"This article is dealing with states (plural). All states, not one particular state." This is one possibility. However:
"Iris Lav, deputy director for CBPP, said the budget deficits facing the state..."
"If the state fiscal situation does not improve..."
The article refers to states--plural--a few times and "the state" (singular) a few times.
It is open to debate.
--Boris
A public policy group has issued two new studies warning that one million people currently covered by health insurance might lose all coverage because of the looming state budget deficits.....The group is calling on the federal government to intervene and offer fiscal relief to the states....The group estimates that the collective state budget deficits...."Only the provision of substantial fiscal relief to states by the federal government....Iris Lav, deputy director for CBPP, said the budget deficits facing the state for fiscal year 2004 are at least twice as large as the deficits the states faced during the recession of the early 1990s....When the governors release their budget for 2004 [in January] and state legislatures convene, states will be faced with closing both the newly and emerging gaps for the 2003 budget year and the massive new deficits for 2004," Lav stated.Etc.
The article is clearly talking about states, collectively.
Granted, though, the wording is incorrect and therefore confusing in a couple of places.
Regards,
LH