States vie to attract clean-tech industries
From: www.csmonitor.com
"On the road to becoming governor of Massachusetts, Deval Patrick visited Evergreen Solar in Marlborough, a campaign stop that at the time seemed more of a nod to environmental stewardship than part of a greater economic policy. "
Lackluster lottery sales mean less money for Florida schools
From: www.tampabay.com
"Penny-pinching Floridians aren't playing the lottery as much as expected and that's bad news for state legislators trying to minimize school budget cuts next year. "
Higher cigarette taxes could promote smuggling
From: www.usatoday.com
"NEW YORK - The big cigarette tax increases that many states are instituting to balance their out-of-whack budgets are raising fears that the trend will make black-market smokes more profitable and lead to more cigarette smuggling."
With an eye on Connecticut, filmmakers get a tax break in New York
From: www.nytimes.com
"After watching neighboring states raise their film tax credits to lure film production, New York State has moved to triple its tax incentive - to 30 percent - under the budget approved this week by the State Legislature. "
Governor says we've all "been lied to" on Sonics
From: seattletimes.nwsource.com
"State political leaders and a former co-owner of the Sonics reacted strongly Thursday to newly revealed e-mails that show team owners talking enthusiastically last year about moving the team to Oklahoma -- even as they maintained publicly they were striving to keep the Sonics in Seattle."
Is Arizona law sending business South?
From: www.cbsnews.com
"It's nearly midnight in downtown Phoenix. Mexican immigrants, some legal, some not, are heading for the border - any border - outside of Arizona. "
Panel OKs $25,000 for mining education
From: www.adn.com
"The House Finance Committee has authorized the governor's office to spend $25,000 to weigh in on a citizen's initiative on mining."
State owes extra for oil and gas tax credits
From: www.adn.com
"Oil and gas activity was unexpectedly brisk this year, so much so that the state Department of Revenue underestimated its tax credits for explorers and producers by 40 percent, officials said Thursday."
Cancer Society pushes smoke-free bill at Alabama Senate
From: www.tuscaloosanews.com
"Members of the American Cancer Society have passed out huge petitions to Alabama senators to try to get them to consider a bill that would ban smoking in workplaces and many public places statewide."
Griffith's embalming bill gets no support
From: www.al.com
"State Sen. Parker Griffith, D-Huntsville, found literally no support Thursday for his bill that would allow people to become licensed embalmers or funeral directors only after working as supervised assistants for at least five years."
Budget cutback has legislator wondering
From: www.nwarktimes.com
"A leader of the Legislature?s budget committee wondered Thursday whether the state has reduced next year's budget by nearly $ 107 million to make it easier to further reduce the state sales tax on groceries."
ACC commissioner won't run for Congress
From: www.tucsoncitizen.com
"PRESCOTT, Ariz. - Arizona Corporation Commission member Kris Mayes says she won't run for Congress this year and will instead remain on the utility-regulating panel."
State panel OKs $400M in bond funding for San Diego region projects
From: www.signonsandiego.com
"A state commission voted Thursday to spend about $400 million in trade corridor bond money on San Diego area projects at Otay Mesa, San Ysidro and the port."
Higher state tax on beer?
From: www.mercurynews.com
"Joe Six-pack will have to pay a lot more to get his buzz on if Assemblyman Jim Beall has his way. The San Jose Democrat on Thursday proposed raising the beer tax by $1.80 per six-pack, or 30 cents per can or bottle. The current tax is 2 cents per can. That's an increase of about 1,500 percent."
Problems found in software of slots
From: www.signonsandiego.com
"California's first inspection of slot machines at Indian casinos has found widespread software lapses that could be short-changing tribes, the state and millions of gamblers, the state's gambling commission warns in a new report."
Assembly panel backs tighter limits on gifts to legislators
From: www.sacbee.com
"Hold the "Bah, humbug." Legislators didn't kill the Capitol's "Scrooge" bill Thursday after all. Surprising even the measure's author, the Assembly elections committee supported restricting special interests from giving tens of thousands of dollars in gifts to state politicians and officials each year."
California Assembly mum on golden-handshake offers to aides
From: www.sacbee.com
"In the wake of claims by Assemblyman Hector De La Torre that taxpayers could be ripped off by golden handshakes offered by the Assembly recently, the lower house has decided to keep its data secret."
State to put a cork in 'blue law'
From: www.rockymountainnews.com
"Seventy-five years after the end of Prohibition, Colorado is set to repeal a Prohibition-era "blue law" banning Sunday liquor sales."
Big boost for public workers unions
From: www.rockymountainnews.com
"The unions that pushed the hardest for Gov. Bill Ritter's executive order granting them a larger voice in state government could soon see a nearly fourfold increase in membership."
Blue law will fade to black
From: www.denverpost.com
"Gov. Bill Ritter has pledged to sign a bill allowing Sunday liquor sales -- a move that prompted a threat of a ballot initiative from retailers who stand to lose money."
U.S. Senate passes Platte River recovery bill
From: www.journalstar.com
"DENVER - The U.S. Senate has approved $157 million to help carry out a three-state agreement to manage the Platte River to accommodate endangered species and the growing number of cities and farmers using the river."
AG - Homebuyers not at fault in lending schemes
From: www.theday.com
"Cromwell, Conn. - A predatory lending scheme in New London is the ?poster child? for a diseased lending industry, Attorney General Richard Blumenthal said Thursday."
Bill gives notice for utility shut offs
From: www.delawareonline.com
"No one in Delaware will ever have their utilities shut off without 14 days written notice, under a bill introduced Thursday in the state House of Representatives."
Report may doom offshore wind farm
From: www.delawareonline.com
"Delaware should kill a 25-year purchase proposal for offshore wind energy, according to a draft report prepared for a legislative committee reviewing the state's energy supply."
Disney giving special 'FastPasses' to politicians, VIPs
From: www.sun-sentinel.com
"LAKE BUENA VISTA, Fla. - Politicians and other VIPs can receive special passes that let them cut in line at popular rides at Walt Disney World.
"
Legislators ready budget axe - Schools, Everglades, sports teams
From: www.sun-sentinel.com
"The Florida House, fractured along party lines, on Thursday approved a trimmed-down $65.1 billion state budget, setting the stage for a contentious showdown with the Senate over how best to spread the pain of billions in program cuts."
Senator takes aim at leaders of property-insurance changes
From: www.palmbeachpost.com
"What does it take to stand up to the powerful designated Senate president and the influential leader of the Senate Democrats and try to derail their bipartisan bill? Standing 6 feet 8 inches might not hurt. But hurling a few insults doesn't really help. Sen. Al Lawson, D-Tallahassee, a former college basketball player, on Thursday continued blasting the insurance changes proposed by Sen. Jeff Atwater, R-North Palm Beach, and Sen. Steve Geller, D-Cooper City."
Lottery games continue to fall short
From: www.miamiherald.com
"A bad bet by Florida Lottery officials -- to start a series of new games in the middle of a likely recession -- is turning into another round of cuts in the Legislature's schools budget."
Legislators look at ways to spur economy
From: www.miamiherald.com
"As the economy slides further toward recession, lawmakers in Tallahassee are busy crafting proposals to spur growth and draw new businesses to Florida, even as they face pressure to scale back incentives because of budget restraints."
'Sugar train' outruns the budget ax
From: www.miamiherald.com
"About Face is a small 11-year-old mentoring program held in National Guard armories across the state in which teenagers are taught ''life skills'' in small groups and warned about drugs and smoking. If House Republicans have their way, the program will be scuttled by this summer, a victim of Florida's sagging tax collections."
Bill limits Citizens increases
From: www.miamiherald.com
"An insurance bill making its way through the Senate now provides a small break for homeowners covered by the state-run insurer but ramps up regulation for private insurers operating in Florida."
Lawmaker - State's treasure could ease budget mess
From: www.miamiherald.com
"As legislators scramble for cash in the worst budget crisis they've ever faced, tens of millions of dollars in treasure lies just within their reach outside the Capitol. This is real treasure -- the kind hauled up from sunken Spanish ships. "
Florida House approves spending plan
From: floridacapitalnews.com
"The hunt for up to $5 billion in painful budget cuts began in earnest today after the House passed a $65.1 billion spending plan that differs from the Senate by about $800 million."
House vote could jeopardize bonds for Orlando Magic arena
From: www.orlandosentinel.com
"The first bonds issued to help finance Orlando's new arena would be in jeopardy if a long-shot budget amendment makes it through the Legislature."
Guns-to-work opponents pressure Crist
From: www.tampabay.com
"Alarmed by passage of a bill allowing people to bring guns to work, opponents on Thursday huddled with a powerful constitutional lawyer and put pressure on Gov. Charlie Crist to veto the measure. "
Georgia legislators bring the money home
From: www.ajc.com
"In a year in which lawmakers had to tighten the state's fiscal belt because of the slowing economy, one category of spending wasn't forced onto a diet."
Local projects add up to millions in state budget
From: www.ajc.com
"Lawmakers struggled to come up with a $21 billion budget for the upcoming fiscal year because tax revenues are slowing due to the sluggish economy. However, they approved funding millions of dollars in local projects, including:"
Georgia patients' records exposed on Web for weeks
From: www.nytimes.com
"ATLANTA - A company hired by the State of Georgia to administer health benefits for low-income patients is sending letters to notify tens of thousands of residents that their private records were exposed on the Internet for nearly seven weeks before the error was caught and corrected, a company spokeswoman said on Thursday."
Bill attempts to influence development near transit
From: starbulletin.com
"Developers of affordable housing, elder care and community service centers would get tax breaks if they build along the city's transit lines, according to a bill moving through the state Legislature."
DCI agents learn the art of the deal at casino training facility
From: www.qctimes.com
"The card tables had fresh felt, the poker chips looked newly minted with unique insignia and the players leaned over the craps table, watching a pair of flying dice. All that was missing at the so-called Royal Diaz Casino were cocktail waitresses and a waft of smoke in the air."
Some say Iowa smoking laws will destroy small businesses
From: www.qctimes.com
"Sitting at the bar of Scott?s Shovelhead Shed in Davenport, Dan Hunsucker is the only one not smoking.
"
Otter promotes interim director to lead Commerce Department
From: www.idahostatesman.com
"Gov. C.L. "Butch" Otter has named Don Dietrich to be the next head of the Commerce Department."
Judge admonishes government witness in Rezko corruption trial
From: www.dailyherald.com
"Defense attorney Joseph Duffy isn't the only one getting annoyed by Stuart Levine."
House unanimously OKs 'Strezo bill'
From: www.southtownstar.com
"Legislation inspired by a Frankfort cancer victim's battle for insurance coverage is receiving strong support in Springfield."
Levine banned from downtown hotel
From: www.dailyherald.com
"Swissotel Chicago announced Thursday that Stuart Levine has been banned from the hotel, but it may be a moot issue."
Lawyer puts on clinic for colleagues
From: www.chicagotribune.com
"For six days now, veteran defense attorney Joseph Duffy has been on the attack with both humor and scorn, disarmingly polite one moment and jabbing with sarcasm the next."
Patients rate their hospital care
From: www.chicagotribune.com
"Illinois hospital patients routinely deal with uncommunicative doctors, harried nurses, incessant noise, grimy rooms and staff who don't tell them things they need to know, according to the first national effort to evaluate the quality of care in hospitals from the perspective of patients, not medical experts."
Rezko's wife under fire for board attendance
From: www.dailyherald.com
"The corruption trial of Tony Resko is providing new insight into how political appointments are made to many obscure boards and commissions in the state."
Hastert pushes massive state public works program
From: www.dailyherald.com
"Former House Speaker Dennis Hastert advised suburban business leaders Thursday to take the lead in lobbying for a capital construction project to mend and improve the state's infrastructure."
Board - Investor's links to casino 'benign'
From: cjonline.com
"A review board Thursday decided ties between an investor in a proposed Wyandotte County casino and a gambling consultant hired by the state don't rise to a level warranting more than public disclosure of the relationship."
High court set stage for coal ruling, Bremby says
From: www.kansas.com
"The state regulator who blocked two coal-fired power plants in southwest Kansas believes the science about global warming backs him up but says it still wasn't the main justification for his decision."
Louisiana fishers pay price for leniency elsewhere
From: www.nola.com
"Less than a year after approving strict fishing regulations meant to rejuvenate the Gulf's red snapper population, federal fisheries regulators had the issue back in their laps Thursday after two Gulf states chose not to set similar rules in their own waters."
Fix files or face fine, state tells ICF
From: www.nola.com
"The state has given Road Home contractor ICF International two weeks to correct errors or provide missing documentation in 607 homeowner grant files or the company will face a $3.3 million fine. The company responded that it has achieved a strong accuracy rate in closing 90,000 files."
Debate begins on bill to overhaul Labor Department
From: www.2theadvocate.com
"Gov. Bobby Jindal's headliner legislation took its first step Thursday when a Senate committee approved a complex bill that would restructure the state Labor Department and worker training programs."
Insurance bills die in committee
From: www.2theadvocate.com
"A House committee shelved two bills Thursday that would require private insurance companies to write homeowners' policies equal to the state's insurer of last resort in coastal parishes."
Bill requiring insurers to cover statewide fails
From: www.nola.com
"A House committee gave a swift death Thursday to a bill that would require insurance companies that write homeowners policies anywhere in Louisiana to write policies in all parts of the state at rates not to exceed those charged by the state-run insurer of last resort."
Cape employers left scrambling
From: www.boston.com
"Facing a looming labor shortage at their busiest time of year because of the standoff in Congress over immigration policy, seasonal businesses on Cape Cod, Nantucket, and Martha's Vineyard are scouring distant states and nearby cities for workers."
Critics blast MBTA's costly pension plan
From: www.bostonherald.com
"Fed-up critics of the MBTA's lucrative and secretive pension program are demanding that Beacon Hill pols jump off the payroll-perk wagon and slash the authority's cash loopholes."
Homeland Security approves new Mass. emergency communication plan
From: www.bostonherald.com
"The federal government has approved Massachusetts' advanced communications plan for first responders, and released grants worth nearly $21 million to implement it."
Sal?s No. 2 raked in felons? cash
From: www.bostonherald.com
"House Speaker Sal DiMasi?s second-in-command, Rep. Thomas Petrolati - a driving force behind major legislation on Beacon Hill - has accepted thousands in campaign contributions from reputed mobsters, bookmakers and a who?s who of corrupt Springfield pols, a Herald review has found."
Mass. House OK's big tax hikes
From: www.boston.com
"House lawmakers last night gave approval to $392 million in tax increases for smokers and the state's largest corporations, providing Governor Deval Patrick with a major political victory while drawing fire from business leaders."
Female crabs could get a break
From: www.hometownannapolis.com
"Commercial crabbers and seafood packers could be in for a tough year, as the state considers mid-season changes to the blue crab harvest."
After a long slog, session comes to a close
From: gazette.net
"On the surface, Gov. Martin O'Malley had a triumphant 2008 legislative session."
Homeowners join officials at forum on foreclosures
From: www.washingtonpost.com
"More than 200 people packed a Prince George's County elementary school cafeteria last night to address a surge of foreclosures in the county and to examine ways to help homeowners in danger of losing their homes. "
Crabbers fear new female catch limits
From: www.nytimes.com
"ANNAPOLIS, Md. - Maryland crabbers worry they'll go out of business because of deep cuts to the harvest being considered by state fishery regulators amid dangerously low numbers of blue crabs in the Chesapeake Bay."
State's investing rules targeted
From: kennebecjournal.mainetoday.com
"A Republican state senator is proposing to tighten the state's policies in the wake of a $20 million investment that the state has yet to recover."
Statewide building code proposed
From: bangornews.com
"The House is expected to take up a bill today that proposes to replace the myriad of town building and energy codes with a uniform, statewide code."
Rail bypass jumps hurdles
From: www.thetimesherald.com
"After more than 10 years of action at every level of government -- as well as some movement in the private sector -- several million dollars is on the way to St. Clair County."
Emissions a threat to hunters
From: www.detnews.com
"WASHINGTON -- Leading "hook and bullet" groups unveiled a report Thursday that warns climate change threatens not only fish and wildlife habitat but the future of hunting and fishing."
Emotional talks for cancer study, but veto in way
From: www.in-forum.com
"ST. PAUL, Minn. - Minnesota state representatives voted 88-45 Thursday to fund an Iron Range cancer study, but Gov. Tim Pawlenty threatens to veto the bill because it would take money from a fund filled by most Minnesota businesses."
Help for Aquila advances in Missouri House
From: www.kansascity.com
"A House panel voted 6-5 Thursday to approve legislation that would let Aquila avoid dismantling the Cass County power plant it built in violation of local zoning laws."
Billions of barrels of oil may lie under Northern Plains
From: www.nytimes.com
"An area of shale and other rock in North Dakota and Montana is estimated to hold the largest potential oil resources in the 48 contiguous states, according to an assessment released Thursday by the United States Geological Survey."
One wolf killed in Montana since delisting
From: www.helenair.com
"GREAT FALLS, Mont. -- One wolf has been reported killed on a southwest Montana ranch since grey wolves lost federal protection late last month, state wildlife officials said."
Worker retention debated
From: www.in-forum.com
"With thousands of jobs going begging, North Dakota business people and state lawmakers have been considering proposals to bring more workers into the state, and coax those who are already here to stay."
More claims in question than thought
From: www.in-forum.com
"A state auditor is digging to determine whether North Dakota injured workers' claims were inappropriately denied in numbers far higher than suggested in the main body of a recent consultant's report."
It's a gusher
From: www.in-forum.com
"The Bakken Formation in North Dakota and Montana has 3 billion to 4.3 billion barrels of recoverable oil, 25 times more than previously estimated, a federal agency said Thursday."
Bill to aid recycling electronic equipment
From: www.omaha.com
"Got a stack of junked computer equipment sitting in your closet because you can't figure out where to get rid of it? Next year, the state could start charging electronics manufacturers a substantial recycling fee to develop ways to safely dispose of old computers and TV sets."
Lawmakers kill workers' comp bill
From: www.journalstar.com
"Emergency responders who suffer mental illness after witnessing a violent act shouldn't plan on getting workers' compensation benefits."
Lynch stands firm on Pledge
From: www.unionleader.com
"Gov. John Lynch said yesterday he's sticking to his pledge to veto any sales or income tax, after critics said he left the door open this week to new taxes."
Corzine defends budget to mayors
From: www.northjersey.com
"Governor Corzine isn't budging on a state budget that is frustrating legislators, municipal officials and special-interest groups because it calls for widespread spending cuts.
"
Corzine tells mayors he's staying with aid-cutting plan
From: www.philly.com
"ATLANTIC CITY - Gov. Corzine yesterday dashed hopes of New Jersey mayors that he might relent in his plan to slash state aid to local governments."
New Jersey is a leading liberal state
From: www.philly.com
"Paid family leave. The abolition of the death penalty. An apology for slavery. Any way you look at it, New Jersey appears to be forging a new path for liberal public policy-making nationwide."
$$ for gays and dolls
From: www.nypost.com
"Among the hundreds of dubious pork-barrel projects larded into the just-completed state budget is a group devoted to quilt-making, a doll museum and a "gay day" in the Catskills, The Post has learned. There's also cash for synchronized swimmers, rowers in Syracuse and onion research at Cornell University."
Gas plant in L.I. Sound is rejected
From: www.nytimes.com
"In his first major policy decision on the environment, Gov. David A. Paterson on Thursday blocked the nation's first floating liquefied natural gas plant, which had been proposed for Long Island Sound. "
'Reform' of bid law affects few projects
From: www.timesunion.com
"New York lawmakers have reformed a decades-old law that drove up local property taxes by requiring state and local governments to pay for multiple construction contracts on most public works projects."
A little extra for legislators to hand out
From: www.nytimes.com
"Times are tight in New York, state officials say. A recession is looming. Tax receipts are dwindling. Spending must be restrained."
Foreclosure hitting affluent Ohio counties, too
From: www.cleveland.com
"Ohio's foreclosure problem has been largely viewed as an urban phenomenon but some of the biggest increases in foreclosure filings last year occurred in the state's more affluent counties, a report released Thursday shows."
Ohio senator offers way to end his opposition to pact that would prevent Great Lakes water sales
From: www.toledoblade.com
"CLEVELAND - The Ohio state senator who has been blocking a multi-state agreement to prevent Great Lakes water from being diverted to parched states said he'll drop his opposition under one condition."
Payday lending bill gets big push from Democrats
From: www.cleveland.com
"House Democrats on Thursday united behind a proposed 36 percent interest rate cap on payday loans and asked Republican Speaker Jon Husted for a vote on the measure."
Latest electricity reform bill leaves all sides in the dark
From: blog.cleveland.com
"The latest proposal for regulating electricity in Ohio left utilities, manufacturers and consumer advocates unsure who would make out and who might get stuck."
Governor says Ohio must promote own jobs stimulus plan, energy bill
From: www.toledoblade.com
"Gov. Ted Strickland took advantage of an invitation to Toledo yesterday to drum up support for his new bipartisan $1.57 billion jobs stimulus package and his energy-restructuring bill."
New Oregon law hits ctrl-alt-del on e-waste
From: www.oregonlive.com
"Let's say you've got your eye on a high-powered computer system. Or you're making plans to spend that federal tax rebate on a new digital television. The products look exciting, but you don't want your used set or computer monitor to wind up in a landfill."
Light rail's hard sale to candidates
From: www.pennlive.com
"Commuter rail will not cross the Susquehanna River if seven out of eight candidates for the state House seat representing much of the West Shore have their way."
Disputed billboard put on hold by mayor
From: www.post-gazette.com
"Mayor Luke Ravenstahl ordered a halt to construction of a Downtown billboard yesterday while a national advertising firm assailed City Council for challenging the billboard and the city Urban Redevelopment Authority triggered a state ethics investigation of its top man over his relationship with an executive at the ad firm."
Pa. given capitalist advice on tolls
From: www.philly.com
"Pennsylvania should make wholesale changes to its request for federal approval to add tolls to I-80 and pursue a private lease for the Pennsylvania Turnpike, according to a study released yesterday."
Perzel, Evans trade barbs over bill to add police
From: www.philly.com
"After three high-profile attacks on SEPTA subway riders in 10 days, Republican State Rep. John M. Perzel demanded that his Democratic colleague Dwight Evans release a bill that would put 1,300 more police officers on Philadelphia streets."
Pa. Gaming Control Board plans to part the veil on casino licensing
From: www.philly.com
"Seeking to counter criticism that they are too secretive, state gambling regulators said yesterday that they had approved a change in the casino-licensing process to allow public disclosure of as much information about an applicant as possible."
Checks to legislators probed
From: www.post-gazette.com
"The Pennsylvania attorney general is investigating a former legislator's claim that he and three other lawmakers received $5,000 checks at a 2005 meeting from a company owned by a casino owner currently facing perjury charges."
Pa. Treasury primary race is mostly low-profile
From: www.philly.com
"With Pennsylvania's presidential primary capturing all the attention, it might be easy for Democratic voters to overlook a four-way race for the party's nod to be the next state treasurer. It's an obscure job, but one with great responsibility that includes investing billions in tax dollars."
Bill would require verification of new hires' citizenship status
From: www.projo.com
"The General Assembly this week heard testimony on 17 immigration bills. Just one of them is expected to move forward."
Senate holds off taking a vote on overnight gambling
From: www.projo.com
"Heading into a one-week recess, Senate leaders yesterday took their cue from the House and put a 24-hour gambling proposal on hold."
Private-employee contracts come under Senate microscope
From: www.projo.com
"Having already issued a report skewering the Carcieri administration?s award of a multimillion-dollar, no-bid contract to a fledgling Foxboro company to supply hundreds of privately employed state workers, a Senate investigating committee yesterday recommended a package of bills aimed at heading off a repeat occurrence."
Painter withdraws name from consideration for workers' comp board
From: www.goupstate.com
"Columbia attorney Samuel Painter has withdrawn his name from consideration for a term on the state's Workers' Compensation Commission."
More jobs coming to Pierre
From: www.rapidcityjournal.com
"Gov. Mike Rounds says negotiations are under way to have a private firm update the computer system for the state's Medicaid-payment program."
Order halting funeral firm is finally public
From: www.star-telegram.com
"National Prearranged Services, which has prepaid funeral contracts with 39,000 Texans, has been ordered to stop selling in Texas, state officials announced this week."
New prison board chair
From: www.statesman.com
"Austin businessman Oliver Bell has been named chairman of the Texas prison system's governing board, likely the first African-American ever to hold the post and the first Austinite in decades."
Company told to stop selling fake driver's licenses to immigrants
From: www.dallasnews.com
"A Texas judge on Thursday ordered a company to stop selling fake driver's licenses to illegal immigrants. "
O'Malley backs U.S. aid for foreclosures
From: www.baltimoresun.com
"Gov. Martin O'Malley appeared on Capitol Hill yesterday to urge passage of legislation that would direct federal dollars to augment state efforts to deal with a growing foreclosure crisis."
States can't fix housing crisis alone, O'Malley tells Congress
From: www.journalism.umd.edu
"WASHINGTON - Gov. Martin O'Malley told House members Thursday that the Maryland General Assembly worked this spring to stem the tide of future foreclosures, but homeowners in trouble now need federal rescue."
Vote cancels commercial salmon fishing
From: www.statesmanjournal.com
"SEATAC, Wash. -- West Coast fisheries managers voted Thursday to cancel all commercial salmon fishing off the California and Oregon coasts this year."
From welfare shift in ?96, a reminder for Clinton
From: www.nytimes.com
"In the summer of 1996, President Bill Clinton delivered on his pledge to "end welfare as we know it." Despite howls of protest from some liberals, he signed into law a bill forcing recipients to work and imposing a five-year limit on cash assistance."
Lobbyists' reports disclose gifts to lawmakers
From: deseretnews.com
"When Paul Patrick, a state Department of Health director, was offered tickets to a couple of Utah Jazz games earlier this year by the head of the Utah Hospital Association, he said he didn't think twice about passing them along to co-workers."
Lawmakers raked in $110K in lobbyist gifts so far in 2008
From: www.sltrib.com
"The head of Utah's emergency services program apparently violated a state policy prohibiting executive branch officials from taking lobbyist gifts when he accepted tickets to two Utah Jazz games from a health care lobbyist."
Off endangered list, gray wolves now subject to Utah management plan
From: www.sltrib.com
"Utah wildlife managers have decided after all to activate the state's wolf management plan now that the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service has taken gray wolves off the endangered species list in certain Western regions."
Tax rebate plan -- Spend it here, help local firms
From: www.timesargus.com
"Keep it in Vermont. That's the message from an online campaign urging Vermonters to spend their economic stimulus checks locally, on Vermont farms, businesses, and nonprofits."
Signs point to foreclosure trouble in Vt.
From: www.rutlandherald.com
"Vermont has ? so far ? dodged the worst of the subprime mortgage mess. But there is at least one major sign that says that could be changing."
Subprime problems begin to surface in Vermont
From: www.timesargus.com
"Vermont so far has dodged the worst of the subprime mortgage mess."
Salmon 'emergency' spawns new limits
From: seattlepi.nwsource.com
"SEATAC, Wash. - Calling flagging numbers of salmon an emergency, federal fisheries managers slapped unprecedented restrictions Thursday on West Coast salmon fishing. "
Capito on front lines of housing crisis in more ways than one
From: hosted.ap.org
"U.S. Representative Shelley Moore Capito may end up with firsthand knowledge of the effects from Wall Street's banking crisis."
Turning up the spigot
From: www.trib.com
"Wyoming marked its 10th straight year of record natural gas production in 2007, thanks primarily to just three gas fields in the state."
States think smaller, slower on immigration
From: www.stateline.org
"The headlong rush of states into immigration policy may be slowing. So far this spring, ambitious proposals in state capitols have been watered down, delayed or outright defeated."
In Northern Rockies, wolves raising howls
From: www.stateline.org
"A recent decision by the federal government to lift protections for gray wolves living in Idaho, Montana and Wyoming means the three states now are responsible for managing the animals — and inherit a years-old debate between conservationists and ranchers over what should be done with them."
Fed plan would shrink states' powers
From: www.stateline.org
"Some state officials see the federal government’s plan to overhaul the country’s financial regulatory systems as an intrusion on their powers to enforce state laws, and state regulators warn that it could carry grave consequences for consumers."
States lead feds in toy safety
From: www.stateline.org
"Reacting to an increase in toy recalls and consumer complaints, 29 states have pursued legislation that in some way regulates toy safety. The toy industry, meanwhile, says abiding by such a wide range of laws is challenging."
The economic downturn: an opportunity for governors?
From: www.stateline.org
"Most governors recognize that they have the best political job in America. Most also would concede that the job is more satisfying when the economy is strong and revenues are growing than during an economic downturn, when cutting budgets becomes the major task. But even a recession can present opportunities for governors to make improvements that yield lasting benefits for their states."
Tight budgets, rising costs squeeze states
From: www.stateline.org
"
Like an American tourist in Europe, states are seeing their dollars just don’t go as far as they used to. Not only was the amount of tax revenue states collected during the fourth quarter of 2007 the weakest in almost five years, but for the first time since the 1990s, inflation for state and local governments grew substantially faster than for the economy as a whole, according to new data released March 31.
"
Ariz., Fla. duel for spring training role
From: www.stateline.org
"
ST. PETERSBURG, Fla - Local pride and the possibility of economic benefits are at stake as Arizona and Florida slug it out to attract teams for the annual six-week ritual of spring training. But whether the games generate enough extra money to boost the local economy is debatable."
WORTH NOTING: Gov targeted in critic's galaxy
From: www.stateline.org
"
A New Jersey mayor shifts his aim from a planet to a politician. California’s budget troubles are as bad as what? And a problem gambler gets more help than he wanted to kick the habit. In case you missed any of those stories this week, “Worth Noting” fills you in.
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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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