CHALLENGES

“Simply put, early childhood programs are a key solution to prevent many of the problems that require increased social spending and result in budget deficits.”

“The House wants to fight about it so we will fight. We are ready to dig in.”

—South Dakota state Sen. Rick Bertrand, interviewed in the Sioux City Journal about the expected debate over tax-increment financing districts in 2014. that goes to the fundamental relationship between the federal government and the state of Indiana.” —Indiana Attorney General Greg Zoeller, commenting to television station RTV6 about the state and 39 public school corporations suing the IRS over the Affordable Care

Act’s employer mandate. —Quoted from a letter signed by more than 500 state legislators urging the Congressional Budget Committee to reinvest in early education.

“Growth is modest and fiscal challenges remain.”

—Scott Pattison, executive director of The National Association of State Budget Officers, as quoted in The Huffington Post about the most recent Fiscal Survey of the States report that showed a slow fiscal recovery but continued revenue and

“This is a respectful question

expenditure growth in state budgets.

“If you go to the state Senate, make sure and bring a coat. It’s going to be chilly.”

—Frank Corder writing about the 2014 Mississippi legislative session on the blog, Y’all Politics.

“I believe this is the defining challenge of our time: Making sure our economy works for every working American.”