many state governments are feeling right now.  Unfortunately, as bad as the budget shortfalls are for this year, they are projected to be even worse in 2012.... While state revenues -- shrunken as a result of the recession -- are finally starting to improve somewhat, federal stimulus money that had propped up state budgets is vanishing and costs are rising, all of which has left state leaders bracing for what is next. For now, states have budget gaps of $26 billion, by some estimates, and foresee shortfalls of at least $82 billion as they look to next year's budgets. So what is the solution? Well, for state and local politicians from coast to coast, the answer to these financial problems is to impose austerity measures.  Of course they never, ever use the term "austerity measures", but that is exactly what they are. The following are 22 signs that austerity has already arrived in America and that it is going to be very, very painful.... #1 The financial manager of the Detroit Public Schools, Robert Bobb, has submitted a proposal to close half of all the schools in the city.  His plan envisions class sizes of up to 62 students in the remaining schools. #2 Detroit Mayor Dave Bing wants to cut off 20 percent of the entire city from police and trash services in order to save money. #4 New York Governor Andrew Cuomo is proposing to completely eliminate 20 percent of state agencies. #5 New York City Mayor Michael