Weekly wrap: Rating agency slams Conn. on borrowing
Agency lowers Conn. credit outlook; federal broadband grants will be delayed a month; and confusion continues on stimulus job claims.
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Archive of Home on Friday October 30, 2009
Weekly wrap: Rating agency slams Conn. on borrowing
Agency lowers Conn. credit outlook; federal broadband grants will be delayed a month; and confusion continues on stimulus job claims. Read More
MA: Patrick to end nearly 1,000 jobs
WORCESTER, Mass. -- Governor Deval Patrick intends to close a projected $600 million budget gap by eliminating nearly 1,000 state jobs, shaving millions from human service programs, reducing help for local school building projects, and possibly closing the State House library, the governor and his aides said yesterday. (Also see: HI: Layoffs will hit 'thousands' if Hawaii furloughs are blocked and MO: Budget cuts to trim 700 state workers Read More
IL: State gears to free prisoners
As the state prepares to release about 1,000 inmates from prison up to a year early, parole agents across Illinois are making unannounced visits to select homes, checking for overcrowding, drug paraphernalia and vicious dogs that could hamper future inspections. (Also see: NM: Cuts could mean prison closures, prisoner release, Corrections chief says ) Read More
US: Some states drop testing bar
More states lowered their standards for academic proficiency in recent years than raised them, and nearly all used exams that fell short of federal testing benchmarks, according to a new study. Read More
US: Some states weigh earlier primaries in 2010 to accommodate Americans abroad
ST. PAUL, Minn. -- A new law meant to protect the voting rights of deployed troops and other Americans overseas is forcing at least a dozen states to consider holding their primaries earlier or to negotiate another plan that federal officials will accept. Read More
US: Bay Bridge breakdown -- Are our bridges safe?
The collapse of 2½ tons of metal on the San Francisco Bay Bridge may have done little more than frighten rush-hour drivers, but experts warned the accident could be a sign of things to come if there isn't more attention paid to the nation's bridges. Read More
PA: Pa. high court tosses 'tainted' juvenile cases
In an unprecedented move, the Pennsylvania Supreme Court yesterday tossed out thousands of juvenile court cases that were "tainted" by an alleged kickback scheme involving a former Luzerne County judge. Read More
NJ: A rivalry as strained as New Jersey's finances
In the final leg of New Jersey's unpredictable governor's race, both candidates are casting about for ways to save the state from financial doom as they confront the economic reality that will severely restrict the winner of Tuesday's voting. Read More
VA: Race rating change -- GOP victory in Virginia likely
Bob McDonnell and Creigh Deeds, the nominees in Tuesday's election for Virginia governor, were opponents four years ago in a state attorney general's election so close that Republican McDonnell wasn't confirmed as the winner until four days before Christmas. But McDonnell-Deeds II is looking like a blowout, not a nailbiter. Read More
CO: Colorado budget-cut blitz unleashes blazing rhetoric
Dueling news releases from the Democratic speaker of the House and the Republican Senate minority leader over the state budget crisis likely signal a testy legislative session ahead. Read More
DE: Delaware economic recovery years off
State population forecasters issued a sobering outlook for Delaware's economic recovery and growth Thursday, predicting stubbornly higher unemployment at least through next year with more people being forced to commute to jobs in other states. Read More
KS: Kansas official to lead Missouri's economic development
The Kansas secretary of commerce plans to cross state lines to lead economic development efforts in Missouri, which is prompting some Kansas legislators to question his loyalties in a key business-recruiting effort. Read More
VA: Va. to close pharmacy for mentally ill
Virginia is eliminating its statewide pharmacy for the mentally ill, which obtained discounted drugs and distributed them through local mental health boards rather than commercial drugstores, as part of its effort to reduce spending in tough budget times. Read More
MA: State snafu stiffs unemployed
Thousands of desperate jobless Bay Staters -- at the end of their ropes and unemployment benefits -- thought the state had tossed them a lifeline when new checks arrived in the mail, only to learn it was all a big mistake and now they have to give the money back. Read More
CA: Crime locale is key in California's 3 strikes law
California's three strikes sentencing law can send a repeat offender to prison for 25 years to life. But the third strike doesn't have to be a serious violent crime. Read More
TX: State's teacher policy had been federally approved, education chief says
Education officials in the Bush administration formally approved the testing requirements for Texas teachers that have now come under fire from the Obama administration, Texas' education chief said in a letter to federal officials released Thursday. Read More
FL: Five signs that will signal Florida's recession is ending
Congratulations. The recession is over. Uncle Sam (a.k.a. the Department of Commerce) reported Thursday that the economy grew at a 3.5 percent pace in the third quarter, the first positive upswing in 15 months. Read More
MD: O'Malley touts stimulus benefits
Maryland has saved or created 4,462 jobs with federal stimulus money and spent 6 percent of its share of the funds since Congress approved the record-size recovery plan in February, Gov. Martin O'Malley (D) said Thursday. Read More
US: Unemployment rate dips as many discouraged workers give up looking
WASHINGTON — The unemployment rate fell in September in most U.S. metro areas, although that's largely because more people gave up on job searches than found new work. Read More
US: White House -- Data likely to credit stimulus for 650,000 jobs
WASHINGTON -- Obama administration officials expect new reports Friday to show that the government's fiscal stimulus program helped create or save about 650,000 jobs, a figure officials are prepared to tout as a sign of stimulus success. Read More
More states announce mid-year cuts
As new holes emerge in their budgets, more and more states are making spending cuts well before their legislatures reconvene next year. Iowa, Kansas, Massachusetts and Missouri are the latest. Read More
'As states, we compete,' Wyo. governor says
Gaining the competitive edge seems to be on the minds of state officials more than usual. 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
Weekly wrap: Frustration mounts
In some of the states hit hardest by the recession, frustration among voters and in the media over the way state government works — or doesn't work — seems to be boiling over. Read More
Behind open doors, states track stimulus
 What do an FBI fraud team, a showdown between a governor and the legislature, and a sophisticated online system called geographic information systems have in common? All are part of states’ efforts to ensure that billions in federal stimulus money are spent wisely within their borders.
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Weekly wrap: Early stimulus reports show gain in teaching, construction jobs
States and contractors begin releasing stimulus jobs data; a costly computer contract haunts Virginia, and New Mexico is facing a fiscal crisis. Read More
Weekly wrap: Calls increase to extend economic stimulus to help states
Officials say states may need federal aid again next year; Louisiana's GOP governor offers health care proposal; Key stimulus deadline is approaching. Read More |
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