Are healthcare/welfare/pensions the biggest pressures on state budgets?

[Blue3]

Are healthcare, welfare, and pensions the biggest pressures on state budgets?


Most other parts of state budgets, such as:

*public utilities
*transportation & other infrastructure maintenance
*environmental management
*justice system, courts, prisons, police
*firefighters
*agriculture commissions
*election commissions
*arts commissions
*trade & development & zoning commissions
*business and labor regulation agencies
*garbage disposal
*ports/airports
*tourism
*gambling
*sports
*libraries
*parks
*animal shelters
*cemeteries
*general administration
etc.

..seem pretty manageable and static costs (unless the legislature chooses to change policy).

Even Education.

Even big emergencies aren't that common budget-breakers.




And, if they are, doesn't it make sense that, since state/municipal budgets need to be balanced and the federal budget doesn't, that the best way to relieve pressure on the states is to have the federal government absorb responsibility for these areas completely?

[All Along The Watchtower]

I would say the lack of tax revenue and the massive financial costs (among other, broader social costs) that result from poverty, low wages, unemployment, underemployment, declining labor force participation rates, and so many working-age adults being imprisoned all combine to put a massive strain on state budgets - especially considering how much federal assistance to the states has been reduced or at best, block-granted.

[(Still) muted by Kalwejt until March 31]

Yes; pensions are a huge strain on many blue-state govts. Illinois is a famous case.

[KingSweden]

Pensions more so than the other two, IMO