wisconsin Blue Book. (328.4/W7b9) Includes information on the Wisconsin budget process, and a section on sources of legislative information.

The Politics of Public Budgeting: Getting and Spending, Borrowing and Balancing. Irene S. Rubin, 1993. (336.121/R82) Discusses budgetary decision making and politics. Includes a comprehensive analysis of federal, state, and local budget processes and cases studies.

State Balanced Budget Requirements: Provisions and Practice. National Conference of State Legislatures, Ronald K. Snell, 1996. (336.121/N211k) Examines state balanced budget requirements and compliance. Compares state requirements with proposed federal constitutional amendment. Includes information from each state.

State of Wisconsin Budget Reengineering Study: State Budget Review. Wisconsin Department of Administration, State Budget Office, prepared by Arthur Andersen and Company, May 2000. (Admin/SBO/s) noncirculating. Evaluation of current budget practices. Includes agency recommendations for improvement of system, survey of other states, and proposes a set of performance indicators. "The project's focus was the processes and systems of state agencies, the [State Budget Office] and the [Legislative Fiscal Bureau] in the development and enactment of Wisconsin's biennial budget. The processes of state agencies were reviewed and evaluated at a high level. The processes of the SBO and LFB were reviewed in greater detail." - p.17

"Supermajority Vote Requirements to Pass the Budget". Jennifer Grooters, NCSL Legisbrief, November/December 1998. (328/N21h/vol.6, no.48) Includes chart of requirements to pass the budget for state operations. Focuses on states that require a supermajority vote to pass appropriations bills.

"Update on Performance Budgeting". Judy Zelio, NCSL Legisbrief, October 1997. (328/N21h/vol.5, no.37) Discusses how performance measures are being applied to state budgets in several states. "Performance budgeting shifts the focus from line items to program results" - p.1. Many states include these measures in their budgets.

When It Rains, It Pours: A Look at the Adequacy of State Rainy Day Funds and Budget Reserves. Center on Budget and Policy Priorities, March 1999. (336.121/C33) Analysis of state expenditures and revenue shortfalls over the past decade. Contains tables and charts and concludes with a hypothetical scenario of a future recession and its impact on state revenues.

"GOP To Push For More State Tax Cuts but Wisconsin Democrats Warn that a Slowing Economy Could Reduce Tax Revenue", Scott Milfred and Phil Brinkman,Wisconsin State Journal, November 22, 2000.

"GOP Wants More State Tax Cuts", David Callender, Capital Times, November 22, 2000.

"Gridlock - or Not - in Madison?", Steven Walters, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, November 19, 2000.

"State Budget in Trouble Next Year", Steven Walters, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, July 14, 2000.

"Status Quo in Assembly, Senate Could Mean More Gridlock, Expert Says", Sarah Wyatt, Wisconsin State Journal, November 9, 2000.

"Tax Cuts May Put Squeeze on State: 7% Drop in Collections, Budget Plans Will Clash", Steven Walters and Richard P. Jones, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, November 21, 2000.

"Tax Cuts Still Possible", Steven Walters, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, November 22, 2000.

Related Web Sites:

http://www.cbpp.org
Center on Budget and Policy Priorities. "The Center on Budget and Policy Priorities is a nonpartisan research organization and policy institute that conducts research and analysis on a range of government policies and programs, with an emphasis on those affecting low- and moderate-income people." - Web page.

http://www.financenet.gov/financenet/state/stbudget.htm
Finance.net. U.S. State & Local Financial Management; U.S. State and Local Budgets.

http://www.nasbo.org/nasbo.htm
National Association of State Budget Officers. Has extensive analysis of budget processes in the states. Includes list of publications, policy resources, and related links.

http://www.ncpa.org/pd/state/state1.html
National Center for Policy Analysis. Provides links to news relating to state policy issues.

http://www.ncsl.org/programs/fiscal/budissus.htm
National Conference of State Legislatures; Policy issues; Budgets - State.

http://www.doa.state.wi.us/debf/sbo/index.asp
Wisconsin Department of Administration State Budget Office.

Clippings: (Noncirculating; available for use in the library; clippings prior to 1981 are on microfiche)

  • State finance - Budgets (Wisconsin): 336.121/W7z
  • State finance - Budgets (Other States): 336.121/Z