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Archive of Social Policy on Thursday November 05, 2009
ME: Gay rights rebuke may change approach
They had far more money and volunteers, and geography was on their side, given that New England has been more accepting of same-sex marriage than any other region of the country. Read More
AL: National study finds Alabama's poorest pay more income tax than poor of other states
A national study released Wednesday showed Alabama makes families living in poverty pay higher income taxes than any other state. Read More
AK: Palin book tour to avoid 'Democratic' strongholds
NEW YORK -- Sarah Palin's book tour is a gift for her base. Read More
AK: Pill packaging deprives Alaska vets of benefits
Some Alaska military veterans may be missing out on their free or low-cost prescription drug benefits because of a dispute over the way pills are packaged. Read More
AL: State still exploring options for sale of Bryce Hospital
TUSCALOOSA, Ala. -- Its future has yet to be decided, but no one wants Bryce Hospital to move to Birmingham, a former Alabama Department of Mental Health commissioner said Wednesday during a public meeting. Read More
AR: Federal aid available to farmers in 60 counties
Farmers in 60 Arkansas counties are eligible to apply for emergency low-interest federal loans under a U.S. Agriculture Department declaration related to October flooding, Gov. Mike Beebe's office said today. Read More
AR: Beebe -- Adoption ban hinders efforts to recruit parents
Gov. Mike Beebe said today he still opposes an initiated act voters approved last year banning unmarried couples from adopting or fostering children, and he thinks the law has hindered the state's ability to recruit qualified parents. Read More
AR: Court: Child living with sex offender not OK
Living in the home of a sex offender can be presumed to be not in a child's best interest, the Arkansas Court of Appeals said today in a ruling overturning a judge's decision to allow a child to continue living in the same house with a man convicted of sexual abuse. Read More
AZ: Groups hopeful about appeal of employer sanctions
Groups trying to overturn an Arizona law that prohibits employers from knowingly hiring illegal immigrants are encouraged that the U.S. Supreme Court has expressed an interest in their appeal. Read More
AZ: Brewer to announce gubernatorial bid
Gov. Jan Brewer today will formally announce her intent to seek a full, four-year term in 2010, multiple sources close to the Governor's Office tell The Arizona Republic. Read More
AZ: Special session tentatively OK'd
Republican Gov. Jan Brewer and legislative leaders have reached a tentative deal under which lawmakers would return to the Capitol in a special session later this month to begin chipping away at a state-budget deficit as large as $2 billion. Read More
CA: Probe -- State missed chances to rescue Dugard
State parole agents fell down on the job again and again during the 10 years they supervised sex offender Phillip Craig Garrido, failing to check out clues that could have led to alleged kidnap victim Jaycee Dugard and going long stretches without monitoring him at all, a state investigation found Wednesday. Read More
CA: California falls short in examining deaths of children
A new law aimed at exposing child deaths to public scrutiny has given Californians their most complete view yet of the toll of abuse and neglect but falls short of legislators' intent and leaves many fatalities uncounted, according to interviews and The Times' review of previously confidential records. Read More
CO: Panel proposes letting voters amend Colorado constitution to ease budget woes
A panel looking at the state's long-term budget problems recommended legislation on Wednesday to give voters the chance to overhaul the state constitution in 2012. Read More
CO: Colorado cops feel handcuffed by medical-pot changes
Local law enforcement officers said they are flummoxed by "murky, confusing and vague" rules governing medical-marijuana production and are looking to the state legislature for clarification this January. Read More
CO: Health insurers blame rate increases on 2-year-old Colo. law
Health-insurance companies are blaming significant rate increases this fall on a 2-year-old state law that prohibits them from charging small businesses more for having unhealthy workers. Read More
CO: Big ballot plans may be a "no" go in Colorado
The Mapleton Expeditionary School of the Arts will continue to operate in aging, asbestos-filled buildings. Aurora will close four of its seven libraries. Read More
CO: Sticky bud, green energy get nod from Colorado ski-country voters
Things just got a whole lot greener in Colorado's high country. Read More
CT: Connecticut health experts discuss implications of cats' ability to catch swine flu
The H1N1 flu, a pandemic in humans, was diagnosed in an Iowa cat this week, and he's not the only domestic animal to come down with swine flu. Read More
DE: Bluewater's foes now on its side
It wasn't that long ago that Bluewater Wind's main opponents were Delmarva Power and NRG Energy. But if Bluewater's offshore wind farm gets built, it may have both to thank for keeping the project afloat. Read More
DE: DNREC to acquire Yorklyn plant site
Delaware has struck a deal with the owners of the bankrupt NVF Yorklyn property to create new parkland around the abandoned factory site, linking two nearby preserves and hastening a cleanup of polluted areas. Read More
DE: Students still shun flu vaccine
The second day of the state's school vaccination program showed that many parents continue to choose not to get their child vaccinated at school -- or at all. Read More
FL: NRA wants to ban adoption agencies from asking about gun ownership
MIAMI -- The NRA wants to stop adoption agencies from asking prospective parents about whether they own guns, saying the question is a violation of gun-owners' rights. Read More
FL: DOC: Probation officers' jobs won't be eliminated
The Department of Corrections has corrected its budget-cutting choices, saying it never meant to eliminate jobs of more than 1,100 probation officers. Read More
FL: Florida Sen. Dan Gelber pushing for tougher public corruption laws
Citing a rash of corruption cases, a state senator is pushing for laws to combat bribery and restrict contact between the Public Service Commission and the utilities it regulates. Read More
FL: Push begins for tougher PSC rules
Proposals emerge to force the state utility board to operate by the same ethics rules as judges. Read More
FL: Federal agents raid Rothstein's law offices
FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla. -- Federal authorities turned up the heat on Fort Lauderdale lawyer Scott Rothstein as he sought to cooperate with prosecutors investigating his alleged multimillion-dollar investment scam. Read More
GA: Budget cuts may put brakes on rural transit in Georgia
Pembroke's country charm lured Boston-area native Cindy Milloy to the east Georgia city of about 2,300 people, and kept her there even after a muscular disease left her housebound in a region so rural it lacks a regular taxi service. Read More
HI: $75M released for campus repair work at Hawaii's public schools
Gov. Linda Lingle announced today that she has released $75 million to the Department of Education for capital improvements at public schools statewide. The funds were appropriated by the Legislature this past legislative session for building and campus facility improvements, repairs and maintenance at Hawai'i public schools. Read More
IA: UIHC must cut $17M from budget
University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics must eliminate at least $17 million from its budget by June 30, 2010, according to an e-mail sent to hospital staff Tuesday. Read More
IA: Lawmaker targets Iowa justices who backed same-sex marriage
Rod Roberts, a five-term state representative, said Wednesday he will oppose three members of the Iowa Supreme Court who ruled in favor of legalizing same-sex marriage in Iowa when they come up for a retention vote on next year's general election ballot. Read More
IA: Sex offender database gets update in Iowa
Iowa law enforcement officials unveiled a redesigned sex offender registry database and Web site Wednesday. Read More
IA: Roberts -- Reject Supreme Court justices
An Iowa Supreme Court decision that granted marriage equality for same-sex couples is a key reason why residents should reject the state's Supreme Court retention bids, Rod Roberts said in a press release this week. Read More
ID: Judge -- Tamarack group can intervene in lawsuit
A judge will let Tamarack Resort homeowners intervene in a foreclosure lawsuit against the failed Idaho vacation getaway but refused to endorse their plan to use a Mexican real-estate lender's cash to save the ski season. Read More
ID: Idaho voters reject jail measures in 3 counties
Voters in three Idaho counties _ Kootenai, Jerome and Canyon _ slammed the door on measures that would have paid for proposed jails or jail expansions. Read More
ID: Idaho voters reject jail measures in 3 counties
Voters in three Idaho counties _ Kootenai, Jerome and Canyon _ slammed the door on measures that would have paid for proposed jails or jail expansions. Read More
ID: Idaho reservoirs have lots of water now, but will it last?
Southern Idaho reservoirs are heading into the winter with more water than average, but Paul Deveau doesn't want you to read too much into it. Read More
IL: Top U.S. official pushes kids health plan enrollment
The nation's top health official is in Chicago calling for new strategies to find and enroll an estimated 5 million uninsured American children who are eligible for federal programs. Read More
IL: State offers help during Medicare open enrollment
Illinois officials are announcing free, one-on-one counseling services to help educate Medicare beneficiaries and their caregivers about available insurance options. Read More
IL: Madigan embraces new era of government transparency
Illinois Attorney General Lisa Madigan Wednesday championed the new Freedom of Information Act set to take effect Jan. 1 as "the most significant reform measure passed by the legislature and signed by the governor this year" in an address at the Chicago-Kent College of Law. Read More
IL: Building on Burnham's dream
Seizing upon this year's 100th anniversary of Daniel Burnham's Plan of Chicago, state legislators and open space advocates on Thursday will make public a series of steps designed to create a new legacy of parks and trails throughout the Chicago area, including new lakefront parkland. Read More
IL: Abortion law -- Court blocks Illinois' parental notification law
In a dramatic turn of events, a Cook County Circuit Court judge halted Illinois' parental notification law on abortion just hours after a state agency gave it the all-clear. Read More
KS: Kansas GOP weighs in on Tuesday's national election results
The Kansas Republican Party says last night's big wins for the GOP show Americans are unconvinced by Democratic health care proposals and the economic stimulus package. Read More
KS: Lawmakers plan to discuss death penalty
A proposal to abolish the Kansas death penalty will be considered by lawmakers during the second week of the 2010 legislative session, a legislator said Wednesday. Read More
KS: Kansas leaders step back from talk of tax hike to make up budget gap
State leaders Wednesday appeared to shut the door to a tax increase to contend with the continuing budget crisis. Read More
KS: Statehouse Live: Death penalty repeal set for debate next session; Parkinson moves away from tax increase; State GOP comments on elections
A proposal to abolish the Kansas death penalty will be considered by lawmakers during the second week of the 2010 legislative session, the committee chair said Wednesday. Read More
KY: Beshear wants slots bill by winter
Gov. Steve Beshear and some of the state's leading Democrats say Kentucky needs to pass legislation this winter to expand gambling or risk losing millions of dollars and thousands of jobs to Ohio. Read More
KY: Who gets a shot?
Across the state, local health departments have varying strategies for how and when they distribute H1N1 vaccine. Read More
KY: Ohio casino vote stirs sense of urgency in Kentucky, Indiana
Top officials in Kentucky and Indiana urged quick action Wednesday to protect their states' interests in response to Tuesday's decision by Ohio voters to authorize casino gambling. Read More
KY: Papa John's stadium to host massive H1N1 vaccine clinics; 2 more die
With swine flu being blamed for the deaths of two more Louisville residents, local health officials announced the city's first public H1N1 vaccination clinics — a massive effort they say is unprecedented in recent memory. Read More
LA: Another natural gas discovery in north Louisiana could rival the Haynesville Shale
NEW ORLEANS, La. -- Another natural gas discovery in north Louisiana could rival the Haynesville Shale, which last year incited a gold-rush style drilling boom when it was revealed that the underground rock layer held one of the biggest gas reserves in the country. Read More
LA: Civil Service panel delays vote on pay plan, seeks comments
The state Civil Service Commission postponed action Wednesday on a plan that would end 4 percent annual pay raises granted to most of the state's 60,000-plus classified employees. Read More
LA: Agencies -- No funds for lakes projects
A $21 million plan to restore six lakes near LSU and City Park has been developed by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers and is ready to go forward, the corps project manager said. Read More
LA: Louisiana Tax Amnesty program raised $303 million, state says
A state tax amnesty program has pulled in $303.7 million in collections so far, more than twice the amount government officials had estimated and a boost to the state's budget woes, Gov. Bobby Jindal said Wednesday. Read More
LA: Coastal restoration projects demand unified effort, Louisiana leaders say
The Obama administration should quickly establish a system to coordinate hundreds of millions of dollars in anticipated federal financing for coastal restoration, Louisiana political and business leaders said Wednesday in Washington, D.C. Read More
MA: Rape treatment plan facing big budget cut
The program was 12 years in the making. Nurses and victims advocates learned that the best way to work with a person who had been raped was with a deeper sense of care than even the most sensitive emergency room could provide. Read More
MA: SJC says newborn removed too fast
In a sharply worded rebuke, the state's high court yesterday said that a judge and the state Department of Children and Families moved too fast to remove a newborn from a Western Massachusetts mother who had already lost custody of two older children because they were not being properly cared for. Read More
MA: State slashes school bus aid
CAPE COD, Mass -- Regional schools on Cape Cod and Martha's Vineyard are facing deep reductions in money for student busing under Gov. Deval Patrick's most recent budget cuts. Read More
MA: Report -- State must step up fight against overdoses
Tamper-proof prescription pads, jail diversion programs and school-based drug counselors are some of the steps Massachusetts should adopt to stem OxyContin and heroin overdoses, according to a new report. Read More
MA: Critics say safety fixes should trump Deval Patrick's MBTA expansion projects
Gov. Deval Patrick's vow to continue more than $2 billion in MBTA expansion projects despite a blistering report ripping the T as unsafe and fiscally unstable makes little sense, analysts said. Read More
MA: Housing sales havens
Home sales may be in the tank statewide, but more than a dozen communities in Greater Boston are bucking the trend. Read More
MD: Free phones, airtime offered to poor Marylanders
BALTIMORE, Md. -- One of the country's largest national prepaid cell phone carriers is making free phones and 64 minutes of monthly air time available to nearly 400,000 low-income Maryland residents under a new effort it brought to the state this week. Read More
MD: Md., other states warned about bay cleanup
BALTIMORE, Md. -- Federal officials said Wednesday they have given marching orders to Maryland and other states that drain into the Chesapeake Bay to come up with detailed plans for reducing pollution plaguing the estuary, warning that states face development shutdowns or other as-yet unstated consequences if the water fails to get cleaner. Read More
MD: Md. tax amnesty program nets $9.6M, comptroller's office says
BALTIMORE, Md. -- The comptroller's office says Maryland's tax amnesty program has netted an estimated $9.6 million. Read More
ME: High emotion, beliefs drove gay-vows vote Churches crucial in victory of Yes on 1, organizer says
Craig Kramer, of South China, made phone calls and contacted friends to make sure they voted Tuesday, one of hundreds of volunteers who helped defeat gay marriage at the polls. Read More
ME: Marriage form updated for gender neutrality
State officials on Wednesday lamented the unfortunate timing of an updated marriage license form sent recently to Maine municipalities that seemed to be preparing for the same-sex marriage law to be upheld. Read More
ME: Company bids for biomass contract
MILLINOCKET, Maine — Brookfield Renewable Power has bid to supply electricity to the state's utilities from a biomass boiler it hopes to install at its local paper mill, a next step among several needed to restart the mill, a company spokeswoman said Wednesday. Read More
ME: Maine fifth state to allow pot dispensaries
PORTLAND, Maine — Voters approved a referendum making Maine the fifth state to allow retail pot dispensaries, but medical marijuana advocates say it won't become like California, where hundreds of marijuana shops have popped up and come under critical scrutiny. Read More
ME: Urban, rural divide defines differing views on marriage
One day after failing at the polls as the nation watched, supporters of same-sex marriage in Maine said Wednesday they were dispirited but not defeated as they vowed to continue what they regard as a civil rights fight. Read More
MI: Andy Levin named to expanded role as Michigan chief workforce officer
Gov. Jennifer Granholm has given state workforce point person Andy Levin a broader and more prominent role as the state's chief workforce officer. Read More
MI: Michigan caseworkers afraid for lives due to delays in state aid
State social workers struggling with mounting welfare, food stamp and Medicaid caseloads said today they fear for their lives after being assaulted or threatened by recipients frustrated by delays in state aid. Read More
MI: Welfare workers say they're overwhelmed by growing need
State welfare workers are threatened by angry clients and struggle with lax security, troublesome computers and inadequate phone systems, a House committee was told Wednesday. Read More
MI: Court -- Sex offender registry law is cruel to young lovers
Calling the punishment constitutionally cruel and unusual, a state appeals court panel Wednesday ordered removal from the state's sex offender registry the name of a man who, at 18, had consensual sexual relations with his not-quite 15-year-old girlfriend in 2004. Read More
MI: More help nears for 100,000 jobless
WASHINGTON -- With a key vote Wednesday, the U.S. Senate passed without dissent legislation to extend jobless benefits by 14 weeks or more to out-of-work people -- including at least 100,000 Michiganders -- who have exhausted their unemployment or would by year's end. Read More
MN: H1N1 cases may have peaked in Minnesota
MINNEAPOLIS, Minn. -- With big drops in outbreaks and hospitalizations, state officials see signs the epidemic could be waning. Read More
MN: Minnesota's seat belt push raises belt use, lowers deaths
MINNEAPOLIS, Minn. -- More than 10,000 citations were given during enforcement campaign. Read More
MN: Minnesota charities spreading the word
MINNEAPOLIS, Minn. -- In a tight economy, many foundations have found that public advocacy is as critical as the services they provide. Read More
MN: Flu shots may come to Minnesota schools, other public places
Coordinated flu shot clinics are being planned in Minnesota schools and public buildings this month to counter the threat of H1N1, which sent 182 people to hospitals last week and contributed to at least three more deaths. Read More
MN: Human trafficking is subject of new ad campaign
Passers-by in St. Paul may notice a new ad campaign, "Hidden in Plain Sight," an effort by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement to draw the public's attention to human trafficking in the United States. There are 12 posters at bus shelters throughout St. Paul. Read More
MO: Ideas flow at summit on DWI
Persistent drunken drivers would have their cars seized and it would be a crime to refuse to take a DWI breath test if panelists assembled by the governor have their way. Read More
MO: MU's grade improves on sexual health report card
The University of Missouri jumped 16 spots this year in a survey that evaluates the campus' focus on sexual health education. Read More
MS: Two students show mild reaction to swine flu shots
CALEDONIA, Miss. -- Two Caledonia High School students had mild allergic reactions after receiving swine flu shots Wednesday. Read More
MS: Wet weather delays harvest from Midwest to South
Late-season rains have delayed harvest from the Great Plains to the Deep South, frustrating farmers and raising questions about whether some in the hurricane-ravaged Gulf region would be able to stay in business after disastrous back-to-back years. Read More
MS: MEC Transformation Tour begins
The Mississippi Economic Council will focus on business and the economy during a series of statewide meetings beginning in Greenwood at 11:30 a.m. on Monday. Read More
MT: Montana Supreme Court rules against injured workers in multimillion-dollar case
The Montana Supreme Court Tuesday upheld a state law cutting off workers' compensation benefits for injured, disabled workers at retirement age. Read More
MT: MSU enrolls 450 more students than expected, gains $2.5M in tuition
BOZEMAN, Mont. - About 450 more students enrolled at Montana State University's Bozeman campus this year than expected, and that's providing the school with a $2.5 million windfall. Read More
MT: Montana taxes income of working poor more harshly than any state, report says
Montana taxes the incomes of the working poor harsher than any state, a report Wednesday said. Read More
NC: Biomass waste gets own Web site
A Web site launched by North Carolina state government seeks to match companies looking to get rid of tubs of oil and tons of wood chips with companies that can turn them into something else. Read More
NC: Former legislator's conviction upheld
North Carolina appellate judges have upheld the conviction of former state Rep. Thomas Wright on three counts of obtaining property by false pretenses. Read More
ND: $1M in requests for child care grants
MINOT, N.D. -- State officials say a new state grant program has $250,000 for child care facilities but its requests total more than $1 million. Read More
NE: Ex-UNMC student sues college
A former University of Nebraska Medical Center student is suing the NU Board of Regents, the med center and a number of its officials for discriminating against him because of his acute depression. Read More
NH: Schools brace for substitute shortage
With flu spreading and absentee lists growing at many New Hampshire schools, some officials are beginning to worry that they could end up with a shortage of substitutes if too many classroom teachers get sick. Read More
NH: Home heating oil prices are lower
New Hampshire officials say the price of home heating oil is down about 14 percent per gallon from where it was last year. Read More
NH: Legislature won't furlough workers
House Speaker Terie Norelli says the legislative branch won't need to lay off or furlough any workers to comply with a mandate to save money. Read More
NH: Property values down 6 percent
The value of property in Concord is down more than 6 percent this year, according to the city assessor's office, which released assessment figures yesterday. Read More
NJ: Election upsets alter political landscape
It was politics as usual in many local and legislative races as incumbents prevailed, but challengers' victories in Hopewell Township, Trenton, Lawrence and Hopewell Borough could lead to some serious shake-ups. Read More
NJ: A capital idea for a party
It may seem like arcane trivia to some, but this year, it's reason to party. Read More
NM: GOP targets Denish on stimulus funds
State Republicans on Wednesday attacked Lt. Gov. Diane Denish for using thousands of dollars in federal funds to hire public information officers who were paid not only for organizing news conferences and writing news releases and speeches, but for working on Christmas cards, driving Denish to meetings and picking her up at the airport. Read More
NM: PRC polls workers on ethics issues
One of state government's most scandal-ridden agencies recently asked employees to fill out an ethics survey as part of an "ongoing self examination as an agency." Read More
NV: $2.3 million or $800,000 the question in court
A voter initiative that fundamentally altered medical malpractice litigation in Nevada was the basis of an appeal heard last week by a panel of Nevada Supreme Court justices. Read More
NV: Flu vaccines starting to arrive
State health officials say Nevada now has received about 200,000 doses of swine flu vaccine. Read More
NV: Plates honor fallen soldiers
Gov. Jim Gibbons on Monday will present the state's first Gold Star license plates to the parents of two soldiers killed in action in Iraq. Read More
NY: Aqueduct-bid tribe in 'illegal casino' flap
NEW YORK -- The Florida Seminole tribe, which is part of a team making a play to run the potentially lucrative video lottery casino at Aqueduct, is enmeshed in a controversy in its own state, with some pols claiming they're illegally allowing gambling. Read More
NY: Cuomo targets Intel for global 'campaign of illegal conduct'
The Attorney General charges the world's largest chip-fab with engaging in broad-based bribery and coercion to maintain its market position in a new antitrust lawsuit. Read More
NY: The higher cost of higher ed
An elite group in higher education just got a bit more crowded -- the $50,000 club. Read More
NY: Toxic site headed for Superfund list
NASSAU, N.Y. -- State officials have nominated the 57-year-old Dewey Loeffel toxic dump site for placement on the EPA Superfund list. Read More
OH: Vets' bonuses about year away
Veterans who served in the Persian Gulf War, Iraq and Afghanistan and the surviving families of those who died shouldn't expect to receive the one-time bonuses Ohio voters approved for them Tuesday for at least a year. Read More
OH: ANALYSIS -- Casinos finally hit payoff
By spending $50 million -- or about $30 per "yes" vote -- backers of Issue 3 financed a top-shelf campaign to persuade Ohio voters by a margin of 53 percent to 47 percent to amend the state constitution and permit four casinos to operate in the state. Read More
OH: Casino foes vow to continue fight
Developers of a Columbus casino approved in Tuesday's election pledged yesterday to win over skeptics with a first-class facility, even as calls increased for another ballot issue next year to "fix" the proposal. Read More
OH: Ohio voters approve 81% of library levies
In Tuesday's election, Ohioans in most cases did what Gov. Ted Strickland and state lawmakers would not do -- support local libraries, mental health-related services and public children's agencies. Read More
OK: Oklahoma lawmaker criticizes DHS raises
A legislator criticized the state agency that cut funding for some of the senior nutrition programs for giving raises to top administrators. But a spokeswoman for the Department of Human Services said the raises were adjusted the last 18 months for all employees in the sprawling agency. Read More
OK: Senior meals supporters crowd Oklahoma's Capitol
Concerned that thousands of older Oklahomans are going without a meal, about 400 showed up Wednesday at the state Capitol to urge state leaders to restore $7.4 million in funding cuts to senior nutrition programs. Read More
PA: State to tell township of any SMS violations
Residents living near a steel coating plant in Upper Nazareth Township and local officials Wednesday struggled to accurately understand the state of operations and compliance at the site, cited dozens of times during the past eight years for violating state environmental rules. Read More
PA: GOP had a good day in Pennsylvania
Republican candidates' robust showings across Pennsylvania Tuesday raised GOP hopes for the next year's state and congressional elections. Read More
PA: Election trends seem to favor Republicans, but sample very small
While Democrats and Republicans sought to spin the results of Tuesday's elections in their favor, political observers say the results of races across Pennsylvania and the country show an electorate fed up with the status quo. Read More
PA: Women begin to dominate state appellate courts
She faced a 1.2 million voter registration deficit and snared significantly less in campaign contributions than her opponent. Read More
RI: Economist -- R.I. recovery will lag
The end of the "Great Recession" is in sight, but economic recovery in Rhode Island will lag behind its New England neighbors and the rest of the nation in the coming months, according to Andres Carbacho-Burgos, an economist with Moody's Economy.com. Read More
RI: Tax collections plunge in R.I.
State tax collections plunged over the last four months, yet another sign that Rhode Island's economy is going nowhere fast. Read More
RI: 24/7 slots coming to Twin River
With the state hungry for new revenue in a grim economy, Lottery Director Gerald Aubin has — with Governor Carcieri's blessings — approved 24-hour gambling seven days a week at the Twin River greyhound track and slot parlor. Read More
RI: Hasbro Children's Hospital reports seeing record numbers in ER
The emergency room at Hasbro Children's Hospital has seen record-breaking numbers of children in recent days, nearly double the number seen earlier this year. Read More
RI: Swine flu in R.I.: It's hand-to-hand combat in the war on germs
Chantel Abreu sits behind a counter in the collector's office at Providence City Hall, greets coughing and sneezing taxpayers and handles the documents they pass her with their germy hands. Read More
TX: UH poised to raise admission standards
The University of Houston moved Wednesday to raise its admission standards, one day after voters approved a measure to boost the stature of the university and several other Texas schools. Read More
TX: Food stamp workers share frustrations
When the new head of the agency responsible for the state's backlogged food stamp applications sent an e-mail to employees asking for feedback about the agency, he got it. Read More
US: Senate approves more jobless benefits
WASHINGTON — The Senate voted unanimously Wednesday to offer up to 20 more weeks of unemployment benefits to those who have been out of work a long time, after weeks of delay in which hundreds of thousands of Americans exhausted their government aid. Read More
UT: Shurtleff drops out of U.S. Senate race
Utah Attorney General Mark Shurtleff stunned Utah politicians Wednesday by abruptly dropping out of the U.S. Senate race, saying he needs time to work with his daughter who is struggling with depression and suicidal thoughts. Read More
UT: State agencies warned to pinch pennies
Legislative budget leaders issued a broad warning to state agencies to pinch pennies in light of the larger-than-forecast revenue shortfall that seems to be emerging from the latest tax collection data. Read More
UT: Herbert names influential Dem as senior adviser
Gov. Gary Herbert says he's had enough with the bickering and incivility and relentless contentiousness suffocating debate over Utah's land and energy resource use. Read More
UT: State student enrollment up 12,260 kids from last year
One look at Kaysville Junior High School's hallways between classes brings the word "sardines" to mind. Read More
VA: EPA sets tough interim rule for bay cleanup
States that contribute pollution to the Chesapeake Bay must have controls in place by 2017 to reduce that pollution 60 percent, federal officials say. Read More
VA: Va. residents can get help with heating bills
Dominion's EnergyShare program is accepting applications from people who need financial help to stay warm during the winter. Read More
VA: 27-year-old Chesapeake mother dies of swine flu
CHESAPEAKE, Va. -- Angela Mefford's cough early last week seemed run-of-the-mill. Read More
VT: State postpones hearing on closed slaughterhouse
The state Agriculture, Food and Markets Agency on Wednesday postponed a hearing set for today on its decision to pull the commercial license of a Grand Isle slaughterhouse under attack for alleged mistreatment of young male calves. Read More
VT: Plan moves teacher retirement expenses
Treasurer Jeb Spaulding outlined a plan Wednesday to move a portion of the expenses of the teacher retirement system to school districts. Read More
WA: Referendum 71 margin of approval increases slightly
The narrow lead in votes to approve Referendum 71 widened slightly with the latest tally released by the Secretary of State's Office. Read More
WA: Gay-rights support stops at Cascades
Every county east of the Cascades rejected Referendum 71 — some by resounding margins. Read More
WA: Rates qualify states' jobless for 20 weeks
Because Idaho and Washington have had jobless rates higher than 8.5 percent over the past three months, the unemployed in both states could qualify for six weeks of federal unemployment benefits in addition to the 14 weeks allotted to all states under a bill passed Wednesday by the Senate. Read More
WI: Obama -- Use stimulus dollars to make education America's 'national mission'
On the anniversary of last year's historic election, President Barack Obama on Wednesday told an audience of more than 600 at Madison's Wright Middle School that he wanted to use more than $4 billion in federal incentives to "make education America's national mission." Read More
WI: Wis. Supreme Court rejects gay rights challenge
The state Supreme Court has refused to directly take up a challenge to Wisconsin's domestic partner registry, a move gay rights advocates touted Wednesday as a triumph for same-sex couples. Read More
WI: Don't count on stimulus job tally
Many employment reports from sources in Wisconsin are wildly inflated. Read More
WV: West Virginia Casinos Aren't Worried — Yet
WHEELING, W.V. -- Officials at Mountaineer Casino Racetrack and Resort and at Wheeling Island Hotel-Casino-Racetrack said they don't expect any roulette wheels to spin at proposed Ohio casinos for at least two years. Read More
WV: W.Va. resort nets nearly $122K from new casino
The Greenbrier netted nearly $122,000 from its new casino in the first month of operation. Read More
WY: UW proposes steep MBA tuition increase
The cost of an MBA degree from the University of Wyoming could nearly triple starting next school year, as part of a proposed massive overhaul of the university's MBA program. Read More
WY: Classes teach Wyoming officers prescription drug trends
LARAMIE, Wyo. - The Wyoming Department of Corrections is hosting a seminar for law enforcement officers about emerging trends of prescription drug abuse and illegal trafficking. Read More |
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