The Chicago Teachers’ Mystery Audits

The Wall Street Journal | February 1, 2026

The Chicago Teachers Union (CTU) has resisted making its financial audits public, and we are starting to learn why. The union recently produced audits going back to 2020, and the records show that its finances haven’t always received a clean slate by its official independent auditor.

What the fraud in Minnesota can teach Illinois

Chicago Tribune | January 16, 2026

Op-ed by Sheila Weinberg, "The Chicago Tribune recently exposed disturbing oversight failures in Minnesota’s federally funded programs, problems that have led to fraud investigations and federal payment freezes. But this is not unique to Minnesota. Illinois’s most recent Single Audit reveals similar systemic breakdowns in federal program oversight, showing that federal taxpayers’ money is at risk far beyond one state."

Each taxpayer’s share of the state debt: $4,100

John LaPlante | Michigan Capitol Confidential | October 8, 2025

Paying off the obligations the state of Michigan owes public retirees and others would require each taxpayer to surrender another $4,100 to the public treasury, according to a new report from a nonprofit that analyzes state budgets. The report also warns that Michigan’s budget could face an 8% shortfall if the federal government were to reduce its financial support of Michigan to its pre-pandemic level.

Illinois taxpayers each owe $38,800 for state’s unpaid bills

Patrick Andriesen | Illinois Policy Institute | October 3, 2025

llinois taxpayers in 2024 owed an average of $38,800 each, ranking No. 3 in the U.S. Illinois earned an “F” for fiscal management.

Top 5 States That Are in Debt

Bill O'Reilly | Bill O'Reilly | October 1, 2025

Clip from No Spin News discussing the latest Financial State of the States report.

Report: Michigan improves but taxpayers owe $4,100 each

Elyse Apel | The Center Square | October 1, 2025

(The Center Square) – Michigan ranked 32nd nationally, according to Truth in Accounting’s 2025 “Financial State of the States” report.

Connecticut’s ‘Sinkhole State’ Problem — And Why Guardrails Matter

Meghan Portfolio | The Connecticut Centinal | September 29, 2025

On Thursday, Sept. 25, Truth in Accounting (TIA) released its annual Financial State of the States report, and once again Connecticut finds itself near the very bottom. The state earned an F, ranked 49th out of 50, and carries a per-taxpayer burden of $44,500. In simple terms, every taxpayer would have to write a check of that amount to pay off the state’s obligations today.  

Report: Texas gets 'C' grade for fiscal health

Bethany Blankley | The Center Square | September 29, 2025

(The Center Square) – Texas is among 25 states that don’t have enough money to cover their bills, according to a new report published by the nonprofit Chicago-based Truth in Accounting (TIA).

Report: Colorado can pay its bills, but future is uncertain

Elyse Apel | The Center Square | September 29, 2025

(The Center Square) – Colorado ranked 22nd nationally, according to Truth in Accounting’s 2025 “Financial State of the States” report.

Report hails Oklahoma government for financial stability

Ray Carter | OCPA | September 29, 2025

As a candidate for governor in 2018, Kevin Stitt argued the state should build up at least $2 billion in savings to weather future downturns and avoid the financial chaos that prevailed during Gov. Mary Fallin’s second term.

A national report shows that the Oklahoma government has not only achieved Stitt’s initial goal but far surpassed it, becoming one of the more financially stable state governments in the nation.

COVID Money, Accounting Tricks Reduce Hawaii's Debt

Hawaii Free Press | September 28, 2025

In 2024, Hawaii experienced an improvement in its financial situation, similar to that of many other states. But it still didn’t have enough money to pay all of its bills and needed $4.4 billion to fill the gap. That means each taxpayer would have to contribute $8,800 to help pay off the state’s debt. As a result, Hawaii earned a “D” grade from Truth in Accounting.

Virginia posts $21B surplus in new report

Shirleen Guerra | The Center Square | September 26, 2025

(The Center Square) – Virginia ended fiscal year 2024 with more money than it needed to cover its bills, placing it in the top quarter of states reviewed in a new financial report.

Tennessee gets high marks in annual report on state finances

Kim Jarrett | The Center Square | September 26, 2025

(The Center Square) – The state of Tennessee has more than enough money to pay its bills, according to the 2025 Financial State of the States report released Thursday by Truth in Accounting.

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