The 2008 state legislative season launches this month under a fiscal cloud in a number of states, where ambitious education initiatives--including expanded pre-K programs, college- or career-preparation efforts, and improved teacher pay--may end up being balanced against gloomy revenue projections. A revenue slowdown--foreshadowed last month in reports by the Denver-based National Conference of State Legislatures and by the National Governors Association and the National Association of State Budget Officers, in Washington--comes as states prepare to tackle such potentially costly issues as education equity and adequacy and the condition of school facilities. Despite such concerns, 16 states have told the NCSL that K-12 education--which, along with health care, typically accounts for about half of a state's general-fund expenditures--is among the top priorities for 2008.