The Mega Millions lotto pot for Jan. 15 is the second largest it's ever been. Taxes on the lotto go to state governments, but often the money isn't spent in quite the way it's supposed to be.
Most states have avoided deep education budget cuts this year, but they project revenue shortfalls for the coming school year.
Michael M. Santiago/Getty Images
The pandemic recession has reduced US energy demand, roiling budgets in states that are major fossil fuel producers. But politics and culture can impede efforts to look beyond oil, gas and coal.
The pandemic isn't just a health disaster. It's a disaster for cities and states, where the money to run government that normally comes in every year has evaporated. Congress may or may not help.