The national spotlight may be focused Nov. 3 on elections for governor in New Jersey and Virginia, but voters elsewhere could take action to profoundly change the way their states get and spend taxpayers’ money.
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Archive of Social Policy on Monday November 02, 2009
Spending limits, gambling top fiscal 2009 ballot measures
The national spotlight may be focused Nov. 3 on elections for governor in New Jersey and Virginia, but voters elsewhere could take action to profoundly change the way their states get and spend taxpayers’ money.
Read More
US: State ballots tackle controversial issues Tuesday
Voters in six states will decide Tuesday on a range of hot-button issues, from same-sex marriage and medical marijuana laws to borrowing funds for open space. Read More
AK: Alcohol runners face stiff penalties
Weeks after two hub cities in rural Alaska voted to remove bans on local liquor sales, the state is launching a campaign warning bootleggers they face big fines and mandatory jail time if caught. Read More
AK: SarahPAC says it resolved problems with contributions
Papers filed with the Federal Elections Commission show former Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin's political action committee has resolved problems with excessive contributions to Republicans. Read More
AL: Dothan developer, Riley's staff battle over bingo
Officials with the Country Crossing development in Houston County are complaining that a member of the governor's staff attempted to stop the shipment of about 1,700 electronic gaming machines from Nevada. Read More
AR: Community youth services contractors feeling budget pinch
Some supervisors at nonprofit community-based programs tasked with rehabilitating troubled teens make barely $1 an hour more than youngsters working at fast-food restaurants. Read More
AR: The scoop on state scholarships
Lottery funds will go to the Arkansas Academic Challenge Scholarship program — established in 1991 — for high school seniors heading directly to college, current college students, or adults either starting college or returning. Read More
AR: Arkansas powers way into big-time jackpot
Arkansas' lottery plunged into selling tickets to the Powerball multimillion-dollar jackpot Saturday night, joining 30 other states, the District of Columbia and the U.S. Virgin Islands. Read More
AZ: Appeals court OKs age discrimination suit
A federal appeals court has reinstated an age discrimination suit filed by former Phoenix employees of an international firm. Read More
AZ: Navajo hope stimulus cash closes a revolving prison door
TUBA CITY, Ariz. -- More than 50,000 people are arrested across the Navajo reservation each year -- yet there are only 59 jail beds here. Read More
CA: Governor may get to pick No. 2
If Democratic Lt. Gov. John Garamendi wins a special congressional election Tuesday in the Democrat-leaning 10th Congressional District, Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger has the power to appoint Garamendi's replacement. Read More
CA: Taxes and bonds top local ballots
Across Southern California, recession-pinched cities and school districts are asking their voters for help in Tuesday's local elections. Read More
CO: Aspen biz group eyes taking on U.S. Chamber for its climate-denying ways
More Colorado companies and business organizations are piling on with the Obama administration in an escalating war of words with the rigidly conservative U.S. Chamber of Commerce over climate change and other points of contention. Read More
CO: Gates Foundation funds made available for state Race to the Top application
The Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation has announced that it will open up its offer of financial help with the Race to the Top application to all states. That's good news for Colorado, which will likely apply for the funds. Read More
CO: Hundreds in Denver, Colorado Springs still need hepatitis C testing
Four months after a terrorizing and high- profile hepatitis C outbreak linked to hospital drug theft, hundreds of patients who might have been exposed to the liver disease still may not have been tested. Read More
DE: State schedule of swine flu vaccinations at schools
State officials have released the schedule of H1N1 vaccinations at schools that will begin today. The H1N1 (swine flu) nasal spray vaccine will be given to elementary pupils with parental permission. Those forms had to be returned last month. Read More
FL: Victim of wrongful incarceration refuses reparations because his legal costs aren't fully covered
FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla. -- A Fort Lauderdale man only needs to sign a few legal papers to start receiving $179,000 from the state and become the first wrongfully convicted person compensated under a new Florida law. Read More
FL: Miami-Dade pilot court program for mentally ill allows treatment
At 18, Keith Zapata's mind plunged into chaos. Suffering from schizophrenia and addicted to crack cocaine, he heard voices warning of impending doom and saw visions of Jesus in the sky. Then he landed in jail, for punching out a car window near the Miami River last December. Read More
FL: Emerging trends will change business
If the morning's coffee didn't get folks going early Friday at the FSU Real Estate Trends & Networking Conference, then John Doggett's assessment of emerging global conditions probably did. Maybe it was more like a splash of cold water in the face. Read More
FL: UCF student leaders urge students to find ideas to save Bright Futures
ORLANDO, Fla. -- Student-government leaders at the University of Central Florida, worried about future cuts and alterations to the state's Bright Futures merit scholarships, are working on proposals they hope will help preserve the program for future generations. Read More
FL: Department cracking down on business license violators
The Department of Business and Professional Regulation is planning statewide sweeps and stings this week to combat unlicensed business activity. Read More
FL: Caucus wants to lure film industry to Florida
Florida's Film, Entertainment and Television Caucus will make its debut Tuesday in Tallahassee as an advocate for the movie and TV business, aided by actor Jeffrey Donovan of the hit USA Network show "Burn Notice," which is filmed in Miami. Read More
FL: Fla. lawmakers propose banning felons owning pain clinics
MIAMI -- Lawmakers announced Friday that they will be filing a bill that would require the state to revoke or deny operating licenses for pain clinics operated by convicted felons. Read More
FL: Foreign investors dominate in South Florida real estate purchases
While foreign cash buyers have boosted real estate sales in South Florida, developers want to make sure financing isn't the issue keeping even more from owning a home. Read More
GA: White House -- Stimulus responsible for almost 25,000 jobs in Ga.
Nearly 25,000 jobs have been created or saved so far through stimulus spending in Georgia, the federal government reported Friday. Most of those 24,681 jobs are in state or local governments or public school systems, according to state officials. Read More
GA: New mental health director faces difficult task, critics
Dr. Frank Shelp, commissioner of the state Department of Behavioral Health and Developmental Disabilities, inherited services that had been buried in the state's sprawling bureaucracy, and which were loaded with problems. Read More
GA: More high school students are taking courses online
FORSYTH, Ga. -- The state started offering virtual courses in 2005 because some schools, especially rural ones, couldn't offer many Advanced Placement or specialty courses, which left motivated students at a disadvantage. Read More
GA: Georgia governor candidates mixed on opt-out
The opt-out idea drew a mixed response from the cast of candidates for Georgia governor. Read More
HI: Ruling on substitute teachers' underpayment case is upheld
The Intermediate Court of Appeals has upheld a 2005 Circuit Court ruling that found the Department of Education underpaid Hawaii substitute teachers millions of dollars. Read More
HI: Group pushing Hawaiians for census
In the 16th century, Big Island ruler Umi a Liloa made sure all native Hawaiians on the island were counted. Read More
IA: Glenwood urged to limit reports
A consultant at a state-run home for the disabled recently proposed that the facility limit reporting resident-care problems to state and federal regulators. Read More
IA: Names of fired caregivers withheld
The state of Iowa is again keeping secret the names of some Iowans fired from care facilities because of criminal activity or abuse. Read More
IA: Local gay marriage advocates push ahead
Two Iowa City women could have said "mission accomplished" six months ago after they and five other couples won a lawsuit legalizing gay marriage in Iowa, but they didn't. Read More
IA: State sends prosecutor its findings on Atalissa
The Iowa Division of Criminal Investigation has completed its investigation into Henry's Turkey Service and its alleged exploitation of mentally retarded processing-plant workers. Read More
IA: More cities hit hard for sewer violations
After issuing 28 sanctions for sewage permit violations and a couple of small fines, the state of Iowa filed a lawsuit in March against the city, alleging excess discharges dating back to at least 1991. Read More
IA: Carlson -- Present-day budget cuts reach into Iowa's past
Nobody is paying much attention to the part of government that educates Iowans about our heritage and preserves tens of thousands of artifacts, some dating back hundreds of years before Iowa became a state on Dec. 28, 1846. Read More
IA: Group holds summit on job options, health care
The summit, which was attended by church congregations, U.S. Rep. Leonard Boswell, U.S. Sen. Charles Grassley, state legislators and area business leaders, was held after AMOS member institutions held more than 300 small-group meetings this fall that asked people: "What pressures do you face in your family or household that you wish were different?" Read More
ID: Doors slam on Idaho renters with companion animals
COEUR D'ALENE, Idaho — Many Idaho landlords are breaking federal housing laws that involve renters with doctor-prescribed companion animals, an official with the Intermountain Fair Housing Council says. Read More
ID: Visitors to Idaho's state parks will notice the cuts made at the Department of Parks and Recreation
At a time when state recreational facilities are seeing an 11 percent increase in visitors, the department is cutting staff and pinching every penny. Read More
IL: Illinois' borrowing bonanza
Facing both an election and the politically unpalatable prospects of raising taxes or cutting social programs, Gov. Pat Quinn and lawmakers increasingly have turned to borrowing as a quick fix and are on track to rack up more than $6.5 billion in loans to keep the state afloat. Read More
IL: Illinois parental notification law goes into effect Tuesday
Physicians in Illinois this week must begin notifying a parent or guardian when a girl 17 or younger seeks an abortion -- a rule abortion opponents long have sought, but which critics say could keep minors from seeking safe procedures. Read More
IL: Illinois legislative leaders set to sidestep limits
It took the corruption arrest of a sitting governor, 10 months of political sparring and two attempts before top lawmakers and reform advocates could agree on Illinois' first-ever sweeping restrictions on campaign donations. Read More
IL: Stimulus gave state 16,000 school, highway jobs
According to figures released Friday by federal officials, the state had the seventh-most stimulus-related jobs of a total 640,329 across the country through the end of September. Read More
IL: State funding back in the red, Senior Services cuts staff again
Officials of Senior Services of Central Illinois thought the agency's finances might be back on track in August, when Senior Services, after numerous phone calls to legislators and state agencies, got a large payment from the state of Illinois. Read More
IL: Plan floated to limit local power over video poker
Faced with growing opposition to video gambling machines in bars and restaurants across the state, lawmakers moved Friday to make it harder for cities and counties to ban them in the future. Read More
IL: Quinn faces decision on hunting, fishing fees
Whether hunters and anglers soon have to pay more to indulge their hobbies is now in Gov. Pat Quinn's hands. Read More
IL: Health insurance bill awaits governor's signature
A bill awaiting Gov. Pat Quinn's signature would give most policyholders the right to an external appeal of claim denials by their insurance company. Read More
IL: Alone in life, but together in death -- Indigent burials grow in down economy
Most of the indigents are identified, but their families either can't be located or are unwilling or unable to pay for a better resting place. Read More
IL: Quinn's disputed appointment to Africa backs out
A former chief of the state human services agency has decided not to accept a new job offered by Gov. Pat Quinn to head an expanded trade office in Africa. Read More
IL: Pat Quinn accuses Dan Hynes of hitting spa in heat of budget mess
The race for the Democratic governor nomination got more combative Saturday when Gov. Pat Quinn launched a TV ad accusing Comptroller Dan Hynes of skipping out during the state's budget mess and "hitting a spa in Chicago." Read More
IL: Swine flu -- Worst-case outbreak could severely strain hospitals
For a mere peek into the potential difficulties of managing a worst-case outbreak of swine flu, one need only look back at a few weeks in May at Children's Memorial Hospital on Chicago's North Side. Read More
KS: Governor tabs new commerce secretary, defends Kerr
Gov. Mark Parkinson on Friday named William Thornton acting secretary of the Kansas Department of Commerce and vigorously defended the departing secretary, Dave Kerr, who has been accused of unethical conduct by House Republican leaders. Read More
KS: Can reducing the number of school districts solve state budget woes?
Kansas has 293 school districts ranging in size from West Solomon Valley in northwest Kansas with 39 students to Wichita with 49,744 students. Read More
KY: New estimate cuts pension shortfall by $1.1 billion
A recently released report on the Kentucky Retirement Systems contains a speck of good news: the multi-billion dollar shortfall facing the state employee pension plan is $1.1 billion less than originally forecast. Read More
LA: Civil service pay change on the table
Civil service officials are considering a system that gives individual government managers more of a say on which state workers get pay raises and how much. Read More
MA: Banks, collection firms pursue claims after homes foreclosed
Hank Lane figured that when he lost his Groton home to foreclosure in 2008, at least his long-running financial nightmare had come to an end. He was wrong. Read More
MA: State cuts put holes in dental program
CAPE COD, Mass. -- Program organizers hope ... patients served by Cape Cod Dentist Care never find out. But they say the program is running out of money since the state ceased funding it as of June 30. Read More
MA: Tribes seek halt to proposed Cape Cod wind farm
MASHPEE, Mass. — From a blustery perch over a Cape Cod beach, Chuckie Green gestures toward a stretch of horizon where he says construction of the nation's first offshore wind farm would destroy his Indian tribe's religion. Read More
MA: Legislature eyes crackdown on toxics
Massachusetts lawmakers are considering tighter restrictions on the use of toxic chemicals in consumer products as a way to encourage the use of safer alternatives. Read More
MD: Foreclosure glut causing lawyer shortage
The pileup of foreclosure cases glutting local courtrooms has exposed a growing problem with the legal system: There just aren't enough lawyers to go around for all the struggling homeowners who need the help. Read More
MD: Council panel to vote on pregnancy clinics bill
BALTIMORE, Md. -- A Baltimore City Council panel is set to take a key vote today on controversial legislation that would require pregnancy clinics that don't perform abortions or distribute birth control to post signs stating just that. Read More
MD: County hospitals took financial hits
Anne Arundel County's two hospitals lost more than $36 million in the last fiscal year, a figure that administrators at both facilities attribute to stock market fluctuations. Read More
ME: Study weighs Maine homeless housing costs
A new study says it's cheaper for taxpayers if government provides supportive housing for disabled, homeless people than it is to do nothing. Read More
ME: Legislator wants to fix policies that add to school dropout rate
PORTLAND, Maine — State Sen. Justin Alfond is sponsoring a bill that would require the Maine Department of Education to take steps to increase the state's high school graduation rate to 90 percent by 2016. Read More
ME: Maine to vote on gay marriage
Maine residents will decide Tuesday whether to repeal a law allowing same-sex marriage, an effort that has succeeded in every state where it has been put before voters. Read More
ME: Ground beef recall linked to illness in Maine
PORTLAND, Maine -- A New York-based manufacturer is recalling about 456,00 pounds of ground beef products after people become ill in Maine, Connecticut and Massachusetts, according to the federal Food Safety and Inspection Service. Read More
ME: Maine marriage law has nation engaged
Kansas crop farmer Terry Lawrence first read about Maine's ballot box showdown over gay marriage from online news sites catering to conservative Christians. Read More
ME: Maine's vote on gay marriage draws national attention
"As Maine goes, so goes the nation" is a political cliché long since out of use. Read More
ME: Questions for John Baldacci -- The wedding march
Last spring, you signed a bill that made Maine the fifth state in this country to legalize same-sex marriage. But this Tuesday, in a referendum known as Question 1, the citizens of Maine will be voting on whether to repeal the new law. In what way is this a national issue? Read More
MI: Mid-Michigan may bear brunt of state cuts
Layoffs loom as dust settles from budget showdown. Read More
MI: 2010 budget reforms tougher
A still-struggling economy combined with a leaner stimulus package from the federal government spell deep trouble for a governor and Legislature that took an extra month to finish this year's budget. Read More
MI: Medical pot creates workplace dilemma
Employers are facing tough issues as they try to navigate the state's fledgling medical marijuana law, such as the difference between "smoke" and "ingest." Read More
MI: State investigates workers in woman's neglect death
The state's Department of Human Services is investigating why its workers failed to help a struggling Southfield woman take care of her bedridden mother, who eventually died of neglect, despite repeated pleas for help and multiple visits to her home that documented the mother's perilous condition. Read More
MI: Michigan child support pleas flood courts
Parents pinched by the recession are flooding courts across the state with requests for reductions in child support payments. Read More
MN: Website in Minnesota lifts profile of e-philanthropy
MINNEAPOLIS, Minn. -- GiveMN is a new research tool that aims to increase people's charitable giving online. Read More
MN: Protected aquifer feared at risk
MINNEAPOLIS, Minn. -- Pooling underneath the Twin Cities area is drinking water so old and pristine that it's protected by state law. It can't be used for industrial purposes in the seven-county metro area. Read More
MN: Empty desks, offices -- Cities plan for H1N1
Communities across the Twin Cities area are ready for a full-blown emergency, or anything short of it. Read More
MN: OMG! DPS offers 'Don't Text and Drive' contest
ST. PAUL, Minn. — Minnesota teens who want to tell others about the dangers of texting while driving can help spread the message by entering a TV commercial challenge. Read More
MO: Study will review purposes of Missouri River dams
A Missouri River study ordered by Congress will provide a long overdue review of the 1944 law that spelled out the purposes of the river's six dams, officials from states along the Missouri said Thursday. Read More
MS: Swine flu vaccine available in Miss. today
Health officials say swine flu vaccine will be available today at all Mississippi's county health clinics and in some schools. Read More
MT: Schweitzer criticized for backing single firm on $70M Internet stimulus project
Gov. Brian Schweitzer's recommendation that one firm get $70 million in federal stimulus funds to expand high-speed Internet service is being blasted by Montana telephone companies and regulators, who say the project won't extend new service to under-served areas. Read More
MT: Montana court rules against Whitefish
WHITEFISH, Mont. - The Montana Supreme Court has upheld a lower court ruling that a couple's rights were violated when the city of Whitefish denied them a building exemption permit. Read More
MT: State says stimulus money results in 4,100 jobs
Montana is reporting that federal stimulus money funneled through the state has so far resulted in more than 4,100 jobs created or saved by the cash infusion, and that most of them came in education and government. Read More
ND: North Dakota property tax credit under study
State lawmakers are exploring whether to give most North Dakota homeowners the benefit of a property tax credit normally reserved for seniors and people with disabilities. Read More
NE: What might $335.5 million in state budget cuts look like?
Just how big is $335.5 million, the shortfall that state senators face in a special session this week? Shut down the state prison system for the next two years, and you'll be close to covering the shortfall. Read More
NH: General Assembly passes bill to limit foreclosures
The run of foreclosures that has taken nearly 6,000 homes and rental properties away from struggling borrowers since January 2008 may soon be running a little more slowly. Read More
NH: Gay marriage to go before Maine voters
In a referendum that is being closely watched across the country and has drawn millions in out-of-state dollars, Maine voters will decide tomorrow whether to repeal a state law that would allow same-sex couples to marry. Read More
NH: Unemployment benefits ending
Unemployment benefits are running out for many state residents, and that number will increase each week unless Washington, D.C., approves an extension. Read More
NJ: Candidates scramble for votes
From Newark to Camden, Morristown to Middletown, and even the parking lot at Giants Stadium, New Jersey took on the carnival-like feel of a political convention Sunday as the candidates for governor continued their sprint across the state and toward Tuesday's election. Read More
NJ: Poll -- Corzine, Christie running even
A new poll finds the New Jersey governor's race too close to call. Read More
NJ: Corzine campaign denies connection to man arrested on drug charges
A Paramus man claiming to work for Gov. Jon Corzine's re-election campaign was arrested Friday night on drug charges after police found Ecstasy tablets in his car, authorities said. Read More
NJ: As H1N1 spreads across N.J., here are some ways to thwart it
Swine flu activity in New Jersey moved from regional to widespread this past week, meaning the H1N1 flu is present in a majority of counties throughout the state. Read More
NJ: Being a leader demands vision
Here are questions that haven't been asked during the gubernatorial election campaign: What kind of state should New Jersey be? How should its people live -- separately, divided by race and wealth? Or together, in integrated communities, sharing its riches and its problems? Read More
NM: Legislative leaders urge Guv to not cut Medicaid
Acknowledging the Governor's opinion that their budget fix may not protect the state's medicaid program from cuts "may very well be correct," New Mexico legislative leaders delivered a letter to Gov. Bill Richardson today, urging him not to make cuts to Medicaid, the program that provides health care funding for at least 450,000 low-income New Mexicans. Read More
NM: Lawmakers say governor using scare tactics on budget cuts
To some, it sounds like the latest in a list of Halloween-type scares: If Gov. Bill Richardson signs the budget cuts lawmakers approved last week, state parks could close, firefighters could get less training, public employees could be furloughed and there could be "an inability to provide sanitary conditions in parks statewide." Read More
NM: Firm faces big fine, possible loss of contract
A firm that took over management of the state's behavioral health care system July 1 has not paid millions of dollars to nonprofits and other companies for work they have completed, the state said Friday. Read More
NV: Life after politics: Many stars decide to stay away
Assembly Speaker Barbara Buckley shocked a lot of Nevadans on Sept. 11 when she ended her political career, at least for now, by deciding against running for governor. Read More
NV: Morale of those with jobs a big issue amid cutbacks
The bad economic news in Las Vegas has become like winter rain in the Pacific Northwest — sometimes it comes in a torrent, other times a mist, but always there. Read More
NV: Banks seeing advantages of home short sales
A prominent real estate analyst says banks are showing more interest in working with financially pinched homeowners in the sales of their "underwater" homes by agreeing to take some of the hit themselves. Read More
NV: Ceremony welcomes 31 to official citizenship
Onema Bushra, 6, had just one word to describe her feelings after a Friday ceremony where she received her certificate of citizenship: "Happy." Read More
NV: Companies vying to power Nevada's future
NV Energy's plan to build a transmission line to move electricity between the northern and southern parts of the state could unnecessarily stick ratepayers with a half-billion-dollar bill, the state's consumer advocate warns. Read More
NY: Taxes for road repairs raided by state
Highway and motor vehicle taxes dedicated to road and bridge repairs continue to be raided to pay the state's operating expenses, leading to a deterioration of New York's infrastructure, according to a report from the Comptroller's Office. Read More
NY: GOP petition drive targets license plate fees
County clerks across the state have started online petitions against planned increases in fees on license plates next year. Read More
OH: Auto registration checks scaring immigrants
News that the state will cancel the car registrations of possibly thousands of undocumented immigrants has caused panic and created rumors among those living in central Ohio. Read More
OH: New study ranks top-earners among presidents of private colleges and universities
CLEVELAND, OHIO -- In a study of executive pay at private colleges and universities released today, it's the former president of an area college who stands out with a big payday. Read More
OH: Convicted ex-union leader gets state post
Michael Billirakis, the former Ohio teachers-union chief convicted of ethics violations while on the State Teachers Retirement System board, has a new state job. Read More
OH: Gambling opponents speak out
Opponents of the gambling issue on Tuesday's ballot stepped up their attacks yesterday on the Michigan businessman who would own two Ohio casinos, producing a retired police officer who said the would-be casino tycoon lied about his college arrest on suspicion of running a gambling ring. Read More
OH: Stimulus jobs in Ohio exceed 17,000 so far, White House says
The federal stimulus package has created or saved 17,095 jobs in Ohio, based on reports covering spending through Sept. 30, the White House announced today. Read More
OH: Dann aide Gutierrez attempted fraud, workers' comp board rules
The man at the heart of the scandal that toppled former Attorney General Marc Dann last year also shortchanged Ohio's workers' compensation fund by improperly classifying employees as independent contractors, a Bureau of Workers Compensation panel ruled this week. Read More
OH: Workers' insurance premiums estimated to rise 12%
Not only are health premiums expected to increase an average of 12 percent next year in Ohio, but employers are shifting more of these costs to their workers. Read More
OH: Global-warming bill to cost Ohio jobs, Voinovich says
To nobody's surprise, Sen. George V. Voinovich last week announced his firm opposition to a global-warming bill co-sponsored by Democratic Sens. John Kerry of Massachusetts and Barbara Boxer of California. Read More
OH: Boehner urges support of loan guarantee for Piketon
Under the category of keeping the pressure on, House Minority Leader John Boehner last week wrote to President Barack Obama urging him to make good on past promises to support a federal loan guarantee needed to finance a uranium-enrichment plant in Piketon, Ohio. Read More
OH: Absentee mailings might be factor in casino issue
With a close vote possible for Tuesday's casino ballot issue, opponents are concerned that the outcome could be affected by something that has nothing to do with gambling. Read More
OH: Casinos aren't only ballot issue
Of the three state issues Ohioans will decide Tuesday, one sparked red-hot controversy (casinos); the second stirred mild debate (livestock standards); and the third is off the radar (veterans bonuses). Read More
OK: Officials seek incentives to bring grocers to Oklahoma
Studies show nearly half the state lacks convenient access to nutritious foods. While grocery stores and supermarkets — stores with 50 or more employees — have decreased in the state in the past 10 years, convenience stores, which offer fast foods and snacks, have increased. Read More
OK: Oklahoma tag agents differ in donations
Some Oklahoma tag agents are breaking a law that requires they ask their customers to consider giving $1 for organ donation education, records show. Read More
OK: Today marks the first day of new Oklahoma laws
Most elements of a comprehensive lawsuit reform measure, agreed to in the last days of this year's legislative session after more than two years of bickering, are now law. It's one of nearly 200 state laws that will take effect today. Read More
OR: Bars to keep their lucrative cut of video gambling for next five years
The Oregon Lottery Commission voted unanimously Friday to let bars and taverns keep their current cut of video gambling profits but shortened their contracts slightly after public criticism over the length of the deal. Read More
OR: Washington vote has some parallels with Oregon issues
Our neighbors to the north will be voting Tuesday on a couple of issues worth noting because they parallel past issues in Oregon. Read More
OR: Oregon group launches drive for same-sex marriage
Gay rights activists on Monday will launch a campaign to persuade Oregonians they should reverse their vote of five years ago and support same-sex marriage. Read More
PA: Seasonal flu shots tricky to find, but officials say shortage will end
Production delays and high demand are causing shortages of the seasonal flu shots, in addition to vaccines for the swine flu, health officials said Friday. Read More
PA: Turnpike documents subpoenaed by state grand jury
A Turnpike Commission spokesman today confirmed the agency received a subpoena for records from a statewide grand jury investigating patronage and contracts at the agency. Read More
PA: Governor to Legislature -- Finish table games bill
Gov. Ed Rendell is calling for the Legislature to immediately return to the Capitol to finalize a key piece of the state budget, the legalization of table games in casinos. Read More
PA: PennDOT ramping up efforts on curb cuts
Lawsuits have prompted the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation to budget $820 million over the next decade to replace 117,000 handicapped curb ramps along state roads -- a program that attorneys say would be unnecessary had the agency installed the ramps properly the first time. Read More
PA: School taxes in Pennsylvania may soar to pay for pension promises
Think your school taxes were high this year? Start saving for 2012-13. Read More
PA: Eligibility for LIHEAP slashed; 20,000 families may be left out
With Pennsylvania's unemployment rate at its highest in more than 20 years, fewer low-income residents will be able to receive help paying their heating bills this winter. Read More
RI: R.I. to distribute $2.3 million in federal aid for energy-efficiency projects
Help is finally on the way for middle-class people who want to make their houses more energy-efficient and save on heating bills. But the assistance is not quite here yet. Read More
RI: Vaccinations begin at schools
The first school-based clinics to vaccinate children against swine flu begin Monday at 10 elementary schools. The clinics, which are free and voluntary, will be held in the afternoon or evening for grade-schoolers. Read More
SC: Gun culture -- Residents load up on permits
So far in 2009, the number of South Carolinians wanting to pack heat nearly has doubled over the previous year as people worry about violent crime and feel threatened by partisan politics. Read More
TN: Grant to help clean, revamp memorial to Union soldiers
The 60-foot-tall monument, also known as the Tennessee or Wilder monument, is getting a makeover thanks to $144,444 that the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act gave the to the Department of Veterans Affairs. Read More
TX: Proposition 8 would let Texas contribute money, property toward building VA hospitals
McALLEN, Texas -- With more than 1.7 million military veterans in Texas and just nine Veterans Affairs hospitals, long drives are not uncommon in some parts of the state with large veteran populations. Read More
US: On Halloween, many sex offenders must post 'No Candy Here' signs
ATLANTA -- A growing number of convicted sex offenders around the US will spend this weekend with a Halloween version of a scarlet letter hanging on their front porches. Read More
UT: The highs and lows of Utah taxes
Imagine two homes with exactly the same $250,000 value, except that one is in the canyonlands country of Blanding and the other is near the crystal blue waters of Bear Lake. Read More
UT: More than 100 arrested in Halloween DUI blitz
State troopers made 124 DUI-related arrests during a Halloween blitz, according to numbers released Sunday by the Utah Highway Patrol. Read More
UT: Funds dwindling to oversee Utah's hazardous waste
Businesses that handle some of Utah's most dangerous materials are being inspected less often because of dwindling funds to pay for the work. Read More
UT: Poll shows most Utahns don't intend to get H1N1 vaccine
Most Utahns don't intend to get vaccinated against the novel H1N1 influenza, according to a new Deseret News/KSL-TV poll. Read More
VA: With highest rate of cases, Navy sees HIV infections rise
PORTSMOUTH, Va. -- The good news: The virus that causes AIDS is more treatable than ever -- and with treatment, individuals infected with HIV can live into old age. The bad news: The Navy's HIV infection rate has been rising for a decade and is significantly higher than any other military branch. Read More
VA: Welcome to work, governor. Time to slash.
HAMPTON ROADS, Va. -- The new governor elected Tuesday will be brimming with ideas on how to move Virginia forward, but one of his first jobs will likely be proposing deep cuts in state spending to deal with a budget shortfall of at least $1 billion. Read More
VA: Tax amnesty brings in $5M, and counting, for Virginia
Almost halfway through its tax-amnesty program, Virginia's Department of Taxation said it has collected about 12 percent of its $48 million goal. Read More
VT: Lund Center brings families together
In 120 years, the Lund Family Center in Burlington has helped families adopt 8,600 kids. Read More
VT: Vermonters push for gay marriage
Don McIntyre said he never thought he'd be one of those telemarketing types who call people at dinner time with a string of questions, but there he was last month, dialing numbers, interrupting dinners. McIntyre is one of dozens of Vermonters who have pitched in to push for same-sex marriage in Maine. Read More
WA: New indoor display rules set for Capitol Campus
New permanent rules formally signed Friday at the Capitol will bar religious displays and nongovernment displays inside Capitol Campus buildings. Read More
WA: State expects new supply of Tamiflu for children soon
The state is still awaiting more H1N1 vaccine, but it soon will receive additional supplies of antiviral medications from national stockpiles to help children fight flu symptoms. Read More
WA: State expects new supply of Tamiflu for children soon
The state is still awaiting more H1N1 vaccine, but it soon will receive additional supplies of antiviral medications from national stockpiles to help children fight flu symptoms Read More
WA: Referendum would extend protections to gay couples
SEATTLE — Referendum 71, a proposal to extend more legal protections to domestic partners in Washington State, has been nicknamed "everything but marriage." But its opponents say even that is an understatement. Read More
WA: Privacy looms over gay rights vote
SEATTLE — At a time when voters in many states are using petitions to qualify ballot measures on issues from gay rights to property rights, a legal dispute over the identity of 138,000 petition signers here is raising new questions about privacy, free speech and elections in the Internet age. Read More
WI: Bill would get police access to Wis. driver photos
The state Assembly is considering a bill that would allow police electronic access to Wisconsin drivers' license photographs. Read More
WI: Wis. Corrections Dept. defends vaccine for inmates
Responding to a state lawmaker's complaints about inmates receiving swine-flu vaccine while other citizens wait, Wisconsin Department of Corrections officials said most of the vaccine was going to staff, not inmates. Read More
WI: Expanded health coverage won't include companies that self-insure
The expansion of health coverage for young adults under family plans in Wisconsin potentially will change the insurance picture for many state residents, but far from all. Read More
WV: State hopes to publish veterans' biographies
They live on through names engraved in granite, but a memorial dedicated to the West Virginia men and women who died in military service during major 20th Century wars reveals nothing of their personal stories. Read More
WV: W.Va. stimulus spending credited for 2,400 jobs
More than 2,400 jobs have been saved or created in West Virginia because of federal stimulus funding, according to those who have been spending the money. Read More
WV: W.Va. justice slams DHHR's ability to protect kids
For the second time this year, a West Virginia Supreme Court justice has blasted the Department of Health and Human Resources by suggesting the agency has systemic problems that need rapid correction. Read More
WY: Study finds west is best for sleep
If you're feeling well rested this morning, it might be because you live out West. Read More
WY: Dead people said to haunt Wyoming's voter rolls
Nearly 8,000 dead people are still registered as voters. And another 45,000 people who have moved out of the district where they are registered also are on the rolls. Read More
WY: Hathaway dollars won't go as far
The Hathaway Scholarship Fund dollars won't stretch as far as they do now if the University of Wyoming Board of Trustees approves a tuition increase, key legislators say. Read More
Poll -- Economy colors Florida voters' top concerns
A poll of Florida voters shows healthcare as the top issue, followed by unemployment -- with concerns for the economy a common link. Read More |
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