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Archive of Taxes & Budget on Friday November 06, 2009
Weekly wrap: Louisiana pleasantly surprised by haul from tax amnesty program
More than $300 million is generated from delinquent Louisiana taxpayers; California finance chief hangs it up; Iowa Gov. Culver campaigns as problem solver; and stimulus Web site turns up boo-boos. Read More
Report: 11 states emerging from recession
It’s going to be a long, hard climb out of the current economic downturn for many recession-ridden states hit hard by the housing crash, unemployment and shrinking revenues. But as the national economy starts its slow recovery, 11 states and the District of Columbia are showing signs of emerging from the recession, according to a new report. Read More
AK: IRS seeks Alaskans owed refund
The IRS said it is looking for Alaska taxpayers who did not receive 372 refund checks totaling about $395,000. Read More
AK: Alaska tourism industry pleads for more money
Members of the hard-pressed tourism industry Wednesday begged, pleaded and sometimes threatened members of the state House Finance Committee seeking additional marketing money. Read More
AL: Former aide says Indian donations influencing Riley's bingo opposition
A former member of Gov. Bob Riley's Cabinet said today that Riley received campaign contributions from Mississippi Indians who operate casinos, with the money intended to limit their competition in Alabama. Read More
AL: Officers praise new computer programs
CAPS, the University of Alabama Center for Advanced Public Safety, has changed law enforcement capabilities through new computerized software programs. Read More
AL: IRS seeks check recipients in area
The IRS is looking for 257 taxpayers in the River Region in order to give rather than to receive. The IRS is looking to give those people, and more than 1,000 others around Alabama, refund checks that were misdirected or otherwise undeliverable. Read More
AL: Lawmakers put pressure on contracts
The battle over an unbid $13 million computer contract is beginning to have an impact on how other state contracts are awarded. Read More
AL: Rep. Alvin Holmes accuses Riley aides, Bradley Byrne of injecting race into battle over no-bid contract
The chairman of the legislative Contract Review Committee today accused the Riley administration and Republican gubernatorial candidate Bradley Byrne of using "racially coded" messages to criticize the panel's hiring of a black lawyer. Read More
AZ: Citizenship question will not be added to 2010 census
The 2010 census will not include a controversial question about citizenship that critics said could have led to significant undercounts in Arizona and other states with large immigrant populations. Read More
AZ: Feds' latest move may lift Valley home sales
An expanded version of the home-buyer tax-rebate program could jump-start the market for higher-priced homes and help sustain the booming low-end housing market, Phoenix-area real-estate analysts say. Read More
AZ: State Parks task force recommends $15 surcharge at MVD
A task force appointed by Gov. Jan Brewer recommends adding $14 or $15 to annual vehicle registrations to help sustain Arizona State Parks. Read More
CA: Attorney General Brown asked to decide legality of legislative pay cuts in California
The Legislature's top administrators have asked Attorney General Jerry Brown to decide whether pending 18 percent cuts to lawmakers' pay and benefits were legally approved by the California Citizens Compensation Commission. Read More
CA: Eyeing a run
Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger plans to sign into law two of the water bills passed early Wednesday morning. Assembly Speaker Karen Bass is also scheduled to attend the 10 a.m. signing ceremony at the Tujunga Wellfield Groundwater Recovery Project in Los Angeles. Read More
CA: California rail board picks PR firm after rebidding
The California High-Speed Rail Authority on Thursday awarded a $9 million contract to Ogilvy Public Relations to promote the multibillion-dollar transportation project through June 2014. Read More
CA: CalPERS board chief urges colleagues to steer clear of investment go-betweens
The board president of the nation's biggest public employee pension fund is urging his fellow directors to avoid private meetings with go-betweens who help pitch private-equity investments to the fund. Read More
CA: California Legislature tries to block steep cut in pay and perks
The state Legislature is quietly seeking to block a steep cut in lawmakers' salary and perks. Read More
CO: Grand plans for rail in Denver hit a wall of fiscal realities
DENVER -- One of the most ambitious one-time mass-transit projects in the nation's history, called FasTracks — $4.7 billion, 122 miles of passenger rail and a hectic construction schedule of only 12 years — was approved by voters here in 2004 along with a regionwide sales tax to pay for it. Read More
CO: Colorado event offers help to homeless vets
David Bowman received a free haircut, vision test and flu shot at the 19th annual Homeless Veterans Stand Down on Thursday at the Colorado National Guard Armory. Read More
CO: Ritter to propose cuts to K-12 education in 2010-11 budget
Gov. Bill Ritter is expected to propose cutting state funding to public schools by as much as 6 percent in the 2010-11 budget he rolls out today. Read More
CT: UConn Trustees approve $992.3 million budget
Delayed by the lack of a state budget until September, the University of Connecticut Board of Trustees approved this year's $992.3 million budget Monday — a 3.8 percent increase over last year — amid warnings from its chief financial officer that while this year's budget is "fine" he has "serious concerns" about 2011 and "great concerns" about 2012. Read More
CT: Domestic violence -- Connecticut Legislature creates task force to give matter 'full attention'
A string of domestic violence deaths and assaults.An economy that's heaping stress on families.Budgets cuts and staffing shortages that are straining court and shelter services for victims. Read More
CT: Rell makes $34 million in cuts from state budget
The reductions were ordered in hundreds of categories, including $8.5 million from the Department of Children and Families, $7.25 million from the multibillion-dollar Department of Social Services, $3.7 million from the Department of Developmental Services, $1.26 million from the Department of Environmental Protection, $500,000 from the state Department of Agriculture, and $200,000 from the chief state medical examiner's office. Read More
DE: Report on casinos pushed to late Dec.
A panel examining prospects for more casinos in Delaware now hopes for an independent report on the issue by the end of December, further pushing back its deadline for a recommendation to lawmakers. Read More
DE: Lower digits fetch lower prices
When the nation's financial bubble burst, a uniquely Delaware asset quietly deflated. Prices paid for low-digit Delaware license plates have fallen, in some cases by half, since the glory days of 2006 and 2007. Read More
FL: Crist renews call for special session on SunRail project
Gov. Charlie Crist on Thursday renewed his call for a special legislative session next month to consider the SunRail commuter rail project in Central Florida, which he said would produce a lot of jobs. Read More
FL: Despite his recent claims, evidence shows Crist did support stimulus plan
Facing a potentially bruising Republican primary for the U.S. Senate, Gov. Charlie Crist continues to run from any assertion that he is linked to President Barack Obama. Read More
FL: SEC investigating possible fraud by the Florida State Board of Administration
The federal Securities and Exchange Commission is investigating possible fraud by the Florida State Board of Administration, the agency that manages $132 billion in public investments for hundreds of local governments and 1 million current and future retirees. Read More
FL: Forum addresses fraud, foreclosures
Florida Attorney General Bill McCollum made it clear that a high ranking among the country's 50 states is not always something to be celebrated. Read More
FL: State pension fund annual report released
Florida's State Board of Administration, the agency that directs the pension fund investing and management for state workers and retirees, issued its annual report today. Read More
FL: Air Force members voice concerns to lawmakers
Two Air Force colonels asked the state's most powerful legislators Thursday to help make life a bit better for service members assigned to Florida. Read More
FL: Fla. justices consider mediation for foreclosures
Mediation would be a good way to expedite a flood of mortgage foreclosures, members of a foreclosure task force said Wednesday, but some disagreed on the details in oral arguments before the state Supreme Court. Read More
FL: Gov. Charlie Crist changes tune on stimulus bill
Gov. Charlie Crist, who campaigned for the $787 billion stimulus package, now says he wouldn't have voted for it. But he still embraces it. Read More
GA: Stimulus watchdog -- job counters confused, need guidance
Some people receiving federal stimulus dollars are confused about how to calculate jobs created or saved with the money and need more guidance, says the federal government's top watchdog for the program. Read More
GA: Georgia prisons win stimulus grants for energy projects
The Georgia Department of Corrections has received $16 million in federal economic stimulus grants for a series of energy efficiency projects at prisons around the state. Read More
GA: Credit problems rising for Georgia banks
Credit problems for banks in metro Atlanta and statewide increased for the sixth straight quarter, as the state's banking crisis shows no signs of letting up. Read More
GA: Virtual schools chart new course
Representatives of five would-be virtual charter schools will file into the administrative towers of the Georgia Department of Education today to pitch their brand of public education, which lets students study at home computers in their pajamas. Read More
HI: 95 Hawaii schools given approval to increase instructional time
The state Board of Education last night approved 95 schools' requests to convert teacher training days into instructional days, an action that restores as many as six classroom days that would have been lost because of staff furloughs. Read More
HI: Lawmakers still cool to session on schools
House leaders again resisted calls for a special legislative session to deal with public schools, asking instead for a reopening of the state teachers' contract to restore classroom time being lost to furloughs. Read More
IA: Could state save by cutting cell phones?
IDEA: Eliminate state-issued cellular telephones/BlackBerry-like mobile devices. Read More
IA: Which unions are on a path to reopening contracts? Culver won't say
Iowans may be kept in the dark about whether state officials are negotiating new contracts with any labor unions in an effort to avoid layoffs of prison and public safety workers. Read More
ID: Holdbacks hammer state's natural resource agencies
Idaho has always been noted for its natural resources. Read More
IL: Illinois secretary of state trimming staff
The Illinois secretary of state's office is offering incentives designed to convince more than 300 employees to leave their jobs by year end. Read More
IL: Video gambling no sure bet
Almost four months after Gov. Pat Quinn signed the Video Gaming Act into law to help fund a large, long-awaited capital bill, local governments are grappling with whether to ban video gambling and risk jeopardizing the extra funding for crumbling roads, to defer a decision until state rules regulating video gambling are made official, or to allow it. Read More
IL: Doubts rise on Chicago's mental health clinics
Chicago's mental health budget will shrink next year amid continued billing problems that resulted in a state funding cut, prompting aldermen Thursday to question how much care the city's clinics will be able to provide. Read More
IN: Indiana public school leaders warned of funding cuts
Indiana's school chief warned school superintendents Thursday declining state revenues could force cuts in public education spending, education officials said. Read More
IN: IU economists predict weak recovery in 2010
BLOOMINGTON, Ind. -- Indiana University economists predict a weak recovery in 2010 as the state and nation begin to recuperate from one of the worst recessions since World War II. Read More
KS: Forecast in -- Recession continues, budget cuts likely
Kansas' falling tax revenues took another dive Thursday as budget experts met and declared that the state remains mired in an economic recession. Read More
KS: Budget estimate declines by 4.2%
State fiscal experts Thursday said the Kansas economy remains stuck in recession, and that means a further drop in tax revenues and more budget cuts. Read More
KY: By Ky. military museum set to reopen temporarily
The Kentucky Military History Museum is scheduled to temporarily reopen this month for public tours. Read More
KY: Health department says it may have more vaccine for clinics
Louisville may wind up with more than double the doses of swine flu vaccine officials originally anticipated in time for the city's first mass vaccination clinics Wednesday and Thursday. Read More
KY: Amendment gives at least $100 million annually to horse industry
At least $100 million annually would go to Kentucky's horse industry if voters approve a proposed constitutional amendment to legalize slot machines. Read More
KY: State gets stimulus money for child care
Gov. Steve Beshear announced Thursday that Kentucky will receive $4 million in federal stimulus funds to pay for training and other resources for child-care providers. Read More
LA: Taxpayers in La. sought for refunds
TThe Internal Revenue Service is trying to get refund checks totaling more than $1.6 million — an average $1,080 apiece — to nearly 1,500 Louisianans whose checks were returned to the IRS by the U.S. Postal Service because of mailing address errors. Read More
LA: Finance report shows two fund BR Tea Party
Baton Rouge Tea Party LLC reported collecting $10,266 in contributions between Oct. 6 and Oct. 23 for its campaign to defeat a $901 million tax package on the Nov. 14 ballot, according to campaign-finance reports released Thursday. Read More
LA: Recovery School District would not be focus of Race to the Top federal grant, Pastorek says
NEW ORLEANS, La. -- The state Department of Education would use a large portion of a potential Race to the Top grant to help pay for a $40 million data management system, a principals training institute and other expanded agency roles in addition to the direct cash that the federal program is targeting at failing schools, Superintendent of Education Paul Pastorek said Thursday. Read More
MA: Good news, bad news for fishery
NEW BEDFORD, Mass. — The deep and murky waters of fishery management in New England just became a little murkier for Jon Williams, CEO of the Atlantic Red Crab Co. in New Bedford. Read More
MD: Montgomery might sue state over school funding law
Top Montgomery County officials threatened Thursday to sue the state and "aggressively pursue" legislation that would change state law after Maryland's attorney general found that the county had failed to meet the state's minimum level of funding for education. The opinion renders it potentially liable for millions of dollars in penalties. Read More
MD: Maryland in-state tuition falls below national average
WASHINGTON -- It's cheaper to go to college in-state, especially if you live in Maryland. Read More
MD: Plan for I-270 light rail gains steam
Routing a transit line closer to the Kentlands and through two developments planned for west Gaithersburg would draw as many as 42,000 daily boardings, enough to make either a light rail line or busway in the Interstate 270 corridor eligible for federal money, according to a state study released Thursday. Read More
MD: Waiting to learn who pays Dixon's legal bills
BALTIMORE -- Baltimore Mayor Sheila Dixon's legal bills, racked up during a years-long corruption probe that has led her to enlist seven criminal defense attorneys for a theft trial next week, could run into the hundreds of thousands of dollars, legal observers say. Read More
MD: Officials look to update child support rules
BALTIMORE — Maryland officials are proposing the first increase to recommended child support payments in 20 years. Read More
MD: State nets about $9.6 million in tax amnesty
The comptroller's office says Maryland's tax amnesty program is netting an estimated $9.6 million. Read More
MI: Granholm, GOP still disagree on how to pay for education
CLINTON TOWNSHIP, Mich. -- Gov. Jennifer Granholm said Thursday she'd sign a measure the House passed Thursday that would use stimulus money to help lessen school cuts. But whether it gets past the Senate is uncertain. Read More
MI: Governor asks Michigan Legislature to pass revenue-raising measures
CLINTON TOWNSHIP, Mich. -- Governor Jennifer Granholm said today she has asked the Legislature to pass three revenue-generating measures that will save $212 million in cuts for Michigan schools. Read More
MI: MDOT to double bridge toll to $3
The plan, which is scheduled to take effect Jan. 5, would increase the cost from $1.50 to $3 for passenger vehicles and from $1.75 to $3.25 an axle for commercial vehicles. Read More
MI: 55 Michigan troopers to be rehired
State budget director Bob Emerson said the department was given the go-ahead today to hire the troopers, who were among some 100 rookie troopers laid off July 1 in a cost-saving move by Gov. Jennifer Granholm. Read More
MI: State aid for schools gets House boost
Deep cuts in state aid to schools stirred action Thursday, as the House voted 74-29 to restore $184 million using federal stimulus money set aside for fiscal year 2011. Read More
MI: State aid for schools gets House boos
Deep cuts in state aid to schools stirred action Thursday, as the House voted 74-29 to restore $184 million using federal stimulus money set aside for fiscal year 2011. Read More
MI: House aims to aid schools
The Michigan House voted Thursday to tap federal stimulus money set aside for next year to soften a cut in school funding now, but it's unlikely the move is going to win the support of the state Senate. Read More
MI: Granholm says she'll back measure to tap stimulus money for schools
Gov. Jennifer Granholm said she'll support a measure passed by the House today that would use remaining stimulus money to avoid deep cuts to school districts. But she said it's only a temporary solution. Read More
MI: Obama expected to sign unemployment extension
Michigan will get another 20 weeks of benefits as jobless rate tops 15 percent. Read More
MN: Pawlenty proposes amendment to limit state spending
After seven years of budget battles, Gov. Tim Pawlenty on Thursday proposed a constitutional amendment to limit state spending. (Also see: MN: Short of cash, Minn. delays business tax refunds) Read More
MN: Pawlenty proposal -- Handcuff spending budget controls
MINNEAPOLIS, Minn. -- The governor wants to amend the Constitution to take guesswork out of budgeting, but he met skepticism from DFLers. Read More
MN: Short of cash, Minn. delays business tax refunds
MINNEAPOLIS, Minn. -- With tax collections $200 million below forecasts since July, Minnesota's cash flow has become dicey, revenue officials say. Read More
MN: Minnesota's college grant program short $13 million
MINNEAPOLIS, Minn. -- Higher enrollment drained aid, but "all commitments made to students" for this year will be met, official says. Read More
MN: Delinquent utility bills spike in metro area
MINNEAPOLIS, Minn. -- Increases rose by more than 200 percent in some cities; economy is cited as a factor. Read More
MN: Over 1,600 in Md. have unclaimed tax refunds
WASHINGTON — The Internal Revenue Service is waiting for Marylanders to claim more than 1,600 refund checks from the 2008 filing season worth more than $1.7 million. Read More
MO: Missouri, Illinois officials press for high-speed rail money
WASHINGTON — Missouri and Illinois officials are pressing their cases at the highest levels in hopes of winning some of the $8 billion in stimulus funds for high-speed rail that will be awarded starting this winter. Read More
MO: Stimulus to fund some road work
Federal stimulus cash will pay for 13 additional road-resurfacing projects in Central Missouri for the five-year Statewide Transportation Improvement Program. Read More
MO: Yogis exercised about a new tax
Melissa Tipton practices yoga at least four times a week. She wouldn't mind being taxed for it, but she's not keen on her yoga studio being lumped in with fitness clubs. Read More
MS: Slow recovery darkens budget outlook
State economist Phil Pepper told legislative leaders and Gov. Haley Barbour on Thursday not to expect much improvement in Mississippi's economy until the second half of next year. Read More
MS: Medicaid director sued over comments about AG Hood
A Lee County resident is suing Medicaid Executive Director Bob Robinson for comments he made regarding Attorney General Jim Hood. Read More
MS: Hood wants word out to residents
Attorney General Jim Hood wants Missisisppians to know about the resources available from his office. Read More
MT: Study: Tax system hurts poor
HELENA - Montana taxes the incomes of the working poor harsher than any state, a report Wednesday said. Read More
NC: Pending inmate releases could prompt legislative session
As the court battle to keep 27 inmates in prison brews, some state officials are considering a back-up plan to address the issue. Read More
NC: Rep. Pricey Harrison wants Blue Cross probe
Rep. Pricey Harrison has asked the state's attorney general and Department of Insurance to investigate Blue Cross Blue Shield of North Carolina's use of campaign-style tactics aimed at defeating controversial federal health insurance legislation. Read More
NC: Liberals may gain in Rand's departure
State Sen. Tony Rand had several important roles at the legislature - majority leader, chairman of the rules committee that determines when and how legislation will be considered, member of the committee that writes the state budget. Read More
NC: State sends 16 to Calif. training
The state is using $140,000 in federal stimulus money to send 16 employees to child development workshops in San Diego while North Carolina has thousands of struggling families seeking subsidized care for their children. Read More
ND: ND oil lease auction brings record $71.6M
Land Commissioner Gary Preszler says this week's sale greatly exceeded the agency's expectations. Read More
ND: IRS -- 172 refund checks undeliverable in North Dakota
The Internal Revenue Service says 172 federal tax refund checks to North Dakotans were returned with mailing address errors. Read More
NE: Budget-cutting bill could further squeeze Nebraska court systems
Low-income Nebraskans who need legal services could be among the losers under recommendations by Gov. Dave Heineman for reducing Nebraska's $6.9 billion budget. Read More
NE: Lincoln senator recommends furloughs, not layoffs for workers
Senators introduced five bills in special session Thursday, aimed at saving money for the state or saving money for a particular program. Lincoln Sen. Bill Avery introduced a resolution (LR4) that would have agencies use furloughs rather than layoffs of state workers if needed to meet across-the-board budget cuts. Read More
NE: Lawmakers continue special session on Friday
Nebraska lawmakers have only one more day to introduce bills in their budget-cutting special session. Read More
NH: HUD grant to repair co-op housing park
A cooperative housing park in Allenstown will receive $500,000 in federal money for improvements to its water system. Read More
NJ: N.J. governor calls for new budget trims
TRENTON, N.J. -- Gov. Corzine directed members of his cabinet yesterday to come up with $400 million in additional savings options as he struggles to keep the state budget in balance. Read More
NJ: Corzine accomplishments tempered by tough times
As Gov. Corzine heads into what are likely to be the final weeks of his political life, following the failure of his reelection bid on Tuesday, it's unclear whether the bearded Midwestern native with the down-to-earth demeanor and the sweater vests will be remembered more for his legislative accomplishments or for the car wreck that nearly took his life in 2007. Read More
NJ: Corzine orders $400M in cuts to balance budget
Governor Corzine is preparing $400 million in budget cuts and wants legislators to shelve any new spending measures during their upcoming lame duck session, all to offset revenue losses blamed on the poor economy. Read More
NJ: Christie -- Failure not part of my vocabulary
During the long and brutal campaign, they called him hypocritical, hot-tempered, dishonest, too fat. Read More
NM: Denish says allegation about Christmas cards a 'patently false lie'
Lt. Governor Diane Denish said in an interview to be televised on Friday evening that it's a "patently false lie" that her office used federal taxpayer dollars for campaign Christmas cards. Read More
NV: Levin calls for record of business owners' IDs
Sen. Carl Levin on Thursday cited the book "Merchant of Death" about Russian arms trafficker Viktor Bout as Exhibit One for his case against allowing private corporations and limited liability companies to keep the names of their owners secret. Read More
NV: Managing fraud a lesson of recession
Robert Frimet is a self-proclaimed fraud expert, a businessman who audits other companies' books, gives lectures on recognizing employee theft, and sits as a civilian member on the Nevada Fight Fraud Task Force. Read More
NY: Paterson seeks budget help from GOP
A day after he reached out to Senate Republicans for help, Gov. David Paterson officially called a special session for next Tuesday. (Also see: NY: Marriage for gays on agenda in New York ) Read More
NY: Senate Democrats rebuff governor on special session
Reducing the state's soaring deficit, legalizing gay marriage, slowing property tax growth and toughening drunk driving laws are among the items on the agenda for a special session of the Legislature that Gov. David A. Paterson has scheduled for Tuesday. Read More
NY: Wind law could benefit company
Despite significant opposition in Western Massachusetts, state environmental affairs secretary Ian Bowles is pushing hard to get a controversial wind-turbine law passed before the legislative session ends on Nov. 18. Read More
OH: Location, promise of jobs winning combo for casinos
Issue 3 supported in 3 of 4 counties where casinos will operate. Read More
OH: About 70,000 Ohioans are expected to be eligible for 20-week extension in unemployment benefits
CLEVELAND -- About 70,000 out-of-work Ohioans, struggling through a prolonged economic downturn, could be eligible for 20 more weeks of unemployment benefits as a result of congressional action Thursday. Read More
OK: Privatizing Oklahoma's worker's comp splits task force members
A legislative task force recommended Thursday that Oklahoma's workers' compensation agency be privatized, but it was divided on how to achieve that. Read More
OK: Obama promises U.S. tribal leaders he'll tackle issues
WASHINGTON — Greeting the first American Indian conference to be sponsored by the White House in 15 years, President Barack Obama told tribal leaders Thursday he will work with them on problems that have plagued Indians for decades. Read More
OK: Three more Oklahomans die from swine flu
The death of a Muskogee County boy, a Cleveland County woman and an Oklahoma County woman bring the number of H1N1 deaths in Oklahoma this year to 22. Read More
OR: Oregon proposal for higher dock, other fees has owners fuming
A state proposal to increase fees for docks, floating cabins and even riprap along public waterways has some people sputtering mad. Read More
OR: Oregonians both embrace, question home buyer tax credit
Oregon real estate brokers, mortgage bankers and home builders cheered Congress' decision Thursday to dole out another $11 billion in tax credits to prop up the housing market. Read More
PA: Grand jury may seek charges against Perzel
A statewide grand jury is considering recommending charges against former House Speaker John Perzel, R-Philadelphia, and a number of others in connection with millions of dollars in taxpayer-funded computer data that investigators believe was used for political campaigns. Read More
PA: Gubernatorial candidate Knox wants campaign limits
Democratic gubernatorial candidate Tom Knox, who is expected to spend millions of his own money on the campaign, said Thursday he wants to limit what other people can spend on state campaigns as part of a wide-ranging reform agenda. Read More
RI: House Democrats caucus on state financial crisis
House Democrats convened at the State House for a closed-door discussion of an issue that was not even on their special-session agenda last week -- the state's financial crisis. Read More
RI: Thousands of Rhode Islanders may be eligible for extra jobless benefits
The state Department of Labor and Training is poised to contact thousands of Rhode Islanders who may be eligible for extended unemployment benefits under a bill approved by the Congress Thursday that President Obama is planning to sign Friday. Read More
RI: Governor vetoes saltwater fishing license
Governor Carcieri, reversing more than a year of work by his own staff and the state's largest recreational fishing organization, has vetoed a proposed $7 state license for saltwater fishing. He called it "excessively intrusive." Read More
SC: GOP gubernatorial candidates split on disclosing Boeing deal details
State representative and Republican gubernatorial candidate Nikki Haley of Lexington said Thursday night South Carolina officials ought to disclose details now of the incentives package they offered to The Boeing Co. in order to lure a new aircraft plant to North Charleston. Read More
SC: Sanford shares S.C. legislative goals in Aiken
AIKEN, Ga. --- Gov. Mark Sanford was far from the media blitz and public scrutiny that followed him this summer when he spoke Thursday to a group of 40 people at an Aiken Kiwanis Club meeting. Read More
SD: Coming soon -- Vending sales of lottery tickets
The state Game, Fish and Parks Commission needs to take emergency steps to slightly increase the number of deer licenses for some East River units because too many licenses have been issued to hunters for the upcoming season. Read More
SD: Capitol Lake Plaza pursues energy savings
The law requires all new state building projects to pursue energy efficiency, but the upcoming renovation of Capitol Lake Plaza is going above and beyond. Read More
TN: Judge declines paper-ballot push
A Nashville judge Thursday turned down a motion to force state election officials to move faster toward installing paper-ballot voting systems across Tennessee in time for the 2010 general election as required by the legislature. Read More
TN: Bredesen calls biofuel criticism 'outrageous'
Gov. Phil Bredesen branded a legislative attack on the BioFuels Initiative he launched two years ago as "ridiculous" and "outrageous" Thursday and said it endangers an unannounced "very large investment in East Tennessee." Read More
TN: Colleges brace for flu wave
Colleges in Tennessee and North Georgia are bracing for a second wave of "influenzalike illnesses" just as campuses are recovering from a fall surge in the flu. Read More
TN: Groups want to preserve more plateau land
Cumberland Plateau groups are looking to expand efforts to preserve and connect large tracts of plateau land -- a minimum of 1.7 million acres and perhaps about 2 million acres. Read More
TN: Tennessee offers entrepreneurs a boost
Five Nashville venture capital firms were selected to take part in a $120 million state program to invest in start-up, early and mid-stage companies, and, in the process, perhaps discover a business that will become the next FedEx or HCA. Read More
TX: Refund policy restored for prepaid tuition plan
Responding to tens of thousands of Texans, a state board acted unanimously Thursday to reinstate a former refund policy for prepaid college tuition that reflects the value of tuition — not simply the amount paid into the fund. Read More
UT: State's top ed official addresses budget
State Superintendent Larry Shumway urged lawmakers not to cut education dollars further and said he plans to take action to address inappropriate relationships between teachers and students as part of his first State of Education speech Thursday evening. Read More
VA: Dominion Virginia Power agrees to lower rates, give refunds
Dominion Virginia Power has agreed to drop a group of requested rate increases and refund customers more than $129 million under an arrangement with the Virginia attorney general's office. Read More
WA: State to pay $525,001 in public-records settlement
The state Department of Social and Health Services has agreed to pay $525,001 to two women and a teenage girl for failing to turn over public records after they filed a $45 million lawsuit against the state claiming they were physically and sexually abused by their foster father. Read More
WI: Bill allowing taxpayer money for state Supreme Court races passes
Supreme Court candidates would get taxpayer money to run their campaigns, under a bill approved Thursday by the Legislature. Read More
WV: State fund low for road maintenance
The state might have to hit the brakes on some highway maintenance projects due to a large deficit in West Virginia's Road Fund. Read More
WV: DEP finds problems at W.Va.'s coal-ash dams
Nearly two-thirds of the coal-ash dams across West Virginia might need repairs, and a quarter of them are ranked as being in poor or unsatisfactory condition, according to a report released Thursday by the state Department of Environmental Protection. Read More
WY: Federal stimulus spokesman defends Web site
A spokesman for the federal economic stimulus program is defending the program's Web site against criticism from a top Wyoming official, who said she sees problems with the site that might misinform the public. Read More |
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