2008 legislative year in review

Looking for a comprehensive summary of the legislatures that convened in 2008? Stateline.org has it. The Nelson Rockefeller Institute of Government released a study suggesting that some states have already fallen into a recession with state tax collections at their lowest in nearly five years. Here's your CliffsNotes version of the reports from the Rockefeller Institute and stateline.org:

• Revenues dip: 23 states had to address $26 billion in shortfalls as they put together their new budgets this year. Worst hit were Arizona, California ($3 billion deficit), Florida, and Nevada, mainly because of the collapse of the housing market;

• Not for oil and grain states: Budget surpluses exist in North Dakota ($740 million), Texas ($10.7 billion), and here in Arkansas ($176.5 million);

• Economy slows big health care reform proposals: The push for universal health care in individual states has slowed due to sluggish revenue and miscalculated costs of health care expansions.

• Other top issues debated in the state houses include illegal immigration, abortion, racial discrimination, global warming, and water rights.