States beleaguered by budget woes set to ring in Independence Day without fiscal game plan

COLUMBUS, Ohio — Several states are facing the prospect of government shutdowns and program cuts as they enter the first weekend of the fiscal year and July Fourth holiday without a budget in place.

States facing shutdowns, cuts, wrestle with tax revenue drop in worsening financial crisis

COLUMBUS, Ohio — An across-the-board drop in tax collections, coupled with a prolonged recession, has states facing their worst fiscal crisis in decades.

States race to keep governments running as California governor declares fiscal emergency

SACRAMENTO, Calif. — The finances of several states around the nation are sinking deeper into chaos as lawmakers struggle to work out budget differences amid a recession that has wiped out tax revenue and set the stage for dramatic cuts in service and pay for government workers.

Calif. Senate fails to break budget deadlock; other states work to keep governments running

SACRAMENTO, Calif. — Legislators in more than a half-dozen states, their revenues evaporating in the recession, frantically worked to stave off government shutdowns and devastating service cuts. California failed to meet a midnight deadline and now may need to issue IOUs instead of paying bills.

Calif. Senate fails to break budget deadlock as fiscal year ends; state prepares for IOUs

SACRAMENTO — The California Senate has shut down for the night after failing to approve a stopgap plan to stave off the need for IOUs and ease the state’s $24.3 billion budget deficit.