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Archive of Rhode Island on Friday May 09, 2008
Neutral govs to remain on sidelines
 In the homestretch of an unprecedented presidential primary season, spinning with competing sound-bites and endless rhetoric, voters still heading to the polls in four states can’t look to their governors for any pre-election advice. These governors plan to wait until after their states vote to make their own endorsements.
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R.I. superdelegates -- most still back Clinton
Rhode Island Democrats are among Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton's strongest supporters - she won the state's March 4 primary over Sen. Barack Obama by 19 percentage points - but even among her local stalwarts, the feeling is sinking in that the party's presidential nomination is very likely going to Obama. Read More
Tribe ready for share of state's gambling money
After refusing for more than two years, the Narragansett Indian tribe is now ready to accept its share of the state's gambling revenue if Chief Sachem Matthew Thomas can get clarification about precisely how the money can be used. Read More
Lawmakers' motives called into question
Perennial political candidate Christopher F. Young took the annual debate on gay marriage in an unexpected direction late Wednesday night when he accused state representatives of corruption and questioned their interest in Satan. Read More
Senate approves courthouse for Valley
A Senate resolution to move the proposed site of the Blackstone Valley Courthouse from Lincoln to Smithfield and prepare for construction in the budget year beginning July, 2009 won unanimous passage in the Senate Wednesday, but initial indications are it might face rougher sledding in the House of Representatives. Read More
Ethics panel rejects ex-official's proposal
The state Ethics Commission this week refused to approve the arrangements the state's former top health and human services administrator had proposed to do her new job while staying clear of the state's ethics rules. Read More
Red-light cameras are a go
The state House of Representatives last night approved a controversial provision to permanently allow red-light cameras at traffic intersections. Read More
Attorneys general reach Facebook agreement
In an attempt to make the Internet safer for children, all but one of the nation's state attorneys general have turned their attention to another popular social networking site. Read More
Facebook reaches agreement on sex predators
Facebook, the world's second-largest social-networking Web site, has reached an agreement with state law enforcement authorities across the country aimed at protecting children from sexual predators. Read More
Facebook safeguards will protect young users
HARTFORD, Conn. - Facebook, the world's second-largest social networking Web site, will add more than 40 safeguards to protect young users from sexual predators and cyberbullies, attorneys general from several states said Thursday. Read More
Facebook agrees to shield kids from adult content
Social networking giant Facebook has agreed to better protect children on its Web site, including providing automatic warning messages when a child is in danger of giving personal information to an unknown adult. Read More
WORTH NOTING: Illinois treasurer shows his knowledge of charges
U.S. Sen. Barack Obama (D-Ill.) endures a bruising charge from Illinois Treasurer Alexi Giannoulias (D). A new Utah law stirs Salt Lake City bartenders to create a new drink. And Louisiana prison guards get outside help to prevent escapes. In case you missed those stories this week, Worth Noting fills you in. Read More
Silver Alert helps rescue lost seniors
(Updated 9:30 a.m EST, May 8, 2008) When an elderly person with dementia is lost, eight states can trigger an alert to let the community know. Proposals in Congress would expand the successful missing persons program to all 50 states. Read More
At-risk gubernatorial seats increase
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Will states fix 2012 primary process?
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Oh say, is that banner made in the U.S.A.?
Lawmakers in 10 states have taken steps to require that American flags bought with state funds be manufactured in this country. While not all the legislation has passed, one state’s new law even bans the sale of foreign-made American flags in that state. Read More
WORTH NOTING: Voters' guide promotes phone sex
An Oregon voters’ guide lists a very wrong number. California’s governor insults rural legislators. And Pennsylvania considers selling wine in vending machines. In case you missed those stories this week, “Worth Noting” fills you in. Read More
Parents turn to states for autism help
(UPDATED 4 p.m. EDT, Thursday May 1) One of the toughest problems facing autism patients, their families and policymakers is paying for treatment. Families are increasingly relying on states to help them cope with the financial, medical and educational needs. Read More
Fairness of death-penalty panels questioned
Death-penalty supporters are raising questions about the fairness of state commissions charged with studying how capital punishment is carried out in Maryland and Tennessee, claiming the panels will issue reports that ignore their views. Read More
Legislators prod Congress on Medicaid, Real ID
As some states tumble into what they fear is a recession, state lawmakers from across the country are pushing Congress for relief from impending federal rules that would force states to pick up more Medicaid costs and spend billions to make drivers’ licenses more secure. Read More
With justices' OK, voter ID moves ahead
A decision Monday (April 28) by the U.S. Supreme Court to let Indiana demand photo identification from voters paves the way for other states to do the same during November’s presidential election, experts say. Read More
23 states face budget gaps in '09
Like a college student fishing for stray quarters in the sofa cushions, states are tightening their belts, dipping into their rainy day funds and hoping revenues will pick up. But the faltering economy already has punched a $26 billion hole in 23 state budgets for 2009 – and it could get worse, according to a new report issued today (April 25). Read More
Will Democrats grow legislative edge in '08?
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'Purple' states turn a little more 'blue'
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Governors pitch ambitious programs
Billion-dollar deficits in California, New York and Arizona haven’t stopped governors there and elsewhere from proposing big-ticket items for 2008. Stateline.org looks at proposals from governors’ 2008 "state of the state" speeches and provides an exclusive summary of all the addresses so far.
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Summary of the State of the State Address
Addressing a Democratic-controlled Legislature Jan. 22, Gov. Donald Carcieri (R) said Rhode Island was at a “tipping point” because of an uncertain economy and budget crisis. He proposed to reduce spending by $300 million by making cuts in three areas: social services, employee salaries and benefits and payments to cities and towns. Read More
Commentary: Govs beat White House hopefuls as agents of change
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Iraq casts shadow on 2008 state races
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WORTH NOTING: Illinois gov runs up travel tab
Illinois Gov. Rod Blagojevich’s commuting costs start to add up. South Dakota Gov. Mike Rounds settles a dispute with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service over a cranky game warden. Read More |
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