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Archive of Taxes & Budget on Tuesday October 27, 2009
MI: Budget anger is boiling over
Talk of taxes and reforms swirled Monday from Lansing to Oakland County, where Gov. Jennifer Granholm argued for money to replace what she and lawmakers cut from schools, and her chief rival called her plea futile. Read More
MA: Feds blast Deval Patrick on cuts to disabled
A top federal official rapped Gov. Deval Patrick yesterday for a belt-tightening move that could worsen a Social Security backlog, leaving tens of thousands of disabled citizens desperately waiting for benefits. Read More
AK: Pipeline plan clogged with uncertainties
ANCHORAGE, Alaska - Sarah Palin hit the vice presidential campaign trail last year and touted what Alaska could provide for the rest of America - a natural gas pipeline to help lead the country to energy independence. Read More
AK: Native leaders enlist legislators in contracting battle
Alaska Native leaders on Monday urged state lawmakers to join them in defending an embattled federal contracting program that has spurred enormous growth among Alaska Native firms in recent years. Read More
AK: Legislators consider a new building in Anchorage
Alaska lawmakers are again talking about building a new legislative office building in Anchorage, after ditching a plan to do so last year because of the price tag and worries of Juneau legislators that it could be a backhanded capital move. Read More
AL: 85% of schools in state expect to cut jobs next summer
Three-quarters of public schools in Alabama lost jobs over the summer, according to a survey by the American Association of School Administrators. And next summer 85 percent of Alabama superintendents expect to trim more. Read More
AZ: Rally to protest planned increases to child-care-center licensing fees
Parents with children in child care will have a chance to rally today in opposition to proposed increases in licensing fees for child-care centers, after-school programs and other facilities. Read More
AZ: Perfect storm threatens child care
Parents of young children in our state are facing rising child care costs and reduced tuition support. Read More
AZ: AG looks at private school scholarship groups
The Arizona attorney general has sent letters to 19 of the state's nonprofit school tuition organizations asking them to explain why they didn't spend 90 percent of donations on scholarships for private school students as required by law. Read More
AZ: Stimulus in Arizona off to a slow start
Economic-stimulus contracts with federal agencies have yet to provide a significant lift for Arizona businesses, with the state garnering a relatively low share of the total amount of federal contracts awarded so far. Read More
CA: DMV training program tries to stem brain drain
As California state government faces a growing brain drain crisis, the Department of Motor Vehicles is trying to blunt the impact by grooming its brightest, most promising workers to take over. Read More
CA: Gaffe costs California Lottery $264,000 as 9 players get second chance
The California Lottery will pay $264,000 for a mistake affecting players. That sum in "second chance" winnings was captured by nine players whose names mistakenly were transposed on forms during a taping of the "Make Me a Millionaire" television show last winter. Read More
CA: 'Civil gideon' trumpets legal discord
A new California law that gives poor residents the right to an attorney in civil matters such as child custody and foreclosure is being hailed as a model that could transform the nation's legal landscape. But critics argue that the law will result in a wave of case backlogs and could further burden court budgets. Read More
CA: State official warns Costa Mesa on fairgrounds restrictions
COSTA MESA, Calif. -- A state official has warned city leaders that "the State will consider whatever options may be available to preserve the Fairgrounds value" if the city adopts a specific plan that diminishes the up-for-sale site's commercial value. Read More
CA: Bass tiring of governor's closed-door water talks
Assembly Speaker Karen Bass bristled Monday at the series of closed-door "Big 5" water negotiations that have been held between Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger and legislative leaders of both parties recently. Read More
CA: Republicans balk at Delta water legislation
Two influential water districts and several environmental groups said Monday they support key elements of water legislation under negotiation in the Capitol. But the compromise is not good enough for Republican leaders, who said they still have "grave concerns" that the proposals would "create new layers of bureaucracy." Read More
CO: DPS sizes up fixes
Denver Public Schools is the first district in Colorado set to deploy stern academic reforms pushed by a White House education-stimulus program to fix the nation's worst schools. Read More
CO: Uranium mill clears Western Slope hurdles
A Canadian company's push to build the United States' first new conventional uranium mill since the Cold War has cleared local hurdles — despite environmental concerns — and won wary high-level support. Read More
CO: Ritter to reveal plan to rebalance Colorado's budget
Gov. Bill Ritter's office on Wednesday will reveal its plans to rebalance the state budget, likely meaning more cuts to state programs. Read More
CO: Loss of state funding threatens Colorado tire cleanup
SEDALIA, Colo. — Rick Welle's tire shredder whines under a bright sun, chipping slowly away at mounds of 80,000 discarded tires tucked among the sandy hills along Santa Fe Drive. Read More
CO: Colorado air-quality programs lose $31.5 million
Programs designed to improve Colorado's air quality are taking the biggest hit from a significant federal take-back of transportation funds that occurred at the end of September. Read More
CT: Preserving the Merritt Parkway's bridges to the past
STRATFORD, Conn. -- The Connecticut roadway built when times and traffic were much slower has been added to the World Monument Fund's 2010 watch list. Read More
CT: Tracking of federal stimulus dollars in Connecticut scattered, incomplete
Despite promises of transparency and accountability, information on how the state government is spending federal stimulus dollars is scattered and often incomplete. Read More
CT: Override a bad idea
Democratic state legislators may have come to their senses by now and figured out that it would be bad politics — as well as bad policy — to try to override Gov. M. Jodi Rell's veto of a bill that would stop her from cutting millions of dollars in spending on the state's judicial branch of government. Read More
DE: NCCo to look at advertising opportunities
Elected leaders are set to vote tonight on legislation that would allow them to craft a policy for selling, leasing or renting advertising space on county assets. While that term hasn't been defined yet, it could include anything from the government's buildings, parks and libraries to vehicles to its Web site. Read More
FL: Price increases in Florida Prepaid College Plan shock parents saving for college costs
Margo Johnson always saw the Florida Prepaid College Plan as too good to pass up — until this year. Read More
FL: Crist says he's hopeful for Seminoles gambling pact
Gov. Charlie Crist says there is still hope for a gambling deal between the state and the Seminole Tribe despite what a leading Florida legislator said last week. Read More
GA: 3 states meeting to discuss water war
For the first time since a federal judge's stunning decision in the tri-state water wars, Georgia's congressional delegation is planning to sit down with all of their counterparts from Florida and Alabama to discuss what to do next. Read More
GA: Georgia's technical colleges see record fall enrollment
Georgia's technical colleges experienced a record fall enrollment as thousands of adults returned to school in search of new careers because of the recession. Read More
HI: Hawaiian pilots ask for impasse, move closer to possible strike
Unionized Hawaiian Airlines pilots said today they believe their contract negotiations with the airline are at an impasse and asked the federal government to release them from mediation, a process that could start the clock for a future pilots' strike. Read More
HI: Hawaii's short school year is within rules
Hawaii's public schools won't fall below minimum accrediting standards even after chopping the number of instructional days to the fewest in the nation. Read More
HI: Spending by international students hits $160M
International students and their dependents spent $160 million in Hawaii during the last academic year. Read More
IA: Des Moines transit to get funds to cut emissions
Des Moines' public transit agency is to get a $210,000 grant from the Iowa Department of Natural Resources Reduce Iowa's Diesel Exhaust program. Read More
IA: Culver wary of tuition increase or surcharge
Gov. Chet Culver expressed concerns Monday about using tuition increases or implementing a tuition surcharge to help the state's public universities deal with steep cuts in state funding. Read More
IA: Service providers worry about Iowa budget cuts
WEST DES MOINES -- Private service providers in Iowa are keeping a nervous eye on the Capitol, where decisions are being made on cutting $600 million in state funding this budget year. Read More
IA: DCI layoffs at casinos would not save money
A plan to eliminate the jobs of state law enforcement officers at Iowa's casinos will not save taxpayers any money, Iowa's chief gambling regulator confirmed Monday. Read More
IA: Film credits give states more money, headaches
More than 40 states, as well as some cities, counties and several Canadian provinces, offer some type of film subsidy, but the payback is a source of intense debate. Read More
IA: Slash newer programs, Republicans propose
Republicans weighing a campaign for governor suggest reducing state employee pay and eliminating newer Democratic priorities, such as certain economic development and education programs, when asked how they would balance the troubled state budget. Read More
IA: State officials repeatedly reached out to Electrolux
The state said Iowa leaders have worked diligently for a six years to keep the appliance manufacturer in Iowa and found little interest. Read More
ID: New money helps homeless students in Idaho
The number of school kids in Idaho who are homeless has been steadily growing over the past five years, with some local districts seeing spikes of 30 to 230 percent during the last two years, according to state and local school officials and data. Read More
ID: Employee group demands Otter delay premium hikes
An Idaho state workers association wants Gov. C.L. "Butch" Otter to delay increasing health-insurance premiums for part-time government employees, saying the 2010 Legislature should review the move first. Read More
IL: Plan to fund college grants on hold
Gov. Pat Quinn has temporarily shelved a borrowing plan to fund scholarships for about 137,000 low-income college students enrolled for the spring semester. Read More
IL: Politicians line up for top spot on primary ballots
Hundreds of politicians and staffers lined up outside the State Board of Elections office in Springfield on Monday to get a spot on Feb. 2 primary ballots, launching a 2010 campaign season that already features competitive contests for dozens of federal, statewide, legislative and county offices. Read More
IL: Quinn names Illinois Commerce Commission member
Gov. Pat Quinn has appointed a vice president for the Illinois Association of Community Action Agencies as a new member of the Illinois Commerce Commission. Read More
IN: Court to hear arguments on E. Chicago casino money
The Indiana Supreme Court will decide whether a share of East Chicago casino revenues earmarked for economic development should go to a nonprofit corporation or to the city. Read More
KS: Projection -- KCK casino will generate $203 million in first year
TOPEKA, Kan. -- A casino planned for Kansas City, Kan., will generate $203 million in gambling revenues its first year, according to a consultant's report released Monday. Read More
KS: State concerned by lack of hotels in casinos planned for KCK, Wichita
Topeka, Kan. — A Kansas review board remained troubled Monday because plans for casinos in the Kansas City and Wichita areas don't include hotels in their first phases. But consultants warned that holding out for better proposals would be risky. Read More
KS: State Board of Education chairwoman urges lawmakers to not cut school funding
Topeka, Kan. — State Board of Education Chairwoman Janet Waugh urged lawmakers on Monday not to cut public school funding any further. Read More
KS: Kansas regulators approve equalizing Westar rates
Kansas City, Mo. — Kansas regulators on Monday approved the consolidation of the rates paid by customers in Westar Energy Inc.'s northern and southern divisions. Read More
KY: GOP cries foul over Kelly's judgeship appointment
In a move sharply criticized by opponents of expanded gambling, Gov. Steve Beshear gave his Democratic Party a chance to gain another state Senate seat by appointing Republican Dan Kelly to a vacant judgeship Monday. Read More
KY: Jobless rate rises again in Kentucky
A state agency is once again reporting higher unemployment rates in Kentucky. The Office of Employment and Training released statistics Monday showing Magoffin County with a highest jobless rate in Kentucky at 21.4 percent, more than double its rate from a year ago. Read More
KY: Luallen named Public Official of the Year
A national magazine that focuses on state and local government has named State Auditor Crit Luallen one of 2009's Public Officials of the Year. Read More
LA: Medicaid cost-cutting recommended by state official
The state Department of Health and Hospitals has recommended a $232.5 million cost-cutting option in Medicaid rate reductions that would trim the state budget while lowering compensation to private health care providers. Read More
LA: N.O. education dollars from federal stimulus package in limbo
When federal financing formulas reduced New Orleans' share of education money in the federal stimulus package from a projected $25 million down to $673,000, Obama administration officials promised to fix the shortfall. Read More
MA: Just ONE thing in mind -- Taxes
In Boston, the livin' is never easy. And now Bay Staters face yet another challenge, according to the liberal group ONE Massachusetts: You're undertaxed. Read More
MA: Robert DeLeo, Therese Murray cut legislative staff
House Speaker Robert A. DeLeo and Senate President Therese Murray are slashing legislative jobs and budgets in an effort to backfill a $600 million budget deficit. Read More
MA: Summit stiffs candidates
Organizers of today's economic summit, billed by Gov. Deval Patrick as a non-partisan effort to map out recovery for Massachusetts, deliberately snubbed Treasurer Tim Cahill and two other gubernatorial candidates vying for Patrick's job. Read More
MD: Advocates claim success for Medicaid outreach
BALTIMORE -- Health care advocates said Monday that they had met their goal of adding 10,000 Baltimore residents to Medicaid rolls since the state expanded coverage and lowered eligibility requirements last year. Read More
MI: Extra funding expected after Detroit Public Schools' enrollment beats expectations
Qualifying enrollment at Detroit Public Schools has beaten the school system's estimates for this year by 35 students, meaning the school system is on track to receive about $250,000 more from the state than otherwise expected. Read More
MI: Lawmakers wait for next move
State lawmakers will gather back in the state's capital today to resume efforts to pass a state budget by 11:59 p.m. Saturday. Read More
MI: Schools often don't budget wisely
When Gov. Jennifer Granholm cut $54 million in "hold harmless" education funds, some critics suggested she did so for political reasons. Read More
MI: Editorial: Gov. Granholm's attack on Prop A misdirected
Gov. Jennifer Granholm told a Grand Rapids audience last week she wants to rejigger the state school aid funding formula because it no longer is working. Read More
MI: Michigan state senator proposes cutting pay and benefits for lawmakers every time they cut school funding
GRAND RAPIDS -- State lawmakers are "out of touch" and should see their benefits curtailed — and some eliminated — if they make cuts to school funding, under a proposed bill by a Democratic senator. Read More
MN: Housing aid -- End of a lifeline
With two emergency housing aid programs slated to end this week, officials are worried that homelessness figures, especially among single adults, will rise. Read More
MO: Report -- Mo. public defender system in 'crisis'
KANSAS CITY, Mo. -- Missouri's criminal justice system continues to be threatened by a severely overtaxed public defenders system, according to a new study. Read More
MO: Analysis -- Missouri finally produces Medicaid report
JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. — After claiming for more than a year that it could not do so, the Missouri Department of Social Services finally has obeyed a state law and published a list of employers whose workers get government-funded Medicaid health care coverage. Read More
MS: Three plead guilty to food stamp fraud
Mary Loyd of Hinds County and Sheretta Johnson and Jacqueline Smith, both of Washington County, have pleaded guilty to food stamp fraud and must pay combined restitution of more than $33,000, the state Department of Human Services announced today. Read More
MS: MDOT to widen I-10 in D'Iberville area
The Mississippi Department of Transportation will begin a $12.8 million Interstate 10 widening project Monday, which will expand the road to eight lanes between D'Iberville and the first Ocean Springs exit. Read More
MS: Alabama secretary of Senate's salary close to $290,000 a year, report says
With 46 years on the state payroll and counting, 84-year-old Alabama Secretary of the Senate McDowell Lee drew $24,159 in monthly pay before deductions in October -- a salary that adds up to some $289,912 a year, according to a report in the TimesDaily newspaper. Read More
MS: Auditor targets Microsoft case fees
JACKSON, Miss. – If state Auditor Stacey Pickering has his way, attorneys will have to turn over $8 million they made in helping the state reach a $40 million lawsuit settlement with computer giant Microsoft. Read More
NC: Right to sue Google defended
The N.C. Institute for Constitutional Law argued before a three-judge panel at the N.C. Court of Appeals on Monday afternoon that it would be wrong under state law to bar the three taxpayers it represents from the courthouse. Read More
ND: Deadline nears for Branded Program
North Dakota food and agriculture companies have until Saturday to apply to a program that helps small Midwest suppliers promote their brand name products overseas. Read More
NE: Special session -- Senators want to know where you'd cut
Not everyone wants to just cut state agency budgets, state senators learned at a Monday night town hall meeting to get ideas for the upcoming special Legislative session on the state budget. Read More
NE: Web site wants input on state budget
A state senator from Omaha has created an online site to gives Nebraskans a voice on potential budget cuts. Read More
NE: Lawmaker paid no sales tax on boat
A Nebraska lawmaker never paid sales taxes on his high-powered motorboat, and his actions appear to be perfectly legal. Read More
NE: Nebraska corn harvest furthest behind since 1982
Nebraska's latest weekly crop report says fall harvest continues to lag because of chilly, wet weather. Read More
NH: Law stings laid-off workers, employers
The state will pay roughly three times as much in unemployment claims this year as it did in 2008. Read More
NM: Governor seeks input on service cuts
Gov. Bill Richardson is warning of cuts in critical state services in the wake of a Legislature-approved package of budget cuts, but his office couldn't provide details Monday on where those cuts could come. Read More
NM: Is the guv getting ready for line-item vetoes?
Gov. Bill Richardson sounds a lot like a man who's getting ready to line-item veto certain provisions in a bill the Legislature approved last week that makes deep cuts to state government. Read More
NM: Gov. Richardson freezes "pork projects"
Waiting until January to cut capital outlay projects isn't good enough, Governor Bill Richardson said today as he moved to cancel "pork projects." Read More
NV: More welfare going to parents here illegally
Jose Silva had just obtained an appointment in three weeks to see whether his family would be eligible for monthly welfare benefits. Read More
NV: Reid public option choice could move the debate to state lawmakers
U.S. Sen. Harry Reid's decision Monday that the Senate health care bill would allow states to opt out of the government health care plan ultimately could push the raging debate into state legislatures. Read More
NV: What's at stake in House hearing on OSHA
When the U.S. House Education and Labor Committee holds a hearing Thursday to examine the failings of Nevada's workplace-safety program, representatives will try to answer two overarching questions: Why did the state agency charged with keeping workers safe on the job fail so badly — and are those failures symptomatic of a national problem? Read More
NY: N.Y. tops in population loss
New York suffered the largest loss of residents to other states in the nation from 2000 to 2008, with more than 1.5 million people leaving, a report Monday found. Read More
NY: State's ink a deeper shade of red
Gov. David Paterson's call for the Legislature to return for a special budget-cutting session on Nov. 10 may be well-timed: It will likely come as the state enters what finance experts call a month-to-month "negative cash flow" situation for the first time in recent memory. Read More
NY: Buffalo's largest foreclosure auction is under way
BUFFALO, N.Y. -- The Buffalo Niagara Convention Center is jammed with aspiring property owners today as bidders participate in the largest foreclosure auction in city history. As of this morning, 3,478 properties remained on the selling block. But the number is shrinking by the hour, as people who owe back taxes and fees scramble to pay their debts. Read More
OH: Proposal could raise Ohio telephone rates
Consumers relying on telephone land lines could see their rates climb for basic service under proposed state legislation to ease industry regulation, a coalition of consumer groups charged yesterday. Read More
OH: Ohio casino backers and foes debate at Xavier
NORTH AVONDALE -- Concerned citizens got a chance Monday night to ask last-minute questions about Issue 3, the issue before voters next week that would amend the state constitution to legalize construction of one casino in each of Ohio's four largest cities, including one at Cincinnati's Broadway Commons. Read More
OH: Questions and answers on Issue 3, the amendment to allow casino gambling in Ohio
It is not as big of a draw as a presidential election, but voters will go to the polls one week from today with a critical question to answer: Should casinos be allowed in Ohio? Read More
OH: Ohio Supreme Court asked to review ruling in alleged scam
Two companies that were hit with crushing fines for allegedly fleecing senior citizens in Ohio asked the Ohio Supreme Court yesterday to take another look at their case. Read More
OH: Tough climate-change bill touted as good for state
The more a congressional climate-change bill cracks down on greenhouse-gas emissions, the better the long-term prospects for Ohio's economy, according to a report yesterday by renewable-energy business advocates. Read More
OK: Sen. Patrick Anderson wants Oklahoma food program to get funding
A state senator continues to plead with the governor to use some of his discretionary funds he received as part of the federal stimulus dollars to keep Oklahoma's senior nutrition programs operating at present levels. Read More
OR: Senate bill will include a 'public option' but questions remain about its reach
WASHINGTON -- A sleepy Monday on Capitol Hill was interrupted by serious breaking news today when Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid announced that the health care bill the chamber will soon debate will include a public option. Read More
OR: Ore. lottery chief: don't cut bars' commissions
The director of the Oregon Lottery says cutting gambling commissions would be "too risky" for the lottery and the bars and taverns that offer video gambling. Read More
OR: Ore. gives most foster parents a raise
An overhaul of the way Oregon compensates foster parents means a big raise for most but deep cuts for some who care for children with extensive medical, mental health or behavioral problems. Read More
OR: PERS is a gift that keeps on giving
One number leapt off the page of Ted Sickinger's report in The Sunday Oregonian on the exploding cost of the Public Employees Retirement System: Higher pension costs facing state agencies over the next two years could equal 60 percent of the $733 million in new taxes that voters will consider in January. Read More
PA: Coal industry protections drafted into climate bill
WASHINGTON -- A group of coal state senators including Pennsylvania's Bob Casey Jr. and Arlen Specter have negotiated protections for the coal industry into a draft of climate change legislation. Read More
PA: Region's jobless rate hits 23-year high
Unemployment in the Pittsburgh region reached 8.1 percent for September, the highest in 23 years. The unemployment rate in August was 7.9 percent. Read More
SC: SCANA earnings rise on tax refund
SCANA Corp.'s said today its third quarter earnings rose 9.6 percent as the state's only Fortune 500 company benefited from a $15 million state tax refund. Read More
SC: Legislators hint at mystery deal; is it Boeing?
The General Assembly will reconvene for a two-day special session today to restore unemployment benefits lost by thousands of jobless South Carolinians. But the session also could yield a surprise by clearing the way for what lawmakers say could be a significant economic development project. Read More
SD: Jobless rate shows stimulus folly
What shouldn't be unresolvable is the question of whether government spending or private sector growth is the engine of economic prosperity. Read More
SD: Stem cell research petition to circulate to push for a vote
Organized by the South Dakotans for Lifesaving Cures, the petition drive comes eight months after President Barack Obama overturned a 2001 order by then-President George W. Bush that barred the National Institutes of Health from funding embryonic stem cell research beyond the existing stem cell lines. South Dakota passed its ban in 2000. Read More
TN: Second Harvest gets stimulus funds to feed hungry in Middle Tennessee
The Tennessee Department of Agriculture is distributing more than $572,000 in federal stimulus funding to help five Tennessee food charities. Second Harvest Food Bank of Middle Tennessee is the state's top beneficiary, receiving more than $205,000. Read More
US: The challenge in counting stimulus returns
As the government implements the $787 billion stimulus program, the effect of the spending and tax cuts are proving difficult to measure. Read More
US: Senate bill has public option
WASHINGTON -- The Senate will consider in its health-care legislation whether the government should run and fund a plan to compete with private insurance, but states could choose not to participate in the public option. Read More
US: Obama to detail stimulus spending on 'smart grid'
WASHINGTON -- President Obama and administration officials today will announce $3.4 billion in spending projects to modernize the nation's electric power system. Read More
US: Public option push in Senate comes with escape hatch
WASHINGTON — The Senate majority leader, Harry Reid, sided with his party's liberals on Monday and announced that he would include a government-run insurance plan in health care legislation that he plans to take to the Senate floor within a few weeks. Read More
US: Poor unemployment insurance planning ads extra burden to Conn., South Dakota employers
Employers in Connecticut and South Dakota face hefty tax increases in the midst of a recession because their states' unemployment insurance trust funds ran dry last week. Read More
UT: Utah lawmakers dislike Reid's public-option proposal
The only good thing about Sen. Harry Reid's proposed health-care reform compromise is that states can opt out from federal reforms, several Utah lawmakers and health-reform advocates said Monday. Read More
VA: Cuts in state funds run localities off the road
SPOTSYLVANIA, Va. -- State road funding declines to "Why Bother?" status, says Spotsylvania supervisor Read More
VA: Economist -- Area will lead Va. out of recession
FREDERICKSBURG, Va. -- The Fredericksburg area has weathered the recession better than most parts of the U.S., though the region has suffered worse than in previous downturns. Read More
WA: $7B in recovery dollars flowing to WA state
So far, some $7 billion in federal recovery money has been flowing to Washington state. Read More
WA: Chance of more jail cuts worry police, officials
Earlier this month, due to diminished resources, the state Department of Corrections began sending some felons who violated probation home with an ankle bracelet instead of back to prison. Read More
WI: Wisconsin tax collections continue to lag
Wisconsin tax collections for the three-month period ending in September continue to lag last year's figures. Read More
WI: Wis. nonprofit gets $3.3M grant for solar training
A Wisconsin nonprofit will train solar power instructors throughout the Midwest with a $3.3 million federal grant. Read More
WV: Ex-asbestos official gets 1 year for helping rig bids
A former head of the West Virginia Capitol's asbestos abatement program was sentenced to a year in prison in federal court in Maryland last week. Paul Prendergast, 47, of Gaithersburg, Md., pleaded guilty in October 2007 to violating the federal Travel Act by leaking confidential bidding information to a company in Maryland. Read More
WV: Manchin tells employees 'fat tax' is off the table
A proposed "fat tax" on overweight public employees is off the table, Gov. Joe Manchin told representatives of public school employee groups Monday. Read More
WV: Steps outlined to curb abuse of state vehicles
The Manchin administration on Monday outlined steps it is taking to fix rampant misuse of state vehicles for commuting and other personal uses, in response to a legislative audit critical of the problem. Read More
WY: States explore differences, similarities
TETON VILLAGE, Wyo. -- Although it's unlikely Western states can agree on a single approach to energy and environmental policy, state leaders hope the interdependence of energy producers and energy consumers within the region will yield some common goals. Read More
WY: WyoLoan to suspend practices in March
The Cheyenne-based non-profit Wyoming Student Loan Association will suspend making new loans indefinitely starting in March as it eyes legislation that would put the government in charge of all federal student lending. Read More
Damage, yields concerns for some Miss. farmers
NEW ORLEANS — Mississippi farmers are reporting widespread soybean damage and declining yields as soggy weather continues to hamper harvest. Read More
'Opt out' proposal puts focus on states
U.S. Sen. Harry Reid’s call Monday (Oct. 26) for a new public health insurance plan already is prompting debate in state legislatures, which could opt out under the latest proposal being promoted by Democrats on Capitol Hill. Read More |
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