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Archive of Social Policy on Tuesday May 13, 2008
States, locals swamp immigration program
Sudden demand by state and local police to join the federal 287(g) initiative, which lets local police start deportation proceedings for suspects and criminals who are illegal immigrants, is overwhelming the federal government. That means long waits and alternative programs offered to police departments that want to join. Read More
Missouri Civil Rights Initiative stays in play even though ballot campaign ends
COLUMBIA - Students, faculty and staff overflow from the sidewalks onto the streets. Chants are heard, signs are raised and fists are pumped in the air on MU's campus down Rollins Street, in front of Johnston Hall. Read More
Court stays execution of Va. man, takes case
The U.S. Supreme Court yesterday stayed the July execution of a Virginia man convicted of killing a Winchester police officer after the killer's appeals lawyers pointed out that the jury heard no positive "mitigating" evidence about him before sentencing him to death. Read More
Bredesen budget cuts jobs, TennCare, pre-K
Funding for state universities will be cut $56 million and 80,000 fewer people with huge medical bills will be enrolled in TennCare. Read More
Funds for mental health in governor's plan
Gov. Mike Easley's proposed budget seeks to improve the state's troubled mental health system, shoring up local services and state hospital care. But Easley, legislators and others concerned about mental health services said still more needs to be done. Read More
Immigration raids shake California schools
Raids by federal authorities on undocumented immigrants in Northern California panic parents and school officials as fears spread that students might be targeted. Oakland Mayor Ron Dellums and other big-city mayors are denouncing the raids. Read More
Program aims to put laptops in hands of state's low-income children
Cheap laptop computers that are being used to bring technology to children in developing countries are now being put in the hands of low-income public school children in South Carolina. Read More
Texas stopped from moving newborn, mother taken from YFZ ranch
Child Protective Services tried to whisk a newborn and his mother, in state custody as a minor after being removed from a polygamist sect's ranch, to a different city within hours of childbirth on Monday. Read More
Polygamy sect parents say state has scattered children
More than a month since their children were taken into custody by the state of Texas in a raid on an FLDS compound in Eldorado, Texas, two sets of parents and a representative for the families alleged that the state has deliberately scattered and isolated the children. Read More
State report sheds light on snooping into UCLA Medical Center files on Farrah Fawcett and Britney Spears
California health regulators have connected 14 more people affiliated with UCLA Medical Center, including four physicians, to the improper viewing of celebrity medical records, bringing the number of current and former workers apparently implicated in the snooping scandal to 68. Read More
In school sports, who makes the call?
A shot at the buzzer of a high school championship game — was it in time or not? — led the South Carolina Legislature to consider a bill to require referees to watch video replays. It was hardly the first example of armchair quarterbacking by lawmakers.
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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
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
Seeds of social issues dot 2008 elections
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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
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
Gay marriage decisions ripe in Calif., Conn.
More than four years after its historic court ruling legalizing same-sex marriage, Massachusetts stands alone in blessing gay marriages — more than 10,000 to date — and its example has spurred no imitators but lots of backlash. All eyes now are on the highest courts in California and Connecticut. Read More
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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Embryonic stem cell research divides states
President Bush’s second veto of a bill to allow federal funding of stem cell research puts the ethical issue squarely in states’ hands. So far, seven states have moved to fund the research, six have banned it, three have affirmed its legality but do not fund it and a handful of others continue to debate the issue. Read More
State pledges millions of dollars to help ward off coastal erosion
ANCHORAGE, Alaska - The state is committing millions of dollars to erosion control projects to help protect some of Alaska's coastal villages. Read More
Palin to offer plans for state energy relief
Gov. Sarah Palin will announce plans for statewide energy relief on Thursday, and legislators are weighing in on what should be in those plans. Read More
Administration announces energy relief special session
ANCHORAGE, Alaska -- Gov. Sarah Palin has announced the Alaska Legislature will be called into an additional special session this summer. Read More
Beebe -- Early parolees could pick up litter
As Arkansas continues to dig out from round after round of tornadoes, Gov. Mike Beebe said he would consider offering inmates early parole if they'd help clean up from such disasters. Read More
8th Circuit calls for review of Ark. inmate's isolation
The case of an Arkansas prisoner who has spent 13 years isolated from other prisoners after he was attacked by another inmate should be given a second look, a federal appeals court panel ruled Monday. Read More
Review order keeping inmate isolated from others, court says
A federal appeals panel Monday told Arkansas prison officials to take another look at an order that has kept a man serving life without parole isolated from other state inmates for 13 years. Read More
Same-sex-marriage ban advances
Efforts to put a question on the November ballot asking voters to ban same-sex marriage overcame a major roadblock Monday -- passing through a closely divided state House. Read More
House OKs gay-marriage amendment
A state constitutional amendment defining marriage as the union of one man and one woman inched closer to the November ballot on Monday after passing the Arizona House of Representatives. Read More
Napolitano OKs child-custody-enforcement measure
Child Protective Services caseworkers must make a "good-faith effort" to obtain and obey court orders regarding child custody, according to a bill signed into law Monday by Gov. Janet Napolitano. Read More
Black woman in powerful job in California
LOS ANGELES - The California Legislature is often first out of the gate with certain laws or to take on a policy issue that other states have yet to grapple with. Read More
Connecticut prison inmate donations help police departments
BROOKLYN, Conn. - Two eastern Connecticut police departments have received $3,000 donated by prison inmates to help investigate domestic abuse cases. Read More
HMO pullouts upend Connecticut Medicaid
NEW HAVEN, Conn. - What started as a legal-aid lawyer's effort to improve health care for poor people has left Connecticut's Medicaid program in turmoil, jeopardizing health care for thousands of poor residents. Read More
Del. AG finds abuse at hospital
The Delaware Attorney General's Office has found "systemic violations" of the state's Mental Health Patient's Bill of Rights during a 10-month investigation into allegations of patient abuse at the Delaware Psychiatric Center. Read More
UD adopts residence hall program
NEWARK, Del. -- The University of Delaware Faculty Senate approved a new educational program for campus residence halls Monday. Read More
HMSA offers free Part D talks
Members of Hawaii Medical Service Association who have questions about their medications under Medicare Part D plans can get the answers from a free HMSA program. Read More
Group returns to palace this week
The Hawaiian Kingdom Government sovereignty group is back on the makai lawn at 'Iolani Palace for a third week. Read More
Culver 'very troubled' by allegations
Iowa Gov. Chet Culver has formed a working group of top state officials to help the community of Postville after a raid on its meatpacking plant by federal immigration officials Monday. Read More
State to shrink Hawk-I ad budget
Iowans will see fewer billboards and TV ads for the Hawk-I insurance program starting in July, but administrators remain optimistic that they can enroll thousands more children using other means. Read More
New agency will deal with Native American issues
The Iowa Commission on Native American Affairs was created with the stroke of a pen Monday, as Gov. Chet Culver signed legislation creating the new agency. Read More
Feds say more than 300 arrested in Postville immigration raid
Federal authorities say more than 300 workers at the Agriprocessors meat processing plant in Postville in northeast Iowa have been arrested for immigration violations. U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents entered the plant at ten this morning (Monday). Read More
Immigration raid at Postville plant
There's been an immigration raid at the meat packing plant in Postville and sources tell Radio Iowa as many as 700 people may be arrested. Postville Police Chief Michael Halse isn't participating in the action, but the plant on the west corner of town appears to be surrounded. Read More
Immigration raid -- Town's Hispanics shutter businesses, scatter
POSTVILLE, Iowa -- The phone calls started at 5 a.m. They carried the same message: Immigration was coming. Read More
Immigration raid -- Union fears action hurts probe
A union trying to organize Postville meatpacking workers had asked federal immigration authorities earlier this month not to raid the Agriprocessors Inc. plant while a government investigation of possible labor law violations was under way. Read More
ID fraud claims bring state's largest raid
POSTVILLE, Iowa -- The largest workplace raid in Iowa history Monday resulted in the arrest of more than 300 people and reignited the debate over immigration. Read More
Immigration raid -- State agency gathered student data last month
School officials in early April were served with a 21-point subpoena from Iowa Division of Labor Services seeking the records of Postville middle and high school students and information about some school employees, the district's superintendent said. Read More
What Vilsack said -- Ex-governor was not surprised by the raid
Former Iowa Gov. Tom Vilsack said Monday that the Postville investigations may be warranted, despite his concerns that federal officials violated the rights of people during past immigration raids. But a state senator who represents Postville expressed doubt about the motivation for Monday's raid. Read More
What Culver said -- State gathers agencies to aid city in aftermath
Gov. Chet Culver said Monday he has appointed a group of state agencies to assist Postville as the community deals with the effects of the raid. Read More
Group provides translated forms for voters
Translations of Iowa voter registration forms will be available today in foreign languages through a Web site run by international relations advocates. Read More
Otter aides to tout ID state retiree benefits changes
Aides for Gov. C.L. "Butch" Otter plan meetings with government workers and retirees in August and October across Idaho over proposed changes to their benefits plan. Read More
Court clears path for O?Hare expansion
Ending years of litigation, the U.S. Supreme Court has cleared the way for Chicago to acquire and relocate a cemetery needed for the continued expansion of O'Hare International Airport. Read More
U.S. Supreme Court will not hear church's appeal on O'Hare cemetery plans
The U.S. Supreme Court on Monday declined to hear an appeal filed by a church attempting to save a cemetery in the path of planned runways at O'Hare International Airport. Read More
State lab's DNA testing halted in 1979 murder
With Kentucky lab technicians just hours away from completing DNA testing that could exonerate death row inmate Brian Keith Moore in the 1979 murder of a Louisville man, the testing was halted at the request of state prosecutors last week, Moore's attorney said. Read More
Smoking bill clears House committee
Smoking should be prohibited in vehicles with passengers 16 and younger, a House committee said Monday. Read More
Retiree benefits proposals rapped
A Senate panel on Monday approved two separate retirement increases despite opposition from state officials who seek a uniform fix to the differences between different kinds of state employees. Read More
Athletics officials criticize allowing guns on campus
Legislation that would allow some handguns on college campuses was delayed on Monday after more than 20 LSU athletics officials, including football coach Les Miles, signed a letter in opposition. Read More
Radio ad targets tuition grant foe
An advocacy group has ratcheted up the debate over Gov. Bobby Jindal's proposed private school tuition grant program for New Orleans public school students with a radio advertising campaign criticizing a leading opponent of the plan. Read More
Bill would cut N.O.'s health care
The New Orleans region could lose up to $70 million a year in health care financing under a bill approved overwhelmingly by the Senate on Monday that aims to redistribute the way money is divided among southern Louisiana charity hospitals. Read More
House passes bill with rules on surrogate-mom contracts
The House passed a bill Monday that would set legal guidelines for surrogate-mother agreements after opponents were unable to tighten rules under which a woman could agree to bear a child for someone else. Read More
State Senate committee passes voter ID measure
Missouri senators are set to consider a ballot item that could require Missourians to present photo identification in order to vote. Read More
Immigration bill loses steam
This just in from the Missouri legislature, which wraps up its 2008 session Friday: A Senate immigration bill was sent back to committee today, lessening the chances that legislators will enact measure to crackdown on those who employ illegal immigrants. Read More
Mo. House panel rejects Senate immigration bill
A House committee rejected a Senate-approved immigration bill Monday while the governor's office touted state troopers' arrest of 250 illegal immigrants since last summer. Read More
Give the Coast a few more years
Perhaps the most common misconception about the Mississippi Gulf Coast is that rebuilding is over. The Coast, it seems, fell off the media's radar screen when the levees broke the next state over. The spotlight lasted a couple of days. And occasionally, it swings back over. This is one of those occasions. Read More
Gov. OKs measures on ethics, ID theft
Mississippians will find public officials' sources of income on a Web site. A training school for troubled teens will close its doors in seven weeks. A conviction for identity theft committed through a violent crime will mean more prison time. Read More
Mississippi high court asked to reconsider Berry execution
Lawyers for condemned inmate Earl Wesley Berry have asked the Mississippi Supreme Court to reconsider its setting of a May 21 execution date. Read More
Tax fight is likely for Easley
Gov. Mike Easley is proposing tax increases on cigarettes and alcohol, but he has stiff opposition from state legislators as they return to Raleigh today. Read More
Law silent on illegals in colleges
North Carolina is free to admit illegal immigrants to public colleges and universities, federal officials said. "It is left for the school to decide whether or not to enroll" illegal immigrants, said a statement released last week by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement. Read More
Cooper refuses to expand on admissions advice
Attorney General Roy Cooper has steadfastly refused to discuss the advisory letter his office sent out last week, which recommended barring illegal immigrants from the state's 58 community colleges. Read More
Easley tax proposals greeted coolly
Gov. Mike Easley's proposal to raise taxes on alcohol and cigarettes ran into nearly immediate skepticism from senior lawmakers Monday, who characterized the idea as anywhere between "ambitious" and "unlikely." Read More
Easley seeks escalation in 'sin taxes'
Gov. Mike Easley's plan to give teachers dramatic raises and spend $68 million to reform the mental health system depends on his ability to sell increases in so-called "sin taxes" to the legislature in an election year. Read More
Background checks ruled as optional for North Dakota schools
North Dakota schools are allowed - but not required - to perform criminal background checks on employees, Attorney General Wayne Stenehjem says. Read More
Bruning takes housing discrimination fight to CNN
OMAHA, Neb. -- Nebraska Attorney General Jon Bruning on Monday defended his refusal to prosecute housing discrimination cases on CNN's "Lou Dobbs Tonight," again couching his stance in the nationwide debate over illegal immigration. Read More
Assembly committee advances death benefits for Guardsmen
With more than half of New Jersey's Army National Guard troops bound for Iraq this fall, a state Assembly committee approved two separate pieces of legislation yesterday that would pay a total of $500,000 to the families of troops killed while on active duty. Read More
Lake Tahoe's clarity improving, report says
INCLINE VILLAGE, Nev. - Scientists on Monday said the clarity of Lake Tahoe has improved, and more importantly, the rate of decline has slowed considerably in recent years. Read More
I can't see clearly now - mystery haze fills LV Valley
A grayish-white sky shrouded the Las Vegas Valley on Monday, obliterating the view of the Spring Mountains to the west and much of the Strip. Read More
Court upholds dress codes
A federal appeals court ruled Monday that Clark County's school dress codes do not violate students' right to free speech after considering a case involving a junior suspended for wearing T-shirts expressing her religious faith. Read More
His priority - Protect rural water
Sen. Dean Rhoads, the second in seniority in the Nevada Legislature, says his priority in the 2009 session will be to protect the water resources of rural Nevada. Read More
Yucca foe fought till his death - and beyond
WASHINGTON - Even in death, Joe Egan plans to keep fighting Yucca Mountain. Read More
Despite few layoffs, workers feel fear
After the 9/11 terrorist attacks, thousands of hourly Strip workers were laid off as tourists stayed home, and profit at some casinos was halved. It took more than a year to recover. Read More
Member Exchange - Soaring costs may strain welfare changes
CIRCLEVILLE, Ohio - The vegetable garden is going in now, and Heather Algoe will tend it with a fervor not afforded a mere hobby. She needs this food to feed her family. Read More
Gay rights groups launch hospital ratings
NEW YORK - Just over half of 88 hospitals got top marks under a new rating system created by two national gay-rights organizations that hope the standards will result in more compassionate treatment of gay and lesbian patients. Read More
Religious beliefs bill for state students gets a pass
Legislation that proponents say would guarantee Oklahoma students who express religious views at school get the same protections as students expressing secular views is on its way to the governor. Read More
Supporters urge more funds for state highway improvements
Advocates for better highways urged legislative leaders Monday to give the state highway program more money through legislation or a bond issue this year. Read More
United Way to address state seniors' issues
United Way of Central Oklahoma released its Envision 2020 report Monday, outlining several areas that older Oklahoma County residents say need attention. Read More
For Picher residents, it's not as simple as just rebuild
PICHER, Okla. - Sue Sigle was hoping for the government to offer more money for her home before moving away from this pollution-scarred town. Then the tornado came. Read More
House veto override on lawsuit reform bill falls short
Gov. Brad Henry?s veto of legislation intended to make it tougher to file some lawsuits was sustained Monday when House Democrats blocked a Republican-led override attempt. Read More
'Operation Safe Surf' warns of Web dangers
Teenagers don't know everything, but they know more than their parents when it comes to computers and technology. And that puts them at risk, state Attorney General Tom Corbett said Monday. Read More
House mulls change in sentencing rules
As summer dawned on Smith Hill in 1988, panic was escalating. It was the height of the Reagan-era war on drugs and Rhode Island, like other states, believed it was grappling with a serious social problem. Read More
Bill suggests to local governments how to hold legal prayers
A bill designed to guide local governments on how to legally pray before meetings is up for discussion in a House committee. Read More
Buyout talk changes state workers' retirement plans
The prospect of lucrative buyout packages is leading some state employees to put their retirement plans on hold. Read More
Bredesen focuses cuts on three areas
The state should cut from TennCare spending, higher education and employees' salaries to respond to its deepening economic downturn, Gov. Phil Bredesen told lawmakers Monday, saying the state must act "decisively and conservatively" to weather its financial crisis. Read More
Nashville - Megasite incentives on tap despite cuts
Tennessee Finance Commissioner Dave Goetz said Monday that Gov. Phil Bredesen intends to merge $100 million from reserves with savings from several other areas as a "contingency" fund for "some potential large economic-development projects that we hope are going to bear fruit." Read More
Bredesen focuses cuts on three areas
The state should cut from TennCare spending, higher education and employees' salaries to respond to its deepening economic downturn, Gov. Phil Bredesen told lawmakers Monday, saying the state must act "decisively and conservatively" to weather its financial crisis. Read More
Caregivers blast Texas' treatment of polygamous sect's women, children
Children living in crowded quarters that led to upper respiratory illnesses. Youngsters plagued with diarrhea from unhealthy foods they usually did not eat. Distressed mothers enduring widespread rudeness -- such as flashlights shined in their faces as they tried to sleep. Read More
A second FLDS mother gives birth in custody
Another child has been born to a woman taken into Texas custody in the raid on the Fundamentalist LDS Church's YFZ Ranch. The young woman gave birth to a boy around noon Monday. Read More
Candidate for lieutenant governor has worked to persuade Latinas to seek office
For more than three decades, Josie Valdez has fought for the rights of ethnic minorities and women in Utah. She plans to take that fight to the state Capitol after filing Monday to run on the Democratic ticket for lieutenant governor. Read More
Shurtleff deposition set in child-bride suit
Utah Attorney General Mark Shurtleff will give a deposition in a former child bride's multimillion-dollar lawsuit against the Fundamentalist LDS Church and its leader, Warren Jeffs. Read More
Guns in restaurants fail to cause outcry in N.Va.
RESTON, Va. -- The patrons at Champps, a restaurant and bar chain, were eating ribs and drinking beer on a recent Saturday when customer Bruce Jackson stood up and made an announcement. He was armed, and so were dozens of other patrons. Read More
Court will decide case of Va. man on death row
WASHINGTON - The Supreme Court on Monday granted a temporary reprieve to a death row inmate in Virginia to consider whether lower courts correctly weighed his claim that his lawyer did a poor job of representing him. Read More
Washington holds mental health summit
Washington state has embarked on a five-year effort to transform the way mentally ill people are diagnosed and treated. The idea is to bring a public health approach to mental health -- that means a focus on prevention. Read More
Job gains cut W.Va. unemployment rate to 5.2 percent
Job gains in construction and other sectors cut West Virginia's unemployment rate by one-tenth of a percentage point in April to 5.2 percent. Read More
Bill stalls in Senate committee
A bill that would bring an estimated $27.2 million in new state revenue stalled in a Senate committee Monday after some provisions were criticized by lawyers and lobbyists representing affected businesses. 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
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
Democratic mid-term gains affecting policy
So complete was the Democratic rout in the 2006 midterm elections that the party even gained legislative influence in Alaska, Idaho, North and South Dakota, Texas and Wyoming – states long dominated by the Republicans. And those gains, though small, are translating into policy achievements. Read More
States outpace feds on minimum wage
When the new federal minimum wage takes effect July 24, 30 states will require employers to pay hourly workers more than federal law requires. Read More
Medicaid: Biggest insurer is a budget buster
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