State Journal

The final budget numbers are coming in from the states for fiscal 2002. And, not surprisingly, they don't look good. The question now is, will they be even worse this time next year?

A preliminary report released July 24 by the National Conference of State Legislatures found 12 of the 42 states that reported data had cut education spending to make up budget shortfalls in fiscal 2002, which ended June 30 for most states.

It's no wonder. The Denver-based group also reported that by June 30, 46 states had accumulated $37.2 billion in budget gaps—the difference between dollars coming in...