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Archive of Social Policy on Thursday October 29, 2009
NH: Medical marijuana bill fails in New Hampshire
CONCORD, N.H. -- New Hampshire fell two votes short yesterday of becoming the 14th state to legalize marijuana use by severely ill people after the state Senate failed to override Governor John Lynch's veto. Read More
CA: Two torn families show flip side of 3 strikes law
Fifteen years ago, California voters passed the strictest three strikes sentencing law in the nation. It doubled the penalties for second felonies that were serious or violent. The so-called third strike carries a mandatory prison sentence of 25 years to life. Read More
AZ: Land-sale proceeds use questioned
Lawyers are seeking to prevent the use of state-trust land sales to fund the State Land Department, saying it represents an unconstitutional taking of money designated for schools. Read More
AZ: Tuition aid for kids in need not doled out
Non-profit organizations have stockpiled millions of dollars in unspent corporate donations that are supposed to provide private-school scholarships for students from lower-income families, state records show. Read More
AZ: Valley freeway projects shelved
Billions of dollars in voter-approved Valley freeway-expansion work will be postponed and scaled back after plummeting tax revenue forced a regional transportation panel to slash spending Wednesday night. Read More
AZ: Poll -- Many Arizonans don't want swine-flu vaccine
A new poll has found that the majority of Arizonans don't want a swine flu vaccination when it becomes readily available in the state. Read More
AZ: Arizona leaders to tackle budget at 95th Town Hall at Grand Canyon
More than 100 Arizona leaders will meet in Grand Canyon Village on Nov. 1-4, as part of the 95th Arizona Town Hall meeting, focusing on the fiscal problems of the state. Read More
CA: Bill to legalize, tax marijuana in California gets a hearing
Legislation to make California the first state to legalize marijuana for recreational use lit up a Capitol committee hearing Wednesday with three hours of lively but mellow debate. No joint consensus was reached. Read More
CO: Right-wing talk show host running again for Colorado House seat
In case no one heard about it, blogger Republican Joshua Sharf is running again for Colorado House District 6. Read More
CO: Ritter cuts heavily from higher ed, but would refill budget with stimulus funds
State spending for colleges and universities will be cut by 40 percent and would be backfilled by federal stimulus dollars under a plan Gov. Bill Ritter revealed Wednesday to balance the current year's budget. Read More
CT: Connecticut's frustration grows in the hunt for the elusive swine flu vaccine
Swine flu is spreading across Connecticut, but finding the vaccine against it can be a struggle. Read More
CT: Gov. Rell's staff got advance peek at Q poll results
The director of the Quinnipiac University Poll this summer gave advance results to Gov. M. Jodi Rell's office for a poll that was not announced publicly until the following day — one that showed Rell's public approval rating had slipped from 72 percent to 65 percent in three months. Read More
CT: State says 6,110 'stimulus' jobs created or saved this year
The state has retained or created the equivalent of 6,110 full-time jobs with the federal stimulus funding it has received since February. Read More
CT: Rell tells CBIA she plans additional spending cuts
Gov. M. Jodi Rell used an address before the state's main business advocacy group Wednesday to warn that she plans to use executive powers to reduce state agency spending beyond the state budget cuts. Read More
CT: State Treasury looks for owners of $400 million
The state Treasury Department is looking for takers for about $400 million it has in unclaimed funds. Read More
DE: State's auto industry plugs in to the future
Working-class Delaware came out in force Tuesday to celebrate Fisker Automotive's plans to buy the vacant Boxwood Road plant near Newport and return the state to the business of building cars, potentially creating thousands of jobs in the process. Read More
DE: Federal loan to fund Wilmington solar power project
The city of Wilmington is receiving a low- or-no-interest loan from the federal government to undertake a project that will use solar energy to power the municipal complex on Wilmington Avenue. Read More
DE: Sludge recycler closes facility
A long-troubled Wilmington sludge recycling operation has shut down, a move that could add millions to regional wastewater treatment costs and chew up precious northern Delaware landfill space. Read More
FL: Cash cow or curse? Drilling experts offer familiar promises, warnings
Offshore drilling would bring 20,000 new jobs and $2 billion a year to Florida, or it would doom a $60-billion-a-year industry that draws millions of tourists to Florida's pristine beaches. Read More
FL: Florida settles suit with student loan firm
MIAMI -- Florida and 11 other states settled with Student Loan Xpress Tuesday, forgiving $112.8 million in loans used to attend the now-closed Silver State Helicopters training school. Read More
FL: For healthcare reform, public option finding favor
MIAMI -- In two widely different forums Wednesday, Florida doctors and nurses agreed that healthcare reform is desperately needed -- and they're not opposed to a public option as part of the package. Read More
FL: Justices will scrutinize life sentences for youths
It did not take long for the judge to determine that the convicted rapist in front of him was irredeemable. Read More
FL: NASA's new moon rocket makes first test flight
CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. -- NASA's newest rocket successfully completed a brief test flight today, the first step in a back-to-the-moon program that could yet be shelved by the White House. Read More
FL: GOP lawmakers may be warming to changing Florida unemployment system to get more federal stimulus cash
With Congress poised to extend jobless benefits, the red ink flooding Florida's unemployment compensation system is deepening and now also spurring renewed calls for change from both Democrats and Republicans. Read More
FL: Cancer patients in clinical trials need better coverage, Florida lawmaker says
A powerful state senator wants insurance companies and HMOs to stop denying coverage of routine medical treatment for Florida cancer patients participating in clinical trials. Read More
FL: Hamilton County embraces biomass plans
JASPER, Fla. — Industry executives and local government officials said Tuesday a huge biopower plant in Hamilton County will generate two things rural North Florida needs most — jobs and energy. Read More
FL: 10 years of diet, exercise can keep diabetes at bay, study finds
MIAMI, Fla. -- A national study on diabetes, to be published online Thursday, concludes that people who stuck to a 10-year diet and exercise plan cut their risk of developing the disease by 34 percent. Read More
FL: So far, South Florida escaping brunt of swine flu
MIAMI, Fla. -- Miami-Dade and Broward counties seem better off than many areas around the country for swine flu cases, but the reason isn't clear. Read More
GA: State defends plan to improve psychiatric hospitals
State officials defended their plan to improve the troubled state psychiatric hospitals Wednesday, submitting court documents to counter complaints by the U.S. Justice Department that the state was failing to adequately fix the centers. Read More
GA: Stimulus jobs overstated by 1,000s
An early progress report on President Barack Obama's economic recovery plan overstates by thousands the number of jobs created or saved through the stimulus program, a mistake that White House officials promise will be corrected in future reports. Read More
GA: Perdue to moderate health care, energy summit
Gov. Sonny Perdue will host a business summit on Nov. 6 discuss federal health care and energy proposals and their impact on Georgia businesses. Read More
HI: Senate panel on teacher furloughs to meet Friday
Local residents are invited to share their opinions on how to address teacher furloughs and the loss of instructional time in public schools at the first meeting of a new Senate committee. Read More
HI: Lingle heading to China to push isle tourism
Gov. Linda Lingle will leave on Friday for a two-week excursion to China where she intends to sell Hawaii as a tourism destination and to bolster opportunities for the state's products to be sold there. Read More
IA: Reaction -- We're all on pins and needles
Rick Autry, an attorney for the Iowa's Employment Appeal Board, said the state's workforce has remained tense since the across-the-board cuts were announced. Read More
IA: 180 lose state jobs, so far
At least 180 state workers will be laid off in coming days and more than 3,200 nonunion employees must take seven days off work without pay before June, Gov. Chet Culver said Wednesday. Read More
IA: Rental assistance available for Iowans
The program, Iowa Rental Help, can provide qualified Iowa renters with rent and utility payments for up to 18 months, as well as financial help to cover moving expenses, security deposits, rental deposits and other costs. Read More
IA: Regents, presidents to discuss budget cuts today
Most tenured faculty members at Iowa's three state-run universities would avoid layoffs, but other faculty and instructors would be forced to take time off without pay and would see less money at retirement under proposed budget cuts, faculty leaders said Wednesday. Read More
IA: Some state departments still in flux
Corrections: This department, which receives little funding from any sources besides the state's general fund, would lose by far the most jobs. Read More
IA: Department budget plans approved with changes
The biggest single cut across state government is in state aid to public schools, $238 million. Read More
IA: Plan posts lobbyists' ethics violations online
Iowans would be able to go online to discover which lobbyists have acted illegally under a proposal the House Ethics Committee agreed Wednesday to consider in next year's legislative session. Read More
ID: BSU receives $500,000 gift from owner of Jacksons Food Storesst
John D. Jackson announced his donation Wednesday during the annual Boise State University Foundation board meeting on campus. Jackson, who studied accounting at Boise State, serves on the board. Read More
ID: Soon, 'smart meters' will blanket Valley
The era of the meter reader is coming to a swift end in the Treasure Valley. Read More
ID: Idaho braces for schools requesting flu waivers
The state Department of Education expects a number of school districts to request waivers preventing declines in student attendance because of the flu from hurting their state funding. Read More
IL: Illinois farmers more environmentally friendly
A new study released Wednesday by the Illinois Department of Agriculture found 49.9 percent of Illinois cropland was farmed with a conservation tillage system in 2009. Read More
IL: Ex-Ill. governor's former fundraiser took poison
The mayor of a Chicago suburb says toxicology tests show political fundraiser Christopher Kelly ingested a combination of a pain reliever and rat poison before he died. Read More
IL: Parties can't agree on how much is too much to give to candidates
Nearly $11 million was spent in just 10 suburban races for statehouse seats last year, as Republicans and Democrats slammed each other in glossy mailers, incessant telephone calls and aggressive cable TV ads. Read More
IL: U of I resignations don't end pay
CHAMPAIGN -- The president of the University of Illinois and chancellor of its flagship campus have both resigned following months of pressure over special treatment granted to well-connected student applicants, but neither man is leaving the state payroll. Read More
IL: Nursing home task force meeting in Springfield
A task force examining the safety of Illinois nursing homes is meeting in Springfield to hear public comments. Read More
IL: Quinn sticks by manager who flipped on aide's work
The Illinois Department of Human Services says it has no evidence that a highly paid ex-employee did any work other than acting as chauffeur to the department's former secretary, Carol Adams. Read More
IL: Timeline of Ill. cabinet member Carol Adams
Illinois Department of Human Services Secretary Carol Adams' career and the criticism she's faced. Read More
IL: Burris counts as Dems try to lock up 60 health care votes
In a drive to secure votes for health care overhaul, the president's health care czar, Nancy-Ann DeParle, met Wednesday with Sen. Roland Burris (D-Ill.). Read More
IL: University of Illinois -- No-clout rules get their first test
New University of Illinois policies aimed at keeping clout out of admissions face their first test starting next week. Read More
IL: Lawmakers reconsider free rides for seniors
Lawmakers are thinking about scaling back free bus and train rides for all but the poorest seniors to help cash-strapped transit agencies, a move that carries the risk of alienating a large group of voters with little more than three months until the primary election. Read More
IL: House panel approve cemetery reforms in wake of Burr Oak scandal
Strict new regulations would be placed on most Illinois cemeteries following the Burr Oak Cemetery scandal under legislation a House panel approved today following heavy debate from Catholic officials. Read More
IN: Ind. officials warn against swine flu scams
Indiana officials are warning residents not to fall for Internet scams that claim to cure or prevent the swine flu. Read More
IN: Judge pushes Indiana on welfare debate
A federal judge has ordered Indiana's partially privatized welfare intake system to speed up decisions on food stamp applications, but the state has a year to meet its first target. Read More
KS: Parkinson ready to make more spending cuts before Legislature convenes in January
Gov. Mark Parkinson on Wednesday said he will likely cut the state budget again soon, which means schools should prepare for another round of reductions. Read More
KS: State Board of Healing Arts won't say why former director left
The board that regulates doctors in Kansas still wasn't saying Wednesday why its top staff member has resigned, and even Gov. Mark Parkinson said he doesn't know. Read More
KS: Parkinson says Taiwan will open its markets more to Kansas, U.S. products
Gov. Mark Parkinson said Wednesday that he has been assured Taiwan will soon ease restrictions on imports of U.S. beef. Read More
LA: Per diem allowance for legislators increased to $159
When lawmakers head to Baton Rouge in March, they will be paid $14 more each day they are in session than they were last year. Read More
LA: Plummeting sales tax revenue drags city budget with it
NEW ORLEANS, La. -- New Orleans not only faces a $68 million budget shortfall for 2010. City government is running more than $30 million in the red this year, due in large part to a sharp drop in sales tax revenue, officials said Wednesday. Read More
LA: Local schools urged to earn a share of $4.3 billion from feds
In an application for a share of more than $4.3 billion in federal stimulus money, Louisiana education officials called on districts throughout the state to voluntarily overhaul some of their lowest-performing schools by bringing in new leaders and staff or converting to charter school operations. Read More
MA: Stimulus success? State pegs jobs at $216G apiece
The state isn't getting much bang for its federal stimulus buck. Read More
MA: Gov. Deval Patrick to announce $600M in new budget cuts today
Gov. Deval Patrick is likely to hit Bay State residents close to home when he announces $600 million in cuts today because wilting revenues will force him to again slash local aid and state services, fiscal watchdogs said. Read More
MA: Massachusetts agencies already make small-biz loans Deval's proposing
Gov. Deval Patrick emerged from his economic summit this week touting a plan to create a new small-business loan program - but the state already has at least two agencies that do the same thing. Read More
MD: Maryland prepaid college plan doing better
BALTIMORE, Md. -- Maryland's prepaid college plan ended its fiscal year with a $52.4 million actuarial deficit, but the plan's financial outlook improved in the past six months with the help of a tuition freeze and stronger stock market returns. Read More
MD: State officials launch outreach plan for 2010 census
State officials on Wednesday announced the start of an outreach plan for the 2010 census that includes advertising at Motor Vehicle Administration branches, on buses and on county and state Web sites. Read More
MD: O'Malley firm on energy demands
Gov. Martin O'Malley is forcefully defending his demands for concessions to help ratepayers as a state commission weighs whether to approve Constellation Energy's deal with a French utility company. Read More
ME: New England least religious region in U.S.
WATERTOWN, Mass. — Dead churches are a familiar story in New England, which recent surveys indicate is now the least religious region in the country. But some see opportunity in a place where America's Christian faith laid its roots. Read More
ME: PUC doubts $1.5B line upgrade
Maine can have a reliable power grid for substantially less money, and with far fewer transmission towers and substations, than the $1.5 billion project Central Maine Power Co. is proposing, Public Utilities Commission staff has concluded. Read More
ME: Anti-tax group threatens legal action on signatures
Still Fed Up With Taxes, a group that wants to repeal a major tax overhaul, said Wednesday it will take legal action Monday if Secretary of State Matt Dunlap has not completed certification of people's veto petitions. Read More
ME: Debaters predict how gay marriage will affect society
PORTLAND, Maine — The two organizations behind Maine's multimillion-dollar campaign over gay marriage held a spirited but respectful debate Wednesday evening before a crowd composed largely of supporters of Maine's same-sex marriage law. Read More
ME: Students get free flu vaccines
BANGOR, Maine — Overall, Wednesday's students-only flu vaccine clinic at the Bangor Civic Center went off pretty smoothly, organizers said. Read More
ME: Students get free flu vaccines
BANGOR, Maine — Overall, Wednesday's students-only flu vaccine clinic at the Bangor Civic Center went off pretty smoothly, organizers said. Read More
MI: State justices hear arguments on parental waivers
Auburn Hills -- A rare visit by Michigan's Supreme Court to hear attorneys argue over parental waivers of liability for children drew about 200 curious lawyers and students Wednesday to the Thomas M. Cooley Law School campus. Read More
MI: Senate panel urges lawmakers to restore $52M in funding for state school districts
A Senate committee passed a resolution Wednesday urging the House to override Gov. Jennifer Granholm's veto of nearly $52 million in funding set aside for the state's highest-spending school districts. Read More
MI: Retrained Grand Rapids mother thanks Govenor Granholm for Michigan's No Worker Left Behind program
Datasha Merritt said a state career training program helped get her back on her feet after she lost a human resources job two years ago. Read More
MI: Region's lawmakers split over revenue
In recent days, Democratic Gov. Jennifer Granholm has called on Republican lawmakers to soften their stance on revenue hikes to avoid deep budget cuts she say will jeopardizes state services. Read More
MI: Michigan Senate rejects auto insurance change
The Republican-led Michigan Senate has killed legislation that would have banned auto insurers from considering where a driver lives when setting rates. Read More
MI: Governor expected to wield veto pen
Six bills on Gov. Jennifer Granholm's desk are all that stand between a final balanced budget and the second partial government shutdown in as many months. Read More
MI: Veto override efforts begin; $51.5-million school cut targeted
Big cuts in state aid to schools reverberated in the Capitol on Wednesday, with the Senate moving to override Gov. Jennifer Granholm's veto of $51.5 million in state aid to 39 school districts, and a plan emerging to combine some districts to cut costs. Read More
MI: H1N1 vaccine priorities questioned
Michigan's system of letting county public health departments determine distribution of the vaccine "is just wrong," said Dr. Marcus Zervos, director of infectious diseases and infection control at Detroit's Henry Ford Health System. Read More
MI: Senators crush 3% doctors tax
Billed by its backers as a painless way to raise taxes and save vital services, a proposal to levy a 3% tax on medical services in Michigan went down in crushing defeat Wednesday in the state Senate. Read More
MI: Michigan news -- House eases up on baby-sitting
The Michigan House voted unanimously Wednesday to exempt baby-sitting from day care regulations after the state ordered a woman to stop watching her friend's children before school. Read More
MI: Senate shoots down doctor tax
The Michigan Senate voted overwhelmingly this morning to reject a proposed 3% tax on the gross billings of doctors that was designed to help prop up the state's Medicaid system. Read More
MN: FDA makes unapproved H1N1 drug available
The unapproved antiviral that saved a teen's life is now more widely available in emergencies. He was a healthy teenager from another country, visiting friends and relatives in Minnesota, when he got sick. Then really sick. Read More
MN: New federal law could require moving up Minn. election
In signing a massive military spending bill Wednesday, President Obama made it more likely Minnesotans will go to the polls in the heat of summer. Read More
MN: Loan programs help nearly 200 buy foreclosed houses
Minneapolis, Brooklyn Center offer up to $10,000 for closing costs or down payments; loans are forgiven if the buyer stays five years. Read More
MN: Minnesota -- 266 hospitalized as flu death toll hits 12
New flu figures released by the Minnesota Health Department on Wednesday showed two more H1N1-related deaths — bringing the state's overall total to 12. Read More
MN: Minn. panels to look at criminal forfeiture laws
Five legislative panels meet today to examine Minnesota's laws on forfeiture and seizure of property involved in crimes. Read More
MN: 600 traffic safety advocates convene in Duluth
DULUTH, Minn. -- Minnesota public safety officials say the annual number of traffic deaths in the state has gone down 30 percent since 2003. Read More
MO: Jay Nixon cuts Missouri's budget by $204 million, will lay off 363 workers
Gov. Jay Nixon sliced $204 million from state spending Wednesday by eliminating about 700 government jobs, trimming payments to Medicaid providers, delaying repairs to state buildings and reducing scores of programs. Read More
MO: Nixon reveals more budget cuts
Gov. Jay Nixon announced Wednesday that he was cutting an additional $204 million from state spending during the current fiscal year to deal with falling state revenues in the face of an eroding national economy. Read More
MO: Judge -- Mo. DOC destroyed videos of shackled inmate
ST. LOUIS, Mo. -- The Missouri Department of Corrections intentionally destroyed videotapes to "suppress the truth" of the 17 hours a prisoner spent shackled upright and handcuffed to a restraining bench, a federal judge has ruled. Read More
MS: Mayor to Hold Up Sales Tax Hike?
Last session, the Mississippi Legislature enacted a referendum vote for a sales tax increase to fix city streets and improve public safety, but Jackson Mayor Harvey Johnson Jr. says that vote may be on hold indefinitely. Read More
MS: 7 charged, millions seized in Medicare fraud
Seven people associated with a medical clinic have been indicted for alleged Medicaid and Medicare fraud and federal authorities seized millions of dollars in cash and property in Mississippi and Texas, court records said. Read More
MT: Schweitzer, HHS director say they can't weigh where jobs will be located in awarding contracts
State officials are forbidden by law from considering whether tax-funded work will be done by foreign employees overseas when they divvy out state contracts, Gov. Brian Schweitzer said Wednesday. Read More
ND: Chancellor willing to extend deadline on UND nickname
The chancellor of the North Dakota University System says he's willing to grant the Standing Rock Sioux tribe 30 more days to consider the University of North Dakota's Fighting Sioux nickname and logo. Read More
ND: ND regulators delay decision on Otter Tail settlement
North Dakota regulators have delayed a decision on an Otter Tail Power Co. rate settlement so they can look more closely at a proposed economic development fund. Read More
NH: NH House kills home heating date change bill
New Hampshire's House has killed a bill that would have shortened the time fuel dealers have to offer pre-buy contracts. Read More
NH: N.H. lead program stymied
The number of lead inspections done by the state could be cut in half, after two of four state inspectors were laid off from the state's childhood lead poisoning prevention program. Read More
NH: Filing -- Be meticulous in review of death penalty
Two death penalty experts from outside New Hampshire have petitioned the state's supreme court, arguing that the justices should seek more funding and hire a special consultant to help it adjudicate Michael Addison's capital appeal. Read More
NJ: Officials -- Swine flu now widespread in N.J.
Swine flu is now widespread throughout New Jersey, state health officials said Wednesday. Read More
NJ: Next governor will reshape N.J. Supreme Court
It's not the hottest issue on the campaign trail, but how the candidates for governor stand on the appointment of state Supreme Court justices could have an impact on New Jersey for years to come. Read More
NJ: Corzine takes lead for first time in poll
Gov. Jon Corzine grabbed a 5-point lead over Republican Chris Christie in a Quinnipiac University poll released yesterday, as the candidates swung through diners, town halls and an elementary school on the last leg of their campaigns. Read More
NM: N.M. Legislative leaders lukewarm on health care opt-out
U.S. Sen. Majority Leader Harry Reid said Monday health care reform legislation scheduled for the U.S. Senate floor in coming weeks would contain a public health care option with an opt-out clause for states. Read More
NM: Gov.'s office -- Cuts could deal blow to prisons
The state of New Mexico would have to shutter two prisons, give early releases to up to 660 prisoners and lay off and furlough Corrections Department employees if Gov. Bill Richardson signs budget cuts approved by the Legislature, his office said Wednesday. Read More
NM: N.M. Legislative leaders lukewarm on health care opt-out
U.S. Sen. Majority Leader Harry Reid said Monday health care reform legislation scheduled for the U.S. Senate floor in coming weeks would contain a public health care option with an opt-out clause for states. Read More
NM: Republican Doug Turner wants to be the next governor of New Mexico
The economy, education and ethics were among the primary issues Doug Turner spoke about as he formally announced his entrance into the gubernatorial race earlier today in Las Cruces. Read More
NV: Nevada's economy: Taxing trouble
Nevada posted its 10th straight month of double-digit declines in taxable sales in August, as a major federal incentive to boost car sales failed to drive consumer purchases into growth territory. Read More
NV: State faults facility for care of seniors
All 139 elderly patients at an assisted-living and Alzheimer's facility may have gone without their medications for weeks, according to a Nevada State Health Division report obtained by the Sun. Read More
NY: Swine flu vaccination starts at 125 NYC schools
NEW YORK, N.Y. -- Students at 125 elementary schools got the swine flu vaccine Wednesday in the first phase of the city's drive to make inoculation available to all school-age children. Read More
NY: Study finds numerous brain cancer cases near contaminated groundwater in area of Victor but finds no link
ROCHESTER, N.Y. -- Victor residents heard from state health officials about a study that found no link between an unusually high number of brain cancer cases and groundwater contaminants. Read More
NY: Court orders pension benefits restored
After issuing more than a dozen press releases since 2008 touting his crackdown on alleged fraud in the state pension system by private attorneys, Comptroller Thomas DiNapoli has quietly restored the benefits to the 62 attorneys who had them revoked. Read More
NY: PCB dredging stops for now
FORT EDWARD, N.Y. -- Reports on five months of cleanup on Hudson River due before work is expected to resume in 2011. Read More
OH: Issue 3 opponent Jeff Jacobs proposed deal with casino supporters back in March
n March, Cleveland developer Jeff Jacobs made one last effort to deal himself in on the Issue 3 casino plan and threatened to spend part of his vast wealth to oppose the measure if he didn't get his way. Read More
OH: Ohio expects swine flu vaccines for inmates soon
The state says it expects thousands of doses of swine flu vaccine any day for prison medical workers and certain inmates. Read More
OH: Ohio universities focusing on advanced energy
The state is asking eight Ohio universities to share their knowledge about advanced energy in an effort to help the state emerge as a world leader in the field and create a "green-collar" work force, officials announced Wednesday. Read More
OH: Advanced energy programs at Ohio universities
Eight universities in Ohio have been deemed part of a new "Ohio Centers of Excellence" Program" that seeks to develop advanced energy technology in the state. Read More
OH: Investigation: Ohio out $20M in lost drug costs
The state watchdog says the Ohio insurance fund for injured workers is out $20 million because of problems with its prescription drug program. Read More
OH: Lawmakers already eyeing casino bucks
With polls showing the casino issue ahead, some state lawmakers already are considering ways to use gambling revenue to help fill an $851 million hole in the state budget. Read More
OH: Ohioans get new forest in Vinton County
In a $15.1 million deal many years in the making, Ohio will tap state, federal and private dollars to buy the state's largest tract of privately owned forest. Read More
OH: Coleman opposes casino measure
Columbus Mayor Michael B. Coleman announced his opposition yesterday to a ballot measure that would put casinos in Columbus and three other Ohio cities, saying it would handcuff cities on the location and oversight of the casinos and would create a gambling monopoly. Read More
OH: Churches, horses part of Issue 3 jousting
Ohio's struggling horse tracks would be dealt a death blow, putting 12,000 people out of work. Read More
OK: Parole revocation sought for pot grower
OKLAHOMA CITY—In a case highlighted by advocates seeking to reform Oklahoma's drug laws, the state on Wednesday sought to revoke the parole of a man sentenced to decades in prison for growing marijuana that he says was used to treat his arthritis pain. Read More
OR: Killer foam -- Was it a freak event or a warning?
A simple organism that killed thousands of seabirds in Oregon and Washington has stunned scientists who are combing through clues in hopes of unraveling its mystery. Read More
PA: Luzerne judges seek immunity in "kids for cash" case
Two ex-judges from eastern Pennsylvania want to be dismissed as defendants in a series of civil lawsuits filed in the wake of a juvenile justice scandal. Read More
PA: Gradual downsizing of Legislature proposed
Knowing state lawmakers are loathe to eliminate their own seats, a Republican senator Wednesday proposed a slow-motion plan to reduce the size of the Legislature each decade. Read More
PA: Pa. Supreme Court race draws complaints
The increasingly negative tone of the state Supreme Court race between Republican Joan Orie Melvin and Democrat Jack Panella has triggered complaints from attorneys who say both campaigns crossed the line in political ads. Read More
RI: Bristol girl, 12, who died had swine flu
The 12-year-old Bristol girl who died Monday did have swine flu, test results confirmed Wednesday. Read More
RI: Obama signs defense bill that contains money with R.I. impact
WASHINGTON -- President Obama on Wednesday signed a $680-billion Pentagon budget blueprint for the new fiscal year that cuts a number of weapons-buying programs but presses ahead with plans to step up production of the Virginia-class submarine. Read More
RI: Text-messaging bill could be law by weekend
Within a matter of days, Rhode Island drivers could be fined if they're caught text messaging while driving. Read More
RI: Housing sales show signs of recovery in R.I.
Rhode Island's single-family housing market showed encouraging signs in the July-to-September quarter, according to the Rhode Island Association of Realtors, as three key indicators pointed in the right direction. Read More
SD: SD representatives differ over public option
As Congressional leaders negotiate a final health care reform bill, South Dakota's political representatives are sticking to their guns in the battle over a "public option." Read More
SD: Parole board fights inexperience
Six of the nine people who decide pardons and paroles in South Dakota have been on the job for less than a year. Read More
SD: Missouri River group to discuss purposes for dams
An association of states and tribes along the Missouri River meets Thursday and Friday in Fort Pierre, and one discussion topic is an old law. Read More
SD: State becoming more energy efficient
SIOUX FALLS, S.D. -- South Dakota moved from 47th to 36th in this year's American Council for Energy Efficiency Economy survey, and Public Utilities Commission Chairman Dusty Johnson says it's a validation of state policy the last couple of years. Read More
SD: Thune -- Stimulus made things worse
South Dakota has lost 5,800 private-sector jobs since Congress passed a $787 billion stimulus bill in February, evidence the massive spending bill has not lived up to expectations, Sen. John Thune said Wednesday. Read More
TN: TN Attorney General says landlords can ban tenants' guns
Attorney General Bob Cooper says landlords can ban their tenants from bringing firearms into their property even if they have handgun carry permits. Read More
TN: Tennessee's wine laws aren't likely to change soon
A panel formed to study the state's alcohol control laws kicked off its work Wednesday, but members indicated they will be in no hurry to make changes — not even on the popular issue of permitting wine sales in grocery stores. Read More
TX: Dallas-area mother challenges Texas law allowing parents to show children pornography
Texas' devotion to protecting parental rights allows moms and dads to provide pornography to their children. Now a Dallas-area mother is trying to change that, saying that her ex-husband faces no punishment for showing their young daughters online images of three-way adult encounters. Read More
TX: First trial is underway in raid of Texas polygamist compound
ELDORADO, Texas -- The first criminal prosecution stemming from a controversial raid on a polygamous sect's compound here began Wednesday with a state prosecutor telling jurors he would prove that a key member of the group illegally had sex with a 16-year-old girl. Read More
US: After 10-year dispute, expansion of hate crimes law to gays signed
When a gay Wyoming college student was slain in 1998, congressional Democrats pledged to broaden the definition of federal hate crimes by the end of that year to include attacks based on sexual orientation. Read More
UT: PTA, lawmakers tackling sex ed
The state PTA and some lawmakers agree sex education is not always taught correctly in Utah's schools — but both groups offer different solutions. Read More
UT: Statewide DUI blitz slated for night of Halloween
The Utah Highway Patrol will conduct a statewide DUI blitz Halloween night to take drunken drivers off the streets and hopefully make the evening safer for trick-or-treaters. Read More
UT: Loan defaults lowest in Utah
Utah students are doing such a good job paying back their loans that the state has been able to slash its default rate in half since 2005, according to a recent federal report. Read More
VA: Families face ruin dealing with Chinese drywall
HAMPTON ROADS, Va. -- Homeowners in 27 states now complain that the drywall emits a corrosive gas that damages household electrical systems and causes respiratory problems. Read More
VA: Hampton Roads' jobless rate up in September to 6.7%
HAMPTON ROADS, Va. -- Hampton Roads' jobless rate edged up in September to 6.7 percent from 6.6 percent in August amid seasonal cutbacks in the region's leisure and hospitality sector, the Virginia Employment Commission reported Wednesday. Read More
VA: Local facilities strained by rush of flu patients
Local hospitals and doctors' offices are reporting a steep increase of feverish patients this week, a sign that the swine flu is in full swing. Read More
VA: Nonprofit halts planned mailing of voting history
A planned mass mailing that would have disclosed many Virginians' personal voting history was halted Wednesday amid indications that the information may have been acquired illegally. Read More
VA: Court reviewing Va. college booze ad ban
Virginia's ban on alcohol-related advertising in college newspapers is before a federal appeals court in Richmond. Read More
VT: Sanders to push for single-payer
U.S. Sen. Bernard Sanders will likely make history this year when — for the first time ever — he brings a bill creating a national single-payer health care system to the floor of the Senate for a vote. Read More
VT: Pressure grows on Vermont budget
Finance Commissioner Jim Reardon sketched funding pressures Wednesday that will require attention when the Legislature reconvenes in January -- deficits and delays receiving funding and unexpected utilization of state services that are running up a tab. Read More
VT: Vermont sees first H1N1 death
Vermont has had its first death from the swine flu, and 800 doses of vaccine have been destroyed due to a refrigeration problem. Read More
WA: Boeing blues -- Will state lawmakers push to cut wages?
Just six years after state lawmakers approved $3 billion in tax breaks to convince the company to build its 787 jetliner in Washington, Boeing on Wednesday said it would open a second production line in South Carolina. Read More
WI: Doyle announces bill to let mayor take over MPS
Milwaukee's mayor would have the power to not only appoint the city school system's superintendent but also set its annual tax levy under a legislative proposal Gov. Jim Doyle detailed Tuesday. Read More
WI: Bill would let drunken drivers keep licenses for ID
As lawmakers struggle to find a way to pay for toughening the drunken-driving laws, a legislative panel approved a measure on Wednesday that would let suspected drunken drivers keep their licenses for identification purposes only. Read More
WI: State wants sales tax from Milwaukee's nuisance weed fees
The state has hit the city with a $208,095 bill for four years of back taxes and interest, including about $40,000 for weed removal. Read More
WI: Assembly panel approves end to drug-price markup rule
Wal-Mart and other big retailers would be able to sell many more prescription drugs for $4 a month in Wisconsin under a proposal that passed an Assembly committee on Wednesday. Read More
WI: Wisconsin signs deal with Chinese ginseng company
Under a new deal Wisconsin ginseng growers will sell to only one distributor in China. Read More
WV: Manchin distances himself from overweight PEIA proposal
Gov. Joe Manchin continued Wednesday to try to distance himself from a proposal to charge overweight public school and state employees higher Public Employees Insurance Agency premiums. Read More
WV: Charter school debate heats up
Education reformers are intensifying their push to bring charter schools to West Virginia as parents, teachers and lawmakers ready themselves for another round of legislative battles aimed at improving the state's school system. Read More
WY: Civil rights leaders praise Matthew Shepard Hate Crime Prevention Act
More than 11 years after University of Wyoming student Matthew Shepard was tortured and left to die on a fence post outside Laramie, President Obama signed legislation Wednesday extending federal hate crime law to cover attacks based on sexual orientation. Read More |
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