Budget woes hit home
From: www.stateline.org
"
Economists and politicians may debate whether the country has fallen into a recession, but new figures to be released next week suggest states are at the brink with state tax collections the lowest in nearly five years."
AG says development near bases restricted without previous OKs
From: www.azcentral.com
"A new legal interpretation of a 2004 state law intended to help preserve Luke Air Force Base and other key installations can bar some proposed development that could put bases at risk, an attorney general's opinion concludes.
"
Senate OKs one toll road bill, rejects another
From: www.azcentral.com
"One bill that could allow construction of toll-road highways in Arizona has cleared the state Senate while another went down to defeat."
Attorney general's opinion may help protect Luke field
From: www.azcentral.com
"An auxiliary field vital to the mission of Luke Air Force Base would be protected from encroaching development if Maricopa County ended up following a legal opinion released Thursday by state Attorney General Terry Goddard."
Tahoe wildfire recommendations, at a glance
From: www.sacbee.com
"A report the California-Nevada Tahoe Basin Fire Commission contains 47 findings and 70 recommendations that will be submitted to the governors of California and Nevada. Among them:"
Governor vetoes collective bargaining for child-care workers
From: www.sacbee.com
"Legislation to grant collective bargaining rights to grandmas, aunts and other subsidized child-care providers was vetoed Thursday by Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger."
As Southland counties reassess home values, tax bills fall
From: www.latimes.com
"The tumbling housing market has prompted county tax officials around Southern California to begin reducing the assessed value of many houses, resulting in lower tax bills for homeowners but less-than-expected revenue for already cash-strapped governments.
"
California's fiscal crisis hits schools
From: www.csmonitor.com
"LOSANGELES - California, home to 1 in 9 American schoolchildren, is on the brink of what may be the biggest public education crisis in state history. Facing a $16 billion state budget shortfall, Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger has proposed $4.8 billion in school-funding cuts, or 10 percent of education spending."
Dim economic forecast clouds future state budgets
From: www.chieftain.com
"The state will see a nearly $700 million decrease in revenues over the next five years that will mean less money for transportation and virtually nothing for capital development projects, according to new revenue forecasts released Thursday."
Proposal aims to raise taxes on oil, gas industry
From: www.rockymountainnews.com
"Democratic lawmakers are planning a ballot measure that would raise taxes on the oil and gas industry and channel tens of millions of additional dollars to Colorado's universities."
$700,000,000 budget shortfall -- What's getting cut?
From: www.denverpost.com
"The chicken wire holding up the Capitol's gold dome will have to do its job for another five years, as lawmakers grappled with the surprise news Thursday of a $700 million budget shortfall."
Sunday liquor sales bill on Ritter's desk
From: www.denverpost.com
"Coloradans soon will be able to pick up a bottle of chardonnay after church if Gov. Bill Ritter signs a bill allowing Sunday liquor sales."
House OKs bank tax change
From: www.delawareonline.com
"A bill that would alter the state's banking tax to benefit asset-management firms -- and bring high-paying jobs to Delaware -- passed the state House Thursday."
Judge denies state effort to limit awards to Broward homeowners in citrus canker suit
From: www.sun-sentinel.com
"With millions of dollars in payments to Broward County homeowners at stake, a judge in a class-action suit over the citrus canker eradication program heard motions Thursday that could influence how much money ultimately is awarded."
Legislation would let dog race gambling expand, give tax breaks to track owners
From: www.sun-sentinel.com
"While its leaders decry expanded gambling in Florida and warn of billions in state budget cuts, a measure pending in the Republican-led state House would give new tax breaks to wealthy racetrack owners and could lead to off-track betting parlors."
Alligator Alley may be up for lease
From: www.miamiherald.com
"Desperate to generate more money for road projects across the state, Florida transportation authorities are moving ahead with a plan to lease Alligator Alley to a company that would have the power to set the tolls it charges."
Bill would repeal ban on gifts
From: www.orlandosentinel.com
"Democratic state Sen. Gary Siplin of Orlando has filed a bill to do away with the controversial but nationally praised 2005 law banning gifts from lobbyists to legislators."
Tax swap draws critics, but Crist favors idea
From: www.miamiherald.com
"The loudest opponents of the property-tax swap going before voters in November are lobbyists for major corporations and future legislative leaders who would be stuck with the plan's heavy lifting: $9.6 billion in sales tax increases, budget cuts and other revenue hikes."
Liability issues slowing speed of commuter train project
From: www.orlandosentinel.com
"A state House panel gave a critical first approval Thursday to the lawsuit limits that CSX Corp. wants as part of a $491 million deal to bring commuter rail to Central Florida.
"
House discards toilet-paper bill aimed at restaurants
From: www.orlandosentinel.com
"Florida diners, beware: Toilet paper will continue to be optional in restaurant restrooms -- at least as far as state law is concerned.
"
Critics challenge tax-cut proposal
From: www.tampabay.com
"Opponents of a measure aimed at cutting property taxes 25 percent have launched a quiet campaign hoping to thwart its placement on the November ballot."
Vote on Florida tax loophole was merely political theater
From: www.tampabay.com
"Money is vanishing from state coffers by the billions, forcing lawmakers to eviscerate the budget."
Coliseum bill is likely to die, lawmaker says
From: chronicle.augusta.com
"Restructuring the Augusta Coliseum Authority is likely to wait until next year, according to Rep. Hardie Davis."
Jekyll Island beach protection clears House committee
From: www.ajc.com
"Protection of Jekyll Island's pristine main beach received a legislative boost Thursday when the House Natural Resources and Environment Committee voted to keep the half-mile stretch of sand development-free."
Cunningham trial delayed so competency hearing can be held
From: www.qctimes.com
"A federal judge has ordered a competency hearing for a former top executive of a Des Moines-based job training agency, and as a result she will not face trial at the same time as her three co-defendants.
"
Legislature moving toward collective bargaining expansion
From: www.qctimes.com
"The Legislature was moving Thursday toward expanding public workers' collective bargaining rights, making the first changes to the state's rules in more than three decades.
"
A chance left for 183rd jets
From: www.sj-r.com
"Despite local defeats in the battle, the war to retain the Illinois Air National Guard?s Springfield-based fighter jets isn?t over."
Levine lays out bribery scheme
From: www.sj-r.com
"CHICAGO ? An admitted fixer turned federal witness testified Thursday that he schemed to split a $1.5 million bribe with political fundraiser Antoin ?Tony? Rezko ? someone he saw as so influential with Gov. Rod Blagojevich that ?he can get anything done that he wants done.?"
In Illinois, more are e-filing taxes
From: www.chicagotribune.com
"Illinoisans waiting for tax refunds are increasingly checking their computer instead of their mailbox, and the number of people filing their taxes electronically is projected to eclipse paper filings for the first time in Illinois, state officials announced Thursday."
Villa Park in line to place its bets on OTB
From: www.chicagotribune.com
"Saying they're tired of watching their neighbors prosper while they stand pat, Villa Park officials are on the verge of approving an off-track betting parlor in town, joining a growing number of communities in the Chicago area where OTBs have opened recently."
Tape shows Levine in awe of Rezko clout
From: www.chicagotribune.com
"Stuart Levine considered himself an accomplished political fixer, but he said he had never partnered up with anyone quite as skilled at the dark art as Antoin "Tony" Rezko, then a top fundraiser to Gov. Rod Blagojevich."
Levine says he was amazed at Rezko clout
From: www.suntimes.com
"In decades in politics, former Illinois Health Facilities Planning Board member Stuart Levine had never met an operator as powerful as Tony Rezko, Levine said this morning, in his third day of testimony in Rezko?s corruption trial."
Levine - Bribe talk got Rezko to back hospital
From: www.suntimes.com
"At first, Tony Rezko wasn't keen on the state approving a new $81 million hospital in McHenry County, star prosecution witness Stuart Levine testified Thursday at the corruption trial of Gov. Blagojevich's former top fund-raiser."
House rejects ban on universities' domestic partners health insurance
From: www.courier-journal.com
"A House committee yesterday killed a Senate bill that would bar state universities and other public agencies from providing health insurance for domestic partners of employees."
Lawmaker defends his abstention from key panel vote
From: www.boston.com
"As a member of the committee considering controversial casino legislation, state Representative Robert L. Rice Jr. was among 19 lawmakers given a pivotal role in deciding whether to allow gambling in Massachusetts."
Patrick's challenge now is to march forward, chin up
From: www.boston.com
"Losing a political fight over casinos that left many in his liberal base disillusioned and his relationship with House Speaker Salvatore F. DiMasi in tatters, Governor Deval Patrick now faces the difficult task up of picking up the pieces and moving on, in search of victories elsewhere."
House rejects casino bill; backers vow to roll again
From: www.boston.com
"Led by House Speaker Salvatore F. DiMasi, the House last night resoundingly defeated Governor Deval Patrick's casino bill, 108 to 46, but racetracks, unions, and other gambling proponents vowed to keep up their lobbying blitz."
State health plan underfunded
From: www.boston.com
"The state's new subsidized health insurance program will cost "significantly" more than the $869 million Governor Deval Patrick proposed in his 2009 budget just two months ago, the state's top financial official said yesterday, after insurers were granted an increase of about 10 percent."
Indiana is in the business of Job poaching
From: www.mlive.com
"A Michigan business trying to garner certain perks or breaks from the state in order to expand its operations or add jobs has to first jump through a series of hoops."
Price-controlled insurance passes
From: www.cmonitor.com
"New Hampshire's small businesses would get to choose from a new line of price-controlled health insurance plans under a bill passed by the state Senate yesterday."
State known as anti-tax calls for reform
From: www.nytimes.com
"DURHAM, N.H. - For decades, it has virtually been a requirement that elected state officials in New Hampshire take "The Pledge," a promise not to institute a broad-based income or sales tax."
Court adds to taverns' duty toward safe driving
From: www.nj.com
"The operators of a tavern can be sued for allowing a customer to drive away drunk, even if they weren't the ones who served him alcohol, a state appeals court ruled yesterday."
Paterson pushes ahead on Midtown
From: www.democratandchronicle.com
"Gov. David Paterson entered Midtown Plaza shortly before noon on Thursday, and the crowd of several hundred people filling the atrium and lining the second-floor railings erupted in cheers, snapping pictures and straining for a glimpse."
3 banks give up on student loans
From: www.timesunion.com
"Pointing to what they say is lower profitability and turmoil in financial markets, three large banks, including two with substantial presences in the Capital Region, have pulled out of the federal student loan program."
School chief tells council deep cuts are needed
From: www.nytimes.com
"Facing a souring economy and city and state budget gaps, Schools Chancellor Joel I. Klein testified Thursday that he was considering scaling back everything from consultants to testing contracts but still thought it would be necessary to make direct cuts to schools. "
Shoppers trying to deal with rising grocery prices
From: www.daytondailynews.com
"KETTERING, Ohio - Family budgets already stressed by higher energy costs are now being squeezed by the rising cost of eggs, milk, cheese and other groceries."
Strickland - Ohio not in recession
From: www.daytondailynews.com
"Gov. Ted Strickland said Thursday that Ohio is not in a recession, blaming President Bush for the perception and urging residents to "hang tough.""
Brunswick to close Ohio boat plant
From: www.daytondailynews.com
"LAKE FOREST, Ill. - Boat maker Brunswick Corp. says it's closing a factory in Bucyrus (byoo-SEYE'-rus), Ohio."
Chronic diseases cost Ohio $57 billion a year, study says
From: www.cleveland.com
"Common chronic diseases cost Ohio's economy nearly $57 billion a year, according to a new study."
Ohio jobless rate down slightly in February
From: hosted.ap.org
"The state says Ohio's unemployment rate was 5.3 percent in February, down from 5.5 percent in January."
Kulongoski predicts economic growth for Oregon
From: www.oregonlive.com
"While the rest of the country wrings its hands over the stumbling economy, Gov. Ted Kulongoski cracks a "What, me worry?" grin. Oregon, he says, will be spared the brunt of the downturn and should be back on pace for modest growth within a year."
Texas may be spared in fiscal storm
From: www.chron.com
"Texas' economic strengths do not insulate it from the U.S. downturn but should provide a buffer stout enough to keep the state from following the nation into any recession, top officials and experts say."
Texas seeks bids for border cameras
From: www.dallasnews.com
"Texas is seeking bids for a video camera network on the Mexican border. Gov. Rick Perry's emergency management division calls it a "virtual border neighborhood watch" designed to help crack down on drug running, human trafficking and other crime along the 1,200-mile border between the state and Mexico."
Inflation hits the poor hardest
From: www.washingtonpost.com
"Inflation is walloping Americans with low and moderate incomes as the prices of staples have soared far faster than those of luxuries. "
States weigh lowering drinking age
From: www.usatoday.com
"Debate over lowering the drinking age is heating up in several states, fueled in part by legislators who contend that men and women who are old enough to fight in Iraq and Afghanistan are responsible enough to buy alcohol legally."
Gov says economy 'resilient'; construction workers say 'bull'
From: www.sltrib.com
"It was a study in economic contrast. At the second annual Governor's Utah Economic Summit, staged Thursday at Grand America Hotel in downtown Salt Lake City, Gov. Jon Huntsman Jr. offered advice to the hundreds of business leaders dressed in dark coats, neckties and pant suits."
Utah's cell-phone taxes are among nation's highest
From: www.sltrib.com
"The freedom to talk on the go comes with a price: Utah's cell-phone users pay the 11th-highest taxes in the nation."
Advocates to press point at eateries in April
From: www.washingtonpost.com
"RICHMOND, Va. - At least twice in recent weeks, Majority Leader Richard L. Saslaw proclaimed on the Senate floor that customers who bring guns into restaurants in urban areas of the state are asked to leave. "
Troubled Hanford cleanup has state mulling lawsuit
From: seattlepi.nwsource.com
"The hose ruptured just after 2 a.m. in July at the Hanford Nuclear Reservation, spilling 85 gallons of radioactive waste being pumped from a decaying underground tank. "
Company idles coal refinery
From: www.trib.com
"Wyoming's single existing coal-enhancement facility was idled Thursday, just two years after it began operation."
WORTH NOTING: Let the basketball betting begin!
From: www.stateline.org
"Iowa's governor gives new meaning to the phrase "pork-barrel spending" as the NCAA men's basketball tournament begins. The next U.S. senator from Idaho literally could be "Pro-Life." And the Texas judicial system considers whether ankles really exist. In case you missed those stories this week, "Worth Noting" fills you in."
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.
"
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."
Proactive tax planning to take advantage of timely tax saving opportunities.
Comprehensive business services that integrate income tax compliance
and planning with investments and insurance choices.
Consulting services that review businesses to find hidden opportunities to
increase wealth accumulation and retention.
Foreign investor tax services.
Individualized accounting system setup for new businesses.
State of the art payroll tax services and sales tax preparation.
Preparation of business and individual tax returns and financial
statements.
Budgeting and projection preparation and monitoring, facilitating the
creation and tracking of events.
Assistance in selection and installation of computer hardware and
software, ongoing monitoring and updating of systems.
