Key takeaways
- 47 governors propose new budgets for fiscal 2028 in the 2026-27 cycle; Kentucky, Virginia and Wyoming enacted two-year budgets in 2026.
- 16 states propose two-year budgets covering fiscal 2028 and 2029.
- Colorado (November 2) and Arkansas (November 6) have released proposals so far; most others come out between December and February.
- Proposals show where new money is headed before legislatures act, which makes them an early signal for vendors.
Why governors' budget proposals matter to vendors
A governor's budget proposal is the first public signal of what a state plans to fund in the coming year. It names new programs, grants to local governments and agency priorities months before the legislature adopts a final budget.
2027 is a big budget year. Sixteen states propose two-year budgets covering fiscal 2028 and 2029, many states have new governors setting their first budgets, and most proposals are released between December 2026 and February 2027.
2027 budget proposals by state
Status as of November 8, 2026. "Budget period" is the fiscal year or biennium the proposal covers. Timing is each state's usual deadline or practice; newly elected governors often get extra time.
| State | Budget period | Fiscal year starts | Usual timing | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Alabama | FY2028 | Oct. 1 | February, by the 2nd legislative day | Not yet released |
| Alaska | FY2028 | July 1 | Dec. 15 | Not yet released |
| Arizona | FY2028 | July 1 | January, within 5 days of convening | Not yet released |
| Arkansas | FY2028 | July 1 | November | Released Nov. 6, 2026 |
| California | FY2028 | July 1 | Jan. 10 | Not yet released |
| Colorado | FY2028 | July 1 | Nov. 1 | Released Nov. 2, 2026 |
| Connecticut | FY2028-29 | July 1 | February | Not yet released |
| Delaware | FY2028 | July 1 | By Feb. 1 | Not yet released |
| Florida | FY2028 | July 1 | About 30 days before the March 2 session | Not yet released |
| Georgia | FY2028 | July 1 | January (2nd week) | Not yet released |
| Hawaii | FY2028-29 | July 1 | December | Not yet released |
| Idaho | FY2028 | July 1 | January, within 5 days of convening | Not yet released |
| Illinois | FY2028 | July 1 | February (3rd Wednesday) | Not yet released |
| Indiana | FY2028-29 | July 1 | January (2nd Monday) | Not yet released |
| Iowa | FY2028 | July 1 | By Feb. 1 | Not yet released |
| Kansas | FY2028 | July 1 | January | Not yet released |
| Kentucky | FY2027-28 | July 1 | Two-year budget enacted in 2026 | Two-year budget already enacted |
| Louisiana | FY2028 | July 1 | 45 days before the April 12 session | Not yet released |
| Maine | FY2028-29 | July 1 | January; a newly elected governor has until early February | Not yet released |
| Maryland | FY2028 | July 1 | January (3rd Wednesday) | Not yet released |
| Massachusetts | FY2028 | July 1 | January (4th Wednesday) | Not yet released |
| Michigan | FY2028 | Oct. 1 | Within 30 days of convening | Not yet released |
| Minnesota | FY2028-29 | July 1 | January (4th Tuesday); a new governor has until mid-February | Not yet released |
| Mississippi | FY2028 | July 1 | Nov. 15 | Not yet released |
| Missouri | FY2028 | July 1 | Within 30 days of convening | Not yet released |
| Montana | FY2028-29 | July 1 | Nov. 15 | Not yet released |
| Nebraska | FY2028-29 | July 1 | Jan. 15 | Not yet released |
| Nevada | FY2028-29 | July 1 | January, before the Feb. 1 session | Not yet released |
| New Hampshire | FY2028-29 | July 1 | Feb. 15 | Not yet released |
| New Jersey | FY2028 | July 1 | February (4th Tuesday) | Not yet released |
| New Mexico | FY2028 | July 1 | Early January | Not yet released |
| New York | FY2028 | April 1 | By Feb. 1 in the year after a governor's election | Not yet released |
| North Carolina | FY2028-29 | July 1 | March | Not yet released |
| North Dakota | FY2028-29 | July 1 | December, at the organizational session | Not yet released |
| Ohio | FY2028-29 | July 1 | Within 4 weeks of convening; a new governor has until March 15 | Not yet released |
| Oklahoma | FY2028 | July 1 | February | Not yet released |
| Oregon | FY2028-29 | July 1 | Dec. 1 | Not yet released |
| Pennsylvania | FY2028 | July 1 | February; March in a governor's first term | Not yet released |
| Rhode Island | FY2028 | July 1 | January (3rd Thursday); a new governor has until early February | Not yet released |
| South Carolina | FY2028 | July 1 | January | Not yet released |
| South Dakota | FY2028 | July 1 | Early December | Not yet released |
| Tennessee | FY2028 | July 1 | Feb. 1; a new governor has until March 1 | Not yet released |
| Texas | FY2028-29 | Sept. 1 | Early in session | Not yet released |
| Utah | FY2028 | July 1 | December | Not yet released |
| Vermont | FY2028 | July 1 | January | Not yet released |
| Virginia | FY2027-28 | July 1 | Two-year budget enacted in 2026; amendments proposed in December | Two-year budget already enacted |
| Washington | FY2028-29 | July 1 | By Dec. 20 | Not yet released |
| West Virginia | FY2028 | July 1 | January (2nd Wednesday) | Not yet released |
| Wisconsin | FY2028-29 | July 1 | January or February | Not yet released |
| Wyoming | FY2027-28 | July 1 | Two-year budget enacted in 2026; supplemental requests in November | Two-year budget already enacted |
Sources: NASBO's proposed and enacted budget tracker and state budget pages, The Book of the States, Colorado Politics and the Arkansas Advocate. Release timing can change; check each governor's or budget office's website.
Released proposals
| State | Released | Budget period | Highlights |
|---|---|---|---|
| Arkansas | Nov. 6, 2026 | FY2028 | Nearly $7 billion general revenue budget; projects a $449 million surplus and proposes another income tax cut, with more for Medicaid, SNAP and school vouchers. |
| Colorado | Nov. 2, 2026 | FY2028 | $51.2 billion total, $18.9 billion general fund (up 2.6%), with a projected $1.6 billion shortfall. Updated proposal due Jan. 2, 2027. |
When to expect each proposal
| Expected | States | Which |
|---|---|---|
| Released | 2 | Arkansas, Colorado |
| November 2026 | 2 | Mississippi, Montana |
| December 2026 | 7 | Alaska, Hawaii, North Dakota, Oregon, South Dakota, Utah, Washington |
| January 2027 | 19 | Arizona, California, Delaware, Georgia, Idaho, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Maryland, Massachusetts, Minnesota, Nebraska, Nevada, New Mexico, New York, Rhode Island, South Carolina, Vermont, West Virginia |
| Late January to February 2027 | 4 | Florida, Michigan, Missouri, Texas |
| February 2027 | 10 | Alabama, Connecticut, Illinois, Louisiana, Maine, New Hampshire, New Jersey, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, Wisconsin |
| March 2027 | 3 | North Carolina, Ohio, Tennessee |
Expected timing is based on each state's deadline and practice; first budgets from newly elected governors can come later. Kentucky, Virginia and Wyoming enacted two-year budgets in 2026 and propose only amendments or supplemental requests.
What to watch in the 2027 proposals
- Two-year budgets. In the 16 biennial states, the 2027 proposal sets spending for two years, so priorities named now can shape purchases through mid-2029.
- New governors. First budgets from newly elected governors often come later and carry new priorities. See how vendors get ahead of the governor transitions.
- Tighter budgets. Several states are projecting shortfalls; Colorado's request, for example, closes a projected $1.6 billion gap. Expect closer scrutiny of new spending and more interest in cost savings.
- Federal changes. Proposals are absorbing federal cost shifts in programs such as Medicaid and SNAP, which can crowd out other spending.
- Money for local governments. Watch for state grants and aid to cities, counties, school districts and utilities, which often turn into local purchases.
How vendors can use the tracker
- Read the proposal for your category. Search the budget documents for programs, agencies and capital projects tied to what you sell.
- Reach the agency early. Agencies named in a proposal start planning before the budget passes. That's the time to understand their needs.
- Follow the legislature. Track how the proposal changes during session. See our 2027 legislative session calendar.
- Plan for the fiscal year start. New money usually becomes available when the fiscal year begins. See the government fiscal year calendar.
How KSG helps
Kensington Sales Group's SDRs follow budgets and buying signals and book meetings with agencies preparing to spend. See how our government lead generation works.
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