Lawmakers in sticky situation making state's next budget

Lawmakers are required to do just two things in 2021—pass a budget to take effect on July 1 and redraw legislative and congressional district maps based on Census data that will be released later this year.

The former occurs every two years; the latter every 10. But it's the budget that is likely to give lawmakers the most fits. After all, the state took in $1.4 billion less in tax revenue than they expected during the fiscal year that ended June 30, the result of slowed economic activity and high unemployment due to the pandemic.

And they don't know yet what revenue will look like in 2021 and beyond.

To find out what to expect, host Mason King talks with IBJ Statehouse reporter Lindsey Erdody about what legislative leaders are saying about the budget, which state programs could be on the chopping block and what spending the Republican-majority will prioritize. 

Click here to follow Lindsey's coverage of the General Assembly and read her previews of the legislative session.

The IBJ Podcast is brought to you by the law firm Krieg DeVault.