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Archive of Politics on Tuesday June 30, 2009
CA: No sign of budget with deadline approaching
Despite a deadline looming tonight, Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger and the Legislature were at a loss Monday over how to close the state's massive deficit, and there were no signs a compromise would be reached soon. Read More
IL: House votes to borrow money amid budget mess
The Illinois House wants to borrow $2.3 billion to help piece together a new state budget. Read More
AK: SarahPAC pushes for donations to meet deadline today
WASHINGTON -- Gov. Sarah Palin's supporters got yet another request to donate money this week, this time to her political action campaign. Read More
AK: Pro-Palin Web site clashes with Fairbanks representative
It raises money for her and it goes after her political enemies, but Gov. Sarah Palin says she has nothing to do with the Web site Conservatives4Palin. Read More
AK: Murkowski, Begich expect Senate to redo climate bill
Alaska's two U.S. senators on Monday indicated the Senate will redo a bill, recently approved by the House of Representatives, that attempts to slash the country's collective emission of greenhouse gases. Read More
AL: Governor headlines Williams fundraiser
A Democrat who hopes to represent northwest Madison County in the Legislature is counting on a door-to-door campaign to overcome what one expert sees as the advantages of her Republican opponent. Read More
AL: New state laws to start Wednesday
New laws taking effect Wednesday in Alabama will provide more care for women with cancer, coordinate services for Alabamians with autism and use state buildings to honor American military missing in action. Read More
AL: Siegelman asks judge to grant him new trial, charging prosecutor misconduct
Former Gov. Don Siegelman, who was convicted by a federal jury in 2006 of bribery, conspiracy and mail fraud, on Monday asked U.S. District Judge Mark Fuller to grant him a new trial, in part because of ``misconduct" by prosecutors. Read More
AL: Former Tuskegee mayor Johnny Ford to enter state Senate race
Former Tuskegee Mayor Johnny Ford said he's getting back into politics to run for the state Senate as a Democrat. Read More
AL: Davis adds 2 to campaign for Alabama governor
U.S. Rep. Artur Davis has added two Alabama political veterans to his campaign staff for next year's Democratic race for governor. Read More
AR: Lawmakers to discuss prison woes
An independent investigation may be in order to get to the bottom of an escape by two convicted killers and other recent serious incidents in the state prison system, the state House majority leader said Monday. Read More
AZ: Brewer wants budget right away, but not those other, lesser bills
Gov. Jan Brewer sent her attorney to court last week to demand that lawmakers send her the bills they already have approved "immediately." Read More
AZ: GOP legislative leaders try to save budget deal
Fearing their vulnerable state budget deal might fall apart less than two days before the end of the fiscal year, Republican legislative leaders spent Monday figuring out a way to keep that spending plan alive. Read More
AZ: Ariz. lawmakers face midnight deadline on budget
Arizona legislators face a midnight deadline to approve a new budget to close a big revenue shortfall and prevent a possible state government shutdown. Read More
AZ: State services uncertain if government shuts down
The Legislature's fractured Republican majority struggled Monday to reach a budget agreement, bringing Arizona within hours of a nearly total government shutdown. Read More
AZ: Flat-tax compromise adds to budget logjam
If Arizona shifted to a flat tax, there would be a seesaw effect on tax bills: Down for high-income earners but up for some in the middle, according to an analysis in response to a last-minute policy proposal. Read More
AZ: Political Insider -- Harsh times make for harsh words
It's a given that tempers flare and nerves fray as the legislative session nears its finish. But on Saturday, an exchange got downright nasty. Read More
AZ: Lawmakers tackle flurry of bills
It was a manic Monday at the Legislature as the Senate and House flew through a flurry of bills in an effort to beat a theoretical June 30 deadline. Read More
CA: Lawmakers fail to fund volunteer program
CARSON CITY, Nev. — Nevada's AmeriCorps volunteer program is threatened because Gov. Jim Gibbons and lawmakers didn't approve $365,000 in state funds to qualify for $7.5 million in federal money. Read More
CA: California's long process to resuming executions
A Contra Costa County judge last week sentenced Darryl Kemp to death for the random rape and murder of a young jogger. But chances are that Kemp will not be executed anytime soon, if at all. Read More
CA: State's most conservative county uses much cash
Sprawling across the northeastern corner of California, this huge, thickly forested county with more cows than people epitomizes the Western frontier - and what seems to be a two-faced political ideology. Modoc has the highest Republican registration of any county in California, it unfailingly elects anti-tax Republicans to office, and the vote here against last month's ballot measure that would have raised a variety of taxes was one of the most lopsided in the state. Read More
CA: Rhetoric reigns as California IOU deadline nears
The quest to balance the state budget remained mired in sharp rhetoric and fruitless votes Monday, as the clock ticked nearer to California running out of cash and paying its bills with IOUs. Read More
CA: State might not be able to avoid issuing IOUs
With the clock ticking down on the current fiscal year, lawmakers and the governor appeared Monday like they might not be able to cut a deal to address California's $24.3 billion deficit before the state is scheduled to start issuing IOUs this week. Read More
CA: Schwarzenegger calls for two-tier state pension system
California public employee unions already reeling from pay cuts have been dealt a new blow by Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger – a push to lower pension and retiree health care benefits for state workers hired after today. Read More
CA: California to issue IOUs to vendors, local governments
With the state poised to issue billions in IOUs in lieu of cash this week, California's budget crisis could create serious headaches for some private vendors and local governments. Read More
CA: Schwarzenegger says Democrats are wasting time on flawed budget plans
With only days before the state begins issuing IOUs, Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger scolded Democrats Monday for "wasting time" on budget fixes he won't support while they accused him of making unreasonable demands. Read More
CA: Death row foes now fight the cost of executions
Nearly 3 1/2 years into a court-ordered suspension of executions, opponents have embraced a new argument: that Californians can't afford to carry out the death penalty in a constitutional manner. Read More
CO: Costly repairs to Colorado's Capitol dome must wait
Gov. Bill Ritter said plans to repair the Capitol's golden dome are on hold, at least for now. Read More
CT: State budget talks continue as fiscal year winds down
If there are no last-minute dramatics today, the state's fiscal year will run out without a new state budget and the government will need to begin paying its bills by executive order Wednesday, when the new fiscal year begins. Read More
DE: With gap nearly closed, last day should be quiet
With the contentious battle over tax increases nearly completed in the House, today's final-day push in Legislative Hall could be strangely anticlimactic. Read More
DE: Critics -- Gross receipts tax damages local businesses
An impending hike in Delaware's gross receipts tax will bring in millions more to the First State's coffers in coming years, according to state projections. Read More
DE: High, low tax brackets spared
The highest- and lowest-paid Delawareans would catch a break under a measure that passed Monday night in the state House, a personal income tax hike that doesn't include proposed hits to those making less than $60,000 or an even greater burden on those making $150,000 and up. Read More
FL: Cigarette tax increase among new Fla. laws
Smokers will pay an additional $1 tax on a pack of cigarettes under one of 65 new state laws going into effect Wednesday, including a $66.5 billion budget. Read More
FL: Top Florida officials spent $51K on plane commutes
Top Florida officials misused state resources to travel between the capital and their homes, costing taxpayers at least $51,000 and raising potential IRS violations, according to state investigators' findings that were removed from a final auditor's report. Read More
FL: Crist signs tougher investment protections
On the same day multibillion-dollar swindler Bernard Madoff was sentenced to 150 years in prison, Florida Governor Charlie Crist signed a law that gives the state more power to prosecute sophisticated, far-reaching investment crimes. Read More
FL: Sansom helped write job description of post he sought
Former House Speaker Ray Sansom not only accepted a $110,000 job at Northwest Florida State College — he helped write the job description. Read More
GA: Former governor to swear in new chief justice
Former Gov. Zell Miller, who appointed Carol W. Hunstein to Georgia's Supreme Court, will swear her in as chief justice. Read More
HI: Governor signs budget bill for fiscal years 2010, 2011
Gov. Linda Lingle has signed into law a state spending plan for the next two fiscal years that begins this week. Read More
HI: Candidate faults Lingle's leadership
U.S. Rep. Neil Abercrombie, in a dig at Gov. Linda Lingle, said last night that bashing public-sector labor unions and making unilateral decisions is not the kind of leadership that can move the state forward. Read More
HI: Abercrombie draws 1,100 at start of run for governor
U.S. Rep. Neil Abercrombie launched his campaign for governor last night before 1,100 supporters, promising he would unite the state's quarreling factions and power groups. Read More
IA: New laws to affect a variety of Iowans
Consumers, farmers, sex offenders, septic tank owners and wine drinkers are among the Iowans who will be impacted by new state laws slated to take effect Wednesday. Read More
IL: Lack of state budget deal won't be felt right away
The state's budget year ends today, and lawmakers are nowhere near a deal on a spending plan with Gov. Quinn. Does that mean someone shuts off the lights of state government at midnight? In a word, no. Read More
IL: Ex-U of I official - 'wanted to deny' some students
A former admissions official at the University of Illinois testified Monday that the school should discontinue use of a special system for admitting politically connected students, saying there were students the office "wanted to deny, who we were told to admit." Read More
IL: U. of I. admissions system changed in 2002, former employee says
The University of Illinois formalized its system for tracking clouted applicants after an unqualified student with ties to ex- Gov. Jim Thompson was rejected, angering a top administrator who reversed the decision, a former admissions worker testified Monday. Read More
IN: Legislators may vote on budget today
A vote is expected today on a new state budget that gives Democrats and Republicans some, though not all, of what they wanted for education. Read More
IN: Indiana foreclosure hot line is available
ELKHART, Ind. — The nation's sluggish housing market continues to be crippled by home foreclosures. In fact, Indiana ranks eighth in the country when it comes to foreclosures. Read More
IN: Budget deals going down to wire
With a state shutdown looming, negotiators reached a tentative agreement Monday night on a two-year, $28.5 million state budget that splinters both the Northwest Indiana delegation and the Democratic majority in the House. Read More
IN: A shutdown would ripple far beyond Statehouse
Ashley Graves, a 23-year-old Franklin resident, has a special reason for hoping legislators strike a deal. Read More
IN: Vote on budget deal pending
Budget negotiators struck a tentative deal Monday that would leave the state with $1 billion in reserves and give most schools a modest increase statewide. Read More
IN: Legislators may vote on budget today
A vote is expected today on a new state budget that gives Democrats and Republicans some, though not all, of what they wanted for education. If approved by the legislature, the deal would avert a government shutdown. Read More
KS: State to use stimulus funds mostly to stop cuts
Sitting around a conference table, members of the governor's Cabinet pondered the impact of nearly $2 billion in federal stimulus money flowing into Kansas. Read More
KS: Officials await revenue estimates
Kansas officials may get an indication Tuesday of how revenues are shaping up as the 2009 fiscal year comes to a close. Read More
KS: Treasurer offers financial tips
There are some new tools for Kansans looking for sound financial advice. Read More
KS: Court reels from budget cuts
MANHATTAN, Kan. — The Riley County Courthouse is among those slashing services in the wake of budget cuts. Read More
KS: Gov. Parkinson expects there will be more budget cuts on the horizon
More state budget cuts are coming. That was the word Monday from Gov. Mark Parkinson, who said the current shortfall has grown to $135 million as the fiscal year ends Tuesday. Read More
LA: State colleges trying to operate with less
While higher education was spared $219 million in proposed state budget cuts, colleges are now left with the task of slicing more than $100 million from their books and laying off hundreds of employees. Read More
LA: Budget change may spur layoffs
A late change to the state operating budget could trigger layoffs in the state Department of Education, top educators said Monday. Read More
MA: Deval Patrick acts on stars' behalf
Gov. Deval Patrick greenlighted the renewal of a controversial multimillion-dollar taxpayer-funded giveaway to Hollywood stars yesterday, even as he signed a $27.05 billion budget that squeezes the Bay State for another $860 million in new taxes. Read More
MA: Pol unveils elderly driver plan
The state motor vehicle registry could start flagging dangerous elderly drivers, force seniors to re-take road tests and make it easier for families to intervene under a sweeping new crackdown a Beacon Hill leader is vowing to push today, the Herald has learned. Read More
MA: Mass. turnpike rescinds major toll increase
FRAMINGHAM, Mass. — The Massachusetts Turnpike Authority has four months to live. Transportation Secretary James Aloisi said Monday that the new Massachusetts Department of Transportation is expected to take over Turnpike operations in November. Read More
MA: Mass. toll hike scrapped; gov. approves budget
Gov. Deval Patrick has approved a new state budget that hikes the Massachusetts sales tax by 25 percent, largely preserves education spending, and makes deep cuts to other state services. Read More
MA: Patrick signs sales tax increase, sends back $147M in vetoes
The sales tax in Massachusetts will increase 25 percent on August 1, now that Gov. Patrick has signed a budget bill for the fiscal year that begins Wednesday. Read More
MA: Patrick hints at hike in gas tax
Governor Deval Patrick signed a budget yesterday that imposes more than $1 billion in additional taxes on Massachusetts residents and visitors, most of it through the first increase in the state sales tax in 33 years, even as he declined to rule out a future boost in the state gas tax. Read More
MN: Wisconsin officials yet to agree to Pawlenty's tax reciprocity request
Gov. Tim Pawlenty is using an emergency provision to balance the books on his own through spending cuts and accounting shifts that begin July 1. Read More
MN: Parents' pain helps change how police treat missing adults
A law that takes effect on Wednesday is a testament to the perseverance of two parents and an example of what is possible when the average citizen gets involved in the legislative process. Read More
MN: State budget cuts start hitting Wednesday
Minnesota's state budget meltdown finally starts to bite Wednesday. Read More
MO: New law expands investments for Missouri treasurer
Gov. Jay Nixon signed legislation Monday that expands a low-interest loan program and lets Missouri earn more interest on the money it keeps in local banks. Read More
MO: Debate heats up over who runs state license fee office
Even before Gov. Jay Nixon took office in January, he had declared that the "era of license office patronage in Missouri is over." Read More
MS: Medicaid agreement reached
Late Monday night, House Speaker Billy McCoy, D-Rienzi, announced that an agreement had been reached on funding for Medicaid that if passed today would fund the agency for the fiscal year beginning Wednesday. Read More
MS: House, Senate OK new cig tax
State lawmakers in a special legislative session are trying to finish budget work today to prevent some government services from stopping when the new fiscal year begins Wednesday. Read More
MT: Governor selects Hammill as new chief of staff
Gov. Brian Schweitzer on Monday appointed his chief troubleshooter, Vivian Hammill, as his new chief of staff. Read More
MT: Political group told to ID donors
In a long-awaited decision, Montana's top political cop says a conservative group that spent nearly $1.2 million promoting a trio of Montana ballot measures in 2006 paid for "campaign speech" and therefore must identify its financial donors. Read More
NC: Mary Easley to fight termination
Former first lady Mary Easley's hiring left a trail of dethroned N.C. State officials, but she has notified the university that she doesn't plan to join them. Read More
NC: Temporary spending bill clears House
House members overwhelmingly approved a temporary spending bill Monday night, a little more than 24 hours before the current state budget expires. Read More
NH: High court won't touch privacy law
New Hampshire survived the strongest legal test to a law making doctors' prescription-writing habits confidential. Read More
NH: Group wants Lynch to veto medical pot bill
A conservative watchdog group called upon Gov. John Lynch on Monday to veto a bill legalizing medical use of marijuana on financial grounds. Read More
NH: Greyhound racing in NH to end
MANCHESTER, N.H. — Greyhound racing in New Hampshire is about to become history. Read More
NH: Report on dismissed sex cases due today
The head of the state's superior courts said yesterday he has a draft of the internal investigation into the unexpected dismissals of three Hillsborough County sexual predator cases, but he doesn't yet know how much of the report he will be able to release, or when. Read More
NH: Prescription privacy law appeal stymied
The U.S. Supreme Court won't stop the state of New Hampshire from making doctors' prescription-writing habits confidential over the objection of companies that analyze and sell that information. Read More
NH: Convicted ex-lawmaker in jail again
Former state representative Jim Ryan, whose criminal past surfaced last year after he was jailed on unpaid restitution charges, is locked up again - this time on allegations that he stole client records from a recent employer. Read More
NJ: Christie, unbowed, returns to the trail
Chris Christie walked out of a blockbuster congressional hearing last week with an air of defiance, saying he survived a political booby trap and would get right back to his own campaign agenda. Read More
NM: NM Gov. Richardson plans Cape Cod vacation
Gov. Bill Richardson is heading to Cape Cod for a vacation. The governor and first lady Barbara Richardson leave Tuesday for their getaway in Massachusetts. Read More
NM: N.M. GOP's Doug Turner says he brings 'new energy' to guv's race
Doug Turner says his age is one thing that sets him apart from other potential 2010 Republican gubernatorial candidates. At 40, he's younger than the others who are running or openly considering it. Read More
NM: Pared-down Health Policy Commission gets new head
New Mexico Gov. Bill Richardson has named a state Department of Health official to oversee the Health Policy Commission, which faces deep cuts in the budget year that begins Wednesday. Read More
NV: Nevada jeered, American Samoa cheered for stimulus Web sites
Nevada and American Samoa both launched Web sites in the same week of early March to keep track of the massive amounts of money that Congress had just approved under the so-called stimulus act. Unfortunately for the Silver State, a watchdog group compared the two. Read More
NV: Taxes about to increase as Legislature's work takes effect
This July 1 forever might be remembered as Black Wednesday in the annals of Nevada state government. Read More
NV: North-south fight over money may get new life
Recalculating the state's formula for funding higher education will take some higher math, but one part of the equation is already in place. Senate Majority Leader Steven Horsford and Assemblyman John Oceguera, the heir apparent to the Assembly speaker's post for the next session, say it's time. Read More
NY: Giuliani admits he's considering run for governor
Former New York City Mayor Rudy Giuliani said Monday he is considering running for governor in 2010. Read More
NY: Paterson aide takes new job
State Appointments Secretary Francine James is taking a top job at the embattled New York State Insurance Fund as chief deputy executive director and secretary. Read More
NY: Paterson warns tax revenues down
Gov. David Paterson warned Monday that state tax receipts this year are expected to be 35 percent lower than predictions only a few months ago. Read More
NY: Paterson's deadline for Senate action questioned
Gov. David Paterson has drawn a red circle around Tuesday on the calendar, marking what he says is a critical deadline for New York's deadlocked Senate to pass as many as 40 bills. Read More
NY: Programs with tax impact set to expire
Gov. David Paterson tried unsuccessfully Monday to edge senators toward a leadership agreement by placing legislation on the special session agenda that deals with programs and local taxes that will expire without Senate approval. Read More
NY: Back at it, Senate told
State Supreme Court Justice Joseph C. Teresi ordered all 62 members of the state Senate to appear together in the chamber at 10 a.m. today. An immediate appeal by GOP attorneys, however, means an automatic stay will be imposed on the ruling. Read More
NY: Judge orders state senators to return to work
Saying New Yorkers could consider them "rude, inconsiderate and egotistical," a state judge Monday ordered all 62 senators to the chamber floor today to put an end to the "illusion" that Democrats and Republicans have been working over the last week. Read More
NY: Rudy weighing N.Y. governor run
Former New York City Mayor Rudy Giuliani said Monday that he is considering running for governor in 2010. Read More
NY: Judge orders all 62 senators to meet in one place
A state judge on Monday ordered the 62 members of the Senate to convene together Tuesday morning, backing Gov. David A. Paterson's latest attempt to break the deadlock in the chamber. Read More
OH: Lawmakers butt heads on video slots, horse racing
What's the difference between video slot machines and video horse racing machines? Read More
OH: Slots debate holds up state budget
Acknowledging they would miss their deadline to pass a state budget for the first time in 18 years, state lawmakers opted instead to pass an emergency, seven-day budget. Read More
OH: Ohio set to OK temporary budget
Feuding over slot machines, lawmakers and Gov. Ted Strickland are poised to buy themselves a little time by enacting a temporary budget to keep state government afloat an extra week while talks on the next two-year spending plan go on. Read More
OR: Lawmakers adjourn -- Economy dominates '09 session
Despite a multibillion dollar gap between falling tax collections and projected service costs, the Oregon Legislature shut down Monday night after completing the shortest session since 1995 — beating its mark of two years ago. Read More
OR: Sine Die -- Time out for thanks in the statehouse
You know the end is here when the professional staff gets its turn in the spotlight. Read More
OR: Legislature gives DOJ money for civil rights, with restrictions
In its final hours, the 2009 Legislature is on track to approve $642,000 for a civil rights unit within the Department of Justice, something that hasn't existed for two decades. Read More
OR: Oregon Democrats gamble on improving economy
The Oregon Legislature's Democratic majority wagered heavily this session that the economy will soon be on the upswing. Read More
OR: Oregon's 2009 session ends with trail of big taxes
Oregon lawmakers, working a late-evening marathon to bring the six-month session to a close, barnstormed through a flurry of bills Monday, including a near total ban on field burning and a moratorium for online schools. Read More
PA: As Pennsylvania budget deadline looms, lobbyists flock to fundraisers
State Rep. Matt Gabler is barely seven months into his first term, but he's already schooled in the ways of the capital. One evening last week, the young Republican greeted lobbyists, fellow lawmakers and others entering his re-election fundraiser in a room above an Irish pub barely a block from the Capitol. Read More
PA: Commission to investigate judge kickback scheme
The state House voted yesterday voted to create a commission to investigate problems in the Luzerne County Courthouse, where prosecutors say children were wrongly sentenced by judges who took kickbacks from operators of juvenile detention centers in Luzerne and Butler counties. Read More
PA: Open-records chief pleads for more money
The director of the state's Office of Open Records is trying to keep the office that was last year's legislative prize from suffering a painful budget cut. Read More
PA: Pennsylvania House expands health insurance to low-income adults
Over Republican objections, state House Democrats voted yesterday to expand the state's adultBasic health insurance program to cover more than 130,000 low-income adults. Read More
PA: State budget agreement unlikely to meet deadline
Less than 24 hours remain for Democratic Gov. Ed Rendell and Republican legislative leaders to work out a new state budget on time, and neither side is optimistic about coming to an agreement anytime soon. Read More
RI: R.I. workers without jobs deliver a message that 'people want to work'
CRANSTON, R.I.— A group of unemployed workers met with officials of the state Department of Labor and Training on Monday mainly to seek more help in obtaining jobs and faster processing of claims for unemployment benefits. Read More
RI: Primary care focus of grants
One program will make it easier for people to get fast medical care on evenings and weekends. Another will help doctors push their patients toward healthy living. Still another will tell Spanish-speaking people where to find care when they have no health insurance. Read More
RI: High court rules in Irons' favor on ethics prosecution
Rhode Island legislators can be prosecuted for ethics violations involving their political activities, questionable acts on behalf of constituents or businessmen –– but not, the Rhode Island Supreme Court ruled Monday, for their official legislative votes or actions. Read More
RI: Amazon cuts its R.I. ties over sales tax
The Internet giant Amazon.com has severed formal ties with all Rhode Island businesses, a move intended to shield the online retailer from the General Assembly's push to tax some online sales as soon as Wednesday. Read More
RI: R.I. Senate to hold session today, agenda uncertain
With the House of Representatives at a hiatus and House Speaker William J. Murphy about to head to Switzerland for a conference, the Senate will return to the State House Tuesday to deal with high-profile bills including a bid to ban indoor prostitution and a proposed statewide referendum on changing the name of this state. Read More
RI: Trooper's assault conviction vacated
The state Supreme Court on Monday overturned the 2006 conviction of a former Rhode Island State Police trooper accused of assaulting a man in South Kingstown police custody as he sat in the back of a police cruiser. Read More
RI: With funding cuts, colleges revamp majors to save money
SOUTH KINGSTOWN, R.I. — Citing financial constraints and a desire to strengthen academic programs at the state's three public colleges, the Board of Governors for Higher Education Monday approved the elimination or consolidation of dozens of majors and ordered the review of dozens more that have consistently graduated fewer than 11 students a year. Read More
RI: Rhode Island weighs using shorter official name
It does not appear on the state flag or license plate. You won't see it on road maps or welcome signs. But Rhode Island has a lightning rod of a formal name — Rhode Island and Providence Plantations — that harks back to its prominent role in the slave trade and makes some of its residents cringe. Read More
SC: Gov's `other woman' fiercely private, no pushover
BUENOS AIRES, Argentina -- She is a 43-year-old, divorced mother of two teenage boys who wants to believe she can still experience true love. Read More
SC: Sanford -- I'll 'serve as best I can'
Efforts by some state senators and Republican Party activists to oust Gov. Mark Sanford lost steam Monday: There were no plans to collectively call for the governor's resignation. Read More
SC: Lt. Gov. Bauer -- Let's move forward
When Andre Bauer was a teenager, he would scavenge golf courses with his sister for stray golf balls, only to clean and repackage them in egg cartons to sell in the parking lot. Read More
SD: Open records law takes effect Wednesday
State law changes Wednesday to presume that government documents are open in South Dakota unless there's a good reason to keep them secret. Read More
TN: Tennessee cities rush to ban guns in local parks
The handgun battle is heading from Capitol Hill to City Hall. Local governments and advocates for firearms owners are gearing up for a summer face-off over how far to take a new state law that lets people with carry permits bring handguns into parks. Read More
TN: One for the books: Bredesen, Wharton celebrate reading grant
"I think I can, I think I can," a group of 4- and 5-year-olds chanted as Gov. Phil Bredesen read his favorite childhood book in the Urban Child Institute Monday afternoon. Read More
TN: Judicial selection proposal signed
A proposal to change the way judicial vacancies are filled in Tennessee has been signed by the governor. Read More
TX: Governor says session's task is set in stone
Gov. Rick Perry is being pressed to add issues ranging from children's health care to voter identification to the agenda of the special session that begins Wednesday, but his answer is still no. Read More
TX: Three issues, and lots of other bills
Gov. Perry has made it clear he has no plans to add anything more to the Legislature's special session agenda, besides the three issues already identified. Read More
TX: Toll road item may threaten session
The spoiler of Gov. Rick Perry's midsummer's dream of a three-day special session could be the "Nichols language." Read More
TX: Perry campaign lists financial supporters—including former Sen. John Montford
Quick, somebody get me the Who's Who for Republican benefactors in Texas. I'll need something like that to sort and analyze the hundreds of people listed by Gov. Rick Perry's campaign today as members of his 2010 finance team; fetch the list here. Read More
TX: GOP consultant: Perry and Hutchison both have money enough to generate "yuck factor" for voters
Republican consultant Craig Murphy reviewed the list of financial supporters laid out by Perry's campaign today (see that blog here) and concluded that it's an "impressive" indication that both Perry and his expected challenger in the March GOP primary, U.S. Sen. Kay Bailey Hutchison, will raise plenty of money to pour into TV advertising-plus. Read More
US: Ten states race to finish budgets
Ten states were scrambling Monday to pass budgets before a Tuesday deadline, with a handful -- including Arizona, Indiana and Mississippi -- facing the possibility of partial shutdowns if their legislatures don't act in time. Read More
US: High court curves in conservative direction
WASHINGTON — In the term that ended Monday, the Supreme Court shifted more to the right, making it harder for people to bring civil rights claims, rejecting challenges by environmentalists and raising the standard for older workers alleging bias on the job. Read More
US: Obama steers health debate out of capital
WASHINGTON — With Democrats deeply divided over health legislation, President Obama is trying to enlist the nation's governors and his own army of grass-roots supporters in a bid to increase pressure on lawmakers without getting himself mired in the messy battle playing out on Capitol Hill. Read More
US: States brace for shutdowns
INDIANAPOLIS and DENVER -- The last time Indiana missed its deadline for passing a budget and had to shut down the government was during the Civil War. But on Monday, as lawmakers raced to hammer out an agreement over school funding, state agencies began preparing 31,000 workers to be temporarily out of a job. Read More
UT: Utah recovery months away, consultant says
Like a timid swimmer watching for drop-offs on the pool bottom, Utah is cautiously inching its way through the recession. And experts predict it will be mid-2010 before a modest upturn indicates happier economic times for the Beehive State. Read More
VA: Va. Republicans drop fight over access to Kaine's DNC travel records
Virginia Republicans will appeal to the court of public opinion instead of a court of law to fight over access to Gov. Timothy M. Kaine's out-of-town travel records as Democratic National Committee chairman. Read More
VT: Eight health centers receive federal funds
PLAINFIELD, Vt. – Eight community health centers in Vermont will receive almost $4.9 million in economic stimulus funds to address immediate and pressing facility and equipment needs. Read More
VT: Welch -- Climate bill a windfall for Vt.
A major climate bill narrowly passed by the U.S. House of Representatives last Friday could be a windfall for energy-efficiency efforts in Vermont. Read More
VT: Jobless fund running toward empty
Francis and Betsy Dittman lost their jobs in February. A few months later they lost their Jeffersonville apartment after they were denied unemployment benefits. Now, the couple in their early 50s have moved in with her parents in Colchester. Read More
WA: Lt. Gov. Owen travels to China
Lt. Gov. Brad Owen headed off Saturday for China on a privately paid trade trip that ends July 5. It's the Democrat's eighth jaunt to China since he took office in 1996, aides said. Read More
WA: Agencies don't need merger, says director
The state Department of Retirement Systems and the Health Care Authority don't need to merge, said Steve Hill, who has been the director of both agencies for four months. Read More
WA: Seattle's population grows faster; state's slows
While the tough economy has slowed the influx of new residents into Washington, Seattle's growth has sped up, according to new population estimates. Read More
WA: Report -- State wrong to stiff Seattle on transpo stimulus $
A new report released Monday by Smart Growth America and the Transportation Choices Coalition criticized Washington and other states for spending too much economic stimulus money on building new roads and infrastructure and neglecting much-needed repairs to existing roads and transit. Read More
Furloughs cut into state services
With states facing a $121 billion shortfall in the next fiscal year, a growing number of them have turned to squeezing their workforce for savings, and effects both great and small will be felt. Read More
Tracking the recession: Budget deadline looms
Unlike the federal government, states have to balance their budgets. But several states still have not completed spending plans for the fiscal year that begins July 1. Read More
Weekly wrap: Feds release long-awaited stimulus job guidelines
The Obama administration tells state officials to take "a simple headcount" of jobs saved or created by the stimulus program. Meanwhile, the demand for some special jobs is soaring. Officials also warn states not to shortchange education when balancing budgets. Read More
New section follows stimulus spending
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Reports: State income levels plunge
States racing to cobble together new budgets for their July 1 deadline could find themselves sinking back into red ink sooner than they think, as Americans’ income and the taxes they pay on it shrink, new data show. Read More
Weekly wrap: Sales tax fight splits GOP in Arizona
Arizona Gov. Jan Brewer (R) sues her own party over the budget. The U.S. labor department releases May unemployment data, and Illinois says it can’t afford to pay for indigent burials. For a quick update on the top recession news in the states, read Stateline.org's "Weekly wrap." Read More |
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