budgets

European leaders have agreed on the details of a new treaty that requires countries to balance their budgets and limit their deficits.

It's a long-term solution to the continent's debt troubles.

The euro fell to $1.29 today, its lowest since January. Experts say it's a sign Europe is still hurting, despite last week's proposed treaty to crack down on budgets.

Companies’ compensation budgets remain tight, so workers need to gather information before approaching the boss.

The dismissal of suits by retired public workers in Colorado and Minnesota may embolden other states and cities to use pension reductions as a tool to help balance their budgets.

In their push to downsize the federal bureaucracy, Republican lawmakers are flooding the field with proposals to lower federal spending.

But, in a twist, their cuts could hit state and local budgets the hardest.

Despite shrinking budgets, these schools continue to deliver a stellar education at an affordable price.

The latest on the status of the Bush-era tax cuts, tech toys friendly to budgets and other consumer-focused items from Thursday's Times.

The Senate passed a bill to help states weather the tough economy. The House will vote on it next week. The $26 billion measure will go toward helping states fund their Medicaid budgets and forestall teacher layoffs.

The legislation has its critics, though. Nancy Marshall Genzer reports.

States filled an $84 billion gap to balance their 2011 fiscal year budgets, which took effect earlier this month.

But they could collectively face a new $12 billion hole if Congress fails to help cover growing Medicaid costs.

States are looking to the federal government for more help balancing their budgets, but the Senate is not heeding their call.