Posted at 10:57 a.m., Tuesday, December 11, 2001

State tax revenues up a tad in November

Advertiser Staff

State tax collections marginally increased last month, though the revenue from the largest sources -- general excise and use taxes -- declined.

Collections from the hotel tax also dropped, decreasing by 25 percent as the slump in tourism continues to hurt the hotel industry following the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks.

The state Department of Taxation said tax revenues for November amounted to $246.5 million, an increase of 0.3 percent over the same month last year.

The Council on Revenues projected earlier this year that the general fund would decrease by 0.7 percent in the 2001-2002 fiscal year compared to 2000-2001.

Tax collections are watched closely as a measure of the state's economic health. The figures also determine whether lawmakers need to cut state programs or can expand them.