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Archive of Taxes & Budget on Friday July 06, 2007
State on brink of shutdown
Today stands to be the last day of work before a layoff for thousands of state employees unless the Legislature and Gov. Ed Rendell make serious progress by Monday toward resolving the state budget impasse. Read More
WORTH NOTING: Money can't buy good press
New York's top Republican state senator lashes back after a newspaper scorches him over travel expenses. Kentucky's first dog has her own Web site, Internet video, and now a book deal? Visits to Internet porn sites cost an Iowa state employee his $84,500-a-year job monitoring other employees’ computer usage. In case you missed any of those stories this week, "Worth Noting" fills you in. Read More
House votes to end session on first day
In an unprecedented move, the state House shut down yesterday rather than take up the 67 items -- including tax incentives for coal-conversion plants -- that Republican Gov. Ernie Fletcher asked the legislature to consider in a special session. Read More
Plenty of doubt over lottery sale plan
The Illinois House is poised to vote as early as today on whether to lease the Illinois lottery and issue billions in bonds to pay down the state?s pension debt. Read More
State probing BP safety
State officials said Thursday in response to a congressional letter citing safety concerns at Prudhoe Bay that they have long been inspecting the North Slope oil production facilities under discussion and plan to release their findings soon. Read More
Palin hopeful that producers will apply to build gas pipeline
Gov. Sarah Palin is publicly hoping that the state's major oil producers will apply to build an Alaska natural gas pipeline. The companies remain reluctant. Read More
Palin's budget cuts leave operations intact
Last week, Gov. Sarah Palin vetoed $231 million from the capital budget for construction projects, a move that pleased many Alaskans who voted for the self-described fiscal conservative to rein in government spending. Read More
Beebe aids hospital, views rebuilding effort in Dumas
DUMAS, Ark. - Gov. Mike Beebe provided $250,000 in aid to Delta Memorial Hospital on Thursday during a tour of tornado rebuilding efforts in this southeastern Arkansas community. Read More
New budget already faces shortfall
The newly enacted state budget may already be in the red. Read More
Lawmakers criticize speed-ticket program
Revenue generated from speed-enforcement cameras should be used to put more state troopers on the Valley's highways, some legislators contend. Read More
State tuition aid for guardsmen suggested
Calling it "unconscionable" that California offers no college tuition help to its National Guard members, Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger will push to include funding in the next state budget. Read More
State to rescind $45 million in funding for L.A. Unified
The welcome news arrived in February: The state controller said he would forgo immediate claims his office had on a special payment of $70 million in state funds to the Los Angeles Unified School District, which allowed officials to sweeten the salary pot and reach agreement over a new teachers contract. Read More
State on empty -- No funds for road upgrades
The state Department of Transportation ran out of money when its budget year ended, leaving nearly $445 million in routine maintenance and safety upgrades unfunded throughout the state. Read More
Democrats deny governor's request to amend bills
Legislative leaders are rejecting Gov. Linda Lingle's last-minute request that the Legislature amend four of 33 bills that the governor is threatening to veto. Read More
Resolution declines Blue name
One name you won't soon find on the UI campus is the University of Iowa Wellmark BlueCross and BlueShield College of Public Health, public health faculty overwhelmingly decided in an emergency meeting Thursday afternoon. Read More
Strong economy pumps more tax money into Iowa
Iowa?s economy hummed along in the fiscal year that just concluded, pumping an extra $367 million in tax receipts into state coffers. Read More
Otter reiterates support for higher Idaho highway taxes
It could become more expensive to drive a car in Idaho. Read More
Pension costs growing sharply for Illinois government
Pension systems for Illinois teachers and government employees are $41 billion short of the money ultimately needed for retirement benefits. Gov. Rod Blagojevich wants to eliminate a big chunk of that shortfall by privatizing the state lottery and borrowing money to reinvest. Read More
Fireworks on the fifth
Smoke from Independence Day fireworks barely had time to clear the air above the Capitol before state lawmakers started in Thursday with their own political pyrotechnics. Read More
Illinois finalizes FutureGen lobbying contract
The state has finished hiring a prominent Washington, D.C., lobbying firm to push officials to build a prototypical power plant in Illinois. Read More
Blagojevich's lottery privitization plan likely to be scratched
Gov. Rod Blagojevich's plan to privatize the state lottery may soon join his other proposals in the Legislative dustbin. Read More
Shoppers or state will get extra tax paid at CherryVale
If you?ve shopped at CherryVale Mall since Sunday, you may want to double-check your receipts. You could be claiming back a few bucks. A few retailers at the shopping center applied Rockford?s 1 percentage-point sales-tax increase this week to its stores in the mall in Cherry Valley. Read More
Lawmakers return to Springfield
Legislators held a special session that was called by Governor Rod Blagojevich to try to end the battle over a multi-billion dollar budget. However, some lawmakers are not happy the governor refused to attend a budget hearing Thursday. Read More
House fights lottery lease
Lawmakers spent the first day of a special legislative session Thursday attacking Gov. Rod Blagojevich's plan to lease the state lottery, and a key Democratic lawmaker predicted the Illinois House would vote to condemn the idea as early as Friday. Read More
Springfield budget talks yield no progress
The Illinois House spent hours repeating familiar budget arguments. The Senate convened, then immediately adjourned. Gov. Rod Blagojevich holed up in his office. The first day of the General Assembly's special session wasn't exactly special. Read More
Sign of rising anger, property taxes
It is just one of many "For Sale" signs posted in front of some of the stately homes along North Meridian Street. Read More
Purdue construction plans include clean-coal boiler
Purdue University officials plan on moving forward with nearly $90 million in construction projects. Read More
Sebelius seeks federal aid for recent flood victims
Gov. Kathleen Sebelius on Thursday said she has requested federal assistance for southeast Kansans hit by recent floods. Read More
Senators survey S.E. Kansas flooding from air
A monumental recovery program is required to match flooding that damaged housing, industry and agriculture in 20 counties of southeast Kansas, federal and state officials said Thursday after touring the disaster zone. Read More
House lawmakers adjourn special session; Senate continues work
House lawmakers adjourned without taking any action during a special legislative session on Thursday, saying Gov. Ernie Fletcher's decision to call them back to Frankfort was ill conceived. Read More
House adjourns as session starts
In a swift rebuke to Gov. Ernie Fletcher, the House met yesterday and adjourned on the first day of a special session -- called to consider matters that Fletcher said couldn't wait until the next regular session begins in January. Read More
Blanco signs off on pay raises for assessors, clerks
Gov. Kathleen Blanco has signed into law hefty pay raises for clerks of court and assessors, and aides said Thursday she is probably going to sign into law pay raises for judges and statewide elected officials. Read More
State grants to fix sewer
The city of New Iberia's ongoing effort to bring its antiquated wastewater system up to date received a nearly $900,000 boost from the state in the recently completed legislative session. Read More
Tax breaks may burden state's next governor
The state's next governor will likely receive a pricey welcome package upon entering office -- millions of dollars in tax breaks that will have to be absorbed by the future administration. Read More
151,900 seeking Road Home
Applications from Louisiana homeowners continue to pour into the state's cash-strapped Road Home hurricane repair and buyout program as a July 31 deadline to apply for financial assistance draws closer. Read More
Lawmakers upset new Rockville courthouse left out of the capital budget
Montgomery County lawmakers expressed regret that Gov. Martin O?Malley?s capital budget failed to include money for a new District Courthouse in Rockville, a project in the planning stages for four years. Read More
Miller - sales tax hike likely
Consumers could soon be paying more at cash registers across the county and state. Read More
Franchot, state clashed over pay for assistants
Gov. Martin O?Malley?s top aides tussled with Comptroller Peter V.R. Franchot over salaries for the state tax collector?s top deputies, who are being paid more than some Cabinet secretaries. Read More
Money week - bond ratings, spending cuts
Gov. Martin O?Malley will seek Board of Public Works approval on Wednesday to cut about $200 million from state agencies, the first step toward closing a $1.5 billion deficit in next year?s budget. Read More
Hospital plans to sue Prince George?s
The operator of the troubled Prince George's hospital system plans to file suit against the county today, hoping to recoup the millions of dollars that County Executive Jack B. Johnson is withholding before the system runs out of cash on Aug. 3. Read More
Optimistic past, uncertain future
When construction began in 1836 on a mental hospital in Augusta, advocates for the mentally ill wanted to make sure lawmakers never forgot those who lived there. Read More
Ads bash proposed $1.35 monthly fee on Mich. phone bills
Michigan telephone companies on Thursday launched an advertising campaign against a proposed $1.35 monthly fee on all phones, which would raise $200 million a year for law enforcement and fire services. Read More
U pops the age-old question -- Coke or Pepsi?
To fulfill two fundamental needs, University of Minnesota students need look no farther than the coolers of the Gopher Express shop. Read More
Taxpayers' costs for Twins ballpark may be going up
As a condemnation hearing over the site of the new Minnesota Twins stadium nears its midpoint, the best drama may still be found outside the courtroom. Read More
More in Missouri get tax cut for Social Security
Some older Missourians got a tax break Thursday when Gov. Matt Blunt signed a bill gradually eliminating the state income tax on Social Security. Read More
Medical costs for state prisoners soaring, commissioner says
Treating cancer and AIDS is contributing to the escalating cost of providing medical care to state prisoners, says Mississippi Department of Corrections Commissioner Chris Epps. Read More
Cowell, Folwell join state treasurer's race
Two legislators threw themselves into the state treasurer race Thursday. That makes three who have raised their hands so far. Read More
State workers' pay raise gets tentative agreement
A week after a tax and Medicaid deal collapsed, House and Senate negotiators made progress yesterday on a two-year spending plan for state government, including a tentative agreement on pay raises for state workers. Read More
Folwell wants to follow Moore as treasurer in '08
After eight years as a school-board member and two terms in the N.C. General Assembly, Dale Folwell wants to be state treasurer. Folwell, a Republican from Winston-Salem, said yesterday that he plans to run next year to replace Richard Moore, a Democrat who is running for governor. Read More
State agency heads get raises
Gov. Dave Heineman granted pay raises of up to 5.1 percent this year to directors of the state agencies he controls, while raises for most state workers are tied up in a contract dispute. Read More
Drivers may see gas prices spike
Gas prices in Omaha are increasing, the result of a Kansas refinery being flooded and shut down. Tom Kloza, chief oil analyst at the Oil Price Information Service in Houston, forecast pump prices of $3.05 to $3.25 for the multistate area, varying by state gasoline taxes. Read More
Health insurance boon for state couples to end
Free health insurance will end for the 700 married couples who work for state government, according to a memo to state workers this week. Read More
Nebraska pursuing thousands in back taxes from cigarette sales
Nebraska was looking to collect some of $350,000 owed in taxes from online cigarette sales, and planned to mail collection letters on Thursday to about 100 state residents who ? unknowingly or not ? owed $1,000 or more. Read More
Community-based programs help alleviate prison crowding
Nebraska's prison crowding problem has improved slightly in the past year thanks to the expansion of parole programs and community-based programs for drug offenders. Read More
Presidential tab - Priceless
DURHAM, N.H. ? Hosting two former Presidents isn't cheap. The University of New Hampshire's May commencement cost $440,417, or more than three times the cost of last year's ceremony, which rang in at $134,660, according to figures provided to the New Hampshire Union Leader. Much of the added expense went toward extra security for keynote speakers and former Presidents George H.W. Bush and Bill Clinton as well as for accommodating the larger than usual crowds who came to watch. Read More
Universities help pay salaries of Richardson appointees
Two New Mexico universities are helping foot the bill of Gov. Bill Richardson appointees, and the arrangement has some concerned about potential conflicts of interest. Read More
Gibbons accelerates program to design, widen I-15 in Las Vegas
LAS VEGAS -- Widening should begin by next spring on a key southern Nevada freeway under an accelerated program allowing the project to be designed as it is built, officials said Thursday. Read More
Nevada justice, ACLU critical of trend in state prison funding
LAS VEGAS -- With Nevada's prison system eating up a larger chunk of the state budget, critics ranging from a state Supreme Court justice to the American Civil Liberties Union are calling for curbing growing inmate populations and spiraling costs. Read More
Gibbons appoints new V&T commissioner, gives no explanation
Gov. Jim Gibbons replaced a 14-year representative to the Nevada Commission for the Reconstruction of the V&T Railway. Read More
Congestion pricing ad touts pluses for asthmatics
An image of a sad-looking little girl squeezing an asthma inhaler is being used to pressure state lawmakers into approving Mayor Michael Bloomberg's controversial plan to reduce traffic and pollution by charging motorists who drive into Manhattan. Read More
Bid rejected for more aid to small-city schools
A state appeals court on Thursday agreed with a lower court?s decision rejecting a lawsuit by a group of small urban school districts seeking billions more in state aid, saying the group lacked the proper standing to sue. Read More
City schools focus new aid on reducing class sizes
Schools Chancellor Joel I. Klein announced yesterday how the city school system plans to spend $228 million in new education financing from the state, including allocating nearly half the money to reduce class sizes. Read More
State getting word out on tax break
More than 500,000 senior citizens and disabled Ohioans are expected to save an average of $400 a year under the new Homestead Exemption - but they must apply for the benefit. Read More
Coos Bay dredging plan wins aid
COOS BAY, Ore. -- The Legislature has committed $60 million to the dredging of the Coos Bay channel, attempting to lure one of the world's largest shipping companies to Oregon. Read More
Agencies scramble to alert public about furlough effects
Only days before more than 24,000 state employees could be furloughed because of a state budget impasse, agencies that would be the hardest-hit scrambled Thursday to alert Pennsylvanians to the potential closings of 120 state parks and scores of motor-vehicle licensing centers across the state. Read More
Guard and Game Commission near Stony Valley deal
FORT INDIANTOWN GAP, PA - An agreement seems imminent between the Pennsylvania National Guard and state Game Commission that would allow the Guard to use 900 acres in the Stony Valley as a buffer zone for a firing range. Read More
Senate ups ante on Pa. budget
Wielding a power not used for more than a dozen years, a state Senate panel yesterday issued subpoenas ordering two Rendell administration officials to testify about pending worker furloughs that could shut down Pennsylvania's nascent casino industry. Read More
State budget feud turning nastier
The political feud between Gov. Ed Rendell and Senate Republicans over a new state budget intensified yesterday as a Senate committee voted to subpoena two top administration officials to find out why the state's five casinos may be shut down Monday morning. Read More
Budget standoff stalls van service
Ongoing budget battles in the Pennsylvania House of Representatives are hurting the state's residents in more ways than one. Though Pennsylvania's fiscal year ended June 30, the state budget for the coming year has yet to be decided upon. And while representatives are haggling over price, residents of the poorest regions go without transportation. Read More
State legislators still mired in budget disputes
Lawmakers made a modicum of progress toward a state budget agreement during a long day of negotiations that wrapped up at midnight. Read More
House tackles welfare fraud
The state House yesterday amended a bill designed to publicize problems at personal-care homes to include Republican-sponsored measures to combat welfare fraud. Read More
91 education bills pass muster as expected aid drops
By the end of the General Assembly?s legislative session, lawmakers had approved 91 education bills, among them changes to school-construction regulations, an increase in the age when students can drop out of school, and a requirement that high schools provide healthful snack and drink machines. Read More
Court -- Official cannot take property
A Lawrence County man cannot claim property taken from another man for failing to pay his taxes, the South Dakota Supreme Court ruled unanimously Thursday. Read More
Nonprofits to be rewarded investing in communities
The U.S. Treasury Department will award $3.6 million to 19 nonprofit organizations from throughout the nation. The announcement is scheduled for 9 a.m. Friday at Crazy Horse Memorial. Read More
Cabela's misses job targets for second year
BUDA, Texas - For the second year in a row, the Cabela's outdoors store that opened to great fanfare in Buda in 2005 has missed employment targets set by its government subsidy contracts. Read More
Critical ed agency report cites wrong man
An internal report that raised questions about contracting practices at the Texas Education Agency when released last week misquoted a woman saying she negotiated a pair of $100,000 contracts with a high-ranking official at the agency who is her friend, an agency spokeswoman said Thursday. Read More
Texas Education Agency reviewing complaint on Marble Falls school construction manager contract
MARBLE FALLS, Texas - With millions of dollars at stake, Marble Falls trustees skipped over the company that had supervised its past construction projects in favor of a company that has a close relationship with the district's architect. Read More
Cities fight GP tax gains
A new interpretation of state sales tax laws has Grand Prairie poised to reap millions of dollars in revenue at the expense of other Texas cities. Read More
Border sheriffs feel snubbed on security funds
HIDALGO COUNTY, Texas - Running for re-election, Gov. Rick Perry repeatedly praised border-county sheriffs and their deputies for being "on the front lines" of a violent battle to keep criminals out of Texas. But a year later, those on the front line feel as if they're on the back burner. Read More
Lawmakers set for China trip
A delegation of Utah lawmakers leave Saturday for China, a trip they promise will pay off in the long term even as the price of the journey climbs. Read More
U.Va. worker still seeking salary data from school
CHARLOTTESVILLE, Va. - A longtime University of Virginia employee whose freedom-of-information campaign prompted a change in state law has renewed his effort to obtain salary data from U.Va. Read More
Northern Virginia road authority facing legal challenge
LEESBURG, Va. - An agreement that could raise up to $400 million a year for transportation improvements in northern Virginia is facing a legal challenge from Loudoun County officials. Read More
Rookie rep. calls 'em like he sees 'em
Former Major League Baseball umpire Dale Ford once tossed manager Earl Weaver from a game during the national anthem. This year, he got plenty of practice with the art of compromising as a rookie lawmaker in the Tennessee General Assembly. Read More
New state laws bring changes July 1
Come Sunday, it will be a felony in Iowa to dismember a body to conceal a crime. New York City will have to stop sending undercover investigators to Virginia to buy guns in sting operations. And even Rip Van Winkle will have to show some ID if he wants to buy beer in Tennessee. Read More
WORTH NOTING: Tear down this wall -- in Bismarck
North Dakota legislators flip-flop on a pricey partition. Indiana inmates trade handshakes for fist bumps. And Oregon lawmakers weigh in on the NBA draft. In case you missed any of these stories this week, “Worth Noting” fills you in.
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Ethanol demand outgrows corn
Corn is king of renewable auto fuels, for now. But federal and state governments already are racing to find alternatives to corn as they look for ways to use ethanol to help break the nation's dependence on foreign oil. Read More
Missouri taps into the sale of student loans
Missouri is selling off some of its college loan portfolio to finance $350 million in new college buildings – a twist on states’ efforts to raise revenue for projects without increasing taxes. Read More
Early ed gains momentum in states
A record 29 governors sought to boost funding for their state pre-K programs this year, and mid-year results show that a number of states have increased spaces in their preschool programs and added money to expand full-day kindergarten classes.
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Iraq war, gas prices, surpluses mark 2007
Stateline.org compiled state-by-state highlights from the first 29 legislatures to adjourn or wrap up their budgets — plus a 50-state calendar charting adjournment dates and special sessions. Read More
Medicaid: Biggest insurer is a budget buster
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