States facing money trouble too, services likely will be cut

Forty-three states already face shortfalls

for their budgets this year and/or next year. The Center on Budget and Policy Priorities projected that nearly all states will face shortfalls by 2010. It expects the deficit shortfall to total over $100 billion by 2010.

So what does all this mean for you? Certainly not lower taxes, but you could end up losing services. Here's some of the cuts predicted (or already happening):

* Health care: 17 states have already made cuts or are considering cuts to programs for low-income children and family health programs.

* Education: 16 states are thinking about cutting K-12 and early education spending. 21 states have implemented or proposed cuts to public colleges and universities.

* 20 states have implemented or proposed cuts to the state workforce -- in other words more layoffs