Representative

Maxine T. Bell

Idaho

Representative

Kyle Yamashita

Hawaii

The fiscal affairs committee provides a forum for chairs and members of the West’s finance and appropriation committees to exchange ideas and experiences on issues affecting state budgets as well as the region. Fiscal issues associated with the impact of the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA) of 2009, revenue forecasting, performance-based budgeting, state fiscal trends, e-commerce and taxation are among the issues before this committee.

For more information on the FISCAL AFFAIRS COMMITTEE

Please contact CSG-WEST staff:

Cheryl Lee Duvauchelle, phone (415) 330-0312 or email This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

2009 Highlights: The Fiscal Affairs Committee concentrated on the role and impact of the American Recovery & Reinvestment Act (ARRA). Members received an excellent historical perspective on recessions, stretching back to the Great Depression; a significant overview of ARRA and an overview on Oregon as a case study for its efforts to integrate stimulus funds, creating sustainable, long-term jobs and bolstering the state’s green energy economy.

2008 Highlights: Looking at past recessions, the Fiscal Affairs Committee members compared past and present data on wages and salaries and non-wage income, goods consumption, housing, and tax collections, among other topics. From mineral severance taxes to the impact of Medicaid and other health care costs on state budgets, fiscal leaders shared their concerns, experiences and good ideas on a wide-range of important state budget issues.

2007 Highlights: With growing prison populations putting considerable pressure on state budgets, the Fiscal Affairs committee explored justice reinvestment strategies to reduce corrections spending. They also looked at what states should be doing in the ‘good times’ to prepare for the next crisis or economic downturn.

2006 Highlights: Lawmakers with expertise in budgets and appropriations met with experts on key economic and fiscal trends in the West. Participants also looked at how states can build more effective tax structures.

2005 Highlights: Legislative fiscal leaders explored the successes and challenges of dynamic revenue analysis with experienced fiscal staff directors from California, New Mexico and Oregon. Fiscal consultant Bill Conerly discussed national and global forces driving western state economies, especially factors important to state revenues.