The phrase "state billions" refers to a large amount of money, specifically in the billions, that is owned or controlled by the government of a particular state or country. Full definition
Re: Original post: Does the Competition actual state a billion tons per year? (realclimate.org)
Testing alone costs states billions of dollars each year and that was under NCLB. (indypendent.org)
Climate Change Solutions Carbon Cap and Trade - A Looming Battle Among States Carbon Tax, Not More Financial Engineering, Best Way to Reduce Greenhouse Gas Emissions: Jeffrey Sachs Climate Change Will Cost US States Billions of Dollars (treehugger.com)