If I don't die by Thursday, I'll be roaring Friday night.

So, you really want to know what the fiscal state of the US Union is? REALLY?

Read the National Association of State Budget Officers June 2003 Fiscal Survey of States. (found at http://www.nasbo.org/)

Just some highlights to get you started:

"revenues have fallen dramatically while spending pressure has grown...governors' 2004 budget proposals reflect the use of spending reductions, revenue increases, reserve funds...."

"Thirty-seven states reduced fiscal 2003 enacted budgets by nearly $14.5 billion - the largest spending cut since 1979."

"The state share of Medicaid grew by 13 percent in fiscal 2002...Additionally, 25 states experienced Medicaid shortfalls in fiscal 2002 and 28 states had them in fiscal 2003."

"In fiscal 2004, more than two-thirds of the nations' governors recommended that expenditure growth be held below 5 percent. A historically high 19 states proposed negative growth budgets."

Next time you hear someone say things are 'really better than you think they are' start digging, because it's really piling up around here.