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Archive of Social Policy on Thursday July 02, 2009
IL: Parents fear loss of child care in budget impasse
RIVERTON — About five years ago, Molly Neal took custody of two grandchildren. One reason she did was that the state of Illinois would help pay her childcare costs. Today, Neal says, she doesn't know whether the state will keep that promise. Read More
MO: Tax credits granted for mentoring girls
Big Brothers/Big Sisters of Central Missouri has been approved for $85,000 in special tax credits to strengthen the organization's programs for girls. Read More
AK: Alaska telecom companies angle for Internet stimulus funds
The U.S. Department of Commerce released guidelines Wednesday for a $7.2 billion program meant to expand broadband Internet service to rural communities. Read More
AL: Sparks unveiling platform for Alabama governor
State Agriculture Commissioner Ron Sparks is unveiling a major part of his platform in his Democratic campaign for governor. Read More
AR: Lottery Commission votes to join Powerball
The Arkansas Lottery Commission voted unanimously Wednesday to join the multi-state Powerball games, tickets for which may go on sale in the state as soon as this year, the state's lottery director said. Read More
AR: Court: Failing to register as sex offender can't be punished with restitution
Failing to comply with reporting requirements for sex offenders is not an offense that can be punished with an order of restitution, the state Court of Appeals ruled Wednesday. Read More
AZ: Ballpark tax-sharing settlement is reached
Four months after the Chicago White Sox and Los Angeles Dodgers opened their spring-training ballpark, Phoenix and Glendale have agreed how to divide the tax dollars it generates. Read More
AZ: Execution method of lethal injection approved
A federal judge Wednesday removed a major obstacle to executions in Arizona, ruling that the state's lethal-injection procedure is similar to one approved by the U.S. Supreme Court. Read More
CO: 21 couples enroll under Colorado beneficiary law
On the first day that unmarried couples could enter into a legal contract that gives them many of the rights that used to be reserved for married couples, only 21 Denver and Boulder County couples enrolled. Read More
DE: Budget is done, but sniping isn't
A bleary-eyed Gov. Jack Markell signed a package of tax increases, spending reductions and an employee furlough plan into law just before sunrise Wednesday, but not before blasting Republicans for what he called their lack of "bipartisan cooperation" in helping resolve the historic revenue shortfall. Read More
FL: Gov. Charlie Crist resumes gambling talks with Seminoles
Gov. Charlie Crist and the Seminole Tribe of Florida began negotiating a new gambling compact Wednesday that would bring revenue to the state in exchange for the tribe's right to a monopoly on some of its casino games. Read More
FL: Prescription drug overdose deaths soar in Florida
Florida continues to see a rapid rise in fatal overdoses caused by prescription-drug abuse -- a trend fueled by a cottage industry of cash-only pain clinics -- while deaths from illegal drugs wane, according to a report from the state's medical examiners released Tuesday. Read More
IA: Same-sex marriage applications growing in Iowa
CEDAR RAPIDS, Iowa – Two months after the Iowa Supreme Court legalized same-sex marriage, the number of applications is climbing in parts of eastern Iowa. Read More
IA: Attorney General marks anniversary of state smoking ban
Iowa's ban on smoking in public places took effect one year ago today. Iowa Attorney General Tom Miller marked the occasion at a statehouse news conference. Read More
IL: Tax increase showdown set in Springfield
Setting up a showdown over tax increases, Gov. Pat Quinn on Wednesday vetoed part of the state budget lawmakers had approved, saying it would have forced "disgraceful and shameful" cuts to Illinoisans who need state help the most. Read More
IL: People with kids, disabilities to feel the pinch without a state budget
Social service workers in the suburbs got advance notice of impending layoffs Wednesday, as confusion over funding reigned because of the state budget impasse. Read More
IL: Illinois starts its fiscal year with a veto
The state's new budget year got off to a politically dubious start Wednesday when Gov. Pat Quinn vetoed what he called an inadequate plan to fund human-services programs and vowed a renewed push for an income tax increase. Read More
IL: Illinois starts its fiscal year with a veto
The state's new budget year got off to a politically dubious start Wednesday when Gov. Pat Quinn vetoed what he called an inadequate plan to fund human-services programs and vowed a renewed push for an income tax increase. Read More
IL: Quinn adminstration outlines budget cuts
Gov. Pat Quinn says spending cuts of about $1 billion will be needed even if lawmakers eventually pass the income tax increase he's pushing for. Read More
IL: Quinn vetoes budget; workers will be paid
Following through on his threat, Gov. Pat Quinn Wednesday vetoed part of the new state budget, triggering a return to Springfield later this month for lawmakers. Read More
IL: Mentally disabled in housing fight
Samuel Golden admits he wants to keep his 53-year-old daughter, who functions at the level of a 2-year-old, in what some critics would label a large "institution." Her life, he said, would deteriorate if she were forced to move into a smaller group home that couldn't provide adequate therapy and daily activities. Read More
IN: Speaker says study on school funding needed
Indiana Democratic House Speaker Patrick Bauer says it's time for a comprehensive study on the way state tax dollars are distributed to schools. Read More
MD: State Medicaid coverage, costs grow
A year into a new effort to expand health coverage, recession-weary Marylanders are flocking to the state's Medicaid program in numbers far greater than expected, costing the state $50 million more in the process. Read More
ME: Maine still fattest state in New England
Like a "spare tire" of unwanted belly fat, the rate of adult obesity in Maine continues to expand. According to the 2009 report "F as in Fat," released Wednesday by the nonprofit Trust for America's Health, 24.7 percent of Maine adults are clinically obese compared with 23.7 percent in last year's report. Read More
MI: Michigan graduation rates are mostly unchanged
Three-quarters of Michigan's students are graduating high school within four years, according to new data from the state that reveals few changes from 2007, yet shows no gains in the high drop-out rates among the state's minority students. Read More
MT: Abortion foes seek to amend state constitution
The Montana Pro Life Coalition on Wednesday submitted three proposed constitutional initiatives for the 2010 ballot defining embryos and fetuses as persons with rights, measures that if passed and upheld in courts would effectively ban abortion in Montana. Read More
MT: Survey finds fewer teens using meth
New figures released Wednesday by the Montana Office of Public Instruction show another drop in methamphetamine use among Montana teenagers between 2007 and 2009. Read More
NC: Bill lets sizable medical malpractice awards be made public
Consumers will soon be able to know whether their doctors have paid medical malpractice awards under a bill approved this week by state lawmakers. Read More
NC: N.C. public-finance law for judges praised
A national research organization says North Carolina has one of the best models of taxpayer-financed campaigns in the country. Read More
ND: Smoke-free advocates urge N.D. statewide ban
Area health professionals and smoking ban advocates celebrated a full year of clear air in Fargo and West Fargo bars and restaurants by urging a statewide smoking ban. Read More
NH: Health group applauds higher NH tobacco tax
Health groups see a silver lining in one of New Hampshire's new tax increases. Read More
NH: NH gov vetoes giving marital masters judges' power
Gov. John Lynch has vetoed a bill that gives rulings made by marital masters the weight of a judicial decision. Read More
NH: Official -- Contracts will be tough
The state's chief negotiator charged with hammering out a new union contract with state employees said yesterday that he hopes to seal a deal within a week, but it's difficult for the state to offer either long-term promises or contract sweeteners amid an ongoing recession and severe budget crunch. Read More
NJ: N.J. bill would put state in charge of monitoring troopers
A consent agreement allowing the Justice Department to monitor state police in New Jersey could be dissolved under a bill that would shift the responsibility to the state Attorney General's Office. The monitoring began a decade ago in an attempt to eliminate racial profiling. Read More
NJ: State health coverage applications go out to 62,000 N.J. households
Another 62,000 households in New Jersey will receive the NJ FamilyCare applications they requested on their state tax forms, Gov. Jon Corzine announced Wednesday. The mailing is for families in Essex and Hudson counties. Read More
NJ: Pact averts layoffs, keeps schools open
Gov. Jon Corzine has agreed to abandon plans to close 18 regional schools the state operates for students with learning disabilities under the amended contract members of the Communications Workers of America ratified this week. Read More
NJ: Court OKs mediation in custody disputes
Couples getting a divorce can bypass judges and use mediators to determine who gets custody of their children, the state Supreme Court said yesterday. Read More
NV: New cigar bar gives smokers another option
When Nevada passed a law banning smoking in places that serve food, Susan and Jeff Melvin discovered it created a niche for people looking for a smoking option. Read More
NY: $2 million settles kickback
A California financial company on Wednesday agreed to repay $2 million to New York state's giant public pension fund after one of the company's former partners was implicated in paying a kickback to secure investment deals from the fund. Read More
OH: Ohio House Democrats, Senate Republicans set up budget hearings today
With state budget talks at a standstill, majority-party House Democrats and Senate Republicans made moves designed to shine a spotlight on the opposition's positions. Read More
OH: Lottery's switch to new computer system led to some problems for a few hours Wednesday
The Ohio Lottery's switch to a new computer system Wednesday resulted in some problems for retailers selling and redeeming tickets, but most of the glitches were worked out by the afternoon, state officials said. Read More
OH: Glitches arise with change in lottery
Lottery players experienced problems yesterday, particularly in cashing their winning tickets, as the Ohio Lottery launched a new gaming system that's supposed to save money and process tickets more quickly. Read More
OH: State explains estimate of slot-machine revenue
Senate Republicans plan to grill officials in Gov. Ted Strickland's administration today on how they calculated revenue estimates from proposed electronic slot machines, saying there are more questions than answers. Read More
OH: Ohio court protects clinic's files
Parents who are suing Planned Parenthood over an abortion clinic's alleged negligence in allowing a teenage sexual-assault victim to obtain an abortion will not get access to clinic records on other patients, the Ohio Supreme Court ruled yesterday. Read More
OH: Dueling hearings -- slots vs. more cuts
As Ohio enters its second day with an interim state budget, the political gamesmanship has escalated with dueling hearings today in an increasingly partisan stalemate. Read More
OK: Rep. Sally Kern promotes Morality Proclamation
State Rep. Sally Kern is launching a Proclamation for Morality that acknowledges what Kern says is a need for a national awakening of righteousness. Read More
OR: Oregon Legislators give fish hatchery deal a second look
As a longtime owner and former CEO of a Gulf Coast casino, Bernie Burkholder knows well the old maxim of the gambling business: The house always wins. Read More
PA: Bill banning forced identity-chip implants clears House
Invasion of privacy is an issue that really gets under State Rep. Babette Josephs' skin. That's why the Philadelphia Democrat introduced a bill, passed unanimously last week by the House, that would ban the forced implantation of computer chips in humans. Read More
RI: Supporters of state name change poised to woo voters' support
Supporters of a plan that would give voters in next year's general election the opportunity to strike the phrase "and Providence Plantations" from the state's formal name, launched a public awareness and education campaign Wednesday. Read More
RI: Sex-offender bills stall in R.I. Assembly
Lawmakers introduced at least 14 bills dealing with sex offenders this session. With the General Assembly in recess, five have made it through either the House or Senate, but not both. Read More
RI: Senate commission to study marijuana decriminalization
Weeks after legalizing the sale of marijuana to sick people, lawmakers have voted to explore how much Rhode Island might collect in revenue if it were to make all sales of marijuana legal and impose a "sin tax" of $35 per ounce. Read More
TN: Suit tries to block Tennessee's guns-in-bars law
A lawyer for plaintiffs suing to stop a law that allows handguns to be carried in Tennessee bars and restaurants that serve alcohol says the legal action is necessary to maintain a safe environment for patrons. Read More
TX: Child support suffers as economy suffers
The faltering national economy is taking its toll on Texas kids. More parents are making their child support payments from unemployment checks and asking judges to lower their financial burdens. Read More
UT: Utah bars crawl to mark end of liquor restrictions
Bartenders in Utah threw open their doors Wednesday as the state ditched a 40-year-old requirement that customers fill out an application, pay a fee and become a member of a private club before setting foot in a bar. Read More
UT: Utah's at bottom of fat-child ranking
Although Utah children aren't as fat as kids in every other state but one, nearly a fourth of them are headed for obesity and the likely prospect that they'll be the first generation of grown-ups to be unhealthier than the one they replace. Read More
UT: Utahns raise a glass to demise of private club restrictions
For the first time in four decades, bar patrons were able to walk in the door of most any Utah watering hole, pull up a stool and order a drink without passing the quiz: "Are you a member?" Read More
VT: Census: Vermont's population rises grudgingly
Vermont's overall population ticked up slightly; five of the state's eight largest municipalities are in Chittenden County; and the population in the state's southern counties continues to dwindle. Read More
VT: N.H. among states hit by E. coli in beef
WASHINGTON — At least 12 people, two of them suffering kidney failure, have been hospitalized in connection with a possible E. coli outbreak in beef suspected of having sickened people in nine states, federal health officials said Wednesday. Read More
VT: Smokers wince at tax increase
Cigarettes in Vermont cost a quarter more a pack and $2.50 more a carton, and the 6 percent state sales tax applies for the first time to liquor, all the result of legislation that took effect Wednesday. Liquor? No big deal, beverage store proprietors said. Cigarettes? That's another story. Read More
WA: Wash., Idaho fall near middle on obesity rankings
WASHINGTON — Mississippi's still king of cellulite, but an ominous tide is rolling toward the Medicare doctors in neighboring Alabama: Obese baby boomers. Read More
WA: Aid case increase adds to budget shortfall
More Washington residents will receive Medicaid and children's health assistance in the next two years than earlier forecast, creating a $250 million shortfall in the state's already-strained budget. Read More
WA: Recession increases demand for state help
Higher demand for government services is pushing Washington's state budget deeper into the red amid the lingering recession. Read More
WA: Time to stock up on your favorite liquor
State workers are scrambling to fix a distribution problem that has crimped the flow of alcohol to customers across the state, as liquor stores and restaurants are gearing up for one of the busiest weekends of the year. Read More
WI: Clerk expects domestic partnership rush after gov signs historic bill
If Dane County Clerk Bob Ohlsen's hunch is correct, the first Monday in August is going to be a hectic day at his office. Read More
WI: Clerks prepare for domestic partnerships
County clerks around Wisconsin are scrambling to comply with a provision under the state budget that recognizes same sex partnerships and affords some of the same protections as marriage. Read More
WI: Wisconsin abortion rates drop
Abortion rates are down again in Wisconsin. They've declined for the fifth straight year, according to a new report from the state Health Department. Read More
WI: Wisconsin to recognize domestic partnerships
With the budget signed Monday by Gov. Jim Doyle, Wisconsin has become the first state with a constitutional amendment banning same-sex marriage and civil unions to put in place domestic partnerships for same-sex couples. Read More
New section follows stimulus spending
 The enormity and complexity of the federal stimulus program weigh heavily on cash-strapped states, which are required to meet numerous application and reporting deadlines for the $49 billion in recovery money flowing into their treasuries this year. Follow how states are managing their share through extensive original reporting and graphics in Stateline.org’s special section on the stimulus program.
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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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