“…A study from the Center on Budget and Policy Priorities reveals 47 of the 50 states are facing substantial budget gaps this year…. All told, the states are nearly $60 billion in the hole for 2009. Next year, the gap will grow to $133 billion. Experts say it won't get better at any time soon. Elizabeth McNichol: “We know from past recessions, which were milder, that even once the recession ends, state revenues remain depressed for two or three years.”