Archived Stateline.org Stories from 2004

December 2004

12/30/2004 - Schedule of 2005 state of the state addresses
12/30/2004 - Western Governors U. improves its grade
12/30/2004 - Western Governors U. improves its grade
12/29/2004 - Vexing issues await states, new leaders in 2005
12/28/2004 - New Year rings in many new state laws
12/28/2004 - New Year rings in many new state laws
12/27/2004 - Quirky tax makeovers sweeten state coffers
12/26/2004 - Drug law reforms: Marginal or real?
12/22/2004 - Nevada is fastest growing state
12/22/2004 - Anti-tax groups post mixed record in Nov. 2 elections
12/21/2004 - Minimum wage set to rise in five states
12/20/2004 - Drivers licenses now a tool for homeland security
12/19/2004 - A holiday green breakthrough for affordable housing?
12/17/2004 - Some states easing flu vaccine restrictions
12/17/2004 - 527s target state races with money, professionals
12/16/2004 - State highway safety laws rated
12/16/2004 - Per capita, new anti-terror funds still favor Wyoming
12/16/2004 - Healthier budgets for states in 05
12/16/2004 - 2005 State-by-state security funding
12/15/2004 - Daniels draws on private sector for "new crew"
12/14/2004 - Despite federal chill, states keen to trade with Cuba
12/13/2004 - Medicare looms as budget, logistical issue for states
12/10/2004 - Californias latest exhaust rules riling carmakers
12/09/2004 - Drivers' licenses to face new federal standards
12/09/2004 - State budget crunch eases, but health care a worry
12/08/2004 - States vie for bigger payouts from tribal casinos
12/07/2004 - States struggle to help poor pay winter heating bills
12/06/2004 - More schools pass -- and fail -- No Child tests
12/05/2004 - Eclipsed on federal scene, housing issues rise in the states
12/03/2004 - Democratic govs lay groundwork for 2005, 2006
12/03/2004 - Less tobacco suit money goes to stop smoking
12/02/2004 - More kids are living in poverty
12/02/2004 - Costly new testing program certifies few teachers
12/01/2004 - School spending on the rise
12/01/2004 - Evenly split legislatures no longer rare

November 2004

11/30/2004 - Court weighs legality of federal pot charges
11/30/2004 - Alaska tops in Internet use
11/29/2004 - States in forefront of fight for cheaper drugs
11/28/2004 - "O say can you see" - Now the words mean more
11/24/2004 - New govs spell change - road sign by road sign
11/23/2004 - A time for thanks
11/23/2004 - Changes to special ed law give states more leeway
11/22/2004 - Eight states raised taxes in 2004
11/22/2004 - Congress bans states from taxing Internet access
11/21/2004 - Fiscal integrity: Political dead letter - or not?
11/19/2004 - Rossi's strategy is key in cliff-hanger gov's race
11/18/2004 - Gay marriage milestone marks widening divide
11/18/2004 - Budgets, bonds and ballots
11/17/2004 - Montanas new gov takes fresh approach
11/16/2004 - New govs make jobs a priority
11/15/2004 - 2004 elections set up year of legislative stalemate
11/14/2004 - Voting on how we grow: Big election day deal
11/12/2004 - New govs off to school
11/12/2004 - How big a voter surge? Most states joined the party
11/11/2004 - Lynch's ethics push wins over New Hampshire
11/10/2004 - No Year of the Woman in 2004 elections
11/09/2004 - Exiting New Jersey Gov riles party bosses
11/08/2004 - Election 2004 transforms state supreme court races
11/08/2004 - Montana House hangs on handful of votes
11/07/2004 - Progressives' post-election dilemma: Where do we go from here?
11/05/2004 - Some lawmakers take unusual path to power
11/05/2004 - GOP loses ground in statehouse control
11/04/2004 - GOP maintains control in 28 governors mansions
11/03/2004 - Election paves way for deep divides in statehouses
11/03/2004 - Voters decide policy issues
11/03/2004 - Incumbent govs in Indiana, New Hampshire lose races
11/03/2004 - 50-state rundown on gay marriage laws
11/02/2004 - State elections test GOP gains, reliability of ballot
11/01/2004 - Big spenders bolster state party war chests

October 2004

10/29/2004 - Scores of statehouse candidates lack challengers
10/28/2004 - Anti-tax groups target statehouse spenders
10/27/2004 - Two-party bias irks long shots in govs' races
10/26/2004 - Legislative hopefuls break political molds
10/25/2004 - Electoral college trap: Where's the escape?
10/25/2004 - Ohio leaders fight anti-gay marriage initiative
10/24/2004 - How our communities grow: A presidential issue?
10/22/2004 - The red, white and blue states of America
10/22/2004 - Flu shot shortage vexes state officials
10/21/2004 - Judicial campaigns shatter fund-raising records
10/20/2004 - Legislative vote provides campaign issue for GOP
10/20/2004 - States losing fight against fat, study says
10/20/2004 - Alaska ballot measure would treat pot like liquor
10/19/2004 - Provisional ballots source of anxiety in swing states
10/19/2004 - Tuition, student loans increase again
10/18/2004 - Bryant case spurs states to fortify rape shield laws
10/15/2004 - ASU votes to accept tests for teachers
10/15/2004 - State candidates blaze digital campaign trail
10/15/2004 - Health care costs: Connect the dots
10/15/2004 - 2004 Governors' Races
10/14/2004 - First phase of youth facility probe done
10/14/2004 - Elections will bring five freshmen governors
10/13/2004 - Underage drinking laws take aim at parents
10/12/2004 - Congress restores state sales tax deduction
10/12/2004 - TV shock-show wiz weighs run for Ohio governor
10/10/2004 - Homeland security: Where's the vision?
10/08/2004 - Govs 527 groups gain greenbacks, influence
10/07/2004 - Alaska, Virginia rank tops in grabbing federal dollars
10/06/2004 - Florida Guard able to cope with record-setting storms
10/05/2004 - Medicaid is fastest-growing squeeze on state budgets
10/04/2004 - Medical malpractice fights go to voters in four states
10/03/2004 - Torpedo the electoral college? Colorado votes on first shot
10/01/2004 - Red-light cameras bring safety, brickbats

September 2004

09/30/2004 - Election Day dawns weeks early in 30 states
09/29/2004 - Funds available for road repairs
09/29/2004 - Hot-button social issues cram state ballots
09/29/2004 - Study: Health costs for workers rising
09/28/2004 - Ohio tries to unclog courts by limiting asbestos suits
09/27/2004 - Iowa smoking out tobacco debtors
09/27/2004 - California targets cars to fight global warming
09/26/2004 - Bush or Kerry: Any difference for America's states and cities?
09/24/2004 - Legislators interests veiled from public, study says
09/23/2004 - 3 states to let overseas soldiers vote by e-mail
09/22/2004 - Re-election not a shoo-in for Gov. Benson in N.H.
09/21/2004 - Campaign Journal: State races merit notice
09/21/2004 - Southern states brace for effects of aging population
09/20/2004 - Election 2004: How to look beyond the campaign rhetoric on jobs creation
09/20/2004 - States loathe to lose say over insurance plans
09/19/2004 - First shoe drops in legal battle on state-local favors to corporations
09/17/2004 - Public can comment on Premcor plan
09/17/2004 - Rising property taxes reverberate politically
09/16/2004 - States to sample bodily fluids for chemicals
09/15/2004 - Primaries settle slates of open gov seats
09/15/2004 - Term limits mean pink slip for Californias Burton
09/15/2004 - States stalled on higher ed policy
09/14/2004 - Govs and president focus on high school
09/14/2004 - Minnesota gov leads fight for legal Rx imports
09/13/2004 - Gun bans demise places focus on states
09/12/2004 - Whole cities as internet hotspots? The WiFi revolution spreads
09/10/2004 - Bush suggests new high school tests
09/09/2004 - Campaign Journal: A tasty banquet in Chopped Liver Land
09/09/2004 - Campaign Journal: A tasty banquet in Chopped Liver Land
09/08/2004 - Federal overtime rules: new headaches for states
09/07/2004 - States seek emergency medical compacts
09/03/2004 - GOP touts Bushs record on state affairs
09/03/2004 - In their own words: GOP govs on Bush
09/02/2004 - Some bottled water isn't better, states fear
09/01/2004 - Convention 2004 - GOP tastes Big Apple

August 2004

08/31/2004 - Warrior-legislators face dilemma: Give up one job?
08/30/2004 - Will the chains swallow Main Street?
08/30/2004 - GOP showcases minorities, women, moderates
08/27/2004 - A new crop of tobacco money coming to states
08/26/2004 - New Census data show rise in uninsured, poor
08/26/2004 - States offer tax breaks to spur organ donation
08/25/2004 - On the record: FDA on Rx imports
08/24/2004 - School spending is center stage in gov's races
08/23/2004 - New Jersey succession plan concentrates power
08/22/2004 - Airfield to playfield/neighborhood: Denver's daring changeover
08/20/2004 - States score political points with sales tax holidays
08/19/2004 - Truant teens lose licenses in Georgia and other states
08/18/2004 - Ruling casts doubt on some state sentencing systems
08/17/2004 - Federal preemption: A serious threat
08/17/2004 - Florida lawyer seeking gay marriage limelight
08/16/2004 - Funding woes plague state AIDS programs
08/13/2004 - McGreevey is first gov to resign in a sexual scandal
08/12/2004 - 'My truth is that I am a gay American'
08/12/2004 - Embryonic stem cell debate bursts onto state level
08/11/2004 - Olympic spirit alive in statehouses
08/11/2004 - States stung by work sent overseas
08/10/2004 - State budget cutters avoid deep Medicaid reductions
08/09/2004 - Bill would help states fight unemployment tax fraud
08/08/2004 - Cities and states taking 'green' energy lead
08/06/2004 - Guard officials expect to meet recruiting goals
08/05/2004 - Few in Northwest neutral on Eyman initiatives
08/04/2004 - States trying to sustain kids' health insurance
08/02/2004 - SE states struggle with teacher quality rules
08/02/2004 - Environmental justice: an emerging state issue
08/01/2004 - A single American family? -- It can't just be federal

July 2004

07/30/2004 - In their own words: Democratic govs on Kerry
07/30/2004 - Governors
07/30/2004 - Democrats say Kerry would bring better times for states
07/29/2004 - Convention 2004 - Virginia and vets are election targets
07/28/2004 - Small Arkansas schools pay big price for new money
07/27/2004 - State Rx programs make way for Medicare cards
07/26/2004 - Defying convention, some governors staying home
07/23/2004 - Michigan tops list as model for mouse-clickers
07/22/2004 - Delaware launches model anti-cancer initiative
07/21/2004 - Ten states identified as legislative battlegrounds
07/20/2004 - States need fewer tax hikes to stay in the black
07/20/2004 - Md. delegate with lobbying expertise to lead NCSL
07/19/2004 - Governors talk about ways to aid elderly
07/19/2004 - Rell brings clean image to Connecticut governorship
07/18/2004 - Legislative term limits: Still a good idea?
07/16/2004 - Long-term health care costs loom large for governors
07/15/2004 - Corporate dollars buy access to NGA meeting
07/14/2004 - College tuition to rise 10 percent
07/14/2004 - States lag in gearing up for No Child Left Behind law
07/13/2004 - States have role to play in new global challenge
07/13/2004 - NGA and NCSL meetings to focus on new challenges
07/12/2004 - News media facing eviction from Maryland Statehouse
07/11/2004 - 'Green' sounds great -- but is it affordable?
07/09/2004 - Tomorrows leaders examine todays issues
07/08/2004 - 2004 sessions: Talk, little action in most legislatures
07/07/2004 - Petition drives to ban gay marriage succeeding
07/06/2004 - Feds quell states' revolt on No Child Left Behind
07/02/2004 - States brace for another bout with West Nile virus
07/01/2004 - States slow to give driver's licenses to illegal aliens

June 2004

06/30/2004 - Lewis and Clark expedition boosts N.D.s image
06/29/2004 - Small donors equal big bucks for state party coffers
06/28/2004 - Abu Ghraib's dire signal for America's own prisons
06/28/2004 - New state laws take effect July 1
06/25/2004 - Capitol Hill flirts with reviving sales tax deduction
06/24/2004 - Medicaid still busting state budgets
06/23/2004 - State fairs sell good old days in new-fashioned ways
06/22/2004 - Rowland dodges impeachment, not disgrace
06/21/2004 - "Great green cities" -- within our power?
06/21/2004 - Connecticut's Rowland resigns
06/21/2004 - Panel urges unclogging pipeline for security funds
06/18/2004 - See Jane stop running
06/17/2004 - Tax revenues spell good news for states
06/17/2004 - Colleges get flak for teacher training
06/16/2004 - 10 states lose fed ed money for poor children
06/16/2004 - State, EPA environmental monitoring goes online
06/15/2004 - Hope for HOPE VI?
06/15/2004 - See the U.S.A., win a Chevrolet
06/14/2004 - Medical liability debate still roaring in statehouses
06/11/2004 - Statehouses wind down, but budget issues remain
06/10/2004 - High school exit exams set low bar
06/10/2004 - States pause to remember Ronald Reagan
06/09/2004 - GAO critical of last years $10 billion bailout for states
06/09/2004 - Medicaid trumps education in state budgets
06/08/2004 - Online campaigns still an art, not a science
06/07/2004 - Obesity problems worsen, but solutions emerge
06/07/2004 - First State last on .08 drunken driving law
06/04/2004 - Cities gain, states lose in bioterror funding
06/03/2004 - Oil sticker shock a windfall to energy-rich states
06/02/2004 - Nader struggles to break state ballot barriers
06/01/2004 - States scrambling to prep for Medicare changes

May 2004

05/30/2004 - Massive urban renewal: Detroit's 21st-Century formula
05/28/2004 - Officials open to alternative welfare cuts
05/28/2004 - Gas prices hit state fleets, consumer wallets
05/27/2004 - Western states struggle to meet wildfire threats
05/26/2004 - N.C. House leader sparks tempest in state GOP
05/25/2004 - E-government use up 50 percent, survey finds
05/24/2004 - Lead from hunters' shot turns up in birds, Alaskans
05/24/2004 - Medical pot pits states against feds
05/23/2004 - Southern schools lead to divided society, report says
05/21/2004 - Gov. Schwarzenegger is stealing the show
05/20/2004 - Dean looking to sway statehouse races
05/19/2004 - Statehouse lobbying hits $890 million
05/19/2004 - Panel calls for sweeping foster care fixes
05/18/2004 - Commission calls for foster care reforms
05/18/2004 - States turn to gambling to fix budget woes
05/17/2004 - Marital bliss or legal chaos facing gay newlyweds?
05/16/2004 - Cities scramble for immigrants
05/14/2004 - Is the grass greener for part-time legislatures?
05/13/2004 - Maine laptop program bugged by budget concerns
05/12/2004 - Money mattering more in judicial elections
05/11/2004 - Going once, going twice, gone online
05/10/2004 - Tax foe renews attack on Nat'l Governors Assn
05/09/2004 - A second chance for blue collar cities?
05/07/2004 - Rural states plug into classroom technology
05/06/2004 - States wage offensive to keep military bases open
05/05/2004 - States struggle to control prescription prices
05/04/2004 - Courts referee school finance disputes
05/03/2004 - Harassment of Muslims up in Arizona, 9 other states, report says
05/03/2004 - Soaring health care costs squeeze states
05/03/2004 - Integrity of electronic voting questioned

April 2004

04/30/2004 - Virginia tax hike could lead to higher taxes elsewhere
04/29/2004 - Elderly drivers pose policy-making challenge
04/28/2004 - State budget picture shows modest improvement
04/27/2004 - Indiana doubles SUV use, Census finds
04/27/2004 - Guard deployments spark state security concerns
04/26/2004 - Latest state revenue-raising wrinkle: taxing services
04/23/2004 - States recycling Medicaid funds face federal scrutiny
04/22/2004 - Battle over gay marriage goes to voters
04/22/2004 - Report: States spend less; more cuts in the offing
04/21/2004 - Can Missouri's Gov. Holden hang on?
04/20/2004 - Louisville's Metro - So Far, A Major Success
04/20/2004 - States take aim at driving under the influence of TV
04/19/2004 - Free CDs from lawsuit soon to spice up library shelves
04/18/2004 - A metro merger wave: Could it be?
04/16/2004 - War on meth epidemic targets cold medicines
04/15/2004 - States outdo feds in combating global warming
04/14/2004 - For-profit companies cashing in on new ed law
04/13/2004 - Banking rule incites ire
04/12/2004 - High-tech humiliation helps states nab tax cheats
04/11/2004 - The High Cost of Being Poor: Fighting the Land Sharks
04/09/2004 - Childhood obesity: states neglect phys ed
04/08/2004 - Obesity weighing down state health care budgets
04/07/2004 - States target deceased to recoup nursing home costs
04/06/2004 - Assault weapons ban triggers high-caliber fight
04/05/2004 - Soaring gas prices unlikely to affect gas taxes
04/02/2004 - Statehouse races: overlooked, not overrated
04/02/2004 - Govs' races likely to turn on budget issues
04/01/2004 - Drunken driving plea tarnishes Wisconsin AG

March 2004

03/31/2004 - Vincent becomes eighth Republican to leave state House
03/31/2004 - Outsourcing helps states' economies, industry claims
03/30/2004 - Massachusetts one step closer to gay marriage ban
03/29/2004 - Louisiana State of the State Address 2004
03/29/2004 - Tax lagresse and sharp accounting: Predictable winners - - and losers
03/29/2004 - Pro baseball franchise hit with unusual state audit
03/27/2004 - Radical idea: A 'child-centric' school
03/26/2004 - States set example with green power policies
03/25/2004 - State lawmaker apologizes for joke aimed at greens
03/25/2004 - State party dilemma matching '02 funding level
03/24/2004 - Election-reform funds about to be sent to states
03/23/2004 - Job creation vexes states in a weak economy
03/22/2004 - Lawmaking on the go: A day in the life of a Md. delegate
03/19/2004 - Billions at stake in Internet tax debate
03/18/2004 - Bullying by school kids gets lawmakers' attention
03/17/2004 - Legislators aim to protect value of popular gift cards
03/16/2004 - Statehouse blogs range from brash to boring
03/15/2004 - Could smaller schools be the American future?
03/12/2004 - States aim at sound beginning for babies
03/12/2004 - U.S. Ed Dept set to ease teacher qual rules for rural schools
03/11/2004 - Wolf comeback has Wyoming officials howling
03/10/2004 - States stuck with federal $29 billion tab, NCSL says
03/09/2004 - State officials push localized color-coded alerts
03/08/2004 - Billions for new schools: How well spent?
03/08/2004 - Iowa's Vilsack casts large shadow from small state
03/04/2004 - States and public colleges consider new relationships
03/03/2004 - Social Security futures and school funding: One story?
03/03/2004 - Florida State of the State Address 2004
03/03/2004 - Smokers help to balance state budgets
03/01/2004 - Music trail could help struggling Virginia towns
03/01/2004 - How a girl's pain puts House and Senate on a collision course
03/01/2004 - There certainly is life after being governor

February 2004

02/26/2004 - National Guard vows to even out burden on states
02/26/2004 - Rx cost-cutting puts govs at odds with feds
02/25/2004 - Alaskans split on how to get state out of the red
02/24/2004 - America's Job Losses: An Energy Answer?
02/24/2004 - Governors press Bush for more highway dollars, jobs
02/24/2004 - California Gov facing first test of political star-power
02/22/2004 - Bush defuses some Medicaid, NCLB complaints
02/20/2004 - State security chiefs see no holdup in funding
02/20/2004 - Governors to press their issues with federal officials
02/19/2004 - Three states lead in preschool programs
02/19/2004 - Let the meager times roll; half of states face shortfalls
02/13/2004 - Florida's big fuss over small classes
02/13/2004 - Lawmakers act to preserve endangered night sky
02/12/2004 - DON'T MISS OUT
02/12/2004 - State and local finances: Still perilous seas
02/12/2004 - Secret Iraq trip rankles statehouse press corps
02/11/2004 - State of the state speeches: More than hot air?
02/10/2004 - Wyoming 2004 State of the State Address
02/09/2004 - Rocky Mountain traffic slows commerce, skiiers
02/09/2004 - State and Local Finances: Still Perilous Seas
02/09/2004 - Gov bucks federal ban on Canadian drugs
02/08/2004 - Borrowing Craze: The Bush-Schwarzenegger Axis
02/05/2004 - Minnesota State of the State Address 2004
02/05/2004 - Connecticut State of the State Address 2004
02/05/2004 - Threats, switches mark Wisconsin gunfight
02/04/2004 - Rhode Island State of the State Address 2004
02/04/2004 - Alabama State of the State Address 2004
02/04/2004 - Oregon rejects tax increase as states set ballot fights
02/04/2004 - States ahead of EPA in cutting mercury pollution
02/03/2004 - Oklahoma 2004 State of the State Address
02/03/2004 - States split on ways to diversify colleges
02/02/2004 - Oregon votes on tax hike as states set ballot fights