The Alabama Department of Revenue reports that state tax collections declined 6 percent during the first nine months of Alabama's fiscal year.

A report released Wednesday says the recession caused state sales tax collections to drop 9 percent. Personal income tax collections are down more than 8 percent, and corporate income tax collections have fallen more than 11 percent.

One bright spot in the report is the state's tax on cellular phones. It's up nearly 7 percent due to increased usage.