On the other hand, the BLS reported that Texas added nearly 30, 000 jobs, the tenth month in a row that the state showed positive employment growth.

FORBES: Mixed Texas Jobs Numbers Spur Debate

The West is Australia's largest state, with just one-tenth of the country's population.

ECONOMIST: The global reach of China's boom

Howard Frank, dean of the University of Maryland's Smith School of Business, says that state money now fills about a tenth of his coffers, against 50-60% five years ago.

ECONOMIST: State universities