State Government Tax Collections Down $14 Billion Nationwide

File this one in the "misery loves company" department.

Florida legislators have been fretting over the state's $3.75 billion deficit, but they are not alone. Other states will be under the same pressure to balance their budgets, if thedata released Wednesday by the U.S. Census Bureau is anything to go by.

State governments collected $704.6 billion in revenue in the 2010 fiscal year, about $14 billion less than in 2009. Florida's share was $31.5 billion, the vast majority of which was collected from sales and gross receipts taxes.

There were only 11 states with tax revenue increases last year, with North Dakota leading the way with the highest jump at 9.6 percent.

If Florida legislators are looking to increase revenues, though, economic growth -- not tax increases -- will be vital to their success. Most state leaders -- iincluding Gov. Rick Scott, who has actually called for tax cuts --have pledged not to increase taxes in any way in order to balance the budget.

Chairman of the Senate Budget Committee, Sen. J.D. Alexander, R-Lake Wales, announced on the Senate floor Wednesday that extensive budget meetings will commence next week.