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Archive of Economy & Business on Monday May 12, 2008
Growing deficits threaten pensions
The funds that pay pension and health benefits to police officers, teachers and millions of other public employees across the country are facing a shortfall that could soon run into trillions of dollars. Read More
States remove local barriers to eco-friendly homes
States eager to promote renewable energy are increasingly passing laws that allow homeowners to overcome local opposition to home solar panels and wind turbines. Read More
Coveted tickets land at Lottery
The Massachusetts Lottery has paid out millions of dollars over the last six years on sponsorship deals and other transactions that have allowed the agency to obtain thousands of coveted tickets to the Red Sox, the Celtics, the Patriots, and the Bruins. Read More
Thefts rise with copper prices
CHICAGO - Dave Fusselman figures he has seen a lot of different items come through his family's third-generation scrap metal business in Moberly, Mo. But an attempted sale last fall broke new ground. Read More
Legislator, lobbyist - a delicate dance
Maryland lawmaker Heather R. Mizeur shepherded a bill through the General Assembly this year to establish a new fund supporting the emerging field of nanobiotechnology. In the process, she also succeeded in securing a potential funding source for companies she had registered to represent on Capitol Hill. Read More
Push on to inspect ice cream vendors' pasts
A growing number of communities across the USA are moving to prevent sexual predators from becoming ice cream truck drivers. Read More
Pilot initiative will recruit, train workers to be truck drivers
A pilot initiative will pay for training displaced workers and other eligible Arkansans for jobs as truck drivers, Gov. Mike Beebe announced Friday. Read More
Governor drops builders from tax plan
Gov. Janet Napolitano agreed to take home builders off the financial hook for paying for new roads in exchange for a $100,000 donation to a campaign to persuade voters to boost their own taxes. Read More
State Sen. Jack Scott named chancellor of California community college system
State Sen. Jack Scott, an education reformer who served as president of two colleges, has been named the next statewide chancellor of the California community college system. Read More
Stop whining, Schwarzenegger tells carmakers
SACRAMENTO, Calif. - Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger met privately with seven auto executives over California's attempt to impose strict emission rules, but let it be known publicly that he told the carmakers to stop whining and start producing. Read More
Governor presses fire defense
Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger directed firefighters to step up enforcement of state fire laws, requiring that homeowners maintain a 100-foot defensible space around buildings, as he signed an executive order Friday to begin mobilizing firefighters for the fire season. Read More
Could city's events siphon funds?
The committee staging the Democratic National Convention is concerned that Denver's fundraising efforts have been hampered because local officials also are raising money for several cultural events that are expected to be part of the week-long event. Read More
Districts prefer the beef less traveled
A growing movement that advocates buying and eating locally produced food is gaining momentum in Colorado high schools, where students find homegrown beef can be more palatable -- if pricier -- than what cafeterias used to serve. Read More
Banking on struggling entrepreneurs
NEW HAVEN, Conn. - When Larry Thomas couldn't get a bank loan for his struggling construction business, he turned to Yale University students less than half his age. Read More
Florida Legislature delivered little on insurance
Last winter was the meanest season the Florida property insurance industry has ever faced. Gov. Charlie Crist asked three prominent lawyers to look into a class-action suit against the industry; a select committee of the Florida Senate spent two days slow-roasting executives from Nationwide, Allstate, Florida Farm Bureau and Hartford; and Insurance Commissioner Kevin McCarty began trying to shut Allstate down. Read More
More state funding helps fuel preschool growth
Lisa Downs Henry's father and stepmother opened Downs Preschool in 1984 as a private day care center in Watkinsville, Ga. Business was good, but it really took off in 1995 after the state approved state lottery receipts to pay for pre-kindergarten classes. Read More
Culver signs bill for new prison
FORT MADISON, Iowa -- There was joy in southeast Iowa Friday, as Gov. Chet Culver signed legislation for $250 million in statewide construction projects that includes money for a new 800-bed maximum-security unit at the Iowa State Penitentiary. Read More
Audit clears UI Post Falls research center
POST FALLS, Idaho -- The Idaho attorney general's office concludes that researchers at a University of Idaho research center at Post Falls broke no state laws in blending the interests of the university and two private companies. Read More
Union -- IDOT has plenty of room
A major state employee union thinks the Illinois Department of Transportation has room in its headquarters building to house the Division of Traffic Safety that is now headed for southern Illinois. IDOT says the union is wrong. Two Springfield lawmakers said they?re thinking about making their own visit to the building to see who is correct. Read More
Embattled Blagojevich's agenda could take hit with Rezko verdict
While there is arguably no good time for a governor to have one of his political insiders on federal trial, the looming verdict in the case of Gov. Rod Blagojevich's pal Tony Rezko likely couldn't come at a worse time. Read More
What to expect on last day
Federal prosecutors termed Antoin "Tony" Rezko's alleged crimes a "pay-to-play scheme on steroids" when they indicted him in 2006. Read More
Officials launch updated Web portal for Medicaid information
State officials say a new Web-based program that catalogues Medicaid patient data will reduce medical errors. Read More
Pay hike urged for caregivers to the disabled
Sharon Manuel's $9.85-per-hour job caring for developmentally disabled women pays the rent on the Villa Park apartment she shares with her three sons, but it doesn't stretch far enough to cover the rest of their bills. Read More
Gov. Rod Blagojevich's budget plan would make things worse, report says
For a state facing "colossal financial issues," Gov. Rod Blagojevich's proposed 2009 budget fails to address key funding weaknesses and likely would worsen the state's precarious fiscal condition, a prominent watchdog group concludes in a report to be released Monday. Read More
Ex-state official Ali Ata had state leases despite irregularities, records show
Former state agency director Ali Ata, a one-time business associate of political fundraiser Antoin "Tony" Rezko, was paid more than $6.5 million in rent on four state office leases despite failing for years to disclose his partners in the deals as required, state and court records show. Read More
Tony Rezko trial nears conclusion as prosecution, defense strategize on best closing arguments
Closing arguments are the gut-check moment of any trial, the stage at which lawyers try to sway the outcome with brilliance and panache?or at least avoid blowing it big time. Read More
10 key developments in case of gov's indicted fund-raiser
Tony Rezko is accused of wielding his vast influence as a fund-raiser and adviser to Gov. Blagojevich to control two state-government boards on which star prosecution witness Stuart Levine sat. Read More
Payday loan law loophole swallows borrowers whole
Kirk Donald was stuck in financial quicksand and sinking fast. Read More
Cubs chairman raises specter of taxes to pay $400M tab
Former Gov. Jim Thompson said Friday he can't understand why the Cubs are still touting the idea of renovating Wrigley Field with sales and amusement tax growth generated by the project when a plan to finance the $400 million overhaul without raising taxes is sitting on Tribune Co. CEO Sam Zell's desk. Read More
State can't afford gov's $300 child tax credit, group says
Gov. Blagojevich is biting off more than state government can chew in his proposed 2008-09 budget, an independent analysis of his $49.7 billion spending plan concludes. Read More
Corruption case taints rising political star
CHICAGO - As the corruption trial of the political fund-raiser Antoin Rezko winds to a close here, testimony about power-brokering at the highest levels of state government has battered the career of an Illinois politician who once had his sights set on the White House. Read More
Tax rates for county are in; bills will follow
The state approved new property tax rates for Marion County on Friday, providing the final component county officials need to recalculate faulty 2007 tax bills as part of a reassessment. Read More
Analysis - coal debate far from over
Pigs became a favorite metaphor as legislators debated proposals clearing the way for expansion of two coal-fired power plants in southwest Kansas and restricting the power of the regulator who has blocked it. Read More
Student loan providers back out
Students soon will rip open letters from colleges and universities looking for their financial aid packages. Read More
Federal funds may help start rail service
If Kansas decides to restore passenger rail service across much of the state, the federal government could pick up 80 percent of the startup costs, members of a grassroots organization pushing the plan said Friday. Read More
Legislature looking to streamline recovery effort
After Hurricane Katrina roared ashore, Louisiana officials set up a patchwork of recovery efforts, a fractured system without a clear recovery chief, where one agency devised recovery plans and another agency signed the contracts to pay for them. Read More
Oil pumps up state budget
State economists on Friday largely credited booming oil and natural gas prices for generating an additional $824 million for state government to spend. Read More
'Sleeper' bills rouse the Capitol
As in most legislative sessions, state lawmakers say this one has its share of "sleeper" bills. But this time the sleepers are overshadowing the intended focus: work-force development. Read More
Donelon -- Phase in coverage increase
If lawmakers pass a bill raising the limits of mandatory vehicular insurance, they should phase it in over three years, Insurance Commissioner Jim Donelon said Friday. Read More
State definition of lobbyist is deemed to be too broad
State lawmakers are grappling with a complicated question that hangs over a major portion of the state's ethics laws: What exactly is a lobbyist? Read More
Louuisiana sales-tax holiday on storm supplies set
NEW ORLEANS - An upcoming state sales-tax holiday on flashlights, portable generators and other supplies aims to help Louisiana shoppers prepare for the hurricane season. Read More
Whale protection plan put on hold
The shipping industry has succeeded in doing what Maine's lobster industry has only dreamed of: It has put a federal plan to protect the endangered North Atlantic right whale on hold. Read More
Maine delegation supports small-business breaks
With the nation?s economy in the doldrums, members of Maine?s congressional delegation are supporting efforts to spur small businesses to create more jobs. Read More
Many in state say finances will perk up
EAST LANSING, Mich. -- Michigan adults are anxious about their finances but hopeful that they'll be better off in a year, according to Michigan State University's State of the State 2008 winter survey. Read More
Michigan food stamp use up 53% since 2003, rate well above U.S.
The number of Michigan households getting food stamps rose 53 percent in the past five years, with one in eight state residents now aided by the nutrition assistance program, authorities said. Read More
Gas station owners see profit in alcohol sales
Record high oil prices haven't helped the bottom line of local gas stations, so many retailers have started selling something more profitable -- alcohol. Read More
Need for food aid grows in state
Mike Remenar never thought he'd rely on food stamps and Medicaid to help support his family in comfortable Grosse Pointe Woods. Read More
Debate on river crossings resumes
State legislators plan to launch an effort today to keep plans for a new bridge between Detroit and Windsor in the public spotlight -- a scheme likely to shine equal light on the debate over the necessity of another crossing and a competing Ambassador Bridge expansion. Read More
New Michigan campaign aims to draw more out-of-state tourists
If you get a little tingle whenever you see Michigan's lakes, waterfalls and beaches featured in a Pure Michigan ad, Travel Michigan head George Zimmermann knows just what you're feeling. Read More
House and Senate to vote on national farm bill
A new five-year farm bill is ready for final approval in the U.S. House and Senate. Congress is expected to pass the bill this week, then it heads to the president's desk for a likely veto. Read More
New casino shows slight loss
ST. LOUIS - St. Louis' newest casino took a slight loss in its first full quarter of operation, a loss the company blamed on startup costs. Read More
Missouri gets 'D' in cycling
Despite all that, Missouri lags behind the rest of the nation when it comes to cycling and walking as a means of commuting. Read More
Gadfly Quinn transforms image as he clashes with Blagojevich
The political shotgun marriage of Gov. Rod Blagojevich and Lt. Gov. Pat Quinn was never what you'd call blissful. But during Blagojevich's first term, they at least were able to keep up appearances. Read More
Missouri legislators look for common ground as session enters final week
In a Missouri legislative session notable for its lack of hard-charging issues, the final week could resemble a steady jog more than a mad dash. Read More
Governor sets priorities for short session
The same sour economy that has pinched family budgets will force state budget writers to be more austere as the General Assembly reconvenes this week. Read More
Farm bill includes $2.5 billion for research
WASHINGTON -- For decades, interests as diverse as North Carolina strawberry growers, Florida citrus farmers and California wine grape growers had little interest in the farm bill that Congress passes every five years. Read More
Corn, cattle producers prefer quieter approach to ethanol debate
The argument over how much of a factor ethanol has become in driving up food prices has gotten hot enough in the recent days to put Rick Tolman, the president of the National Corn Growers, at a podium to play some defense. Read More
Weather led to a big year for maple sugar in southern N.H.
By dollars, maple syrup is a tiny business in New Hampshire, worth less than $3 million a year -- not even 1 percent as much as horticulture, the state's leading agricultural business. Read More
Can Corzine still pass as a liberal? He thinks so
TRENTON, N.J. - You never know which Gov. Jon S. Corzine is going to show up at the State House these days. Read More
As gas prices increase, so do Jersey carpools
Phil Gutierrez is used to traveling to work the way nearly three-quarters of all New Jersey commuters do -- in his car by himself. But when the cost of gasoline nudged above $3 a gallon, he was willing to try something different to save a few bucks. He began looking for a carpool. Read More
Producers react to pit rules adoption
FARMINGTON, N.M. - Despite New Mexico Oil Conservation Commission Chairman Mark Fesmire's contention the state's oil and gas industry can produce its products without hurting the environment, industry sources say debate over the recently approved pit rules will continue. Read More
New Mexico moves ahead on spaceport
Undaunted by widespread skepticism, New Mexico's effort to build the world's first commercial spaceport is nearly on schedule to open in late 2010. Read More
Keeping the heat on OSHA
WASHINGTON - Citing the deaths of 10 workers on the Las Vegas Strip, a House panel will hold a hearing to review construction safety standards and the conduct of government agencies responsible for overseeing workplace safety. Read More
Appeals court upholds dismissal of Vegas securities case
LAS VEGAS - A federal appeals court has upheld a judge's ruling that prosecutorial misconduct required a mistrial and dismissal of charges against three men accused of running a multimillion-dollar securities fraud. Read More
United Way redistributing wealth to local charities
The Las Vegas Valley's wealthiest private supporter of social service programs has changed the way it hands out money, making a tough transition that will cut a total of $2.1 million from 20 organizations over a two-year period. Read More
Despite slowdown, casino giant spending big
Even as gamblers, shoppers and diners are clutching to their dollars and Las Vegas reels from the worst economic slowdown since Sept. 11, MGM Mirage is spending billions of dollars on itself. Read More
Retiree health benefits bill criticized
Union leaders and lawmakers are attempting to slip a "Trojan Horse" bill through the Legislature that potentially could result in higher property taxes around the state, local government leaders and analysts said. Read More
Petition calls for gas tax holiday
Assembly Minority Leader James Tedisco hopes to collect the names of thousands of irate customers to pressure Assembly Democrats to lower gas taxes this summer. Read More
GOP bill would raise pension
Republican lawmakers want the former secretary to the state GOP chairman to get a bigger public pension than the one she's on course to receive. Read More
To promote New York, handlers take steps to reclaim "I [love] NY"
In business, as in romance, familiarity often breeds, if not contempt, then indifference. Read More
Bloomberg asks Albany to oppose union-backed retirement bills
Mayor Michael R. Bloomberg of New York is appealing to Gov. David A. Paterson and legislative leaders to hold firm against two bills that the city believes would cost as much as $300 million a year. Read More
Seizures' toll on neighbors
Spillover from the foreclosure crisis is costing city homeowners $5,000 each time a bank seizes a house near their property, according to a lawmaker. Read More
The subprime house of cards
One of the biggest crime waves in the last decade had nothing to do with guns or drugs or gangs. Read More
Home medical equipment suppliers call Medicare bidding process unfair
Home medical equipment suppliers nationwide made a lot of noise on Capitol Hill last week about a bidding process that aims to save Medicare $1 billion a year but could put many of the suppliers out of business. Read More
Studios file suit against 4 Ohioans accused of illegal Internet movie distribution via file sharing
Three film studios have filed a series of federal lawsuits to stop what they say is the illegal sharing of movies online. Read More
Voters left to decide Tinker deal
Supporters of the plan to move many of Tinker Air Force Base's operations into the abandoned General Motors plant pitch it as a one-of-a-kind opportunity for the base. Read More
State's job market remains optimistic for many graduates
For Oklahoma State University landscape architecture graduate Jessica Waugh, the job search was more of a job sort. Read More
Tornado-ravaged Oklahoma town might not rebuild
PICHER, Okla. -- Sue Sigle was hoping the government would offer more money for her home before she moves away from this pollution-scarred town. Then the tornado came. Read More
Conservative think tank's 'bid' touts turnpike lease
The Commonwealth Foundation, a Harrisburg-based conservative think tank, has announced that "The first bid is in!" to lease the Pennsylvania Turnpike. It represented that the "bid" emanated from the turnpike itself and amounted to "only $5.3 billion a year." Read More
Tennessee sales tax slumps in current downturn
The slowdown in consumer spending this year is hitting Tennessee's state government harder than most states, according to tax collections and budget reports through the first quarter of 2008. Read More
Nashville: Job reduction plan removes 42% of Bredesen additions
Gov. Phil Bredesen's proposal to eliminate 2,011 state workers represents about 42 percent of the positions created in state government during his administration. Read More
Schools say inflation puts them at risk
The school funding system approved by Texas lawmakers two years ago provides no new money to cover rising costs ? especially for fuel, utilities and health insurance ? and officials warn the plan's tax revenue straightjacket will allow inflation to push some school districts into bankruptcy. Read More
Texas' early currency offers look at young republic's shaky financial roots
SAN ANTONIO - The birth of Texas as a republic is often told in stirring tales of heroic battles for independence. Often lost in history, however, are the hard lessons those long-ago heroes learned: Revolution is easy. Creating a workable government is hard - and expensive. Read More
Immigration raids catch citizens and legal residents
Two U.S. citizens and one legal permanent resident were among those arrested last month in Mount Pleasant, Texas, during a federal immigration crackdown targeting identity fraud at poultry giant Pilgrim's Pride. Read More
Ice cream sellers under scrutiny
Rapid City is among the latest in a growing number of communities across the nation moving to prevent sexual predators from becoming ice cream truck drivers. Read More
The hunger paradox
About 35 million Americans regularly go hungry each year, according to federal statistics. Last year, a Harvard domestic policy expert who studies hunger issues calculated that it would cost about $12 billion annually in federal spending to eliminate hunger through additional funding for food stamps and other nutritional programs. Read More
Wisconsin remains tops in cheese competition with California
MILWAUKEE -- Cheeseheads don't need to be bleu: Experts say predictions that California will soon overtake Wisconsin as the nation's top cheese producer are unlikely to come true. Read More
More state funding helps fuel preschool growth
Lisa Downs Henry's father and stepmother opened Downs Preschool in 1984 as a private day care center in Watkinsville, Ga. Business was good, but it really took off in 1995 after the state approved state lottery receipts to pay for pre-kindergarten classes. Read More
State programs add safety net for the poorest
LITTLE ROCK, Ark. - For years, state welfare offices like the one alongside Interstate 30 have drawn the unemployed. But these days, the red-brick building here is also attracting poor, working parents with an unexpected offer: $204 a month in cash. Read More
Analysis -- Italian waste proposal stokes fear of a toxic precedent
It might seem like a relatively small thing, EnergySolutions' plan to take about six railroad cars of radioactive waste from Italy. Read More
Low-wage workers' incomes said to lag
The highest paid Virginians earned $10.58 more an hour in 2006 than in 1979. The lowest paid made a dime more an hour than they did in 1979. Read More
AAA -- Average gallon of gas in Washington $3.80
The AAA auto club says the average price of a gallon of gas in Washington is a record $3.80. Read More
State tells smokers to cough up taxes
State Revenue Department officials have sent more than 1,000 letters this year to Wisconsin smokers who bought cigarettes from Internet vendors, telling them to either stop buying them that way or pay the $1.77-per-pack state tax that took effect Jan. 1. Read More
Madison feeling growing pains
On April 2, in the light of day, the unthinkable occurred on a quiet street in Madison. Read More
WVU board chair to relinquish top post
The chairman of the West Virginia University Board of Governors says he will relinquish the chairmanship, but not his board seat, when his term ends in July. Read More
DEQ gears up for uranium projects
With indications that Wyoming could see up to 50 new uranium mines, the state agency that oversees mining is shifting workers to handle the workload. Read More
State studies I-80 trucker tolls
In a push to secure new highway funding sources, state transportation officials are exploring whether commercial truckers should be required to pay tolls to use Interstate 80. Read More
Coaxing tourists
So far, extreme gas prices don't seem to have affected tourism in the state or in the Capital City. Read More
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
WORTH NOTING: Phantom voter stalks Ala. State House
An Alabama lawmaker says someone’s been using his voting machine. Florida’s House Speaker locks the doors and turns off Internet access to make legislators pay attention. And Mayberry’s Sheriff Taylor endorses a North Carolina gubernatorial candidate. In case you missed those stories this week, "Worth Noting" fills you in. Read More
The economic downturn: an opportunity for governors?
Most governors recognize that they have the best political job in America. Most also would concede that the job is more satisfying when the economy is strong and revenues are growing than during an economic downturn, when cutting budgets becomes the major task. But even a recession can present opportunities for governors to make improvements that yield lasting benefits for their states. Read More
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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