The Center for State and Local Finance has received an additional $100,000 award from the Volcker Alliance to expand its work on fiscal integrity in state government.

Led by researcher Alex Hathaway, the study will examine budget practices, debt, reserve funds, retiree health care and more in fiscal years 2018 and 2019 for 10 states: Colorado, Georgia, Maryland, Minnesota, Nebraska, New Mexico, North Carolina, South Carolina, Virginia and Wisconsin.

It is the third phase of research conducted by CSLF for the New York-based Volcker Alliance as part of its Truth and Integrity in Government Finance project. Researchers from eight universities – including the Andrew Young School of Policy Studies at Georgia State University – are leading a multiyear study to improve budgeting and fiscal sustainability in all 50 states.

To date, CSLF has received more than $300,000 in funding related to the project. Earlier research focused on states in the southern U.S. The third phase of research expands to other regions.

Hathaway is leading work on a series of Georgia State reports detailing fiscal health in the South. Several reports have already been released, including publications on rainy day funds, retiree health costs and funding, revenue forecasting and fiscal transparency.

“The state budget affects every citizen in some way, but understanding how states maintain a balanced budget can be a very complex task,” Hathaway said. “Our research offers a clearer picture of the fiscal practices in the South and around the nation.

“We hope our research spurs state governments to improve transparency practices and leads to greater citizen trust and engagement.”