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Archive of Taxes & Budget on Tuesday November 03, 2009
NM: Richardson -- Tax hikes unavoidable
Although he's campaigned both for president and governor as a tax-cutting Democrat, Gov. Bill Richardson told reporters Monday that tax increases are "inevitable" during the next legislative session because of the budget crisis. Read More
OK: Oklahoma Gov. Brad Henry sees crisis as revenue declines
Plans to wait until legislators return to appropriate money to state agencies and programs reeling from recent 5 percent monthly budget cuts are in jeopardy if revenue collections continue to come in 20 percent or more below estimates, Gov. Brad Henry said Monday. (Also see: AZ: Gov. Brewer set to call back Legislature ) Read More
AK: State plans AGIA update Tuesday
State officials will discuss progress being made on a natural gas pipeline. Read More
AK: Non-profits welcome PFD charity windfall
While many non-profits in Alaska and around the nation are struggling due to a decline in corporate giving, some Alaska organizations this week are receiving an unexpected windfall. Read More
AL: Prepaid tuition holders plan caravan to Alabama Capitol for PACT meeting
An organization of people who hold PACT contracts is planning a caravan from Birmingham to Montgomery on Wednesday and a march to a meeting of the board of directors of the troubled prepaid college tuition program. Read More
AR: Tea Party supporters to Beebe -- Oppose health care overhaul
Supporters of the Tea Party movement in Arkansas called on Gov. Mike Beebe today to take a position in the national debate on health care. Read More
AR: Beebe -- Per capita income up to 46th, revenues still falling
Arkansas has risen to 46th in per capita personal income for the first time in 50 years, Gov. Mike Beebe said today. Read More
AR: Prison officials delay opening new Malvern unit
The state Board of Corrections voted today to delay opening a 360-bed unit in Malvern and temporarily halted payment of unused holiday pay because of recent budget reductions. Read More
AR: Lottery's Economic Impact Debated
With the state facing $100 million in budget cuts because of a revenue downturn, some legislators are wondering whether the new state lottery could be making a bad situation worse. Read More
AR: Report: Tax refund loans cost low-income Arkansans $100 million a year
Arkansans spend about $100 million a year obtaining loans against anticipated tax refunds, according to a report released today by Arkansas Advocates for Children and Families. Read More
AZ: Gov. Brewer set to call back Legislature
GRAND CANYON, ARIZ. -- Gov. Jan Brewer said she expects to call the Legislature back to work later this month to cut about one-third of the $1.75 billion budget deficit. Read More
AZ: Plan would shift court costs
The state judicial branch has proposed shifting more than $12 million in costs to the county level - a suggestion that has Maricopa County budget officials on edge. Read More
AZ: Tax-collection agency puts layoff plan on ice
Gambling that Arizona lawmakers will approve its funding in time, the state tax-collection agency is shelving plans to lay off more than half its staff early this month. Read More
CA: Lobbyist calls Duvall's sex claims untrue
The female lobbyist who was the subject of sexual boasting by former Assemblyman Mike Duvall issued her first public statement Monday,describing his allegations as untrue and her experience as a "professional and personal nightmare." Read More
CA: Pay-by-the-mile auto insurance advances in California
Car insurance by the tankful? Not quite, but California moved a step closer last month to pay-as-you-drive policies that could allow motorists to buy insurance like they do gasoline – a little at a time. Read More
CA: Schwarzenegger's budget boss to step down
Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger's budget director is departing after nearly four years in one of the most influential posts in Sacramento. Read More
CA: Average DMV wait time is up 18 minutes since furloughs began
The average wait time for walk-in customers at Department of Motor Vehicles offices has increased from 27 minutes to 45 minutes since the governor ordered state workers to take three furlough days each month, according to a legislative review. Read More
CO: Program could match Colo.'s next generation of farmers with land, expertise
BUENA VISTA, Colo. — Seth Roberts' Weathervane Farm on the banks of Cottonwood Creek feeds dozens of families in the Upper Arkansas River Valley. Read More
CO: Ritter -- $400 million in transportation funds around the corner
The FASTER transportation measure passed by lawmakers earlier this year could generate up to $180 million this year for Colorado roads and bridges, and about $220 million next year, Gov. Bill Ritter said Monday. Read More
CO: Public assistance programs worry about meeting season's heavy demands
Colorado public-assistance programs are predicting that they will be hard-pressed to handle this year's surging demand. Read More
CO: Public assistance programs worry about meeting season's heavy demands
Colorado public-assistance programs are predicting that they will be hard-pressed to handle this year's surging demand. Read More
CT: Cut in Connecticut sales tax probably won't happen because of growing budget deficit
If the trend continues, the sales-tax cut will not occur because the projected deficit is more than 1 percent higher than the estimates that were approved by the state legislature when the budget was adopted. Read More
DE: State sheds vacant jobs to fix budget
Top state officials have been spending the last few months learning how to do without -- without 500 to 525 employees. Read More
DE: Jersey sues to halt dredging plan
TRENTON, N.J. -- New Jersey on Monday filed a federal lawsuit in Trenton to block Army Corps of Engineers plans to deepen the Delaware River shipping channel, accusing the federal agency of ignoring environmental permit and study requirements. Read More
DE: 2011 budget hearings begin
State agencies began presenting their spending plans to Markell administration budget writers Monday, after having received strict orders not to increase spending and being warned to prepare to cut as much as 10 percent more if conditions worsen. Read More
FL: Legislators consider allowing gambling to compete with Seminole casinos
Top Republicans all but pronounced the Seminole gambling deal dead Monday and said they are considering asking voters if they want to allow gambling such as blackjack and baccarat that would compete with the tribe's casinos. Read More
FL: FSU drilling symposium experts say risk is low
Offshore drilling would pose relatively little risk to Florida's environment, according to academics and industry experts who participated Monday in a symposium sponsored by Florida State University. Read More
FL: Miami-Dade commissioners consider cashing in on old Glades jetport
Facing a half-billion-dollar shortfall, Miami-Dade aviation managers are pitching oil drilling and rock mining as options for squeezing money out of an Everglades jetport abandoned 35 years ago. Read More
GA: Foreclosures focus of congressional hearing
Foreclosures in the metro-Atlanta area and bank failures throughout Georgia were the focus of a congressional field hearing at the state Capitol. Read More
GA: Child custody employment program expands
Nationwide, data shows that while fewer parents are falling behind in child support payments, those who do are increasingly likely to seek help from programs like Georgia's as they find it harder to find work. Read More
HI: $600K grant to boost weight-loss program
University of Hawaii researchers have received a two-year grant of $600,000 to expand a program to help native Hawaiians and Pacific islanders achieve lasting weight loss and to reduce obesity-associated diseases. Read More
HI: 3 in Hawaii win governor's innovation awards
Gov. Linda Lingle yesterday recognized three recipients of the Governor's Innovation Awards for their role in helping Hawai'i create an innovation-based economy and a stronger future for the state. Read More
HI: 95 Hawaii schools ask for more class days
Ninety-five public schools have applied to turn teacher training days into instructional days and restore some of the class time students are losing to furloughs. Read More
HI: Federal funds considered to help fill in furlough gaps
A group of state Senate and House members plans to meet with staff members of the Lingle administration to discuss reducing the number of days public schools are closed due to budget cuts. Read More
IA: Iowa's revenue slips some more
Iowa's state government collected $151.4 million less in the first quarter this year as compared with the same period last year, information released today shows. Read More
IA: Culver releases redacted list of budget plans
Gov. Chet Culver released more information Monday night about how public safety and other areas of government will be affected by deep budget cuts, but few details were available because the document was heavily redacted. Read More
IA: Secretary of state's office lays off five
The office, an agency within state government, oversees elections and campaigns and provides assistance to businesses. Read More
IA: Iowa sued over halt to film tax credits
A group of international filmmakers has sued Iowa's Department of Economic Development after having to postpone a multimillion-dollar project due to problems with Iowa's tax-credit program for filmmaking. Read More
ID: Charities caught in bind
POCATELLO, Idaho -- An age-old description for scaling down spending during tough economic times is belt-tightening. For some area families, that term has taken on a more literal interpretation as more and more families are turning to food banks for sustenance. Read More
IL: Sen. Roland Burris sends mixed message on federal health care reform stance
Burris was less than specific following a health care speech when asked by reporters if he would vote for a proposal that would allow states to opt out of the public option if enough competition exists among private health insurers. Read More
IN: Ind. votes set on school plans, Wishard hospital
Voters in seven school districts across Indiana will decide in referendums Tuesday whether to allow proposed building projects or property taxes higher than allowed under new statewide caps. Read More
KS: Parkinson refutes soccer-deal critics
Kansas Gov. Mark Parkinson is suggesting that critics who think his administration isn't trying hard enough to lure thousands of jobs away from Missouri are pushing him to be fiscally irresponsible. Read More
KS: Statehouse Live
Author, columnist and FOX News contributor Michelle Malkin will be the featured speaker at a fund-raiser for Kris Kobach, who is running for the Republican Party nomination for secretary of state. Read More
KS: Attorney General candidate wants to allow more cases in small claims court
Kansas Senate Majority Leader Derek Schmidt wants to allow more cases to be settled in small claims court. Read More
KY: Ky. increases number of kids in health programs
State officials said Monday that they are on target to enroll 35,000 children in two key public health programs by the end of 2009, six months ahead of schedule. Read More
KY: Lexington company gets $2 million stimulus grant to develop pot-withdrawal patch
The federal government has awarded a Kentucky pharmaceutical company more than $2 million in stimulus dollars to develop a patch that will ease the withdrawal symptoms of marijuana. Read More
KY: Kentucky colleges see increased interest from adult students
More than 200 adults have finished degrees at Kentucky's public universities through a two-year-old program that provides advising and financial help for students whose first try at college was interrupted. Read More
LA: Medicaid shortfall will be patched in part with mental health cuts
NEW ORLEANS, Va. -- The state Department of Health and Hospitals plans to dip into several one-time revenue sources and cut spending on mental health, public health and prescription drugs to make up for a $308 million deficit in its Medicaid program, authorities said Monday. Read More
LA: Red-light camera cash could balance budget, Jefferson Parish considers
NEW ORLEANS, La. -- With less revenue from sales taxes and more expenses for operations, Jefferson Parish President Aaron Broussard's administration has been searching for new ways to balance the government budget. Read More
MA: State OKs conservation pricing for gas company
The Department of Public Utilities formally approved a controversial new pricing system for Bay State Gas, in a move designed to encourage the utility to push for more energy conservation. The so-called "decoupling" rate plan is the first time that the system has been used in Massachusetts. Read More
MD: Tool titans merge
BALTIMORE -- Black & Decker Corp., the Towson-based toolmaker founded here almost 100 years ago, said Monday that it plans to merge with The Stanley Works in a $4.5 billion all-stock deal that will bring together internationally known brands but reduce the number of local jobs. Read More
MD: Site near BWI offered for slots
A company that is planning a mixed-use development near Baltimore- Washington International Thurgood Marshall Airport has floated the location as a possible venue for a slots casino if a nearby site at Arundel Mills mall falls through. Read More
ME: Economic forecast still grim
State revenues continue to fall below estimates, bolstering the position of the state Economic Forecasting Commission that it will be next year before there are solid signs of the economy recovering. Read More
ME: Workers' comp premiums to fall an avg. 7%
The Maine Bureau of Insurance has approved the National Council on Compensation Insurance's request for a decrease in workers' compensation loss costs for policy year 2010 by an average of 7 percent. Read More
ME: Group goes to court for referendum
A Maine anti-tax group has gone to court against the state because election officials have failed to meet a deadline to rule on a referendum proposal. Read More
ME: HUD finds conflicts on housing authority board
BREWER, Maine — Officials with the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development have found that federal violations occurred when officials from the Brewer Housing Authority authorized contracts with the Ellen M. Leach Memorial Home. Read More
MI: Students take stand on education cuts
As many as 200 people led by high school students gathered at the Capitol steps Monday to protest cuts to public school funding. Read More
MI: Granholm urges 'targeted, narrow' tax hikes to help schools
Gov. Jennifer Granholm, speaking in Saginaw Township on Monday, urged legislators to approve "targeted, narrow" tax increases on oil and gas companies, and tobacco companies, to raise money to fund Michigan's public schools. Read More
MN: Cash-strapped colleges outsource their e-mail
MINNEAPOLIS, Minn. -- It takes manpower and money to run an e-mail system, and colleges and universities have less of both these days. So they're turning to outside providers such as Google and Microsoft to run their e-mail for free. Read More
MN: Utilities kill plans for Big Stone II power plant
Developers of the controversial Big Stone II power plant in Milbank, S.D., said Monday they will not build the $1.6 billion coal-fired project, ending a four-year battle between utilities and environmentalists over a significant portion of Minnesota's energy future. Read More
MO: MU domestic partner benefits 'on the radar'
The lack of domestic partner benefits at the University of Missouri is costing the campus quality faculty members, some say. Read More
MO: State, yoga go toe to toe over sales tax
On Sunday, Missouri became the only state to enforce a sales tax on what many see as a spiritual pursuit — the practice of yoga. Read More
MS: Owner of raided facility owner on federal docket
TUPELO, Miss. -- A Memphis man accused of involvement in a black-market cigarette operation gained official criminal-docket status Monday in the U.S. District Court for Northern Mississippi. Read More
MS: Barbour says Miss. revenue continues to lag
Gov. Haley Barbour says Mississippi's tax revenue for October was 6.7 percent below estimates, and he doesn't expect the trend to change soon. Read More
MS: $320M in tax credits OK'd
Six companies that list Mississippi as part of their service areas have been tapped to receive a combined $320 million in new-market tax credits toward real estate or business developments in low-income areas. Read More
MS: Swine flu vaccine arrives
State Department of Health officials said they had heard no reports of any clinic running out of the vaccine on Monday, although lines of vaccine-seekers began forming even before some of the clinics opened in the morning Read More
NC: Poll -- N.C. favors public option
Three of four N.C. residents think the U.S. health-care system needs reform, and 54 percent support a public health insurance option, according to an Elon University Poll. Read More
NC: State lottery adds Mega Millions
North Carolinians soon will get twice as many chances to defy the odds and win the jaw-dropping jackpots that stir daydreams of shiny cars, massive homes and instant retirement. And the state lottery will get more ways to make money. Read More
NC: Audit reproaches Golden LEAF
The Golden LEAF Foundation failed to effectively oversee hundreds of millions of dollars in economic development grants and violated open meetings laws, according to the State Auditor's Office. Read More
NE: Gov. Dave Heineman -- Budget proposal is about reducing spending
Nebraska Gov. Dave Heineman outlined his state budget saving proposal Monday afternoon, saying government should respond like state families and businesses do when money is tight. Read More
NE: Omaha officials report one more death tied to flu
Health officials said Monday that a Douglas County man who was more than 50 years old died Saturday. The man, who had an underlying health condition, had been hospitalized for six days and tested positive for the H1N1 flu last week. Read More
NH: Board cuts $300,000 from budget
The Concord School Board voted to cut $300,000 from its budget in a move several members said would foster goodwill even though it shaves mere cents off the tax rate. Read More
NH: NH revenues $12M below projections in Oct.
CONCORD, N.H. -- New Hampshire's revenues continue to come in below projections. The state received almost $12 million less in October than projected. Read More
NJ: NJ Transit to explore interest in Route 23 transit center project
NJ Transit will issue an "expression of interest" next year to find developers who want to put forward proposals for a 12-story hotel, office and retail complex at the Route 23 Transit Center. Read More
NJ: Judge -- Corzine can aid effort for sports betting
Gov. Jon Corzine can join a legal battle to bring sports betting to New Jersey, a federal judge ruled yesterday in a move that could boost efforts to reverse a 17-year ban on the wagering in the state. Read More
NM: School officials weigh education cuts
New Mexico has to fill in a financial hole that's at least $450 million deep — and the education system is going to do some of the shoveling. Read More
NM: Tax increases are "inevitable" Richardson says
The only things Gov. Bill Richardson seemed certain about Monday were that tax increases are needed when state lawmakers convene in January to address perhaps New Mexico's most serious financial challenge in decades. Read More
NV: AP -- Nevada most stressed economy in U.S.
The economic recovery is proceeding unevenly in its early stages, with areas hurt most by the housing slump still lagging behind other regions, according to The Associated Press' monthly analysis of economic stress in more than 3,100 U.S. counties. Read More
NV: Special session likely; tax hike not
The "no new taxes" slogan isn't just for the governor anymore. Read More
NV: Controller hires stimulus officer involved in Gibbons lawsuit
Controller Kim Wallin has hired Mary Heating as her American Recovery and Reinvestment Act reporting and accountability officer. Read More
NY: Cuomo -- Reform pension account
ROCHESTER, N.Y. -- Saying corruption has robbed the state's pension fund of hundreds of millions of dollars over generations, state Attorney General Andrew Cuomo on Monday proposed changing the way the $120 billion fund is managed and regulated. Read More
NY: Where all that money went
While many people may think of road construction and bridge repair when they hear the term "stimulus funds," much of the $18 billion distributed so far to New York under the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act has gone not to infrastructure, but to individuals -- in the form of welfare payments, unemployment insurance and tax breaks. Read More
NY: 7 in 10 NY stimulus jobs are in education
WASHINGTON -- Seven out of every 10 jobs in New York that have been created or saved by federal economic stimulus spending have been in education, according to data released Monday by the Obama administration. Read More
NY: Reimbursements slow under the new GI Bill
Andy Davis had to travel 300 miles and stand in line for almost three hours to get the college money promised him under the Post-9/11 GI Bill. Read More
OH: DeRolph joins state school funding advisory council
Eighteen years after he was selected as the lead plaintiff in a historic school-funding lawsuit against the state, Nathan DeRolph is now part of the panel designed to keep Ohio's new funding system on course. Read More
OH: Survey rates Ohio near top
Ohio's business climate is among the best in the country, according to an annual survey by Site Selection magazine, which ranked the state fourth. Read More
OH: President Obama quietly signs landmark Great Lakes cleanup bill
WASHINGTON, D.C. -- Without fanfare, President Barack Obama has OK'd a large cash infusion to help clean up the Great Lakes, quietly signing a bill that was years in the making and marks a rare bipartisan milestone. Read More
OK: Oklahoma awards Crosstown dirt project
The last dirt-work project for the Crosstown Expressway will start soon. Read More
PA: Pa. to see more stimulus money for education
While 325,000 education jobs nationwide have been reported created or saved because of the economic stimulus so far, Pennsylvania is reporting just 531 such jobs. Read More
PA: Impasse, economy sour Pennsylvania voters
Terry Gabriel, a former steelworker who ran a bar and restaurant until he retired nine years ago, is frustrated because state lawmakers and the governor battled for 101 days before agreeing on a state budget this year. Read More
PA: BRT decision to end assessments violated state law
The Board of Revision of Taxes' long tradition of ignoring the state Sunshine Act continued with its decision last month to put itself out of business, the city solicitor has concluded. Read More
RI: R.I. Central Landfill for sale? State seeks offers
The state Monday began soliciting proposals to explore the feasibility of leasing or selling the Rhode Island Resource Recovery Corporation, which runs the state's Central Landfill in Johnston and Rhode Island's recycling operations. Read More
SC: Sanford ethics report ruling nears
After two weeks of legal back and forth, the S.C. Supreme Court is now set to decide if Gov. Mark Sanford can shield from House lawmakers an investigative report looking into the governor's travel. Read More
SC: Election Day debate planned for gubernatorial hopefuls
The S.C. Natural Resources Society has invited the field of 10 Republicans and Democrats vying for governor to debate their ideas about growing South Carolina's economy while protecting its environment Read More
SC: Plan may shape Greenville County growth
A long-percolating growth plan that could dramatically alter the way Greenville County handles emerging development and transportation needs is entering the final approval phase without the hot political debate it spawned 10 years ago. Read More
SC: Sanford visits Clemson, puts focus on small business
CLEMSON, S.C.-- Gov. Mark Sanford said landing Boeing in South Carolina is "good news," but he kept his focus on small businesses when his statewide civic club tour touched down Monday in Clemson. Read More
TN: Correction chief says putting all killers in maximum security would be costly
Convicted killer Letalvis Cobbins was transferred to maximum-security housing at a West Tennessee prison on Monday, but state Correction Commissioner George Little said giving other convicted murderers the same treatment would cost "millions of dollars." Read More
TN: Stimulus could help Nashville save on convention hall
Nashville could save $5 million a year in debt payments on a proposed convention center by issuing taxable bonds that would be partly subsidized by the federal government, a top aide to Mayor Karl Dean said Monday. Read More
TN: Comptroller Wilson seeks public comment on debt policy for local governments
Comptroller Justin Wilson says that except for monitoring stimulus spending across Tennessee, the biggest issue he's faced in his first year in office is trying to bring order, transparency and oversight to the way local governments pay for schools, roads and other public projects. Read More
TN: Bredesen -- Fat kids show need for more responsibility on health care
Gov. Phil Bredesen told a group of executives at a Nashville Health Care Council event Monday that many of the problems with health care in the U.S. will only be solved through better personal choices, not government spending. Read More
TN: Convenion center authority hears from project planners, bankers
Nashville's new convention center authority held its second meeting Thursday and received briefings about the proposed building's operations and the financing package being put together to build it. Read More
TX: Stimulus saves or creates nearly 4,000 Texas education jobs
The federal stimulus package has helped save or create nearly 4,000 education jobs in Texas over the last few months, says a government report released Monday. Read More
TX: Lawyers say lottery won't pay defrauded winner
Texas Lottery officials Monday told a Grand Prairie man who said his million-dollar lottery ticket was stolen by a store clerk that even though the clerk didn't play fair, by state rules, the clerk is the winner. Read More
TX: Election features state constitutional amendments, some local elections.
It might lack the excitement of last year's presidential election or next year's gubernatorial vote, but today's election features 11 state constitutional amendments, as well as assorted local government ballot measures. Polls are open from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. Read More
US: Rental car taxes are getting jacked up
Anyone renting a car in Maine would be paying the state 12.5% of their bill in excise taxes starting last month if the legislature there had its way. Read More
US: Analysis finds stimulus confusion
WASHINGTON — The federal government sent Bob Bray $26,174 in stimulus aid to fix a fence and replace the roofs on public apartments in Blooming Grove, Texas, a town of fewer than 900 people outside Dallas. He hired five roofers and an inspector to do the job. Read More
VA: What awaits the new governor -- budget slashing
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
VT: Legislative leaders want study of energy markets
Vermont's legislative leaders want to launch a study of New England's energy markets. Read More
VT: Vermont Yankee misses deadline
A Nov. 1 deadline set by legislative leaders came and went, and still no deal between Vermont Yankee and the state's largest utilities on a post-2012 power contract. Read More
WI: Wisconsin failing to approve Medicaid and food stamps applications in timely manner
Socked by tens of thousands of childless adults applying for a new state health plan, Wisconsin is failing to meet requirements in federal law for timely approvals of applications for both the Medicaid health coverage and food stamps. Read More
WI: Wis. teachers couldn't be fired over test scores
Lawmakers must remove a ban on using test scores in evaluations for Wisconsin to compete for about $4.5 billion in Race to the Top stimulus money for education. Read More
WV: Economy sending more students to community college
West Virginia's community and technical colleges are benefiting from enrollment bumps as students seek shelter from a shaky economy. Read More
WV: Senior services bureau seeking matchmaker stories
West Virginia Bureau of Senior Services is seeking stories from individuals 60 years of age and older who have acted as a matchmaker or been matched through a third party. Read More
WV: Feds request plea hearings in contract fraud case
Federal prosecutors expect admissions of guilt from the remaining three defendants accused in the mishandling of a $100,000 state grant. Read More
WY: Food drive unites 14 schools
Cats and dogs are often an early casualty when people lose their jobs or have to move. Read More
WY: Homeless population on the rise, say local non-profits
In the past year, the economy has taken a turn for the worse, which means local non-profits are seeing an increase in homeless people. Read More
Sanyo Electric opens new solar panel plant in Salem
The state invests nearly $45 million in government tax breaks and grants in the company's unique and costly technology to bring green jobs to Oregon. Read More
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 |
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