|
|
Archive of Taxes & Budget on Wednesday July 01, 2009
Financial crisis torments states
(Updated 11:29 a.m. EDT, July 1, 2009) California may begin issuing IOUs this week because of the state’s unresolved budget crisis. But government disruptions were averted at least temporarily in five other states that missed a July 1 deadline for closing billion-dollar budget gaps. Read More
CA: 11th-hour votes on state budget fail
With a day to go until a cash crisis would force the state to stop paying its bills, lawmakers and Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger worked into the night Tuesday but failed to reach a budget agreement. Read More
AZ: Legislature approves budget plan; Brewer's stance unclear
Legislators gave final approval to a 2010 state-budget plan early Wednesday morning and now await word on whether Gov. Jan Brewer will accept it or force budget negotiations to begin anew. Read More
AK: University of Alaska supporters propose change to donation tax credits
University of Alaska supporters want the Legislature to remove a cap on donations eligible for state tax credits. Read More
AR: Stimulus funds to aid energy efficiency
Fayetteville is receiving $725,000 in federal stimulus funds for energy efficiency and conservation projects. Read More
AZ: Arizona Legislature misses deadline, but passes budget
State lawmakers finally approved a $8.4 billion budget early Wednesday morning — three hours after their midnight deadline and without the sales tax ballot referral Gov. Jan Brewer wants. Read More
AZ: Democrats offer budget support in exchange for concessions
Democrats, who have been trying to get to the budget-negotiating table for weeks, offered their support for the budget compromise plan in exchange for certain concessions. Read More
AZ: Public vote on sales tax plan alive again
The Senate Rules Committee late Tuesday resuscitated the measure that would refer a temporary sales tax increase to the November ballot. Read More
AZ: Future of dozens of bills uncertain in budget wake
With lawmakers scrambling to resolve the budget crisis, they left many of the more than 70 bills on Tuesday's agendas untouched. Read More
AZ: Ariz. state workers to report to work as scheduled
Gov. Jan Brewer's administration is telling state workers to report to work as scheduled though the governor has not yet acted on budget bills approved by the Legislature overnight. Read More
AZ: Many agencies brace to close; public safety will be top priority
Without a budget resolution late Tuesday, there was widespread uncertainty about how state government would function today. Read More
AZ: Budget struggle down to the wire
A testy and divided Legislature battled into the night Tuesday, preparing to send Gov. Jan Brewer a budget plan for fiscal 2010 that would cut more than $600 million from state spending but keep government doors open. Read More
CA: No deal as state budget deadline nears
With only hours to go before a midnight deadline, California's historic fiscal crisis remained unresolved Tuesday as lawmakers were trying to negotiate an agreement to prevent the $24.3 billion deficit from growing. Read More
CA: Cracked streets in Santa Ana at stake in budget debate
SANTA ANA, Calif. – If you want to get a feel for what the state budget crisis could mean on the street, take a drive through Santa Ana. Read More
CA: Lawmakers, governor remain at impasse despite deadline
For weeks, lawmakers and the governor said Tuesday was the deadline to do something about California's $24.3 billion deficit or else the state would face financial ruin. But once the day arrive, little happened. Read More
CA: Feds may take possession of some California parks, if they close
The federal government is threatening to take possession of several of California's most prominent state parks — including Angel Island in San Francisco Bay, the top of Mount Diablo and four miles of beaches at Fort Ord Dunes near Monterey — if Sacramento lawmakers close them to balance the budget. Read More
CA: Frantic budget talks fall short
A frantic rush to close California's daunting deficit before a July 1 deadline fell short at midnight, when Senate Republicans refused to back billions in cuts to public education — not out of concern for schools but because they believed the reductions did not go far enough. Read More
CA: Different paths to top of state's GOP, same hard-line resolve
One is a dairy farmer's son who once sold bull semen to pay for college. The other is a music professor's son who once researched earthquakes for Exxon. The farmer's son, Sen. Dennis Hollingsworth, R-Temecula, is a darling of the right wing of the Republican Party. Assemblyman Sam Blakeslee, R-San Luis Obispo, the music teacher's son, is a favorite among environmentalists. Read More
CA: Number of school districts on brink of financial trouble, bankruptcy rises
Unless drastic budget cuts come at the local level, many California school districts may be unable to pay the bills in the next two years, state schools chief Jack O'Connell said Tuesday. Read More
CA: Governor, lawmakers blow deadline as budget hole deepens
California is on the brink of issuing IOUs and state workers will take a third unpaid furlough day in July after Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger and state lawmakers failed to strike a budget compromise late Tuesday. Read More
CA: Board trims per-diem pay, cars, benefits for California legislators
As legislators battled over the state budget Tuesday, an independent commission voted to slash lawmakers' per-diem payments, car allowances and medical and other fringe benefits by 18 percent. Read More
CA: To solve deficit, Schwarzenegger turns to a Democrat
SACRAMENTO, Calif. -- Republican Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger, in his effort to end the partisan bickering that is pushing California to the brink of insolvency, is deploying Susan Kennedy, his cigar-smoking, paintball-playing Democratic chief of staff, to get the job done. Read More
CO: Colorado spending stimulus cash on sprawl projects, or not
Taking up a question the Colorado Independent explored last spring, Washington D.C.-based Smart Growth America and Denver's CoPirg (Colorado Public Interest Research Group) report that Colorado is funneling too much stimulus money into new roads instead of mass transit construction, which is bad because new roads translate to sprawl and because mass transit construction is more economically stimulating, creating up to 31 percent more jobs. Read More
CO: Colorado Senate returns $627,000 in unspent funds
State Senate President Brandon Shaffer, pointing to his restrictions on travel, bonuses and salaries, said Tuesday that the Senate was returning to the general fund an expected $627,000, more than twice as much in unspent funds as last year. Read More
CO: Colorado welcomes stimulus-funded jobs
Alison Barber did something unexpected this month: She found a job. Although Barber, who graduated from Colorado State University this year, says the employment rate at her construction management program dropped from 99 percent to below 50 percent this year, she was able to land a foreman position at Castle Rock Construction Co. Read More
CO: Coloradans feeling run over by new auto late fees
Loveland resident Mike Jones expected to pay $15 plus change when he registered his 24-year-old boat trailer last week, but he got hit with a $100 penalty for registering late. Read More
CT: No budget deal to start fiscal year
Gov. M. Jodi Rell said Tuesday that she has signed an executive order to keep state government running when the new fiscal year begins today without a new budget enacted. Read More
CT: State faces a new fiscal year with no budget deal
Hours of last-minute talks failed to produce a deal Tuesday, and Connecticut prepared to enter the new fiscal year today without an adopted budget for just the third time since 1991, when the state adopted its income tax. Read More
DE: State budget passes in marathon session; taxes, fees to jump $206 million
Completing a marathon session that lasted until 4 a.m. today, the General Assembly passed a $3.09 billion budget, $206 million in tax and fee increases and eliminated an unprecedented $800 million revenue shortfall. Read More
DE: Mall unveils its upscale future
As other centers struggle, Christiana Mall is forging ahead into a reimagined future. Read More
DE: In budget, 2.5% cut with 5 days off
The General Assembly was heading into an early-morning special session today after taking up a $3.09 billion budget and passing $206 million in tax and fee increases. Read More
DE: Bill to boost film industry in Del. fails to get vote
A bill that would have helped bring film production to Delaware by providing loan guarantees for certain types of projects did not make it on the General Assembly's agenda by the end of the session Tuesday. Read More
FL: Motorists fees taking big bumps
For Floridians already suffering from recession-pinched pocketbooks, add another dose of unwelcome news: Driving is getting a lot more expensive. Read More
FL: New state program offering $8,000 home buyer tax credit isn't ready to go
A state program that officially begins today promises to advance up to $8,000 to first-time home buyers. But the program has plenty of roadblocks ahead. Read More
FL: New cigarette tax has smokers fuming
Starting today, the price of cigarettes in Florida will go up again, thanks to a $1 increase in the state tobacco tax. Read More
GA: Georgia starts first stimulus-funded roadwork
The first shovel turned Tuesday on Georgia's share of $48 billion in federal economic stimulus money allocated to transportation improvements. Read More
GA: Health centers get federal stimulus money for equipment, new technology
Georgia's community health centers will get a $16.4 million shot in the arm to help buy new medical equipment or software to store medical records on a computer instead of on paper, the White House said Tuesday. Read More
GA: Tight budget only latest challenge for new chief justice
Carol Hunstein says her mantra is: Equal justice for all litigants, be fair and impartial and treat everyone with dignity and respect. Read More
HI: Lingle discloses potential vetoes
Gov. Linda Lingle yesterday gave state lawmakers a list of bills she may veto, including proposals to restructure public hospitals, raise a tax on petroleum products to fund food and energy security programs, and tighten high-technology investment tax credits. Read More
HI: GOP chairman supports governor's fiscal strategy
Jonah Ka'auwai says he understands the fear and confusion facing thousands of state workers on this first day of Gov. Linda Lingle's controversial furlough plan for state workers. Read More
HI: Furloughs or pay cuts are on UH docket
University of Hawaii President David McClain says salary reductions -- whether through furloughs or pay cuts -- will have to be part of the university's response to cutting about $155 million from its budget over the next two years. Read More
HI: Hawaii state workers rally at Capitol to protest furloughs
State workers flooded the Capitol yesterday afternoon for a rally protesting Gov. Linda Lingle's furlough plans, accusing the governor of trying to wipe out the state's budget deficit at their expense. Read More
HI: University of Hawaii wants to cut faculty pay, may add furloughs
University of Hawai'i President David McClain says he will seek pay cuts for faculty and administrators as part of a developing plan to address about $155 million in budget cuts over the next two years. Read More
IA: Advocates push to raise Iowa earned income credit
Iowa should boost its tax credit to low-income working families to lift thousands of children out of poverty, an Iowa City think tank says.` Read More
IA: Experts confident Iowa budget will balance
Gov. Chet Culver's budget experts expressed confidence Tuesday the state's fiscal 2009 budget will end with a positive balance even in the face of eroding tax revenues. Read More
IA: A first for Iowa -- Alcohol revenue for year tops $100 million
Iowans are buying more liquor, beer and wine, bucking an economic trend that has seen sales of many retail products plunge over the past year. Read More
IA: C.R. flood leader enters GOP governor race
Christian Fong, a 32-year-old Cedar Rapids businessman and flood recovery leader, joined the race for the Republican nomination for governor Tuesday, saying Democratic Gov. Chet Culver's taxing and spending were placing an unfair burden on Iowa families. Read More
IA: Merit, step raises to add $121 million to state wages
Merit raises and other perks will pump up Iowa's state employee salaries by an average of 4.3 percent in the fiscal year that begins today, despite the largest unions agreeing to a 0 percent across-the-board salary increase. Read More
IA: Local option sales tax goes up in five counties
Residents in five Iowa counties will pay a little more in sales tax starting tomorrow, July 1. Read More
ID: Funding loss would force layoffs, ISP tells legislators
If the Idaho State Police has to absorb the loss of all its gas tax funding a year from today, it won't have anyone left to patrol the state's roads, police officials told lawmakers Tuesday. Read More
IL: As new fiscal year begins, Illinois remains without budget
The clock ran out on Illinois' fiscal year Tuesday without a new state budget in place, raising the specter of mass state service cuts in the coming weeks or days. Read More
IL: Quinn wants tax hike -- even if it takes months
State government limped into a new budget year Wednesday without a solid spending plan and rookie Gov. Pat Quinn threatened to drag the fight out all summer until he gets an income tax increase. Read More
IL: Illinois budget still in limbo
With time running out on the state's fiscal year, Illinois Gov. Pat Quinn threatened Tuesday to veto any budget sent to him by lawmakers that is unbalanced. Read More
IL: Judge orders state to meet child welfare rules
A federal judge says planned cuts in child-welfare services envisioned under the so-called doomsday budget passed by both houses of the Illinois legislature violate basic, court-ordered standards. Read More
IL: Quinn -- Adults don't 'put off decisions'
Like a parent scolding misbehaving children, Gov. Pat Quinn admonished lawmakers Tuesday for putting off the state's problems and warned them a long, hot summer awaits in the capital city if they don't vote to raise taxes. Read More
IL: Budget ball bounces into Quinn's court
Now it's up to Gov. Pat Quinn. Illinois lawmakers left Springfield Tuesday without voting to raise taxes and after giving Quinn a budget that he's strongly indicated he finds unacceptable and will veto. Read More
IL: Q & A -- Will state government shut down?
State lawmakers and Gov. Pat Quinn were heading into Wednesday's start of the new budget year without an agreement. Read More
IN: Budget brings good, bad news for state schools
Indiana's lawmakers passed a $27.8 billion two-year budget Tuesday that supporters touted as a triumph in a recession but critics said came at the expense of students in urban and rural districts. Read More
IN: State budget approved, signed into law
Indiana lawmakers departed the Capitol early Tuesday evening relieved they averted a state government shutdown with hours to spare, but few were happy with the two-year, $28.5 billion budget that Gov. Mitch Daniels promptly signed into law. Read More
IN: CIB gets OK to raise taxes on hotel stays
State lawmakers passed a plan Tuesday to bail out the Capital Improvement Board, though Mayor Greg Ballard's administration said the mix of tax increases and loans will not be enough to overcome a projected $47 million deficit. Read More
KS: Kansas revenue shortfall hits $126 million
Kansas is ending the 2009 fiscal year with its tax collections $126 million below estimates. Read More
KS: State cuts DUI program's funds by 70%
State money to treat repeat drunken driving offenders has been cut by 70 percent, even as a new law calls for the program to expand. Read More
KS: Cuts may mean end to assistance
Christy Tatum moved four times in two months and is praying for a fifth move to a place she can really call home. Read More
KS: New Kansas laws kick in today; how do they affect you?
You can get wine delivered to your home, but you can't linger in the left lane of rural highways under state laws that take effect today. Many of the 144 bills signed into law after the 2009 legislative session become law today. Read More
KS: School officials dread state budget decisions as new fiscal year starts
Public school officials are dreading the start of the state's fiscal year like some students worry about the first day of school. Read More
LA: State budget year begins with cuts
The new state fiscal year starts today with far less drastic budget cuts than Gov. Bobby Jindal originally proposed. Read More
LA: Regents finalize La. college cuts
Louisiana's colleges can now start cutting more than 8 percent from their state budgets for the fiscal year that begins today. Read More
LA: State revises career outlook
When the current recession ends and the economy revs up, look for registered nurses to continue occupying the driver's seat when it comes to career choices. Read More
MA: Tim Cahill slams Deval Patrick for budget trickery
Blasting Gov. Deval Patrick for practicing "budgetary sleight-of-hand," Treasurer Timothy Cahill yesterday urged lawmakers to override a gubernatorial veto that slashed $20 million from the budget. Read More
MA: Quinn Bill funds gutted in budget
The state's $40 million cut this week in a bonus program for local police officers has put many cities and towns across Massachusetts in legal and financial limbo, as they wrestle with unexpected salary costs, sudden retirements, and potentially thorny negotiations with labor unions. Read More
MA: Pension laws pare police, fire rolls
This week's rash of retirements by Boston firefighters seeking disability pensions is but one part of a wave of such departures across Massachusetts, as a pair of new state laws that could greatly diminish the pension benefits of public safety workers take effect today. Read More
ME: New jail roles could save state $1.4 million
The state Board of Corrections has approved a plan to save $1.4 million by changing how three county jails are used. Read More
MI: State reps urge quick action on failing schools
Three state representatives today called on the Senate to act quickly on legislation targeting failing schools. Read More
MI: Bankruptcy not only option for DPS
Detroit Public Schools officials said Tuesday that a Chapter 9 bankruptcy filing is just one of many options being considered to address its multi-year deficit, but questions remain on how much such a filing would cost and whether the district would reap adequate benefits. Read More
MO: Missouri Republicans criticize plan to use bonds for buildings
Top Missouri Republicans say a proposal to finance construction projects with bonds would raise the state's debt without helping the economy. Read More
MO: Missouri Center for Safe Schools closed
SPRINGFIELD, MO -- State budget problems have led to the closing of the Missouri Center for Safe Schools, which trains schools districts to respond to disasters and emergencies. Read More
MS: $57.7M claimed so far by schools
Of Mississippi's 152 school districts, 22 have claimed a share of $132 million in federally subsidized bonds - interest-free money for new construction, building renovations and repairs. Read More
MS: Miss. lawmakers finish most of $6B budget, not PSC
Bleary-eyed Mississippi lawmakers approved most of the $6 billion budget before the state fiscal year started early Wednesday, addressing Medicaid and public safety while leaving only the state's utility regulatory agency unfunded. Read More
MS: Medicaid bill goes to gov
Lawmakers sent a Medicaid reauthorization plan to Gov. Haley Barbour hours before the new fiscal year began today, along with dozens of other funding bills intended to keep state government running smoothly. Read More
NC: Beach Plan bill gets nod in House
A bill to alter a state-created insurance plan known as the Beach Plan has passed its first legislative hurdle in the state House. Read More
NC: Scandal spooks NCSU donors
For three decades, James Arthur was perfectly pleased to send an annual donation to N.C. State, the university that granted him three degrees. Read More
NC: N.C. gets an extension on its deadlocked budget
North Carolina got an extension. The legislature did not pass a new state budget by the end of the fiscal year at midnight last night, but lawmakers did approve a temporary spending bill to keep government operating. Read More
ND: N.D. community health centers to get about $2M
The Obama administration says community health centers in North Dakota will share nearly $2 million in federal stimulus grants to help improve access to health care. Read More
NH: Judge freezes $9 m contested NH funding
A superior court judge has frozen $9 million in surplus funding the state and New Hampshire's nursing homes both claim. Read More
NH: NH increasing some court fees, creating new ones
An increased fee for records research and new fees for certain petitions, motions, and other matters are going into effect in the New Hampshire court system. Read More
NH: $11.5b state budget given OK by Lynch
Gov. John Lynch signed an $11.5 billion state budget Tuesday as one judge threatened to blow a $110 million hole in it and another put at risk a $9 million state government money grab. Read More
NH: No new contract for SEA
A midnight deadline came and went last night and most state employees still don't have a new contract, leaving unresolved a looming question of whether budget-mandated personnel cuts will come through widespread unpaid furloughs, benefits cuts or hundreds of additional layoffs. Read More
NJ: New Jersey ushers in fiscal year with added, higher taxes
Happy fiscal new year, Jersey residents. New Jersey's fiscal year begins today, and with that comes higher taxes for smokers, high-income earners and businesses. Next month, hard alcohol and wine drinkers will pay more. Read More
NJ: Local agencies get $4,000 to target aggressive driving
The state is distributing $4,000 grants to 75 law enforcement agencies this month as part of a campaign to crack down on aggressive driving. Read More
NJ: N.J. workers union OKs furloughs, raise freeze
The largest state employee union has ratified a deal calling for nine unpaid furlough days in the new fiscal year and delaying a scheduled raise for 18 months. Read More
NJ: Law likely to eliminate non-operating school districts
Twenty-six small school districts that do not operate schools most likely will be eliminated under legislation signed yesterday by Gov. Corzine. Read More
NM: NM gets $13 million to help with jobless benefits
New Mexico is getting $13 million in federal stimulus money to pay jobless benefits and to administer its unemployment insurance program. Read More
NV: Drivers test to cost $25 for first-timers
Teenagers and older people heading to the Department of Motor Vehicles to take driving tests better carry a little extra cash. Starting today, the DMV will charge $25 for the initial test for people applying for a permit to drive. Those who fail will have to pay $10 for a retest. Read More
NV: How state furloughs will work, for now
With state employees set to take their first furlough days this week, the Personnel Department adopted emergency regulations governing the unpaid time off. Read More
NY: Senate Democrats shoot down mayoral control of schools, city sales tax hike
State senators Tuesday night defied Gov. Paterson and Mayor Bloomberg by failing to extend mayoral control over the schools and rejecting the city's sales tax plan. Read More
NY: State's top court will hear appeal against Atlantic Yards
New York's highest court has agreed to hear a case challenging the state's use of eminent domain on behalf of the Atlantic Yards project in Brooklyn. Read More
OH: Strickland signs week's budget as slots fight rages
A temporary, one-week budget cleared the Ohio House and Gov. Ted Strickland's desk Tuesday with another in the pipeline - just in case. Read More
OH: State to save in sign switch on truck speed
The Ohio Department of Transportation expects to have most signs advising of new truck speed limits on Ohio interstates posted by the end of today, but will save money by blanking out the truck limit on certain signs rather than replacing the signs. Read More
OH: Firms win prevailing wage ruling
In an Ottawa County case that could affect economic development projects across the state, the Ohio Supreme Court yesterday ruled unanimously that private developers do not have to pay prevailing wages when they use public dollars. Read More
OH: Stalemate continues as interim budget is signed
Like many Ohioans, state government now is living paycheck to paycheck. Read More
OH: Ohio House passes seven-day temporary budget extension while slots plan remains blocked
One state budget extension might not be enough. As the standoff over slots continued between Democratic Gov. Ted Strickland and Republican Senate President Bill Harris Tuesday, the Ohio House passed a seven-day temporary budget while queuing up a second stopgap measure for a possible vote if needed. Read More
OK: Oklahoma House Speaker, AT&T announce CNG vehicles
TULSA, Okla.— AT&T is rolling out a fleet of at least 30 compressed natural gas vehicles this year in part because of tax incentives approved by the Oklahoma Legislature. Read More
OR: Oregon governor blasts Democrats for job program failure
Gov. Ted Kulongoski praised accomplishments by the Legislature on Tuesday, but he had harsh words for fellow Democrats who let his favorite job-creation bill languish. Read More
OR: Pipeline permitting bill dies; sponsor mourns for taxpayers
While opponents of liquefied natural gas projects were celebrating the demise of a pipeline-permitting bill Monday night, state Sen. Vicki Walker, D-Eugene, used her final floor speech of the 2009 session to accuse House Democrats of abandoning taxpayers in a fit of legislative pique related to the controversial projects. Read More
OR: Battle rages over budget
Legislators attempted in their final budget to define the boundaries of what unionized state workers will have to sacrifice in contract talks this year to help address Oregon's fiscal crisis. Read More
OR: Kulongoski ready to fight for approved tax increases
Even though he didn't propose either of them to balance the state budget, Gov. Ted Kulongoski said Tuesday he'll campaign aggressively for the tax increases that lawmakers approved on corporations and higher-income households if opponents are successful in forcing a statewide vote on either. Read More
OR: Voters may end up deciding fate of tax increases
Lawmakers' actions affecting the economy this session are frequently viewed through the prism of the major budget-balancing tax increases. Read More
PA: 'I'm hopeful we don't have a car repair'
Earlier this year, Gov. Ed Rendell warned state workers they might have to work without pay if a budget wasn't passed by June 30. That possibility is now near, and some state workers are worried they might be forced into a tough financial spot. Read More
PA: What's ahead? Rendell sees no quick end
State budget negotiations dragged on Tuesday during the final hours of Pennsylvania's recession-plagued budget year, as Gov. Ed Rendell and Republican leaders each signaled no breakthrough was in sight. Read More
PA: Lawmakers miss deadline, pay; workers next?
State lawmakers are paid on the first of each month, but not today. The new fiscal year begins with no state budget deal in sight, and the impasse has put their monthly paychecks on hold until an agreement is reached. Read More
PA: Rendell lines up loans, credit for state employees
In a sign that state budget talks could drag on for weeks or months, Gov. Ed Rendell today announced that 10 banks and credit unions are offering no-interest loans and lines of credit for up to 69,000 state employees whose paychecks could halt July 17. Read More
PA: Bill would shift Pa. legal notices to the Web
A state House committee yesterday advanced a bill that would allow municipalities and school boards to cut costs by posting legal notices online. Read More
PA: Bill to expand Pa. health insurance sparks debate
Democratic leaders in Pennsylvania hope to double the number of residents who receive state-sponsored health insurance, known as adultBasic, but Republicans fear the costs may be too high. Read More
PA: Another fiscal year ends, another Pennsylvania standoff ensues
As Pennsylvania missed its budget deadline for the seventh year, Senate Republicans on Tuesday presented united opposition to Gov. Ed Rendell's proposed state tax increases and demanded the Democrat-controlled House vote on a spending plan. Read More
PA: Pa. state budget battle continues
Once again, state officials are stumbling into a new fiscal year without having enacted a new state budget. "We will be graded poorly by the people," said Rep. Mario Civera, R-Delaware County. Read More
RI: Carcieri OKs $7.8-billion R.I. budget
Governor Carcieri on Tuesday reluctantly signed into law a $7.8-billion budget package that raises Rhode Island's gas tax by 2 cents per gallon, cuts millions of dollars from cities and towns, and trims pension benefits for thousands of state workers and teachers. Read More
RI: $3 million in stimulus money to be used for fish ladders
For years, a consortium of government agencies and advocacy groups has struggled for funding to knock down dams and build fish ladders to help restore local fish migrations. That work was jump-started on Tuesday when the federal government came forward with $3 million in stimulus money for six projects on the Ten Mile and Pawcatuck rivers. Read More
RI: R.I. Senate recesses with bills in limbo
Just before 6:30 p.m. Tuesday, Senate President M. Teresa Paiva Weed banged her gavel and sent the Senate into extended recess for at least part of the summer, capping a chaotic month on Smith Hill that ended with both chambers on indeterminate breaks and major legislation still up in the air. Read More
RI: School's now in session for state's new education chief
WOONSOCKET, R.I. — Deborah A. Gist, Rhode Island's new commissioner of elementary and secondary education, is so excited about her new job that she began a day early, attending a news conference Tuesday morning to announce the launch of five summer learning programs in urban districts. Read More
RI: EPA lets R.I., 13 other states impose tougher auto emission standards
The Environmental Protection Agency on Tuesday granted California, Rhode Island and 12 other states the authority they had sought for years to impose automobile tailpipe emissions standards that are stricter than those promulgated by the federal government. Read More
SD: Storm facing tough loss: S.D. license
The Sioux Falls Storm must pay or appeal a South Dakota sales tax bill by July 7 or risk losing its business license, a team official says. Read More
SD: New open records law takes effect Wednesday in S.D.
PIERRE, S.D. - South Dakotans will get more access to government records under a new law that follows the lead of most other states in presuming that documents are open unless there's a good reason to keep them secret. Read More
TX: Perry insists on short special session agenda
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: Stimulus money to help fund marsh rescue project
More than $5 million in federal stimulus money will help in the restoration of West Galveston Bay's rapidly dying marshes, officials said Tuesday. Read More
TX: Senate could conclude business in two days
With a special legislative session scheduled to begin this morning — either a short one that Gov. Rick Perry wants or a longer one as some critics predict — Lt. Gov. David Dewhurst on Tuesday predicted the Senate could get its business done in only two days. Read More
TX: Transportation leads agenda for session
The special legislative session that starts today includes measures to allow private companies to build more toll roads across the state — an idea opponents have dubbed "the largest tax increase in history." Read More
TX: Texas only state yet to apply for stabilization funds
When the federal government started dangling billions of stimulus dollars for education in front of states, many snapped up the money right away. Read More
TX: All ready for the special session? Lawmakers introduce bills responsive to Perry's call
The Legislature meets tomorrow (Wednesday) to kick off the special session called last week by Gov. Rick Perry, and transportation will dominate the agenda. It could be a quick ride, or a bitter fight -- depending on how willing lawmakers are to push their differences down the road, until they return for the 2011 regular session. Read More
US: Tax hikes and cutbacks -- States crunched
NEW YORK -- It's not a happy new year for the states. States are carrying their financial woes into the new fiscal year, which for most started on Wednesday. Some had yet to pass their fiscal 2010 budgets. For others, tax hikes and draconian spending cuts went into effect. Read More
US: Budget deadline ticks down for states
INDIANAPOLIS and DENVER -- Across the country, state legislators and governors struggled Tuesday night to agree on spending cuts and tax hikes as they ran up against a midnight deadline to approve a budget. Read More
US: Community colleges see demand spike, funding slip
Hundreds of thousands of students are likely to be turned away from low-cost community colleges across the country over the next year because of funding cuts at the very time that record numbers of students are flocking to the open-admission schools, according to education officials. Read More
US: Some hard-hit states get less stimulus
Some of the states worst hit by the recession are getting far less federal economic-stimulus money per person than states faring better. Read More
US: States struggle to meet budget deadlines
Indiana lawmakers beat their deadline and passed a state budget early Tuesday evening, but in five other states, budget deals for the 2010 fiscal year remained in limbo, as legislators made last-minute efforts to avert shutdowns. Read More
VA: Texting ban, other new laws in effect today across Virginia
The following laws, passed by the Virginia General Assembly, go into effect July 1, 2009. Read More
VT: Today is first day for new state laws
All new statutes that don't have other specified effective dates go into law today. That means everything from new tax increases to new programs to new rules for citizens, regulators and businesses. Read More
VT: State hires bankruptcy firm for FairPoint case
The state of Vermont hired a law firm with experience in corporate bankruptcy cases this week as FairPoint Communications, one of its largest telephone and Internet companies, flounders financially. Read More
VT: Vt. awaits $94M in stimulus funds
Vermont has met the deadline to apply for $94 million in education stimulus funding from the federal government — now it's a waiting game to see when that money will come. Read More
VT: VA secretary touts new vets' benefits
Assistant Secretary of Veterans Affairs Tammy Duckworth toured Vermont on Tuesday with a double dose of good news for the state's veterans. Read More
VT: Chancellor optimistic about state colleges
Tim Donovan ascends to the top job in Vermont State Colleges at what might seem a perilous time for higher education. Read More
VT: State asks for hospitals' plans
This week the Department of Mental Health queried every hospital in the state and Dartmouth Hitchcock in Lebanon, N.H., about their interest in providing psychiatric acute care services that would replace care now provided at the Vermont State Hospital -- which state officials want to close. Read More
WA: State budget year begins with 3,200 jobs on the block
Many state agencies are keeping employees on the payroll a bit longer as Washington's government starts a new budget year today with 3,200 jobs on the chopping block. Read More
WA: $43M to finish housing projects
WASHINGTON -- The federal government is funding Washington state with $43 million to help finish affordable-housing projects that are currently stalled because of the economic recession, according to U.S. Housing and Urban Development Secretary Shaun Donovan. Read More
WA: State receives $16.4 million for coastal restoration
Washington state will receive about $16.4 million in federal stimulus money to restore damaged wetlands, reopen fish passages and improve habitat for threatened salmon. Read More
WA: Gregoire OKs emergency money for flu season
Gov. Chris Gregoire has approved $700,000 in emergency spending to buy more antiviral medicine for the next flu season. Read More
WI: Some budget gains for immigrants
Children of parents in this country illegally will be able to pay in state UW tuition, under a provision of the budget signed by Governor Jim Doyle Monday. Read More
WI: 'Frankenstein' veto returns from the grave
So, voters, you thought you banned the "Frankenstein" veto last year? Not so fast. Read More
WI: Professional license fee hikes approved
The cost of being a barber, accountant, social worker and nurse is going up in Wisconsin. Read More
WI: Many promises broken in Wisconsin budget process
Many promises were made and broken during the nearly five-month process of passing Wisconsin's new two-year budget. Read More
WI: Doubts about Michigan offer to GM
Governor Doyle is questioning how Michigan beat out Wisconsin in a bid to have General Motors build a new line of small cars in Janesville. Read More
WI: More reasons to quit
Wisconsin is just one year away from implementation of a statewide smoking ban and smokers will start paying even more for cigarettes in September. Read More
WI: Doyle's veto of committee might have been unconstitutional
One of Gov. Jim Doyle's 81 vetoes of the Legislature's budget bill appears to have violated a constitutional limit adopted in April 2008, the Legislature's Joint Finance Committee was told Tuesday. 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
Ga. hotline aims to cut mental health costs
Read More
New section follows stimulus spending
Read More
Tracking the recession: States target jobs
Though unemployment is rising in nearly every state, aggressive efforts to create jobs are paying off — modestly — in many states. Read More
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
Recession ushers in more tobacco taxes
In a double-whammy for smokers, the federal government and seven states raised taxes on cigarettes this year. But the new taxes plus President Obama's vow to sign a bill imposing sweeping regulation of the tobacco industry threaten to shrink cigarette sales — and revenues for state coffers. Read More
Federal stimulus dollars, state deficits -- and federalism
Even with well-timed help from the economic stimulus package, state governments will face a rough three years ahead, warns Raymond C. Scheppach, an economist and executive director of the National Governors Association, in his latest commentary for Stateline.org. With state budgets through 2011 expected to face shortfalls of $200 billion to $250 billion, the federal government should take care not to heap more costs on states with new legislative initiatives, Scheppach writes. Read More |
Powered by