From PRI, Public Radio International and KCRW Santa Monica, this is To the Point.

Should states declare bankruptcy?

Hello again, I'm Orman Alney, and this is To the Point from Public Radio International, the daily look at the issues Americans care about most.

Currently, it's against

the law. Even talking out loud might disrupt the municipal bond market, but it is being whispered

about on Capitol Hill. State bankruptcy. State shortfalls add up to $82 billion. Massive cuts

threaten the sick, the public schools, and infrastructure. Forget about any federal bailout.

The conservative movement sees a chance to shrink government once and for all.

Contracts with public workers and their pensions, maybe the next targets.

We'll hear which states are the worst off and how their decisions might shape the United States for years to come.

On reporters' notebook later on, The Palestine Papers.

First, here's the news.

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Hello again, Mormon-Aulney. Back with To the Point. The majority of the United States have budget

gaps so large that closing them with cuts alone could seriously damage health care, public education, and infrastructure.

But politicians have sworn not to raise taxes. Now there's talk about states going bankrupt.

We'll hear about fiscal issues that could determine America's future.

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