Amid gloomy reports of government budget deficits, there was some good news at the National Governors Association meeting in Washington. State tax revenue has been rising at the fastest pace since 2006. Many states are even reporting surpluses.

The city is asking tax-exempt institutions like universities and hospitals to voluntarily pay more property taxes. Please.

But in Georgia, lobbying leads to exemptions for most services targeted for a tax.

The bill is similar to Wisconsin's, but will also weaken the bargaining rights for public sector employees like police and firefighters.

Faced with a massive budget shortfall, Texan lawmakers target four rural, community colleges -- sometimes, the only higher education available for hundreds of miles.