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Archive of Social Policy on Tuesday June 30, 2009
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
MA: Firefighters on disability race to retire
Nearly 30 Boston firefighters with pending disability claims filed for retirement yesterday, just two days before a new state law ends a controversial benefit that allows them to significantly enhance their pensions if they claim career-ending injuries occurred while filling in for a superior at a higher pay grade. 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
AR: Arkansas ready to protect children during disasters
A new report ranks Arkansas as one of the top states in readiness to protect children during disasters. 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
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
DE: Casino developer targets Delmar
Tucked away in Sussex County's southwestern corner, tiny Delmar is known for its state-straddling status, its historic highball railroad signal and its close-knit community. 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
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: School vouchers study finds little difference between public schools, private schools
Supporters often say school vouchers are lifelines to low-income students trapped in subpar public schools. But academically, students using vouchers to attend private schools in Florida are doing no better and no worse than similar students in public schools, says a study ordered by the state Legislature. Read More
IA: Iowa community gets $1 million for housing
DYERSVILLE, Iowa - The community Dyersville is getting a $1 million grant for the construction of new single-family homes. Read More
IA: Proposed Casino Site Moved
HAMPTON, Iowa -- The site for a proposed casino in northern Iowa has been moved. Read More
IL: State minimum wage going up a quarter
Many workers will see a bit more in their paychecks when Illinois' minimum wage rises 25 cents an hour to $8 an hour Wednesday -- the second of a three-phase increase that will reach $8.25 July 1, 2010. 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: 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
KY: Many Ky. families see payday loans as only option, study says
A survey of low-income families in nine Kentucky counties showed that many turned to payday lenders because they couldn't access or didn't trust banking services. Read More
LA: First 'one-stop shop' agency opens in La.
The first "one-stop shop" that will give residents a central location for assistance offered by several separate state agencies opened 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: Mass. reports second swine flu death
State health officials say an elderly Boston man died from complications of the swine flu, the second death tied to the H1N1 virus in Massachusetts. Read More
MA: Study - Weak economy bad for public health
A new study is calling for a large-scale public health campaign in Massachusetts to stop unhealthy behaviors that appear to be caused by the weak economy. Read More
ME: New panel seeks to quell young arsonists
Three years ago, Janet Richards asked a group of juvenile fire-safety experts what they needed to help reduce the number of arsons caused by children. 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
MO: Court rejects Mo. appeal on funeral protest law
WASHINGTON -- The U.S. Supreme Court on Monday refused to consider Missouri's appeal of a court order barring the state from enforcing a law restricting protests near funerals. Read More
MO: Mo. employers seeking health care workers
A report by the Missouri Department of Economic Development says employers are working hard to fill jobs in health care and social assistance. Read More
MO: Critics of affirmative action try again to get on Missouri ballot
The sponsor of an initiative limiting affirmative-action programs says he plans to submit a new version after a court ruled against his first try. Read More
MO: Missouri toughens efforts against 'puppy mills'
Missouri's attorney general and agriculture director are launching the next phase of a crackdown on unlicensed dog breeders. Read More
MO: Illinois borrowing measure to avert cuts
SPRINGFIELD, Ill. -- The Illinois House on Monday overwhelmingly approved a complicated $2.2 billion borrowing plan designed to forestall massive social service cuts in the shadow of the state's protracted budget crisis. 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
NC: Mental hospitals may lose schools
Schools in the state's three psychiatric hospitals could be eliminated as officials consider making local school districts responsible for educating hospitalized children. Read More
NE: Red Cross program to help pay Nebraska utility bills
OMAHA, Neb. — The American Red Cross and Omaha Public Power District have teamed up again this year to help residents in 13 southeast Nebraska counties with their utility bills. 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
NJ: Governor Corzine signs $29 billion New Jersey state budget
Governor Jon Corzine Monday signed legislation adopting a $29 billion budget for FY2010 that is $1.8 billion less than the first budget he signed four years ago. Read More
NJ: State court furlough doesn't stop free mediation day in Monmouth
Although state courts were closed yesterday while judiciary employees were on furlough, members of the Monmouth Bar Association provided their own version of the People's Court by holding free mediation sessions in what they called "court alternative day." Read More
NJ: No freeze on family health program
Gov. Jon Corzine is scrapping plans to freeze parent enrollment in the NJ FamilyCare health insurance program for working poor families. Corzine had hoped to save $9 million by postponing plans to expand the eligibility for the free and low-cost managed care health plan. Read More
NJ: Corzine signs $29 billion N.J. budget
Gov. Corzine signed a $29 billion budget yesterday that he said managed the national recession by cutting spending but still making "the right choices" to preserve programs for education, the poor, and the elderly. Read More
NM: NM unemployment up but below national rate
Unemployment rose in New Mexico in May, but was still under the national rate. The state's unemployment rate was 6.5 percent for the month, according to the Department of Workforce Solutions, up from four percent one year ago and 5.8 percent in April. The nation's unemployment rate in May was 9.4 percent. Read More
NM: PED seeks public comment on Pledge of Allegiance law
The state Public Education Department reopened last week the written public comment period for a proposed rule change that would exempt unwilling students from saying the Pledge of Allegiance. 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 Lottery switches to Greek operator Intralot
At 11:59 p.m. today, in an office park in Strongsville, state officials and a gaggle of computer technicians, some from Greece, will change how Ohioans get their lottery tickets. Read More
OK: U.S. officials seek help getting census right in Oklahoma's Hispanic community
Improving the participation of Oklahoma's Hispanics in next year's census is essential in getting an accurate count of the population, a census worker said Monday. Read More
OR: Oregon Senate puts illegal workers, bosses on notice
Lawmakers are set to crack down on businesses that hire illegal workers, don't pay taxes, or otherwise make it harder for law-abiding employers to compete. Read More
OR: Kulongoski signs law banning exotic pets
Gov. Ted Kulongoski on Friday signed into law a ban on large exotic pets in Oregon. Read More
OR: House approves bill to fight rising foreclosures
In response to the state's rising number of foreclosures, the Oregon Legislature approved a bill on Monday that would require mortgage lenders to meet with borrowers before foreclosing on their home. Read More
OR: House oks industrial hemp
Oregon is a step closer to growing industrial hemp with a House vote on Monday. 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'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: 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: Getting DNA tests may turn easy for inmates
Pennsylvania lawmakers might be asked to allow prisoners better access to genetic tests that could prove their innocence. 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: 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: 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
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
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
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: Supreme Court finds bias against white firefighters
WASHINGTON — The Supreme Court ruled on Monday that white firefighters in New Haven were subjected to race discrimination when the city threw out a promotional examination on which they had done well and black firefighters poorly. Read More
UT: Utah schools promote free lunches
New federal guidelines and a struggling economy mean more Utah schoolchildren likely will be eligible for free or reduced-price lunches next year. Utah education officials urge families living "on the edge" to take advantage of the program, even if they think they earn too much to qualify. Read More
UT: Utah's new liquor laws to bring changes
Utah's liquor regulations can be confusing -- and the changes to club laws that go into effect at midnight are no exception. Read More
VA: Va. college bans indoor plants to avoid mold
Houseplants are banned at a Roanoke college, whose officials are taking no chances that they might cause a mold problem. 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
WV: Officials say facility will be significant boost to economy
Changing the future of southern West Virginia forever. That's what impact Judy Radford, director of the 4-C Economic Development Authority, says the establishment of a new Boy Scouts of America National Scouting Center could have on the region. Read More
WV: Speakers blast proposed cut to state retiree benefits
West Virginia will have trouble recruiting and retaining teachers, State Police troopers and other public employees if the Public Employees Insurance Agency cuts a subsidy for retiree health insurance, speakers told the agency's Finance Board Monday evening. Read More
WY: No cyber hunting -- New Game and Fish laws take effect Wednesday
A new law that bans Wyoming residents from logging onto Web sites and shooting animals with remote-controlled rifles attached to Web cams is among a slate of wildlife regulations set to take effect this week. 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
Ga. hotline aims to cut mental health costs
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New section follows stimulus spending
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