The latest state revenue reports show that the state’s economy continues to slowly improve. Most energy prices have increased and sales tax collections are up 83 million dollars from the previous year.
Economist Jim Robinson with the state economic analysis division said the sales tax numbers are up statewide.
“I think with the exception of three or four counties all of the remaining counties are showing over the year gains. And I think there was only one industry that was lagging last year and that was the information sector and that’s a fairly small sector. But a lot of that gain is because of mining and that’s 71 percent ahead of last year.”
Robinson said that he’s been surprised by the rise in oil prices, but also notes that natural gas prices are lower than expected.
