Free Republic

NASHVILLE, Tenn. - State lawmakers are saving lots of money for a rainy day because of improving economies and conservative economic forecasts, a report released Tuesday says. State governments saved about $1 out of every $10 in their budgets in the most recent fiscal year, according to a survey released at the annual meeting of the National Conference of State Legislatures. The $57 billion total saved by legislatures around the country marks a 25 percent jump from the previous budget year and is one of the highest levels in decades. The study credits conservative forecasting for the year-end balances, which...

Much of the Washington press corps was preoccupied last week with the White House economic proposals, which are about allowing people to keep more of their money. Meanwhile, the National Governors Association was across town hosting a separate gathering that focused on just the opposite. The NGA -- along with its buddies at the National Conference of State Legislatures, the National League of Counties, the National League of Cities and the U.S. Conference of Mayors -- desperately wants to tax Internet use. And they're hoping that Internet phone calls... will pave the way. You're forgiven if you thought this was...