At least 18 states have taken or are considering steps to ease requirements for workers compensation as the virus puts a wider range of front-line employees in danger.
New Jersey is rated three steps below benchmark debt, with a negative outlook. A one-step downgrade would place it with California and Illinois in the single-A category.
New York state and localities including Westchester County borrowed a record $1.4 billion to cover retirement contributions this year, showing how even the wealthiest communities are struggling to make the payments.