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Archive of Politics on Friday July 03, 2009
SC: S.C. governor resists pressure to resign
South Carolina Gov. Mark Sanford defied calls for his resignation yesterday from GOP leaders, insisting he will remain in office even as his political fortunes dimmed in the wake of his admission that he secretly traveled abroad to meet a mistress. Read More
NY: Paterson calls session through July 6
Gov. David Paterson has elevated the Senate stalemate from a "conflict" to a "crisis." The governor didn't make much news today in his Red Room press conference, except to say that he has issued proclamations for special session every day at 3 p.m. through July 6 — which means that the Senate will be in Albany through the holiday weekend. Read More
AK: Native rights activist will run for governorktuu
A longtime activist for Alaska Native rights intends to run for governor. Read More
AK: The Sarah Palin chronicles mask deeper GOP troubles
On the same day Republicans surrendered a symbolically significant seat in the Senate, the Sarah Palin wars erupted again inside the party. Leaks followed by trash-talking followed by recriminations. Read More
AL: Alabama Supreme Court Chief Justice Sue Bell Cobb decides against run for governorship
Alabama Chief Justice Sue Bell Cobb on Wednesday said she plans to keep her seat on the Alabama Supreme Court and will not run for governor. 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: 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
AL: Chief Justice Cobb won't make gubernatorial bid
Alabama Supreme Court Chief Justice Sue Bell Cobb said Wednesday that she will not run for governor in 2010. Read More
AR: Beebe backs director, board despite prison problems
Gov. Mike Beebe gave a vote of confidence to the state prison director and Board of Corrections on Wednesday, a day after members of a legislative panel questioned the leadership of the prison system. 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: Legislators OK change to Tucson elections
The Legislature has approved major changes in how Tucsonans elect their City Council members. 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: 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: State's budget gap deepens $2 billion overnight
A missed deadline worsened California's budget crisis Wednesday by $2 billion - and now, the fiscal hole will deepen by millions each day that a solution is not passed. 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: Frustration reigns as budget crisis deepens
A day after state lawmakers and the governor missed their budget deadline, resolution appeared nowhere in sight as the projected deficit grew to $26.3 billion and a distraught Assembly Speaker Karen Bass stormed out of a closed-door meeting with state leaders. Read More
CA: The State Worker -- 'Furlough Fridays' for all? Not so fast
Most state employees started work Wednesday morning knowing that their pay in coming months will be nearly 5 percent less than June's, since Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger has added a third monthly furlough day to the two they've endured since February. That's right, "most." 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: No California budget deal means more furloughs, more more problems
The failure to balance the state's main checkbook and the looming IOUs prompted Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger on Wednesday to declare a fiscal state of emergency. 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: 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
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 Governor's mansion grounds spruced up
Five little girls talked garden talk with first lady Jeannie Ritter on Wednesday afternoon. They discussed snails and lady bugs and worms, and helped fill flower pots on the front porch of the Governor's Residence. 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: Nine are candidates for state Supreme Court vacancy
Atlanta's U.S. attorney, five judges and three private attorneys were nominated Wednesday to be Georgia's next Supreme Court justice. Read More
GA: Hunstein finishes long road to Ga. chief justice
Carol Hunstein's long journey to the pinnacle of Georgia's legal system took more twists and turns than a captivating trial. Read More
GA: Democrat urges Barnes to reconsider
A Democratic gubernatorial candidate is urging former Gov. Roy Barnes to reconsider his run for office. Read More
HI: Gov. Lingle, unions have date in court
Gov. Linda Lingle's power to furlough state workers will be tested today before Circuit Judge Karl Sakamoto. Read More
HI: Rethink furloughs, Hawaii state Senate president urges
State Senate President Colleen Hanabusa has urged Gov. Linda Lingle to consider alternatives to her furlough plans, including a 5 percent across-the-board pay cut for state workers or one furlough day a month for the next two years, instead of three days. 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: 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: 32-year-old GOP candidate would be youngest governor in Iowa history, if elected
A 32-year-old from Cedar Rapids is running for governor and, if elected, he'd be Iowa's youngest chief executive. 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: Republicans call for special session to deal with budget
While Iowa's Democratic governor and his top budget advisors say there's no reason to "panic" about state spending, several Republicans are calling for a special legislative session to fix what they characterize as deep holes in the budget. 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
IL: Illinois budget work on hold
It will be at least two weeks before Illinois gets a budget on the books. Under a plan that emerged Wednesday, lawmakers will return to the Capitol on July 14 in hopes of breaking a logjam that has left the state without a way to pay its bills. 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: Pat Quinn vetoes partial Illinois budget, as huge shortfalls loom
Illinois Gov. Pat Quinn on Wednesday carried out his threat to veto a partial state budget sent to him by the Legislature because it doesn't contain a tax increase that he says is crucial to overcoming a massive deficit and keeping the state running for a full year. 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
IN: Daniels -- Special session worth it
Gov. Mitch Daniels calls the roughly $150,000 cost of the special legislative session that ended Tuesday night "a great bargain" for Hoosier taxpayers, but the General Assembly's top Democrat says Gary schools had a better deal on the table in late April. Read More
IN: Ind. governor says special session was worth it
Indiana taxpayers came out ahead in the special legislative session because it resulted in a two-year budget that increases overall funding for public schools while preserving much of the state's reserves, Republican Gov. Mitch Daniels said Wednesday. Read More
IN: 2008 Ind. lt. gov. candidate surrenders for arrest
Indiana's 2008 Democratic candidate for lieutenant governor has surrendered to authorities the day after a judge issued a warrant for his arrest. 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
IN: Daniels is poised to resume fight for local government reform
A day after Indiana's lawmakers passed a new two-year state budget, Gov. Mitch Daniels was already looking ahead to his next legislative goal: reforming local government, including a push to merge the state's smallest school districts. 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: 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
MN: If Coleman goes for governor, he'll cast a long shadow
The biggest mystery, now that Democrat Al Franken is heading to the U.S. Senate, is how soon Republican Norm Coleman will let Minnesotans know whether he wants to be their governor. Read More
MO: Nixon signs into law bills ending practice of awarding fee offices based on patronage
Contracts to run Missouri fee offices must be opened for competitive bids under legislation signed into law Wednesday by Gov. Jay Nixon. Read More
MS: PSC minus spending plan
Disagreement over the size of the Public Service Commission's staff left it as the only state agency unfunded as the fiscal year began Wednesday. 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
NC: Easley's appeal may be doomed
N.C. State University is highly unlikely to negotiate a settlement with former first lady Mary Easley, who earlier this week indicated she will appeal her firing, the university's new leader said Wednesday. 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: N.D.'s top horse racing regulator quits
North Dakota's top horse racing regulator has resigned. 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: 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: 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: N.J. appeals court to rule on child porn evidence in former Assemblyman Neil Cohen's trial
A state appeals court today is expected to issue a ruling on evidence in the case of former Assemblyman Neil Cohen, who was indicted last December on charges of child pornography possession and official misconduct. Read More
NJ: Obama to hit the trail for Corzine
Hoping to sprinkle Gov. Jon Corzine with political stardust, President Obama will hit the campaign trail in New Jersey in two weeks. 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: Judge refuses to toss lawsuit against Gov. Gibbons
LAS VEGAS — A federal judge has refused to throw out a lawsuit by a former cocktail waitress who accuses Gov. Jim Gibbons of accosting her outside a Las Vegas restaurant in October 2006 and of orchestrating a cover-up when she went public. Read More
NY: Albany stalemate will cost city $60M per month, Mayor Bloomberg warns
The Senate stalemate will cost New York at least $60 million a month, Mayor Bloomberg warned Wednesday - and the sudden budget hole may cost some city workers their jobs. Read More
NY: It's Dem payback vs. mayor
After years of watching Mayor Bloomberg bankroll Republican control of the Senate, hearing his high-handed lectures on congestion pricing and seeing him back a primary against one of their own, Senate Democrats unexpectedly got their chance to take revenge. Read More
NY: Libous evades 'Aponte's militia'
The Senate gaveled in and gaveled out today for the ninth extraordinary session ordered by Gov. David Paterson since the June 8 coup, and members of the warring factions managed to spend two minutes in each other's company without incident. Read More
NY: Senate deadlock hits New York schools
New York City officials scrambled Wednesday to re-create a system of school governance that hasn't existed in seven years after a deadlocked state Senate failed to renew the mayor's control over public schools before a Tuesday deadline. Read More
NY: Senate impasse forces city to revive old school board, in name
Back from the dead, almost by accident, the New York City Board of Education met for the first time in seven years Wednesday as Mayor Michael R. Bloomberg technically lost control of the school system. Read More
NY: Senate inaction is hurting many towns across state
New York City marshals can no longer enforce financial judgments. The City of Yonkers cannot send out property tax bills to homeowners. And in the Town of Deerpark, in Orange County, local officials cannot issue bonds that the town is counting on to balance its budget. 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: Ohio EPA, Northeast Ohio Sewer District disagree about source of oil that killed gulls
An Ohio Environmental Protection Agency investigator trying to find out who killed more than 500 gulls last month by dumping hundreds of gallons of oil into the Cuyahoga River is focusing on a nine-mile-long storm sewer network that flows from Shaker Heights to Cleveland and the river. 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: 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
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: 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: 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: 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: Lt. Gov. Roberts bows out of race for governor
Lt. Gov. Elizabeth Roberts will not run for governor in 2010, according to a surprise announcement Wednesday afternoon that squelched widespread speculation the Cranston Democrat would compete for Rhode Island's most powerful elective post. Read More
RI: R.I.'s higher education chief steps down
Tuesday marked the last day for Jack R. Warner, Rhode Island's higher education commissioner since 2002. With his departure, Rhode Island lost three education leaders on the same day. 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
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
SC: Sanford has his state cringing
South Carolina residents, and the simply curious around the world, have watched Gov. Mark Sanford's lovelorn saga unfold, the central character spewing an odd script that would seem more appropriate for a soap opera than state government. Read More
SC: Governor's new tactic -- Not talking
As calls for his resignation mounted Wednesday, Gov. Mark Sanford finally decided to clam up about his Argentine mistress and other extramarital transgressions, ending a weeklong purging that has gutted his marriage and political career. Read More
SC: If Bauer moves up, who takes his place?
If Gov. Mark Sanford were to resign, it would affect the man many feel is actually the most powerful official in state government: Senate President Pro Tempore Glenn McConnell. Read More
SC: If Bauer moves up, who takes his place?
If Gov. Mark Sanford were to resign, it would affect the man many feel is actually the most powerful official in state government: Senate President Pro Tempore Glenn McConnell. Read More
SC: 39 trips for Sanford with no security in '09
Gov. Mark Sanford left the Governor's Mansion without a security escort 38 times in 2008. In the first six months of this year, he left the mansion without security 39 times. Read More
TN: Ex-GOP chief - Don't judge me by anti-Obama tactics
CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. — Former Tennessee Republican chairwoman Robin Smith said Wednesday that a state GOP news release that used Barack Obama's middle name, "Hussein," and showed him in traditional African clothing should not be used to question her leadership during her run for Congress. 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
TN: Top GOP gubernatorial candidates raise $6.3M
The top three candidates for the Republican nomination for Tennessee governor said they have combined to raise $6.3 million through the first six months of the year. 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
TN: Bredesen's veto preserves Nashville's plan to require menu labeling
Gov. Phil Bredesen vetoed a bill Wednesday that would have overturned a Metro health board decision to require calorie counts on restaurant menus. 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: Road bond, sunset bills nearing quick passage
Legislators, many of them tanned and exhibiting a relaxed, schools-out air Wednesday, ripped quickly through two of the three issues that Gov. Rick Perry put on their special session plate. Read More
TX: Deal in works on private toll roads
Faced with growing legislative opposition to privately built toll roads, Lt. Gov. David Dewhurst told reporters just a few minutes ago that a deal is in the works to continue approval for a limited number of projects. 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
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
UT: Huntsman gone but is still in charge
Gov. Jon Huntsman Jr. has made only a single public appearance, at a brief ceremony more than a month ago, since announcing in mid-May he would resign as soon as he's confirmed as U.S. ambassador to China. Read More
VT: State senator runs for lieutenant governor
State Sen. Edward Flanagan is running for lieutenant governor. Read More
VT: Vt. air comparatively clean, could be cleaner
Vermont's air quality is better than that in many parts of the United States, but could be better still. 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
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: Neumann files for gubernatorial run
The Republicans have another candidate who is officially running for Governor. Although Mark Neumann is a former US House member, he is actually touting his work in the private sector over the past decade. Read More
WI: Doyle downplays veto mistake
The governor says an unconstitutional veto of a provision in the state budget was just a mistake. 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 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 |
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