Archived Stateline.org Stories from 2003

December 2003

12/31/2003 - State defense forces grow, project new image
12/31/2003 - New Year rings in hundreds of new statutes
12/30/2003 - Utah considers opting out of No Child Left Behind
12/29/2003 - A better deal for our ex-offenders?
12/29/2003 - Connecticut Gov ending 2003 under ethics cloud
12/29/2003 - Conneccticut Gov ending 2003 under ethics cloud
12/25/2003 - Happy Holidays!
12/24/2003 - 'O Christmas tree' more than a carol in some states
12/23/2003 - States find a place for poetry in politics
12/22/2003 - States sugar-coat graduation, teacher data, studies find
12/19/2003 - Technology increases safety for winter travelers
12/19/2003 - Prescription painkiller abuse at epidemic level
12/18/2003 - Post - 9/11, how safe is America?
12/17/2003 - Northeast states weigh California-style car law
12/16/2003 - Govs kick-off discussion of long-term care
12/15/2003 - Panel urges anti-terrorism spending guidelines
12/15/2003 - States push pollution rules, power line authority
12/12/2003 - Conservative gov pushes for higher taxes, education funding equity
12/11/2003 - States ill-prepared for bioterror attack, report says
12/11/2003 - Gay marriage and death penalty rulings roil states
12/09/2003 - Law enforcement linking tangled information webs
12/09/2003 - Medicare clawback raises state hackles
12/08/2003 - Schoolhouses, statehouses reel from federal mandates
12/05/2003 - Officials meet to discuss voting machines
12/05/2003 - State fiscal prospects on the upswing, NGA says
12/05/2003 - Businesses urge Congress to stay the course on federal education law
12/04/2003 - High-cost drugs, problems of uninsured vex states
12/03/2003 - Few states self-police with environmental impact laws
12/02/2003 - Congress should use welfare to target the true enemy: poverty
12/01/2003 - States vie to stave off military base closings

November 2003

11/30/2003 - GOP gains power, looks for more in 2004
11/27/2003 - State anti-spam laws to get canned
11/26/2003 - GOP governors predict gains in 2004
11/24/2003 - Could 'Affordable' Housing Be Well-Designed -- And Green?
11/24/2003 - States scramble to fund legal aid programs
11/21/2003 - Hawaii governor nears anniversary of "new look" leadership
11/21/2003 - New govs: Deficits are 'opportunities'
11/21/2003 - States' unemployment steady or improved -- BLS
11/21/2003 - States budget squeeze appears to be easing
11/20/2003 - Pawlenty pitches prescription plan to Congress
11/20/2003 - National Guard burden shared unequally
11/20/2003 - States eye possible changes to No Child Left Behind
11/19/2003 - Gay marriage ruling puts lawmakers on the spot
11/18/2003 - Population growth not prosperity's guarantor
11/18/2003 - New Jersey cracks down on drowsy driving
11/17/2003 - Gov vetoes Wisconsin gun bill
11/14/2003 - Businesses outdo states in multi-lingual outreach
11/13/2003 - Student test scores remain mixed
11/13/2003 - State fiscal picture brightening
11/12/2003 - Nebraska helps victims of abuse hide from attackers
11/11/2003 - Reports may soft-pedal extent of school violence
11/10/2003 - States' mega-subsidy offers: bilking of the taxpayers?
11/10/2003 - Poor to get less help with heating bills
11/07/2003 - State AGs step up child support enforcement
11/06/2003 - Seneca tax fight detailed by leader
11/06/2003 - A Colorado Constitutional Convention
11/06/2003 - Colorado to consider constitutional convention
11/05/2003 - Republicans elect govs in Kentucky, Mississippi
11/05/2003 - Florida joins College Board to lift minority enrollment
11/04/2003 - Five states freeze CHIP enrollment
11/03/2003 - History might repeat in Mississippi
11/03/2003 - Dems in trouble as Kentucky, Mississippi elect new governors

October 2003

10/31/2003 - Idahos first lady advocates for children
10/30/2003 - Governors decry permanent ban on Internet access taxes
10/30/2003 - States set ballot fights: Maine to vote on casino
10/29/2003 - Schools with poor, minority students get less state funds
10/29/2003 - Nevada Legislatures Web site ranks first
10/29/2003 - State legal chiefs team up to influence policy
10/28/2003 - Midwest govs eye Canadian Rx imports
10/27/2003 - Guardian system overrun by abuse
10/27/2003 - Todays U.S. Ed lesson plan: teacher quality
10/24/2003 - More red ink forecast for states in coming year
10/23/2003 - Cash-strapped officials weigh sponsorships
10/22/2003 - Inner Cities: New Hope, More Challenges
10/22/2003 - E-waste disposal -- states' computer-age headache
10/21/2003 - Tuition spikes 14 percent
10/20/2003 - Govs hunt business abroad to boost state economies
10/20/2003 - The "Terminator" as collaborative leader?
10/20/2003 - Experts debate merits of Bush's block grant plan
10/17/2003 - Accessing benefits online easier said than done
10/16/2003 - Legislators mull pros, cons of boutique hospitals
10/15/2003 - Mold-breaking rivals vie in Louisiana runoff election
10/13/2003 - Hawaiian legislator makes waves for renewable energy
10/10/2003 - Arkansas school reform fight nears turning point
10/09/2003 - California recall unlikely to be repeated elsewhere
10/08/2003 - Virginia tackles high school "senioritis"
10/07/2003 - Segway Hype -- Or 'Muscles Not Motors'
10/07/2003 - Cleric legislators balance political, religious roles
10/03/2003 - Frugal Gov Finds State Government A Tough Sell
10/02/2003 - California Recall Energizes TV News, Voters
10/02/2003 - New York: Urging A GOP Vote, Assemblyman Spano Abandons Yonkers Mayoral Race
10/01/2003 - Libertarian Group Targets New Hampshire
10/01/2003 - California: Huffington Drops Out Of Race
10/01/2003 - States Put The Brakes On Prepaid Tuition Plans

September 2003

09/30/2003 - National Parties Use States To Evade Campaign Finance Laws
09/30/2003 - Transportation Law Tripped By Bad Politics
09/30/2003 - Free State Project To Announce Target State
09/30/2003 - State Efforts To Deter Suicide Stalling
09/29/2003 - Grandmother Poised To Become Utah Gov
09/26/2003 - Florida: State Pension Decision Criticized
09/26/2003 - New Sales Tax Tool For States Proposed
09/26/2003 - Hawaii Falls Behind In Health Care Coverage
09/26/2003 - Publisher Ranks Massachusetts Smartest State
09/25/2003 - States Still Struggling To Control Medicaid Costs
09/24/2003 - Southern Govs Oppose Federal Plan To Upgrade Grid
09/23/2003 - U.S. Energy Bill Stirs Outcry In The South
09/23/2003 - Civics For A New Generation
09/22/2003 - Govs Reflect On Alabama Tax Plan's Rejection
09/19/2003 - Texas Efficiency Program Sparks Political Squabble
09/18/2003 - Campaign Finance Disclosure Lagging, Report Finds
09/18/2003 - OBannons Death Puts Focus On Transition Procedures
09/17/2003 - States Passing Federal Tutoring Test
09/16/2003 - State Lawmakers Form Great Lakes Caucus
09/15/2003 - Texas: Man's Execution Was A Racial First For Texas
09/15/2003 - Contracting Out IT Jobs Vexes States
09/12/2003 - Alabama Tax Defeat Raises Concerns
09/12/2003 - Accounting Move Helps States' Bottom Line
09/11/2003 - States Wont Heighten Security For 9/11 Anniversary
09/11/2003 - Keystone State Extends Same-Sex Benefits
09/10/2003 - Bush Amtrak Plan Stirs Concern In States
09/10/2003 - PREVIEW STATELINE.ORG'S NEW LOOK
09/09/2003 - Wisconsin Legislator Relishes Road Warrior Alter-Ego
09/08/2003 - States Want Control Over Power Line Decisions
09/05/2003 - Alabama Tax Plan Faces Long Odds
09/04/2003 - New Jersey: Many Wary Of Trenton Plan To Privatize Pension Fund
09/04/2003 - California Hopefuls Debate, But Schwarzenegger Sits Out
09/04/2003 - De-Bugging Computers A State Priority
09/03/2003 - States Confront Rising Meth Use and Production
09/02/2003 - Fall Brings Special Sessions, Elections

August 2003

08/29/2003 - Delaware Program Seeks To Help Ex-Cons Adjust
08/28/2003 - State Forecasts: Economic Growth, Lagging Revenues
08/27/2003 - Schools Face Uncertain Budgets
08/26/2003 - On The Record: Baldacci Talks Universal Health Care
08/25/2003 - Hazmat Incidents Show Downward Trend
08/22/2003 - Bloggers Train Sites On State Governments
08/21/2003 - Kansas City Develops Internet-Based Security System
08/20/2003 - Education Funding Draws New Lawsuits, Ballot Initiatives
08/19/2003 - Kempthorne Takes Helm Of NGA
08/19/2003 - Ridge Says More Security Info On The Way
08/19/2003 - Northeastern States Seek Terrorist Intelligence Sharing
08/17/2003 - U.S. House Medicare Plan Backed at Govs Conference
08/17/2003 - Governors Mull Blackout Solutions
08/16/2003 - Governors Meeting Divides Over Davis Recall Vote
08/15/2003 - LIGHTS OUT
08/15/2003 - Govs Gather In Indy For Annual Meeting
08/14/2003 - CALIFORNIA RECALL
08/14/2003 - CALIFORNIA RECALL
08/14/2003 - Quarter Program Evokes State Pride, History
08/13/2003 - Elderly Driver Crashes: Where Are Our Options?
08/13/2003 - High School Exit Exams Challenge States
08/12/2003 - Elderly Driver Crashes: Where Are Our Options?
08/12/2003 - New York Seeks Better Online System
08/11/2003 - States Borrowing To Boost Bottom Line
08/08/2003 - Workers Comp: A Brewing Crisis For States?
08/07/2003 - Utah Speaker Becomes NCSL Leader
08/06/2003 - Tax Increases Spur State Revenue Growth
08/06/2003 - Budget Cuts Take Toll On State Parks
08/06/2003 - Drivers Manuals Lack Distracted Driving Info, AAA Says
08/04/2003 - Govs Call On Congress To Cover Dual-Eligibles
08/04/2003 - Commentary-Wide Political Peril Looms In California Recall Vote
08/04/2003 - Conservatives Urge Spending Restraint
08/01/2003 - Number Of Uninsured Children Declines
08/01/2003 - Prison Population Boom Means Added Costs For States

July 2003

07/31/2003 - Bond Rating Drop Another Of States' Fiscal Woes
07/30/2003 - Illinois: Critics Say Bush's Amtrak Plan Will Cost State 2,000 Jobs
07/30/2003 - States Slow To Issue School Performance Lists
07/29/2003 - Medical Malpractice Reform High On States Agenda
07/28/2003 - CORRECTION
07/28/2003 - Tuition Spikes While Financial Aid Falters
07/25/2003 - Fiscal Relief Funds Fight Fires Real and Budgetary
07/24/2003 - State Laws Fail To Suppress Spam
07/23/2003 - More States Cut Spending To Balance Budgets
07/23/2003 - States Use Driver's Ed To Boost Organ Donation
07/22/2003 - Legislative Conferences Attendance Sags
07/21/2003 - Public Subsidies: Going, Going, Boeing?
07/21/2003 - Massachusetts High Court Weighs Gay Marriage Ruling
07/20/2003 - California Recall Push Has Little Precedent
07/18/2003 - States May Lack Expertise To Run Head Start
07/17/2003 - Political Groups Give Big, Escape Regulation
07/16/2003 - Southern States' Govs Races Heat Up
07/15/2003 - States To Get `Help On Teacher Mandates
07/15/2003 - Teacher Certification Plans Dodge Budget Cuts
07/14/2003 - Overdue Limelight For Inner-Ring Suburbs
07/14/2003 - Pennsylvania Liquor Stores Get More Competitive
07/11/2003 - CORRECTION
07/11/2003 - States Struggle To Define Highly Qualified Teachers
07/10/2003 - New England States Lead Nation in Writing Scores
07/10/2003 - States Balk At Senate Medicare Plan
07/09/2003 - No Child Law Could Spawn State Lawsuits
07/09/2003 - Utah Launches 24-Hour E-Government Chat Service
07/08/2003 - Texas: UT Regents Meet To Discuss Affirmative Action
07/08/2003 - Massachusetts Governor Helps Rescue Boaters
07/08/2003 - States Court Boeing For Airliner Project
07/07/2003 - Alaska Gov Takes Heat For Budget Cuts
07/06/2003 - 'Young Creatives'- Who Qualifies?
07/03/2003 - Nightclub Fire Prompts New Fireworks Laws
07/02/2003 - States Woo Biotech Firms
07/01/2003 - Six States Miss Budget Deadlines
07/01/2003 - New Statutes Kick In July 1

June 2003

06/30/2003 - Colorado Forecasting Fewer Fires, Return of Tourists
06/27/2003 - State Governments Growing In Reverse, Report Finds
06/26/2003 - Republican Govs Buck Anti-Tax Reputations
06/25/2003 - Monkeypox Outbreak Reveals Gaps in State Laws
06/25/2003 - Monkeypox Outbreak Reveals Gaps In State Laws
06/24/2003 - States Scrutinize Wage Policies
06/23/2003 - Higher Ed Groups Welcome High Court Ruling
06/23/2003 - A Cure For Cluttered Roadways?
06/23/2003 - Legislation Touches The Lives Of Undocumented Students
06/23/2003 - States Weigh Tuition Breaks For Illegal Immigrants
06/20/2003 - Budget Cuts Paint Dreary Picture For State Arts Funding
06/19/2003 - Kempthorne Says He'd Accept EPA Post If Offered
06/19/2003 - Memphis Manifesto
06/19/2003 - Governors Kick Off Fire Season With Call To Action
06/19/2003 - Reading Test Scores Remain Mixed
06/18/2003 - Easley, Kempthorne Reject Anti-State Rhetoric
06/17/2003 - Tax-Cut Cash Won't Fix Medicaid, States Say
06/16/2003 - CORRECTION
06/16/2003 - Georgia: The Alligator Hunt Returns
06/16/2003 - States Get Leeway To Meet Education Law
06/16/2003 - Illinois Set To Discount Rx Drugs For Seniors
06/13/2003 - State Revenues Hit By Bush Tax Bill
06/12/2003 - States In Forefront Of Agricultural Biotech Debate
06/10/2003 - Dean: No Unfunded Mandates If Elected President
06/10/2003 - Georgia: Perdue Backs Change In Head Start Control
06/10/2003 - Welfare-To-Work Can Benefit Kids, Study Finds
06/10/2003 - Safety Concerns Fail To Curb Roadside Memorials
06/09/2003 - Sparks Fly Over States Role In Head Start
06/06/2003 - New York: Hevesi Says MTA Funds Can Support Fare Rollback
06/06/2003 - On The Record: Kansas Budget Director Duane Goossen
06/05/2003 - Statehouse Profiles: North Dakota Sen. Bob Stenehjem
06/04/2003 - Alaska First in Per-Person Federal Dollars
06/03/2003 - Bush Medicaid Plan Draws Mixed Reviews
06/03/2003 - Maine Laptop Program Shows Strong Results
06/02/2003 - High Court Gives Congress Rare Federalism Victory

May 2003

05/30/2003 - Alaska, Massachusetts Govs Sell Budgets With Advertising
05/29/2003 - State Tax Revenue Fell Sharply In Fiscal 2002
05/29/2003 - State Tax Revenue Fell Sharply In Fiscal 2002
05/28/2003 - States Mull Borrowing To Bolster Pension Plans
05/27/2003 - State Lawmakers Expect Further Fiscal Problems, Survey Shows
05/27/2003 - Lt Govs Fend Off Budget Axes
05/23/2003 - Congress Approves Money For States In Tax Bill
05/23/2003 - Bush Plan Aims To Make Seat Belt Laws Click
05/22/2003 - Radio Govs Hittin The Airwaves To Reach Voters
05/21/2003 - On The Record: Kentucky Gov. Paul Patton (D)
05/20/2003 - Community Schools: Is This Their Time?
05/19/2003 - Supreme Court Gives Maine Rx Green Light
05/16/2003 - States Lose Billions In Senate Tax Plan, Analyst Says
05/16/2003 - London's Daring Traffic Move: Successful, But Right For Us?
05/16/2003 - AWOL Texas Lawmakers Enrich Legislative Lore
05/16/2003 - Budget Battles Lead To Special Sessions
05/15/2003 - Statehouse Lobbying Gets Little Scrutiny
05/14/2003 - West Nile Virus Threat Returns
05/13/2003 - Wall Street Settlement Yields Millions For States
05/12/2003 - Drinking And Driving Legal In Some States
05/09/2003 - Senate, House Tax Bills Differ On State Aid
05/09/2003 - GAO Adds Fuel To Education Funding Debate
05/09/2003 - State Programs Win Innovation Awards
05/09/2003 - States Reaching For Corporate Profits
05/08/2003 - Commission Launched To Reform Foster Care
05/08/2003 - States Find New Medical Privacy Rules Costly, Confusing
05/07/2003 - Census Bureau Reports On States Tax Burden
05/07/2003 - Census Bureau Reports On States Tax Burden
05/07/2003 - Massachusetts: House Softens MCAS Graduation Rule
05/07/2003 - Virginia Political Nugget - Specialized Plates
05/06/2003 - Ohio Lawmaker Is Part Of Kiddie Caucus
05/05/2003 - States Cut Aid For Child Care
05/05/2003 - Nineteen States To Honor Government Workers
05/02/2003 - States Cut Historical Preservation Funds
05/01/2003 - Libertarian Group Eyes State Takeover

April 2003

04/30/2003 - Iraq War Boosts High-Tech States
04/29/2003 - Land Preservation Programs Survive The Ax
04/28/2003 - Terrorism And The Local Media
04/28/2003 - Fetal Homicide Laws Stir Abortion Debate
04/24/2003 - States Making Deep Budget Cuts, New Report Shows
04/24/2003 - California GOP Rejects Budget Offer
04/24/2003 - Workplace Smoking Bans Gain Momentum
04/23/2003 - Budgets, Divided Governments Delay Adjournments
04/22/2003 - Kentucky Legislators Target Lt Gov
04/21/2003 - Federal Fiscal Follies Imperil States, Cities
04/21/2003 - Gubernatorial Candidates Face Off In Southern States
04/18/2003 - States Eye Drug Treatment Instead Of Prison
04/17/2003 - ERA Backers Out To Revive 1972 Amendment
04/16/2003 - States: Medicaid Clients With Disabilities Prefer Hiring Own Caregivers
04/16/2003 - New York: Patakis' Income Is Up 11%, Tax Returns Show
04/16/2003 - Georgia: House, Perdue Aides Far Apart On Ethics
04/15/2003 - Tax Bite Big In Maine, Small In Alaska
04/15/2003 - Lotteries Spread, But Policy Jackpots Elusive
04/14/2003 - Budget Cuts, Anti-Terror Duties Strain Policing
04/11/2003 - State Budget Crisis: Searching For The Silver Lining
04/11/2003 - Bio-Terror Systems Help States Contain SARS, Officials Say
04/10/2003 - Massachusetts: Groups Fight Bid To Tighten The Rules On Referendums
04/10/2003 - States Struggle To Expand Crisis Communications
04/09/2003 - Pennsylvania Land Program Gets Kudos, Knocks
04/08/2003 - State Bans On Cross Burning Upheld
04/08/2003 - Lawmakers Balk At Cost of Fed Education Law
04/04/2003 - Security Funding Formula Under Attack
04/04/2003 - Past Talk Radio: Assessing True Futures
04/04/2003 - Oregon Budget Woes Grow As Options Dwindle
04/03/2003 - States Balance He's And She's
04/02/2003 - Hawaii Urges Restraint In Homeland Security
04/01/2003 - Understanding the States' Budget Crisis
04/01/2003 - States Act To Protect Citizen Soldiers' Income

March 2003

03/31/2003 - Virginia Out To Widen Use Of Life-Saving Devices
03/28/2003 - Budget Crisis Spurs Innovation, Reform
03/27/2003 - On The Record: Virginia Gov. Mark Warner (D)
03/27/2003 - On The Record: North Carolina Gov. Mike Easley (D)
03/26/2003 - Whos To Blame For the Budget Crisis?
03/26/2003 - Hispanic State Legislators To Convene In D.C.
03/26/2003 - Education Feels States Financial Squeeze
03/25/2003 - Human Impact of States Budget Cuts
03/24/2003 - New Mexico: Space Aliens Honored
03/21/2003 - Govs Scramble For Soundbites To Decry Budget Crisis
03/21/2003 - Medical 'Pot' Bills Advance In Maryland, Vermont
03/21/2003 - Smart Growth In The Cross Hairs
03/21/2003 - State Programs Named Finalists For Innovation Awards
03/20/2003 - NE States Join In Commuter Security Effort
03/20/2003 - Budget Crisis Spurs Scary Soundbites
03/19/2003 - Iraq Crisis Spurs Tightened State Security
03/18/2003 - States Struggle With Death Penalty Process
03/17/2003 - Red Ink Blues: Inside the States' Budget Crisis
03/14/2003 - Spending Soars in Gubernatorial Races: UNC Report
03/14/2003 - Statehouse Reporters Recall Unforgettable Moments
03/14/2003 - Marylands New Gov Off To Bumpy Start
03/13/2003 - Bills To Ban Human Cloning Multiply In States
03/12/2003 - Illinois State Of The State Address 2003
03/12/2003 - California: Some Fear Loss Of FEMA As Separate Entity Will Hurt State
03/11/2003 - New York First In School Spending
03/11/2003 - Tourism States Brace For Potential Gulf War
03/10/2003 - Opinion: Homeland Security- As War Looms, What Now?
03/10/2003 - High Court Frees States To Broaden Sex Offender Warnings
03/07/2003 - Congestion Insurance: "Hot" Lanes' Amazing Promise
03/07/2003 - Legislators Weighing School Soda Bans
03/06/2003 - U.S.: Smallpox Compensation Proposed
03/06/2003 - Massachusetts High Court To Rule On Same-Sex Marriage
03/05/2003 - Federal Bailout: Potion Or Poison?
03/04/2003 - Alabama State of the State Address 2003
03/04/2003 - Florida State of the State Address 2003
03/04/2003 - State Legislative Leaders Lobby Congress
03/03/2003 - North Carolina State of the State Address 2003
03/03/2003 - States Teaming Up To Combat Rx Drug Costs

February 2003

02/28/2003 - 'Smart Growth' Gains Governors--But Not A Clear Track
02/28/2003 - Smallpox Vaccination Plan Behind Schedule
02/26/2003 - Federal Oversight Urged For State Boxing Commissions
02/26/2003 - Govs Voice Concern Over Bush Medicaid Plan
02/25/2003 - Massachusetts State of the State Address 2003
02/25/2003 - Bush, States And Cities: Fiscal Code Orange?
02/24/2003 - Govs To Bush: Fund Mandates
02/24/2003 - Poll: Education Law Needs More Fed $
02/24/2003 - North Carolina Beer Lovers Want To Pop The Cap
02/21/2003 - Medical Malpractice Row Bedevils Legislatures
02/20/2003 - Governors Set Winter Meeting
02/19/2003 - Virginia Rural Areas Slighted By Car Tax Relief
02/19/2003 - Virginia Car Tax Cuts: County-By-County Impact
02/18/2003 - House Adopts Stricter Work Rules For Poor
02/18/2003 - Can Suburbia Develop Real Urban Centers?
02/14/2003 - Funding, Vouchers To Dominate Special Education Debate
02/13/2003 - New Hampshire State of the State Address 2003
02/13/2003 - States Target Greenhouse Gases
02/12/2003 - Drunken Driving Limits Threaten Highway Funds
02/11/2003 - Texas State of the State Address 2003
02/11/2003 - State Budget Gaps: How Does Your State Rank?
02/11/2003 - Few Governors Tout Bold Initiatives
02/08/2003 - States' Abuse Bills Focus On Clergy
02/07/2003 - Mayors and Schools: The Critical New Link
02/07/2003 - Minnesota State Of The State Address 2003
02/07/2003 - Charter School Debates On Tap in 03
02/06/2003 - Michigan State Of The State Address 2003
02/06/2003 - Alaska Officials Eye Oil Fund in Budget Crisis
02/05/2003 - Winners And Losers In State Budgets
02/05/2003 - Govs Not Rolling Up Sleeves For Smallpox Shots
02/04/2003 - Rhode Island State of the State Address 2003
02/04/2003 - States Caught In Fiscal Storm, NCSL Says
02/04/2003 - Oklahoma State Of The State Address 2003
02/04/2003 - Maines Former Gov Is King Of The Road
02/03/2003 - State Tax Systems Need Fix, Report Finds