States rebound with big budgets

The state of play: States including Florida, Maryland, Colorado, New York, Utah and Washington are planning spending budgets that are up 10% or more, while Oklahoma has planned a spending budget 18% greater than its previous one, per AP.

The big picture: The abundance of spending cash is a result of both federal aid given to states as part of coronavirus pandemic relief, as well as a rebound in consumer spending as the economy opens back up and sales tax revenues increase, according to the wire service.

• A Pew study published in May noted that state tax revenues have recovered from their pandemic-induced slump and in some cases surpassed their pre-pandemic numbers.

What they're saying: "Last year: shaky foundation. This year: solid foundation,” said Oklahoma state Sen. Roger Thompson (R), per AP.

• “Revenues have performed much, much better than I would have ever anticipated during a pandemic,” said Missouri state Budget Director Dan Haug, per AP.