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Archive of Economy & Business on Thursday July 02, 2009
Stimulus eases community college troubles
States are digging into their federal stimulus money to help finance community colleges, where rising tuition, soaring enrollment and budget cuts threaten to shut students out of the system. Read More
Weekly wrap: Report questions states' use of stimulus road funds
States are spending too much stimulus money on new road construction and not enough on public transit projects, a national advocacy group claims in a report issued Monday (June 29). Meanwhile, Michigan and California consider teaming up to solve their prison problems and North Carolina and Rhode Island face off with Amazon.com over taxes. Read More
CA: State IOUs loom as foes' battle lines harden
After trying for weeks to fix a state budget gone out of control, Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger and state lawmakers stood frozen in conflict Wednesday with the state at the brink of a meltdown. 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
AL: Sen. Rodger Smitherman to ask Alabama to advance $25 million-$30 million for Jefferson County
A local state lawmaker said Wednesday he will ask Gov. Bob Riley to advance Jefferson County $25 million to $30 million to help carry the financially strapped county through the remainder of the fiscal year, which ends Sept. 30. Read More
AL: 123,046 in Alabama still waiting for tax refunds
The longest U.S. recession since World War II has caused Alabama's tax collections to plummet so badly that more than 120,000 taxpayers are having to wait for their state income tax refunds. 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
AZ: Brewer rips budget, calls special session
Under the pressure of a looming government shutdown, Arizona lawmakers struggled with political angst, sleep deprivation, hurt feelings and growing distrust as they completed last-minute work on a budget that would keep the doors to state offices open even as the doors to the Arizona Senate were briefly locked. Read More
AZ: Brewer rips budget, calls special session
Under the pressure of a looming government shutdown, Arizona lawmakers struggled with political angst, sleep deprivation, hurt feelings and growing distrust as they completed last-minute work on a budget that would keep the doors to state offices open even as the doors to the Arizona Senate were briefly locked. Read More
AZ: AZ Senate fails to act on gas-storage cavern
A bill that would have cleared the way for a Houston company to open up a huge underground cavern to store natural gas near Eloy died in the Legislature's closing days. Read More
AZ: Redo budget, Brewer tells lawmakers
The fight over how to balance the state budget isn't over. In fact, it may just be beginning. 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: Stakes will be high at Monday's special state budget session
Hours after lawmakers adjourned their 171-day regular session, Gov. Jan Brewer called them back to work on the 2010 budget, as well as on a temporary tax increase that would pay for K-12 schools, social services and public safety. Read More
CA: No money, more problems -- California prepares to send IOUs Thursday
In a move certain to draw national ridicule and exact financial hardship on business owners and taxpayers across the state, California is slated today to begin paying billions of dollars in bills with IOUs instead of cash. Read More
CA: State rolls out $3.36 billion in IOUs today
California plans to begin issuing billions of dollars in IOUs today to scores of creditors, including private businesses and county governments. Read More
CA: State IOUs to bring uncertainty
For only the second time since the Great Depression, California prepared yesterday to start paying bills with IOUs as likely recipients braced for the fiscal uncertainty ahead. Read More
CA: Schwarzenegger hopes IOUs sway budget debate
If the stigma of issuing IOUs triggers a budget deal in the coming days, Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger might find redemption in his strategy of quashing a stopgap solution that would have avoided those non-cash payments. Read More
CA: Rival states hope California's economic woes will send businesses their way
California's budget crisis is turning into a worldwide spectacle that could harm the state's business climate – and chase companies away. Rival states are revving up their economic-development efforts as global news outlets fixate on the $26.3 billion deficit and the IOUs the state is expected to issue today. Read More
CA: Strapped states play for time as fiscal year starts
California's top accountant said the state would begin issuing IOUs to hundreds of thousands of creditors after lawmakers failed to meet its deadline this week to close a massive budget deficit. Read More
CA: California fails to break impasse as states struggle to meet budget deadlines
SAN FRANCISCO — With budget deadlines missed and coffers running empty on Wednesday, officials in California extended state employee furloughs, prepared i.o.u.'s and swapped blame as a gloomy new fiscal year dawned. Read More
CO: Colorado casinos — and colleges — poised to profit from new gambling rules
BLACK HAWK, Colo. — Rolling dice, spinning roulette wheels and ringing $100 slot machines ushered in a new era in gambling in Colorado's high country early today. 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
GA: Economy snuffs some Georgia fireworks shows
The economic slowdown has left many Georgia governments struggling to find bucks for their bang this Fourth of July. Read More
HI: State wins OK for $129 million in federal funds for education
Some $129 million in federal money has been approved for public education in Hawaii under President Obama's national economic stimulus plan. Read More
HI: Veto of Hawaii excise tax on online retailers likely to stand
Gov. Linda Lingle's veto yesterday of a bill that would apply the state's general excise tax to Mainland retailers with Internet links to Hawai'i will likely stand, after state lawmakers said they will not attempt an override because of a technical flaw. Read More
IA: Judge tours Iowa to promote state's attractions
Lt. Gov. Patty Judge kicked off a 67-stop summer travel tour of Iowa on Wednesday to highlight the state's tourist attractions and festivals. Read More
IA: Creighton survey sees positive growth in Iowa economy
The latest economic survey of business leaders and supply managers across Iowa and the Midwest region shows improvement. Creighton University economist Ernie Goss compiles the numbers each month and says for the first time since September, we're seeing positive growth. 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
IA: Lieutenant governor encouraging Iowans to take a "stay-cation"
Lieutenant Governor Patty Judge is hitting the road for a three-month-long, 67-city tour of the state designed to encourage Iowans to take a "stay-cation" this year. Read More
IA: Iowa residents join other states with the right to sue
Iowa is joining the rest of the nation in giving individual citizens the right to sue in consumer fraud cases. The new law took effect yesterday, July 1st, and Iowa Attorney General Tom Miller says it replaces a law that originated in the Middle Ages. Read More
IA: Iowa dips into savings to balance its budget
Vastly different estimates were released Wednesday on how Iowa ended its fiscal year this week, but all projections indicate that Gov. Chet Culver will have to use cash reserves to balance the state budget. 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: 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: 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
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: Number of Illinois vehicle owners driving without insurance is up slightly
Despite the ongoing recession, there has been only a slight increase in the number of Illinois vehicle owners who are taking risks by driving without the required liability insurance, according to data released by the state Wednesday. Read More
IL: Number of Illinois vehicle owners driving without insurance is up slightly
Despite the ongoing recession, there has been only a slight increase in the number of Illinois vehicle owners who are taking risks by driving without the required liability insurance, according to data released by the state Wednesday. Read More
IN: Governor and key lawmakers tell city to live with CIB plan
Don't even think about coming back to us for any more help. That was the message top state lawmakers and Gov. Mitch Daniels delivered to Indianapolis Mayor Greg Ballard on Wednesday, less than 24 hours after the legislature passed a plan city officials said fails to generate enough revenue to solve the financial woes of the Capital Improvement Board. Read More
KS: Governor to reveal budget plan
Educators and officials in Kansas are awaiting word from Gov. Mark Parkinson about how he plans to balance the state budget. Read More
KS: State payments to Kansas school districts get held back again
Budget problems have forced Kansas to delay $73 million in aid payments due to public school districts at the end of June. Read More
KS: Community colleges sue regents
DODGE CITY, Kan. — Three community colleges have sued the Kansas Board of Regents claiming unequal funding for some of their vocational and technical programs. Read More
KS: Planned parks budget cuts draw fire
City parks employees, three state representatives and a few others sharply criticized a proposal to privatize parks maintenance Wednesday at a first-of-its kind public discussion about the city's dire budget situation. Read More
KS: State payments to Kansas school districts get held back again
Budget problems have forced Kansas to delay $73 million in aid payments due to public school districts at the end of June. Read More
MA: Gas tax hike is ruled out in Senate
Senate President Therese Murray, swatting down a suggestion by Governor Deval Patrick this week that a gas tax increase might be necessary, said yesterday that lawmakers were not keen to consider the issue further. Read More
MA: 30 failing schools may face takeover
The Patrick administration, in a sharp deviation from previous state policy, will seek legislative approval to take over about 30 of the state's worst schools and dramatically weaken their teacher contracts, as part of the governor's effort to overhaul public education. Read More
MD: Developer sues state agencies that blocked Allegany project
A developer who wants to build 4,300 homes in a rural part of Allegany County and the county's elected commissioners have filed suit against Maryland's environmental and planning agencies, accusing them of illegally blocking the project. Read More
MI: Michigan's tourism ad applauded
The Pure Michigan tourism ad campaign has been named one of the 10 best promotional advertising campaigns of all time by the business publication Forbes.com. Read More
MO: University sees rise in financial aid requests
COLUMBIA, Mo. -- The University of Missouri-Columbia reports a spike in the number of students requesting financial aid for the upcoming school year. Read More
MS: Uninsured health-care ranks rising in Miss.
In a state the federal government already rates weak in health care, Mississippians are losing health insurance and choosing to either forego treatment or join the uninsured filling waiting rooms at subsidized clinics and emergency rooms. Read More
MS: Another special session looming for unfunded utility regulators
Even though a special session ended at midnight Tuesday, there was talk only a few hours later that another one would be coming soon. Read More
MT: Revenue collections could be dropping in Montana
Lawmakers were warned Wednesday that that tax collections could be dropping more than anticipated when the two-year budget was set earlier this year. Read More
MT: Millions in stimulus going to clinics
Fifteen community health centers in Montana are getting $6.7 million in federal stimulus grants to upgrade equipment and facilities. Read More
NC: Perdue -- Indecision costs $5 million a day
Gov. Beverly Perdue urged the legislature Wednesday to agree on a state budget, taking what she called an "in-your-face" approach in warning that North Carolina is missing out on $5 million a day in budget cuts and tax increases. Read More
ND: North Dakota cities growing
North Dakota's major cities are growing, as are the communities around them. Read More
ND: N.D.'s top horse racing regulator quits
North Dakota's top horse racing regulator has resigned. Read More
ND: Cattle losses amid floods, snow could hit $30 million
North Dakota ranchers suffered an estimated $30 million loss when cattle died amid spring flooding and late-winter blizzards, a state agriculture official said Wednesday. 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
NE: A state parks budget squeeze
Visitors to Nebraska and Iowa state parks might see some shaggy grass this weekend. Read More
NH: News on revenues isn't good, but it's not all that bad
It's a sad state of financial affairs when taxes and fees come in $300 million under forecast and key state officials celebrate like they did Wednesday. Read More
NH: Some worry a new 9 percent tax on camping will keep people away
For five months of the year, Marj Rawls and Janice Pollack make New Hampshire their home. 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's books continue to show red ink
New Hampshire's books continue to bleed red ink. The latest revenue report for June shows the fiscal year ended $292 million below the estimates developed two years ago. Receipts for June were $33 million below estimates, thanks mostly to poor business tax receipts. Read More
NH: Sigh of relief for area schools -- But worry about state funding in the future
Seacoast school districts are set to receive more than $4.5 million next school year in building aid, with additional funds coming during the 2010-2011 school year, following passage of the state budget. 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: Activists urge Corzine to conditionally veto 'stimulus' bill
A coalition of affordable housing and environmental activists are urging Gov. Jon Corzine to conditionally veto legislation described as an economic stimulus bill that was approved by the Legislature on Monday. Read More
NJ: New Jersey to pay developer $4.8M to save oceanfront land in Cape May
The state will pay $4.8 million of a $7 million settlement with a developer to prevent the construction of houses on 78 acres of oceanfront property in the town of Cape May, state officials announced Wednesday. 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
NM: NM gets $19 million for education
New Mexico is receiving more than $19 million from the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act to help with education spending. Read More
NV: Path clears for federal support of fast train to California
WASHINGTON — The U.S. Transportation secretary will announce today the designation of a federal high-speed-rail corridor between Las Vegas and Southern California, a major assist that enables the long-imagined train route to compete for $8 billion in economic recovery funding and other federal support, the Las Vegas Sun has learned. Read More
NV: Tax increases denounced
In what seemed like a political campaign message, Gov. Jim Gibbons said Wednesday that the "Buckley/Horsford Tax Increase of 2009" will hurt the Nevada economy and citizens who already are suffering because of the recession. 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: 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: Census -- Central Ohio keeps growing
Three of the five fastest-growing cities in the state -- Lithopolis, Powell and New Albany -- are in central Ohio, according to data released by the U.S. Census Bureau 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: Business improving in Oklahoma, study finds
For the first time since last December, the state's leading economic indicator showed improvement, a survey of business conditions in Oklahoma and eight other states released Wednesday showed. 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
OR: State business department gets new name, focus
Oregon is renaming and recasting the state department responsible for helping companies create jobs -- and keep them here. Read More
PA: Help offered to state workers in pay gap
Starting Friday, court employees will begin to see part of their paychecks held hostage as a result of the state budget impasse. Some 68,000 state workers will experience that fate later this month if an agreement is not reached soon. Read More
PA: Law requires contractors to register with the state
When you agree to allow a stranger into your home to perform repairs or upgrades, you better know who they are and what you're getting. A law going into effect today, July 1, intends to better arm consumers against fraud, forcing contractors to register with the state and report any previous wrongdoing. Read More
PA: Drug company's case reaches top state court
The Pennsylvania Supreme Court has agreed to hear legal arguments from a pharmaceutical company about whether a Texas law firm whose founder donated $91,000 to Gov. Ed Rendell's campaign can continue to represent the state in a lawsuit against the drug manufacturer. Read More
PA: Online game lets citizens decide how to balance the state budget
Keystone Progress, a liberal public interest group, has created a computer game giving citizens the (virtual) power to balance the Pennsylvania budget. You can raise income taxes, cut spending on preschool and kindergarten programs (little kids don't vote) and even close corporate tax loopholes without any lobbyists tracking you down. Read More
PA: GOP legislators angry with budget process
Freshmen House Republicans, angry over the refusal by Democratic leaders to bring a budget bill to the floor, are blasting the closed-door negotiating sessions between Gov. Ed Rendell and legislative leaders. Read More
PA: State budget debate rages on as first day of fiscal year passes
The first day of the state's new fiscal year came and went yesterday with no progress toward a 2009-10 state budget. Read More
PA: Biden visits W.Pa. to promote stimulus funds for broadband use
WATTSBURG, Pa. -- Vice President Joe Biden on Wednesday traveled to this rural northwestern Pennsylvania community of 348 to detail the start of a $7.2 billion stimulus program to expand access to high-speed Internet service. Read More
PA: Pa. universities fighting for U.S. stimulus funds
Penn State University wants the Obama administration to stop Gov. Ed Rendell from reclassifying it and three other state-related universities as non-public and ineligible for $42 million in federal stimulus aid. Read More
RI: 2 more Web retailers cancel R.I. ties
More online retailers have joined Amazon.com's boycott of Rhode Island as the companies try to stamp out efforts to tax Internet sales. Read More
SD: City attorney-- Payday lender limits must come from legislature
The city cannot move forward with licensing payday lenders, the Rapid City Legal & Finance Committee was told Wednesday. Read More
SD: Sioux Falls' growth outpaces rest of region
Sioux Falls still is growing far faster than any city in the region and remains among the fastest-growing cities in the country, newly released census estimates show. Read More
TN: Tennessee offered GM $20M package
Gov. Phil Bredesen said the state's offer to General Motors to build its new small car at the Spring Hill plant was a $20 million incentive package, and it obviously was not enough. Read More
TX: Perry beats feds' deadline for school funds
Texas Gov. Rick Perry met a deadline Wednesday to request federal stabilization funds for education — with 18 minutes to spare. Read More
TX: Texas Senate passes agencies bill
The Texas Legislature convened a special session Wednesday and immediately took steps to extend the life of several key state agencies. Read More
TX: Highlights from the Texas special session
A special session of the Texas Legislature is in full swing. Lawmakers convened the special session Wednesday and immediately took steps to extend the life of several key state agencies. Read More
TX: Toll road bill faces tough fight in Texas Legislature's special session
Gov. Rick Perry's special session effort to win new approval for public-private toll roads in Texas may be hitting the skids. 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
TX: Texas applies for stimulus funds with minutes to spare
There are deadlines for submitting job applications. Deadlines for filing reports. And then there are deadlines for applying for $3.97 billion. The state of Texas cut that last deadline really close. Read More
US: Job market takes turn for worse
NEW YORK -- The battered U.S. labor market took a step backwards last month as employers trimmed more jobs from their payrolls in June, according to a government report Thursday. Read More
US: Government makes $4 billion 'down payment' on project to expand broadband
Vice President Biden yesterday announced guidelines for $4 billion in stimulus funds to expand high-speed Internet access across the nation, jump-starting a program that has been criticized for taking too long to get off the ground. Read More
US: Coming to 25 states -- higher taxes
More than half of US states are responding to budget challenges with an answer that's often unpopular with their residents: tax hikes. Read More
US: State budget woes worsen as deadline arrives
States across the country got their 2010 fiscal years off to a bumpy start Wednesday, as some faced shutdowns with their budgets in limbo and others braced for deep cuts after passing bare-bones plans to deal with recession-driven revenue shortfalls. Read More
US: Hiring might not rebound in an economic recovery
WASHINGTON -- Even as the nation's economy begins clawing its way out of the worst recession in 60 years, there are growing signs that this recovery could come with an unsettling twist: The wheels of commerce may begin to turn again without any substantial boost in jobs. Read More
US: Pension funds to lead suit against bank
A group of five public pension funds, including state funds in Ohio and Texas, have won the right to lead investor class-action lawsuits against the Bank of America Corporation over its acquisition of Merrill Lynch & Company. Read More
UT: Rocky Mountain Power seeks another rate increase in Utah
Rocky Mountain Power has notified state regulators it wants to increase its electricity rates by $67 million beginning in February 2010. 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: 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: Vt income tax revenues saw 5th-biggest decline in first third
A new national study finds that Vermont's income tax revenues dropped more sharply than those of all but four other states in the first four months of this year. Read More
VT: Vt Guard to build new training center in Jericho
The Vermont National Guard on Thursday will break ground on a training facility at the Ethan Allen Firing Range in Jericho, Guard officials said. Read More
VT: Recession battering state coffers
Rising unemployment rates, battered investment portfolios and declining corporate profits have taken an alarming toll on income-tax revenue paid to Vermont. Read More
VT: Vt. begins taxing digital downloads
Did you pay to download a song, book or movie this week? You may have to pay sales tax on it. 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: EPA -- State must conduct review, hold hearings on latest coal-plant proposal
The federal EPA has essentially told the state and Sunflower Electric Power Corp. to start over in considering a permit to build a coal-burning power plant in southwest Kansas. 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
WA: WA property tax campaign moves toward fall ballot
Professional initiative promoter Tim Eyman could move his latest campaign closer to the ballot if he hands over nearly 300,000 valid petition signatures to Washington state officials. Read More
WA: Speculation grows for Boeing 787 plant in South Carolina
Reports that Boeing is negotiating to buy a key link in the 787 Dreamliner's global supply chain have intensified speculation it may be laying the groundwork for putting a second final-assembly plant out of state. Read More
WI: White House 'rural tour' begins, and will come to state
WASHINGTON -- The Obama administration on Wednesday kicked off a "rural tour" that will bring two cabinet members to Wisconsin later this month. Read More
Financial crisis torments states
(Updated 5:25 p.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
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 |
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