RCP: Top 10 States in Budget Trouble

From www.realclearpolitics.com with information provided by the Center on Budget and Policy Priorities and the Wall Street Journal.

(Ed - I'm surprised that Michigan, Ohio and Minnesota haven't made the list. I know their budget troubles dwarf North Carolina and a few other states that did make the list)

With the country in economic turmoil, it's no great secret that budget woes are plaguing nearly every state legislature and governor. But just as the stimulus package provides different benefits to different areas, the depth and breadth of the downturn is more severe for some states than others. Here, we take a look at the 10 states that have the largest deficits to deal with--from coast to coast, these unfortunate areas have the biggest gaps to close, and in many cases, it won't be easy.

California

FY2009 Deficit: $13,700,000,000

Projected Stimulus Funds: $7,854,800,000

Governor: Arnold Schwarzenegger (R)

Up for Reelection in 2010?: No

Job Approval Rating: 38% Approve, 54% Disapprove*

*Source: Field Research Corp. 3/3/09

Illinois

FY2009 Deficit: $4,300,000,000

Projected Stimulus Funds: $2,713,550,000

Governor: Pat Quinn (D)

Up for Reelection in 2010?: Yes

Job Approval Rating: 49% Approve, 6% Disapprove*

*Source: Chicago Tribune 2/11/09

New Jersey

FY2009 Deficit: $3,600,000,000

Projected Stimulus Funds: $1,763,258,000

Governor: Jon Corzine (D)

Up for Reelection in 2009?: Yes

Job Approval Rating: 40% Approve, 50% Disapprove*

*Source: Quinnipiac 3/12/09

Massachusetts
FY2009 Deficit: $2,400,000,000

Projected Stimulus Funds: $1,314,888,000

Governor: Deval Patrick (D)

Up for Reelection in 2010?: Yes

Job Approval Rating: 28% Approve, 68% Disapprove*

*Source: SurveyUSA 2/26/09

Florida

FY2009 Deficit: $2,300,000,000

Projected Stimulus Funds: $3,546,800,000

Governor: Charlie Crist (R)

Up for Reelection in 2010?: Yes

Job Approval Rating: 67% Approve, 22% Disapprove*

*Source: Quinnipiac 2/18/09

Pennsylvania
FY2009 Deficit: $2,300,000,000

Projected Stimulus Funds: $2,528,086,000

Governor: Edward Rendell (D)

Up for Reelection in 2010?: No

Job Approval Rating: 47% Approve, 38% Disapprove*

*Source: Quinnipiac 2/11/09

Georgia

FY2009 Deficit: $1,999,662,000

Projected Stimulus Funds: $2,200,000,000

Governor: Sonny Perdue (R)

Up for Reelection in 2010?: No

Job Approval Rating: 57% Approve, 39% Disapprove*

*Source: Rasmussen 12/11/2008

North Carolina
FY2009 Deficit: $2,000,000,000

Projected Stimulus Funds: $1,838,396,000

Governor: Bev Perdue (D)

Up for Reelection in 2010?: No

Job Approval Rating: 43% Approve, 32% Disapprove*

*Source: Public Policy Polling 2/18/09

Connecticut
FY2009 Deficit: $1,700,000,000

Projected Stimulus Funds: $718,194,000

Governor: M. Jodi Rell (R)

Up for Reelection in 2010?: Yes

Job Approval Rating: 75% Approve, 19% Disapprove*

*Source: Quinnipiac 2/11/09

New York

FY2009 Deficit: $1,700,000,000

Projected Stimulus Funds: $3,991,858,000

Governor: David Paterson (D)

Up for Reelection in 2010?: Yes

Job Approval Rating: 26% Approve, 71% Disapprove*

*Source: Marist Institute 2/18/09 Sphere: Related Content