As the economy falters, so do state budgets
From: www.nytimes.com
"Programs for the elderly are being slashed in Maine. Government jobs are being eliminated in New Jersey. Prison construction has been put off in Virginia. Some schools in California will end their music programs."
Colleges' debit-card deals draw scrutiny
From: www.usatoday.com
"The ID card at Portland State University in Oregon has long been the key to campus life, allowing students to check out books, get into buildings and access their meal plans. A few years ago, the school created another use for the IDs: buying books and school supplies."
Report -- Casinos contribute $1B to state economy
From: www.siouxcityjournal.com
"The gambling industry brought $1 billion to Iowa in 2007, according to a state report.
"
Assembly moves on foreclosures
From: www.baltimoresun.com
"Legislation aimed at helping Maryland homeowners avoid the rising tide of foreclosures cleared a House committee yesterday, paving the way for full House action this week on one of the O'Malley administration's priorities."
Developer tops list of post-VECO contributors
From: newsminer.com
"ANCHORAGE, Alaska - A real estate development company is now the biggest contributor to Alaska congressional campaigns, following the demise of VECO Corp. in an ongoing political corruption investigation."
TransCanada executive explains details of gas pipeline plan
From: www.adn.com
"Alaska legislators have had a lot of questions about TransCanada's proposed Alaska natural gas pipeline project; They recently got a chance to ask them of the company's vice president for Alaska business development."
Military battling members' bad credit
From: www.montgomeryadvertiser.com
"The Air Force and the Alabama National Guard are fighting a battle against an unlikely enemy -- bad credit. "
Letting nature clear the air
From: www.signonsandiego.com
"Across the state, nature's photosynthesis technology is being enlisted as California gradually reshapes forest management into an ally in the campaign to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and prevent severe climatic disruptions."
Tax breaks under scrutiny as Calif. battles $16 billion deficit
From: www.signonsandiego.com
"California's tax codes are filled with hundreds of exceptions that add up to an estimated $50 billion a year in breaks for businesses and individuals. The Legislature's nonpartisan budget analyst, Elizabeth Hill, is recommending that lawmakers eliminate or reduce a dozen of them in an attempt to generate $2.7 billion in revenue."
Woodland in line for 're-entry' prison
From: www.sacbee.com
"Yolo County has positioned itself to receive potentially millions in state money for jail expansion by agreeing to locate a new "re-entry" prison for inmates ticketed for home."
Nuclear power industry reasserts itself after 3-decade lull
From: www.sacbee.com
"WASHINGTON - Stoked by new federal subsidies and worries over global warming, the nuclear power industry is beginning to glow brightly once again."
California conservatives turn to voters for change
From: www.sacbee.com
"California conservatives, stifled by the Democratic majority in the Capitol, are turning to the people in hopes of advancing their stalled agenda in 2008. Four conservative-backed ballot campaigns, including one to etch a ban on gay marriage into the state constitution, have amassed $8.9 million to put measures before voters in November."
Probes of doctor complaints taking longer
From: www.latimes.com
"When the mother of rapper Kanye West died a day after having plastic surgery, attention shifted quickly to Dr. Jan Adams, the Los Angeles physician who performed the operation. "
Colorado boom town defies economic trends
From: www.npr.org
"A sagging economy has made headlines in most of the country. But in Rifle, Colo., and other towns in the Rocky Mountain West, it's boom time.
"
Rell - State exports increased more than 12 percent over past year
From: www.courant.com
"Gov. M. Jodi Rell says Connecticut's commodity exports increased more than 12 percent last year, continuing a four-year trend."
Bill would let Florida cities and counties ban pit bulls, other dog breeds
From: www.sun-sentinel.com
"Sparked by a spate of pit bull attacks in recent years, state Rep. Perry Thurston, D-Plantation, is leading an effort in the Legislature to authorize cities and counties to target dangerous breeds of dogs with tighter controls or even bans."
Crist signs budget with $512 million in cuts
From: www.palmbeachpost.com
"Gov. Charlie Crist signed $512 million in cuts to this year's budget into law on Friday. As promised, he did not veto any of the items included in the revised budget, which lawmakers already slashed by about $1 billion in the fall."
Marco Rubio trying one more time to push his tax plan
From: www.orlandosentinel.com
"House Speaker Marco Rubio's power may be waning as he moves toward the end of his two-year term as presiding officer. But the conservative West Miami Republican has set the table this week for what could be his last best shot at major property tax reform."
Panel considers competing property tax relief proposals
From: hosted.ap.org
"A state panel is deciding which of two major proposals for massive property tax relief should go on the November ballot."
Governor adamantly opposes Sunday package liquor sales
From: www.ajc.com
"Gov. Sonny Perdue said Thursday in his strongest terms yet that he opposes the idea of allowing Georgians a vote on Sunday package sales of beer, wine and liquor."
House speaker vows to push for Sunday alcohol sales
From: www.ajc.com
"House Speaker Glenn Richardson vowed Friday to push legislation to legalize Sunday sales of alcohol in stores."
Debate is ongoing over Sunday sales
From: chronicle.augusta.com
"A large majority of Georgians want to be able to buy alcohol on Sundays, but as Gov. Sonny Perdue pointed out recently, this isn't a democracy. It's a republic."
Most of Lingle's proposals still alive
From: the.honoluluadvertiser.com
"Tomorrow is the 33rd day of the 60-day legislative session. Gov. Linda Lingle saw some highs and lows last week as the Legislature passed the halfway mark of the session."
Hawaiian leaders urge delay on ceded lands
From: www.honoluluadvertiser.com
"Two Native Hawaiian leaders have joined with Hawaiian activists in calling for state lawmakers to delay passing an agreement that transfers $200 million of land and cash to the Office of Hawaiian Affairs."
2 Superferry meetings draw 12 people on Oahu
From: starbulletin.com
"Only a dozen people attended the two Oahu informational meetings on the Hawaii Superferry's environmental impact statement yesterday."
Proposed smoking ban might soon face final vote
From: www.qctimes.com
"Quad-City area lawmakers likely will have one last opportunity to vote on a proposed statewide smoking ban to keep it from going up in smoke."
Smoking ban debate moves to another level
From: www.radioiowa.com
"The debate over a statewide smoking ban will move to a 10-member committee of House and Senate members this week. "
Iowa lawmakers concede health plan is just a start
From: www.siouxcityjournal.com
"JOHNSTON, Iowa -- Two lawmakers who crafted a health care reform package conceded Friday that the measure offers only "baby steps" that would probably leave some Iowans without coverage."
Health-reform bill will pass, 2 in House say
From: www.desmoinesregister.com
"The Iowa Legislature will approve a health-care reform bill, but it probably won't require that parents buy insurance for their children, two leading House members said Friday."
Caution -- Road work ahead soon
From: www.desmoinesregister.com
"Iowa drivers will have plenty of orange traffic barriers to dodge this spring as crews launch a number of new projects."
Breast-feeding rooms needed, lawmaker says
From: www.desmoinesregister.com
"Toilet stalls are not good enough for working moms who need to breast-feed an infant, a state lawmaker says."
On partisan vote, constitutional amendment clears ID tax panel
From: www.idahostatesman.com
"A plan to cement a two-thirds vote requirement for new local options sales taxes in Idaho's Constitution cleared the House Revenue and Taxation Committee. Friday's 13-5 decision was a victory for anti-tax Republicans -- and a loss for the panel's Democrats."
House leaders pledge to come up with $40M for roads
From: www.idahostatesman.com
"Idaho House leaders say they're not going home this session without another $40 million in funding for the state transportation department, including a possible hike to the state's 25 cent-per-gallon fuel tax. Governor Butch Otter has asked for $200 million."
Area colleges, hospitals try to address nursing shortage
From: www.rrstar.com
"When Rockford native Stacia Sackmaster returned here after a stint in Chicago, she found little opportunity in her field of marketing and communications."
Free rides program could expand
From: www.southernillinoisan.com
"Starting this morning, senior citizens in many parts of Illinois will be allowed to ride most bus routes for free. But back in Springfield, some lawmakers are trying to expand those free rides to others - veterans or the disabled, for example."
Illinois bill would help trim college textbook costs
From: www.stltoday.com
"Western Illinois University graduate student Jessie Kallman paid about $490 for her spring semester textbooks in January. Bob Skorczewski, student body president at the University of Illinois at Springfield, said that in any given semester, he too has paid upward of $400."
Free rides arrive for 65-plus crowd
From: www.chicagotribune.com
"Monday marks the start of free rides for seniors in the six-county Chicago area, but transit officials don't expect a sudden crush of gray-haired passengers."
Illinois-shaped corn flake for sale
From: www.boston.com
"CHICAGO - Sounds a little flaky, but someone has offered more than $50 on eBay for a piece of breakfast cereal that is touted as a lookalike to the state of Illinois."
Obama explains Rezko relationship to Sun-Times
From: www.suntimes.com
"To Barack Obama, Tony Rezko was more than a fund-raiser. He was a friend.
"
Levine may testify soon at Rezko trial
From: www.suntimes.com
"He was once a political power broker, a multimillionaire and prominent GOP fund-raiser."
Property owners get relief and reform
From: www.indystar.com
"Gov. Mitch Daniels declared "a new era of taxpayer protection" in Indiana on Friday after state lawmakers passed a landmark property tax reform package."
Session brought wins, losses for NWI
From: www.nwi.com
"Tax restructuring stole the spotlight in the legislative session that came to a close Friday, but the Indiana General Assembly took action on, or at least considered, dozens of other issues affecting Northwest Indiana residents."
Lawmakers laud their property tax success
From: www.news-sentinel.com
"Months of political wrangling over property taxes ended Friday as lawmakers approved a major relief and restructuring plan that will give more tax cuts to homeowners this year and cap future bills for most property owners."
Tax relief plan done
From: www.nwi.com
"While most of their colleagues were heralding a "historic" property-tax relief package Friday, many Lake County legislators were busy assuring region homeowners they had not been double-crossed downstate."
Time runs out on immigration bill
From: www.indystar.com
"Efforts to pass an illegal immigration bill officially failed Friday when the gavel dropped in the Indiana Senate with no action taken."
27 counties next for privatized welfare
From: www.indystar.com
"State officials say the rollout of the state's new privatized welfare system is going well enough to expand it to a large swath of southern and western Indiana."
Bill cutting Indiana property taxes in '08 OK'd
From: www.courier-journal.com
"Every Indiana homeowner will pay significantly lower property-tax bills this year, and all Hoosiers will pay higher sales taxes starting next month under a bipartisan bill the General Assembly passed yesterday."
Crowd supports BP's request for new air permit
From: www.chicagotribune.com
"HAMMOND, Ind. - Indiana will grant a permit for BP's planned $3.8 billion Whiting refinery expansion, officials said Friday at a Department of Environmental Management public hearing. "
Analysis - Buyer's remorse in health care
From: cjonline.com
"Many Republican legislators appear to be suffering a major bout of buyer's remorse over a big piece of the health reform law they enacted last year with plenty of fanfare and self-praise."
Health care bill on way to full House
From: www.kansas.com
"A health care bill drafted by Republicans won the endorsement Friday of a House committee after members jettisoned most of the plan backed by Gov. Kathleen Sebelius."
Immigration a quagmire for Kansas, Missouri
From: www.kansas.com
"To Dick Fatherley, immigration reform is, if not easy, at least logical. Immigrants break the law if they are here illegally. Businesses that exploit their cheap labor break the law. The law should be enforced."
Requirements added to defense lab plan
From: www2.ljworld.com
"The federal biodefense lab sought by Kansas will need its own electric power and wastewater systems, presumably at state taxpayer expense, state officials said Friday."
Sebelius - coal plants holding up legislative agenda
From: www2.ljworld.com
"Governor Kathleen Sebelius says legislators supporting two local coal-fired power plants in southwestern Kansas appear to be playing "Let's Make a Deal.""
Defense lab must include power plant
From: www2.ljworld.com
"A new wrinkle developed today in the state's efforts to land a $450 million biodefense lab."
Sebelius - Legislators are doing 'nothing'
From: www2.ljworld.com
"Gov. Kathleen Sebelius on Friday said the Legislature has failed on a number of major issues because of efforts to push through legislation that would require the construction of two coal-fired power plants."
Debate heats up over home inspection bill
From: www.kansascity.com
"TOPEKA, Kan. - Lawmakers use a simple rule when turf battles break out between interest groups: Follow the money. A current spitting match in Kansas features the state's real estate agents against independent home inspectors."
Kansas House gives preliminary approval to a bill that would cut corporate income taxes
From: www.kansascity.com
"TOPEKA, Kan. - For the third straight year, the Republican-led Kansas Legislature appears ready to give businesses another big tax cut."
Ethics plan bans some key donations
From: www.courier-journal.com
"State contractors and lobbyists would be banned from making campaign contributions to statewide candidates -- including those running for governor -- under an ethics measure proposed by the Senate."
Moberly chastises Beshear over budget
From: www.courier-journal.com
"Rep. Harry Moberly took the House floor yesterday to lecture Gov. Steve Beshear on why he ought to embrace the House's version of the state budget bill."
Dave Dixon's ripple is as large as Louisiana
From: www.thenewsstar.com
"NEW ORLEANS - Dave Dixon had to do a lot of wheeling and dealing to secure the New Orleans Saints franchise and get the Louisiana Superdome built. Along the way, he also had to be a facilitator for desegregation of Louisiana football and New Orleans restaurants."
A village, culture teeter on bayou
From: www.boston.com
"GRAND BAYOU, La. - When Ruby Ancar talks about her fishing village on the bayou, she says a divine hand has protected her Atakapa-Ishak kinfolk for generations."
Senators to DiMasi - Lighten up
From: www.bostonherald.com
"Pro-gaming state senators are urging House Speaker Sal DiMasi to keep his political fight with Gov. Deval Patrick out of the casino debate, saying the speaker has made the issue personal and is wielding his power like a hammer to crush debate."
Team will track Pr. William's illegal immigration crackdown
From: www.washingtonpost.com
"With the nation watching, the impact of Prince William County's illegal immigration crackdown will be measured not by the county board that pushed for it, or the police officers who will enforce it, but by an independent team of college professors and criminologists. "
Health provider predicts big loss
From: www.boston.com
"Cambridge Health Alliance, a key part of the Boston area's healthcare network, is facing a potentially "catastrophic" loss this year and is looking to eliminate up to 300 jobs, or about 9 percent of its workforce, in an effort to stabilize finances."
Teachers union backs Md. slots measure
From: www.washingtontimes.com
"The union representing the state's teachers announced yesterday that it had voted to support passage of a November referendum on legalizing slot machines."
Tax report stirs fears
From: www.baltimoresun.com
"Amid growing momentum for a repeal of Maryland's new computer services tax, Comptroller Peter Franchot released a broad interpretation of the levy yesterday, stoking fears that it will force businesses to leave the state."
Lawmakers focus on slots spending
From: www.baltimoresun.com
"Lawmakers in Annapolis are moving to tighten up campaign reporting requirements for the November referendum on legalizing slot machines, as both sides gird for what's expected to be a free-spending battle to win voters."
Consensus is close on cuts to O'Malley's budget
From: www.baltimoresun.com
"Senate and House of Delegates leaders are nearing consensus on deep cuts to Gov. Martin O'Malley's budget, including major reductions for Chesapeake Bay cleanup, health care, transportation and economic development."
Teachers union backs slots referendum
From: www.baltimoresun.com
"The state teachers union voted late Friday night to support voter approval of slot machine gambling in a November referendum, the union announced yesterday."
Foreclosure crisis straining nonprofit housing counselors
From: www.journalism.umd.edu
"Housing counselors can significantly reduce a family's chance of losing a home to the recent spate of mortgage foreclosures, but a high demand for the service in Maryland is straining some nonprofit agencies."
Special session promises in jeopardy
From: www.hometownannapolis.com
"A day after Gov. Martin O'Malley said he wants to repeal imposing a sales tax on computer services, Senate President Thomas V. Mike Miller, Jr., D-Calvert, warned that rescinding it could mean education funding cuts."
Md. budget crunch has residents on the ropes
From: www.washingtonpost.com
"Pity the Maryland taxpayers. This year, they've been hit with higher state taxes on sales, cigarettes and cars. "
Tourism industry crossing fingers
From: kennebecjournal.mainetoday.com
"Rising gasoline prices across the country might cool off the vacation plans of many Americans this year. "
Wayne State medical school to lay off 26; more expected
From: www.detnews.com
"Twenty-six doctors and staff at Wayne State University School of Medicine will be out of a job, marking the beginning of what Wayne State leaders say will be several rounds of layoffs."
With lease at stake, hospital, city dig in
From: www.detnews.com
"At North Oakland Medical Centers, there's a staffer whose only job is to sign up patients with Medicaid, the federal program that helps pay medical bills for impoverished patients."
Conyers, Kilpatrick voice concerns anew over casino plans
From: www.freep.com
"WASHINGTON -- The Judiciary Committee held a hearing today on proposals that would clear the way for Indian casinos in Romulus and Port Huron."
Wayne State medical school to lay off 26; more expected
From: www.freep.com
"More than two dozen doctors and staff members at Wayne State University's School of Medicine will learn Monday that they're out of a job."
Lawmakers seek answers to loan woes
From: www.in-forum.com
"ST. PAUL, Minn. - Lawmakers are looking at ways to find more time and other help for Minnesotans caught in a mortgage squeeze."
Rural crisis differs from Twin Cities?
From: www.in-forum.com
"ST. PAUL, Minn. - The much-publicized foreclosure crisis affects all of Minnesota, although experts say those outside the Twin Cities area apparently face issues other than the now-famous subprime concern."
Missouri treasurer misread illegal immigration study
From: www.kansascity.com
"In her first big policy foray since jumping into the race for governor, Missouri Treasurer Sarah Steelman last week went after a familiar target -- illegal immigrants."
$25 million for wind pool appropriated
From: www.sunherald.com
"The Legislature passed a $25 million appropriation Friday to help fill holes in the state's wind pool insurance program, which some said could lower premiums."
Hurricane victims expected to sue FEMA
From: www.clarionledger.com
"WASHINGTON - The Federal Emergency Management Agency, which supplied about 120,000 travel trailers to hurricane victims in 2005, is expected to be named as a co-defendant in a massive lawsuit against manufacturers charging the units had dangerous levels of formaldehyde."
War generates billions for business
From: www.clarionledger.com
"Billions of dollars in federal contracts awarded to Mississippi industries and a rocketing pace of exports to the Middle East serve as a reminder that, for those not under attack, war is good for business."
Deadline looms for measures
From: www.clarionledger.com
"Bills intended to offer more protection for insurance policyholders, make it tougher for some marriages to end and prohibit some adoptions likely will die in the Mississippi Legislature this week."
Bill would prohibit doctors from marking up some lab tests
From: www.journalstar.com
"To Lincoln Sen. Tony Fulton, an ongoing dispute between two medical specialties has a simple solution. Dermatologists should not be allowed to mark up the cost of a lab test performed by pathologists."
State steps up with assist for wood-pellet plant
From: www.unionleader.com
"Greenova LLC's plan for a wood-pellet plant in the Berlin Industrial Park is getting a boost from the state Department of Resources and Economic Development, which will hold an off-site, 24-acre conservation easement to offset wetlands affected by the plant."
NYers get $hocked
From: www.nypost.com
"Con Ed's residential customers in New York City and Westchester pay 63 percent more for electricity than people who live just 60 miles north of Manhattan - a difference of more than $500 per household per year, a new state survey shows."
Holding Spitzer to account
From: www.timesunion.com
"The Long Island bank that reported Gov. Eliot Spitzer's suspicious payments to the IRS is the repository for the Spitzer 2010 campaign and holds $3 million the governor collected for his political operations. Officials at North Fork Bank in Melville and the Spitzer campaign would not discuss the matter."
Change leaves agenda in limbo
From: www.timesunion.com
"As David Paterson prepares to take the oath of office Monday as New York's 55th governor, questions are plentiful in the halls of the state Capitol about what initiatives he will pursue, and which ones pursued by outgoing Gov. Eliot Spitzer he will drop."
A positive focus amid change
From: www.timesunion.com
"From top to bottom, the state work force appears comfortable as the administration changes for the second time in 15 months."
Social calls, call to action at Capitol
From: www.timesunion.com
"In a round of meetings with legislative leaders on Friday, Lt. Gov. David Paterson burnished his conciliatory image but also got serious, warning that state leaders are far apart on a budget that's due April 1."
Lottery thrives in poor areas
From: news.enquirer.com
"The Ohio Lottery collected $2.3 billion last year, and sales were the highest in lower-income neighborhoods, the Columbus Dispatch reported Sunday."
Review finds economic stagnation
From: news.enquirer.com
"AKRON, Ohio - Ohio's middle-class families are racing to the bottom of the nation's economic ladder with incomes that fail to keep pace with inflation and the rising costs of higher education and health care, the Akron Beacon Journal reported Sunday."
Profits fueled the subprime loan machine
From: blog.cleveland.com
"You have flawless credit and have never been a day late on your reasonably priced, fixed-rate mortgage."
Land-use task force gets back to work
From: www.statesmanjournal.com
"After an eight-month pause, a state task force is back in business looking at Oregon's much-debated land-use planning laws and program."
Turnpike lease process tainted, lawmakers say
From: www.pittsburghlive.com
"Gov. Ed Rendell's proposed lease of the Pennsylvania Turnpike is a tainted process that has raised concerns about fairness and secrecy, key lawmakers said Friday."
DeNaples debacle may force state licensing change
From: www.pittsburghlive.com
"If Louis A. DeNaples, accused of lying to gambling regulators to get a casino license, feels singled out, there's a chance the spotlight could widen."
State to weigh nonprofit service fees
From: www.post-gazette.com
"With the backing of state Sen. Wayne Fontana, Allegheny County Council members believe they have taken a step toward implementing a service fee on tax-exempt properties."
Penn State loan change may be costly to PHEAA
From: www.post-gazette.com
"The Pennsylvania Higher Education Assistance Agency could lose 8 percent of its future loan servicing business in the state because Penn State University, its biggest customer, is becoming a direct provider of federal student loans."
Video slot machines get reprieve
From: www.journalnow.com
"HIGH POINT, S.C. -- State agents have been prohibited by a judge from shutting down businesses featuring video slot machines connected to certain phone- and Internet-marketing systems."
Budget can weather storm
From: www.thestate.com
"House budget writers say they are better prepared than in the past if the current economic slowdown lingers into next year."
Access to health records bolstered for employers
From: www.chron.com
"Medical privacy has been protected for years by the most unlikely guardians: insurance companies. Now, the Texas Legislature has become the first in the nation to force insurance companies to pass along sensitive employee health records to their companies, a practice permitted under federal law."
Student loans threatened, UMD director tells Congress
From: www.journalism.umd.edu
"WASHINGTON - The nation's financial woes are already putting a strain on families trying to pay for a child's college education, and current government contingency plans are untested, said a Maryland financial aid officer."
Gay couples say civil unions aren't enough
From: www.nytimes.com
"Eager to celebrate their partnership, Tracy and Katy Weber Tierney were among the first in line when Connecticut created civil unions three years ago as a way to formalize same-sex relationships without using the word "marriage.""
Supreme Court to hear challenge to D.C. gun law
From: www.latimes.com
"WASHINGTON -- For more than 30 years, the District of Columbia has had the nation's strictest gun-control law -- a ban on having handguns at home for self-defense."
Amid loan worries, a silver lining for students
From: www.csmonitor.com
"The credit crisis has caused many students to worry that they won't get loans for college. But the sky isn't falling, say student aid administrators. "
Pasties bill irks clubs' owner
From: www.washingtontimes.com
"CHESAPEAKE, Va. - Starting July 1, the dancers at J.B.'s Gallery of Girls and Headlights will be making an addition to their scant wardrobes."
Law bars publicizing Social Security numbers
From: www.washingtontimes.com
"All she wanted to do was show people that a few clicks of the mouse and a few bucks could get them access to millions of Social Security numbers."
With lawmakers gone, it's time to look at votes
From: www.inrich.com
"State lawmakers have hit the road for home. After a legislative session with five days overtime, they finally agreed on a $77 billion state budget that, among other things, raises state workers' salaries and teacher pay and provides an increase in mental-health funding."
Vermont Chamber Web site ramps up effort to show lawmakers' voting records
From: www.timesargus.com
"In an effort to track lawmakers' decisions - and perhaps enlist a larger constituency for its positions - the leaders of the Vermont Chamber of Commerce plan to launch a Web site today listing roll call votes in the Vermont House of Representatives and Senate."
Energy expert pronounces new nuke plants doomed
From: www.timesargus.com
"BRATTLEBORO, Vt. ? A nationally-recognized nuclear energy expert told anti-nuclear activists Saturday that simple economics will doom new nuclear power construction, and he urged New Englanders to push for the development of solar and wind power."
WMC now backs hospital tax
From: www.madison.com
"In a reversal that signals a deal on a state budget repair bill, the state's largest business lobby said Friday it would support Gov. Jim Doyle's plan to impose a new tax on hospitals in order to leverage more federal Medicaid money."
Business lobby backs hospital tax
From: www.jsonline.com
"A coalition of health care systems and business groups in Milwaukee is setting out to explain why a proposed tax on hospitals is not really a tax."
Trapped by title loan?
From: www.jsonline.com
"In December 2001, Kenneth Jones was desperate. A skilled machinist, he had been laid off when Emco Metals was bought by another company and his unemployment benefits had expired."
Budget, pension merger, special session cap lawmakers' work
From: www.theintelligencer.net
"West Virginia's Legislature approved a new state budget Sunday that includes $3.9 billion in general revenue spending, then signed off on Gov. Joe Manchin's plan to allow transfers between the state's teacher retirement programs. "
Lawmakers reach compromise on pension merger
From: www.wvgazettemail.com
"Legislators Sunday night approved a compromise plan intended to allow teachers and school personnel stuck with severely underfunded 401(k) style pension funds to switch to the Teachers Retirement System."
Nowhere to turn
From: www.trib.com
"A smack in the head with a pair of tongs compressed rig worker Richard Johnson's spine. Wyoming's workers' compensation program stepped up to cover his medical costs and part of his lost wages."
'They starve you out'
From: www.trib.com
"It usually starts with a slip and a fall, or a limb that gets crushed or smashed. For Corey Johnston of Thermopolis, it was a 10-pound bolt that fell on his head in April 2000."
Workers' comp fraud difficult to measure
From: www.trib.com
"Legislators and workers' compensation officials say they can only guess at the level of fraud and attempted fraud by workers and employers in Wyoming. One thing they do know is how many employers don't pay their premiums."
'They turn their backs on us'
From: www.trib.com
"For three months, Mike VanPatten worked in pain. His supervisor and crew didn't want to log a lost-time accident, he said. So they harassed and intimidated him, in what he considered an attempt to push him into quitting."
Do injured workers get enough?
From: www.trib.com
"What's a leg worth? $15,000? $20,000? Is the loss of an arm worth more to a welder or to a parts delivery person? If a workplace accident results in a serious back injury, should compensation cover the degenerative effects throughout the body as a person ages?"
Tourism unfazed by gas hike
From: www.billingsgazette.net
"CODY, Wyo. -- With gasoline prices already climbing past their summer highs of last year, filling the tank for this year's vacation looks likely to cost more than ever. But area tourism industry representatives say they aren't worried."
On health care, govs are tightening belts
From: www.stateline.org
"While still charting a course toward universal health insurance, governors this year are increasingly trying to keep just their current health programs afloat. They are reacting to a souring economy and new Bush administration policies that are threatening budgets for Medicaid and the State Children’s Health Insurance Program."
WORTH NOTING: Lt. govs may pass on New York
From: www.stateline.org
"Can New York host a lieutenant governors’ shindig without a lieutenant governor? Some New England residents want to air their laundry – the clean kind. And a New Jersey man sues for a bribe that went bust. In case you missed any of those stories this week, “Worth Noting” fills you in."
Future of coal power under fire
From: www.stateline.org
"Coal-producing states that supply nearly half of the nation’s electricity are feeling squeezed as efforts to combat global warming outpace technology needed to make the nation’s most abundant fossil fuel burn more cleanly."
WORTH NOTING: Gov. Palin expecting No. 5 — soon
From: www.stateline.org
"
 | Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin (R) in Washington, D.C., Feb. 25. |
Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin (R) explains her “bump.” Florida Gov. Charlie Crist (R) has a “first girlfriend.” And the “governator” reports some unusual gifts from celebrities. In case you missed any of those stories this week, “Worth Noting” fills you in.
"
Managing govt. is key in fiscal downturn
From: www.stateline.org
"Utah, Virginia and Washington got top marks for managing a wide range of responsibilities — from fixing roads and schools to spending tax dollars and sharing public information — that carry a direct impact on their residents’ lives, according to a national study that measured state governments’ strengths and weaknesses."
WORTH NOTING: Illinois gov runs up travel tab
From: www.stateline.org
"Illinois Gov. Rod Blagojevich’s commuting costs start to add up. South Dakota Gov. Mike Rounds settles a dispute with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service over a cranky game warden.
California corrections officials install “flushometers” to control wasteful toilet flushing in prisons. In case you missed any of those stories this week, "Worth Noting" fills you in."
Visit the Stateline.org Economy & Business Page
From: www.stateline.org
"Illinois Gov. Rod Blagojevich’s commuting costs start to add up. South Dakota Gov. Mike Rounds settles a dispute with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service over a cranky game warden.
California corrections officials install “flushometers” to control wasteful toilet flushing in prisons. In case you missed any of those stories this week, "Worth Noting" fills you in."
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