Financial troubles echo across the US

California has been garnering a lot of unwanted attention recently over the dire condition of its public finances. While California may be the most visible example – it is issuing IOUs to creditors instead of cash – our map shows that other states across the US have budgetary troubles.

Lawmakers had to close a projected cumulative budget gap of $143bn for fiscal year 2010, according to data released on Monday by the National Conference of State Legislatures, a research group.

Falling revenues from income and property taxes leave US states facing new budget shortfalls and will likely force state legislators to make difficult decisons, including cutting spending on essential services such as healthcare, education and welfare.

Which one may be the next to follow California’s unenviable example of issuing IOUs to students and cancer patients? Our interactive graphic shows the “state of the states”, and shows those in most trouble.

Read more: US states face tough decisions