Fresh Loaf

The Nelson A. Rockefeller Institute of Government recently looked at states’ revenue streams and discovered, whoa, hey, this appears to be the worst year on record.

State tax collections during the first quarter 2009 showed the sharpest decline on record, dropping 11.7 percent overall, according to an Institute report released July 17… Early figures for the second quarter reveal continued worsening of fiscal conditions for states.

According to the report (PDF), Georgia leads the pack when it comes to declines in sales-tax revenue.

Forty of 45 states with broad-based sales taxes had declines, and eleven states had double-digit declines. Iowa had the largest increase at 18.5 percent which is attributable to legislated tax increases. Georgia led the states with the largest decline at 16.3 percent followed by Nevada at 16.0 percent.

The institute predicts more budget shortfalls and financial hardships for states. Last Tuesday, Gov. Sonny Perdue told agency heads to trim their budgets once more to help fill a $900 million shortfall. Some teachers face three furlough days.

Not the best way to start the upcoming school year, but you work with what you’ve got.

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On July 1, a bunch of new laws covering everything from Confederate Heritage History Month to boll weevil eradication went into effect in Georgia.

One of those laws allows MARTA riders to consume food and drinks at transit stations — which means MARTA could sell them as well. The cash-strapped transit agency hopes the deal might add some much-needed revenue.

MARTA doesn’t know it, but it’s missing a gold mine. Here, free of charge, is one suggestion to make efficient use of space and maximize profits.

You are welcome. (H/T to Adrifting)

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Lock up your wives and daughters, mates! Walter Jones of Morris News Service and the Dalton Daily Citizen report that the Georgia General Assembly might have to return to the Gold Dome for a special session. The reason? The budget.

From Jones:

The length and depth of the current recession has prompted round after round of cutbacks in state spending, and now legislators are talking about the need for a special session to address it.

Tax collections were down in May, putting the decline at 10 percent for the 11 months of the fiscal year to date.

Economists say the recovery in the overall economy could begin in the fall, but state revenues lag, primarily because consumers continue to hold on to their money until they personally feel an improvement, say through a pay raise, bonus or promotion. The last recession resulted in depressed state revenues for about two years after the economy officially recovered.

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Georgia saw another tough month in May, collecting 14 percent less than the same time last year, Gov. Sonny Perdue’s office says. Revenue collections from sales taxes, income taxes and other BIG GOVMINT CAPITALISM-KILLIN’ TACTICS are down 10 percent for the year. (To see a PDF of the tax collection figures, click here.)

At least we’re not alone, right? The New York Times, writing on a recent report about how states are faring during the hard-hit economy, says:

Thirty-one states said estimates about personal income taxes had been overly optimistic, and 25 said that all three major tax categories — sales taxes, personal income taxes and corporate taxes — were not keeping up with projections.

Even gloomy-Gus states that saw the recession coming and low-balled their tax estimates had little room for celebration, the report said. “The handful of states that have weathered the economic decline reasonably well are starting to report adverse revenue developments,” it said. “The news is alarming.”

A few states have seen rises in some taxes and drops in others. No one’s been whacked as hard as New York, however — its revenues are off nearly 50 percent compared to last fiscal year.

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Earlier today, Gov. Sonny Perdue told reporters the soon-to-be-released April 2009 revenue figures were “not encouraging.”

He wasn’t fibbing. The revenue figures landed in our inboxes a few minutes ago. And to be honest, they’re rather terrible.

Net revenue collections of sales, personal income and corporate incomes taxes last month totaled $1.4 billion, down from $1.8 billion the same time last year. That’s a decrease of 20.6 percent. The year-to-date decrease in revenue collection is 9.6 percent.

According to figures released by the governor’s office, however, booze is still selling like it’s hot.

Perdue did note that last April’s figures were some of the highest the state had ever recorded. But man,  governor, you’ve made the right choice to veto the giant tax-cutting beast sitting on your desk. That thing might get you on Grover Norquist’s speed dial, but it’d just push the state deeper into the red.

If you’re a numbers lover, download the April 2009 revenue figures. (Warning: PDF)

(Photo by Joeff Davis)

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Amount, in percentage, total taxes and other revenues decreased in March 2009 compared to March 2008: 14.5

Amount, in percentage, individual income tax revenue declined in March 2009 compared to March 2008: 18.8

Amount, in percentage, sales tax revenue declined in March 2009 compared to March 2008: 5.9

Amount, in percentage, gas tax revenue declined in March 2009 compared to March 2008: 28.6

Amount, in percentage, alcoholic beverage tax revenue increased as of March 2009: 8

Estimated amount of money, in sales tax, Sunday beer and wine sales could generate: $3.3 million

Number of states other than Georgia that ban alcohol sales in stores on Sunday: 2

Number of times in the last three years state lawmakers have tried to pass a bill allowing Sunday sales: 3

Percentage of Georgians in a 2008 poll who support Sunday sales: 65

Sources: ajc.com, Georgia Department of Revenue, AJC/Mason Dixon poll

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Black Friday, who loves ya, baby?

From Gov. Sonny Perdue’s office:

ATLANTA – Governor Sonny Perdue announced today that net revenue collections for the month of November 2008 (FY09) totaled $1,419,543,000 compared to $1,399,595,000 for November 2007 (FY08), an increase of $19,948,000 or 1.4 percent.

The percentage decrease year-to-date for FY09 compared to FY08 is -1.3 percent.

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From the governor’s office (emphasis added):

ATLANTA – Governor Sonny Perdue announced today that net revenue collections for the month of September 2008 (FY09) totaled $1,632,334,000 compared to $1,561,749,000 for September 2007 (FY08), an increase of $70,585,000 or 4.5 percent.

The percentage decrease year-to-date for FY09 compared to FY08 is 2.6 percent.

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Bad times down in Tyrone, a little town in Fayette County, as revenues have fallen way below the cost of keeping potholes filled and cops on the street.

But, are you serious?

The Police Department, hit with a July fuel bill of $9,000, nearly double the average bill, has changed shifts to reduce police vehicle use.

Officers also will use a golf cart recently bought with confiscated drug funds.

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