New York State would collect tax for online purchases
From: www.newsday.com
"A new state law requires out-of-state Internet retailers such as Amazon.com to begin collecting sales tax on purchases made in New York State.
"
'Hannah Montana ban' is a hit at Capitol
From: www.startribune.com
"Rep. Joe Atkins readily grants that a bill to ban ticket-hoarding software is not in the same league as, say, health care or tax reform. But it mattered to the Gearhart sisters of Oakdale, and that was good enough for him."
Californians to get a full year to claim Mega Millions prizes
From: www.latimes.com
"Californians who keep their winning Mega Millions lottery tickets in their sock drawers will soon get an additional six months to dig them out and cash them in."
Governor says Alabama Senate must start working
From: www.tuscaloosanews.com
"The Alabama Senate needs to end a long-running filibuster over a Macon County gambling bill and get to work on issues affecting the entire state, Gov. Bob Riley said Wednesday."
Alabama on short list for U.S. assembly site for Volkswagen
From: www.al.com
"Alabama is again in the hunt for an automotive assembly plant, this time vying against Michigan and Tennessee as a site for a potential U.S. factory for Volkswagen."
Riley prods Senate to act on legislation
From: www.accessmontgomery.com
"The Alabama Senate needs to end a long-running filibuster over a Macon County gambling bill and get to work on issues affecting the entire state, Gov. Bob Riley said Wednesday."
Ark. anti-lottery group to provide church sermon outlines
From: www.thedailycitizen.com
"The so-called Truth Campaign against a proposed Arkansas lottery will start from church pulpits, as opponents prepare to distribute church sermon outlines to pastors and bulletin tracts against the measure."
Group launches campaign against lottery scholarship initiative
From: www.arkansasnews.com
"Opponents of a proposed state lottery for college scholarships began their so-called "Truth Campaign" on Wednesday, initially focusing on churches and some 10,000 church-goers in a grassroots effort to defeat Lt. Gov. Bill Halter's proposed constitutional amendment.
"
Workers' compensation in Arkansas to fall 12.9 percent in July
From: www.arkansasnews.com
"Workers' compensation rates will fall 12.8 percent on July 1, Arkansas Insurance Commissioner Julie Benafield Bowman announced Wednesday."
Arkansas, Oklahoma should cooperate where possible, river official says
From: www.arkansasnews.com
"FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. -- Arkansas and Oklahoma could save money and get better results if they combined their water monitoring efforts and should consider the move despite the Oklahoma attorney general's lawsuit against Arkansas' poultry industry, a member of the Oklahoma Scenic Rivers Commission said Wednesday.
"
Napolitano defends bypassing lawmakers on vehicle emissions
From: www.azstarnet.com
"Gov. Janet Napolitano defended her decision Wednesday to impose new carbon dioxide emission standards for cars and trucks by rule, rather than asking state lawmakers to do it."
State blasts emissions proposal
From: www.mercurynews.com
"Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger's top air pollution regulator Wednesday denounced the federal government's proposal to demand higher fuel efficiency in new cars because a 24-word passage written into the Bush administration's 417-page plan would block California's aggressive efforts to enact its own emissions standards.
"
Bill signed in bid to end lotto game controversy
From: www.mercurynews.com
"Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger signed a bill Wednesday ending a four-year legal battle over the constitutionality of California's participation in multi-state Mega Millions lotto.
"
Task force recommends new set of marine protected areas
From: www.sacbee.com
"SAN RAFAEL, Calif. -- A task force created by Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger has proposed creating a new set of marine protected areas off the California coast where fishing would be banned or restricted.
"
California's patience running on empty over proposed U.S. fuel rules
From: www.sacbee.com
"President Bush's popularity may have sunk to a new low this week in Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger's office as it discovered the language deep within new federal fuel economy standards released on Earth Day.
"
Oil-tax backers turn to public
From: www.denverpost.com
"A final proposal to raise taxes on the oil-and-gas industry in Colorado will most likely go to the ballot through a citizen initiative and not come out of the legislature, a state lawmaker said Wednesday."
Gold prices create mining resurgence
From: www.denverpost.com
"Modern-day prospectors are hitting the hills of Colorado in a resurgent gold rush prompted by heady prices for the precious metal."
House gives initial OK to bill on tenant rights
From: www.denverpost.com
"The House on Wednesday gave initial approval to a bill giving apartment dwellers in Colorado more rights, an effort that has failed repeatedly in past legislative sessions."
Eight cancer clusters discovered in Delaware
From: www.delawareonline.com
"Residents of eight areas in Delaware get cancer at abnormally high rates, state public health officials concluded in a study to be made public today."
House bills promote financial transparency
From: www.delawareonline.com
"Five measures designed to promote financial transparency and open government were cleared Wednesday by a House committee, despite concerns about the cost of implementing some of them."
State to draw on reserves to plug some budget holes
From: floridacapitalnews.com
"Republican House and Senate leaders announced Wednesday they would blunt some of the steepest proposed budget cuts to health care programs by diverting $300 million from state reserve funds.
"
House lobs property-tax cuts at unwilling Senate
From: www.orlandosentinel.com
"Florida legislators are poised to finish the 2008 session next week without writing a second act to the property-tax cuts they passed last year.
"
State panel set for vote on putting tax swap on Nov. ballot
From: www.miamiherald.com
"The state's tax commission is set for a final vote on whether to put a tax swap proposal on the November ballot."
Florida tax swap plan to come up for vote
From: www.tampabay.com
"Voters will likely still get a chance in November to eliminate most school property taxes in favor of a higher sales tax under a plan that comes up for a final vote before a powerful commission today."
House OK's 'catchy' proposals
From: www.miamiherald.com
"With a wink and nod, the House approved two proposed constitutional amendments Wednesday to ask voters to drastically cut taxes in Florida -- knowing a reluctant Senate won't go along because it wants to wait until the billions of tax cuts made last year take effect.
"
Florida's budget squeeze easing
From: www.miamiherald.com
"Court filing fees might rise. A program to help stranded motorists will stick around. And some of the poorest and sickest Floridians won't get their services cut -- for now."
House votes to put tax cap on ballot
From: floridacapitalnews.com
"In what amounts to little more than an election-year statement, the House voted 79-38 on Wednesday to put a sweeping government revenue cap on the November ballot. But it faces almost certain death in the Senate, where there is little appetite for more debate about government revenue caps and property tax cuts.
"
Lawmakers delay vote on Turtle Bay purchase
From: starbulletin.com
"The state administration probably will summon lawmakers back into special session when it reaches an agreement to buy Turtle Bay to stop a proposed development."
House unlikely to fight Lingle veto of union bill
From: starbulletin.com
"Gov. Linda Lingle's veto of a bill that would streamline the union certification process is expected to stand."
Senate votes to set up training for Des Moines-area bar bouncers
From: www.radioiowa.com
"The mother of a Des Moines man who died in a scuffle with bar bouncers watched the Iowa Senate approve a bill that'd start a program to train bouncers."
TouchPlay case likely to go to trial
From: www.desmoinesregister.com
"Negotiations to settle a high-stakes lawsuit over the Iowa Lottery's ill-fated TouchPlay game have failed, and the case appears headed for trial this fall in Polk County."
Senate approves bouncer bill
From: www.desmoinesregister.com
"High-occupancy bars in Polk County would have to train at least one bouncer in anger management and techniques for safely removing people from the establishment, under a proposal state lawmakers are considering."
State using up cash from tobacco lawsuit
From: www.desmoinesregister.com
"Iowa has spent nearly all of the bonanza it gained from suing tobacco companies in the 1990s."
Impeachment talk targeting gov heats up - 2 Dems
From: www.suntimes.com
"The impeachment drumbeat at the Statehouse grew louder Wednesday, a day after the blockbuster accusation by a former state official that he got his state job after pouring money into Gov. Blagojevich's campaign fund -- including a $25,000 check in an envelope he presented to the governor. (Also see:IL: Feds--Witness says Rezko tried to oust Fitzgerald)"
Now or never for 'pay-to-play' bill, say reformers
From: www.stltoday.com
"Illinois legislators are going to reach agreement on a long-stalled plan to crack down on "pay-to-play" politics by next week, or not at all, backers of the proposal predicted Wednesday."
Trial begins for corrections expert accused of scheme to bribe ex-prisons chief in Illinois
From: www.chicagotribune.com
"A nationally known corrections expert took part in a scheme to pay about $20,000 in bribes to Illinois' former top prison official to get lucrative state contracts for his lobbying clients, prosecutors argued Wednesday in federal court.
"
$5 billion a year needed to maintain Illinois roads and bridges, experts say
From: www.chicagotribune.com
"Illinois needs to invest at least $5 billion a year in additional funding just to maintain its roads, bridges, transit systems and airports, experts told a bipartisan panel grappling with the problem of the state's crumbling infrastructure Wednesday."
O'Hare Airport expansion deadline moved to 2014 to beat Olympic rush
From: www.chicagotribune.com
"Chicago says it is aggressively working to complete the expansion of delay-plagued O'Hare International Airport in 2014?two years before the city hopes to be hosting the Olympic Games."
EPA to keep watch over demolition
From: www.sj-r.com
"State environmental officials plan to monitor work at the former Cargill/Pillsbury plant after tests determined several years ago there is asbestos at the site."
Jobs central issue for Clinton in Indiana
From: www.post-gazette.com
"INDIANAPOLIS -- Looking ahead to Indiana after her win in Tuesday's Pennsylvania primary, Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton indicated yesterday that Hoosier voters can expect to hear much more about her plans to revitalize the economy and keep and attract good jobs."
Group targeting candidates on trade
From: www.indystar.com
"WASHINGTON -- A manufacturing group is launching a campaign in Indiana to pressure the presidential candidates to address the nation's trade deficit with China."
House gives preliminary approval of bill affecting Aquila power plant
From: www.kansascity.com
"The Missouri House gave preliminary approval Wednesday to legislation that would allow Aquila Inc. to avoid dismantling the Cass County power plant built in violation of local zoning laws."
State could go from being in black to deep in red in about a year
From: cjonline.com
"As numerous states around the country face budget shortfalls this year, Kansas is operating in the black."
Fired state worker gets job, cash settlement
From: www.courier-journal.com
"A former Transportation Cabinet worker who was allegedly fired during the Fletcher administration for blowing the whistle in the merit system scandal has settled with the state for $500,000 and a new state job."
Jindal urged to block Garyville vote
From: www.nola.com
"In the 200-year history of St. John the Baptist Parish, no community has ever seceded from the parish to become an incorporated town. President Bill Hubbard and other parish officials are trying to keep it that way. They are asking Gov. Bobby Jindal to throw out a petition to incorporate the town of Garyville."
Business survey pans La. courts
From: www.nola.com
"Louisiana has dropped a notch to No. 49 in the latest annual assessment of business perceptions of legal climates among the 50 states, according to a U.S. Chamber of Commerce survey released Wednesday."
Gambling bet pays off
From: www.bostonherald.com
"Eat your heart out, Massachusetts. Every Pennsylvania homeowner will be getting a 10 percent tax rebate check this summer because of the Keystone State?s approval of casino gambling. And pro-casino lawmakers here say Massachusetts homeowners could - and should - be enjoying a similar tax break.
"
Report - State should adopt low carbon standard for fuels
From: www.bostonherald.com
"Top officials on Beacon Hill say Massachusetts should become the second state in the country to adopt a so-called "low carbon fuel standard," setting limits on the amount of greenhouse gas emissions"
Tax measure could cost state millions
From: www.boston.com
"Governor Deval Patrick's quest to tighten corporate tax laws and reap hundreds of millions of dollars in new revenue might be undermined by a last-minute amendment providing new offshore tax breaks that was tacked onto the legislation by the House, according to state officials."
Wind farm plan reduced
From: www.baltimoresun.com
"A wind farm developer is shrinking a proposal to build turbines in Western Maryland, making the project small enough to be exempt from a major environmental review."
Franchot likens Maryland politics to corrupt Tammany Hall
From: www.hometownannapolis.com
"State Comptroller Peter Franchot denied his tussles with state leaders are about positioning himself to run for governor, and insisted yesterday that he takes sides on an issue's merits, despite an Annapolis political culture comparable to the legendary, and corrupt, Tammany Hall."
Crabbers consider legal actions
From: www.hometownannapolis.com
"Frustrated watermen in both Maryland and Virginia have hired lawyers to explore their legal options, as both states move to sharply restrict the Chesapeake Bay crab harvest."
Business groups considering people's veto to overturn taxes on beer, wine and soda
From: kennebecjournal.mainetoday.com
"Leaders from various business groups may launch a people's veto effort to overturn recently enacted taxes on beer, wine and soda."
State says workers needed
From: bangornews.com
"Maine businesses may have trouble filling positions in the future, according to a study from the state's labor department."
UMS to stay competitive via Internet 2
From: bangornews.com
"ELLSWORTH, Maine - The University of Maine System has hired a Maine company to help provide the state's universities and The Jackson Laboratory with the broadband Internet capacity they say they need to stay competitive with research and education institutions worldwide."
Student loan plan dropped
From: www.detnews.com
"Michigan officials are blaming the nation's worsening credit crunch for their decision this week to pull out of a federal program that provided a half-billion dollars in loans to nearly 10 percent of the state's college students."
Clint Eastwood to film next 'Dirty Harry' in Michigan, report says
From: www.detnews.com
"Rumors are rampant that Clint Eastwood is gunning to make a film in Michigan this summer, spurred by the recent tax incentives for filmmakers signed into law this month."
Michigan Senate OKs business tax breaks
From: www.detnews.com
"The state Senate this week approved tax breaks to help small- and medium-sized companies that critics say are being hammered by Michigan's new business tax, but Democrats warned state government can't afford a $254 million loss in revenue."
State on list for VW plant
From: www.freep.com
"WASHINGTON -- Volkswagen AG has narrowed the list of states for a potential U.S. assembly plant to three, including Michigan, the company said Wednesday."
Michigan may have landed an Eastwood film
From: www.freep.com
"Will Clint Eastwood make Michigan's day? There are signs that the 78-year-old actor-director will bring the highest-profile production to the state since Gov. Jennifer Granholm signed a tax incentive earlier this month to lure filmmakers to Michigan. "
State puts halt to loan program for college kids
From: www.freep.com
"The credit squeeze is again tightening around Michigan's college students, as the state has ended -- at least temporarily -- a program through which students borrowed $519 million last year for school."
Greenhouse-gas bills approved
From: www.twincities.com
"After lengthy debates, the Minnesota Senate and House on Wednesday approved bills setting general guidelines for the Legislature's role in a regional, market-based system to control greenhouse-gas emissions."
Panel to take a stab at overhauling state's tax code
From: www.startribune.com
"A tax-reform commission appointed by Gov. Tim Pawlenty on Wednesday will be charged with rethinking a tax code that he says is outdated and inhibits business."
Pawlenty picks panel to study taxes
From: www.twincities.com
"Declaring Minnesota's tax system outdated and uncompetitive, Gov. Tim Pawlenty on Wednesday appointed a business-dominated commission to recommend changes to improve the state's economic appeal."
Senators support stricter pool drain safety standards
From: www.twincities.com
"Tighter pool drain safety standards gained support Wednesday from the Minnesota Senate, with many lawmakers wearing pink bracelets in remembrance of the 6-year-old Edina girl who died March 20 -- nine months after she was entrapped in a kiddie pool."
Pawlenty tax panel has business bent
From: www.twincities.com
"A 15-member panel created to study the competitiveness of Minnesota's tax code is made up mostly of business executives."
Both houses OK studies anticipating greenhouse gas limits
From: www.twincities.com
"Legislation that anticipates eventual limits on greenhouse gases dominated a Minnesota House floor session Wednesday, setting off debates about global warming and jobs before passing 91-38."
Hispanics decry illegal alien bills
From: www.showmenews.com
"More than 150 members of Missouri's Hispanic community united their voices for the seventh annual Hispanic Day yesterday in hopes they could drown out rhetoric they said is creating a discriminatory environment for legal Hispanic residents."
Stem cells perspective draws fire
From: www.showmenews.com
"When U.S. Rep. Kenny Hulshof was seeking the presidency of the University of Missouri system, his position on embryonic stem cell research became an issue."
Push to expand tuition aid plan
From: www.columbiamissourian.com
"Some students from families earning as much as $200,000 annually could receive Missouri?s financial-need college scholarships as a result of a deal struck Wednesday by state budget writers."
Senate Democrats worry about MOHELA's financial state
From: www.columbiamissourian.com
"Senate Democrats have expressed concern over the financial stability of the Missouri Higher Education Loan Authority despite the agency's first partial payment last week to public universities for building projects."
Bill gives Aquila power plant a pass
From: www.columbiamissourian.com
"A Kansas City-based power plant built without county permission would be allowed to remain operating legally under a bill endorsed by the state House on Wednesday."
Missouri House bill would cut minimum wage for tipped employees
From: www.kansascity.com
"The Missouri House has given first-round approval to legislation that would lower the minimum wage for tipped employees."
Jobless figures hold steady for March
From: www.hattiesburgamerican.com
"Mississippi?s unemployment rate held steady at 5.9 percent in March. The rate was 5.9 percent in February."
Pharmacy board declines action on birth-control issue
From: www.greatfallstribune.com
"Great Falls pharmacist Stuart Anderson said Wednesday he agreed with the Montana Board of Pharmacy's decision to take no action to require pharmacies to dispense contraceptives."
SME chief -- Ruling won't delay plant
From: www.billingsgazette.net
"The developer of a proposed 250-megawatt coal-fired power plant in Great Falls said Monday's landmark ruling on its emissions should not delay the scheduled start of construction this year."
School loan consolidation program suspended
From: www.billingsgazette.net
"In another major cost-cutting step this month that will affect students borrowing money to attend college, the Montana Higher Education Student Assistance Corp.'s board of directors voted Wednesday to suspend its federal student loan consolidation program."
N.C. farmers dive into corn
From: www.newsobserver.com
"Dennis Boerema is planting exactly what the world needs right now: corn."
Group opposes hunting measure
From: www.bismarcktribune.com
"Game preserve owners are campaigning against a proposed North Dakota ballot measure that would eliminate so-called high-fence hunting, saying a ban would violate their property rights.
"
Cities face challenges as economy grows
From: www.bismarcktribune.com
"McVILLE, N.D. - North Dakota cities and towns are facing aging infrastructure problems and housing shortages as the state's economy grows.
"
Creighton University gets liquor license for restaurant
From: www.journalstar.com
"OMAHA, Neb. -- The Nebraska Liquor Control Commission has approved a liquor license for a restaurant at an Omaha university."
Attorney General Jon Bruning's refusal an embarrassment for Nebraska
From: www.omaha.com
"The attorney general's refusal to pursue housing discrimination complaints on behalf of illegal immigrants has become an embarrassment for Nebraska, the chairman of the Nebraska Equal Opportunity Commission said Wednesday."
Employees' say may be cut in half
From: www.cmonitor.com
"A push to halve the number of public employees on the New Hampshire Retirement System's board of trustees met some skeptical questions from a Senate committee yesterday.
"
Some want to see change in retirement system trustees
From: www.unionleader.com
"The composition of the state retirement system's board of trustees must change, a Senate committee was told yesterday."
Private firms could provide kindergarten
From: www.unionleader.com
"The 12 New Hampshire school districts that don't have public kindergarten soon may get more leeway under the law that makes kindergarten mandatory. A new proposal would allow those districts to contract with private providers, rather than offer the service in public schools.
"
Groups oppose gas sites off N.J.
From: www.philly.com
"Environmentalists from New Jersey and New York are trying to derail two proposals for terminals to store liquefied natural gas off the Monmouth County coast, calling the projects dangerous and unproven."
Private tour of Xanadu leaves Corzine 'impressed,' aide says
From: www.nj.com
"The Xanadu megamall's 18-screen movie theater, 800-foot indoor ski slope and skydiving wind tunnels aren't open for business yet, but Gov. Jon Corzine couldn't resist taking a look around yesterday."
State seeks more data on EnCap
From: www.nj.com
"The state requested more information about Donald Trump's Meadowlands landfill development plans yesterday, saying his recently submitted $125 million budget left too many unanswered questions."
Nevada goes solar
From: hosted.ap.org
"Thanks to two big solar projects, Nevada ranked second only to California in solar power development last year, the Solar Energy Industry Association says."
Gender law a pain in the neck for massage therapists
From: www.lasvegassun.com
"In most of Clark County, female massage therapists who work for licensed businesses can massage the aching backs and necks of men. The same holds true for male therapists and female clients."
Lawyers' role in question
From: www.timesunion.com
"Former employees of an Albany law firm that is under state scrutiny say they long questioned why some partners were listed as public employees rather than independent contractors who would be ineligible for a state pension."
About $100 each to customers in '06 blackout
From: www.nytimes.com
"Customers in western Queens can expect to receive about $100 each from Consolidated Edison as compensation for having to sweat through nine days without power in July 2006, according to officials who have been briefed on the settlement."
Bill seeks to clarify medical services pricing
From: www.miamiherald.com
"Comparison shopping for a colonoscopy? It could get a little easier under a bill being considered by the state Senate Thursday that would require pricing information from hospitals for 150 of the most commonly performed medical procedures to be posted on a state website.
"
Lawmaker: Little change from Cintas on safety
From: www.daytondailynews.com
"TULSA, Okla. - More than a year after a man became trapped and died in an industrial dryer, the nation's largest uniform supplier still refuses to take necessary steps to protect its workers, a congressman said Wednesday."
Ohio may require renewable energy
From: www.toledoblade.com
"Environmental advocates are seeing dollar signs in the hundreds of windmills they envision sprouting on the Ohio landscape, thanks to the commitment to renewable resources in the state's new energy plan."
Oklahoma ahead of the curve on immigration, report finds
From: newsok.com
"Oklahoma dealt last year with some immigration-related issues that other states just now are considering, according to a national report being released today."
What changes would English-only amendment bring in Oklahoma?
From: newsok.com
"Proposed English-only legislation would seriously affect public health and probably eliminate some other state documents translated into Spanish, state officials said Wednesday."
Some Oregon retailers are limiting their bulk sales of rice
From: www.oregonlive.com
"Some retailers who sell bulk rice in Oregon and the rest of the country are limiting how they mete out supplies as U.S. rice futures hit record highs amid global food inflation."
Afghan leader urges Oregon businesses to invest in his country
From: www.oregonlive.com
"Afghanistan's vice president urges Oregon companies to invest in his war-torn country, where he describes improved security, government guarantees and burgeoning business opportunities."
PHEAA may trim students' aid grants
From: www.pennlive.com
"College students might face another hurdle in paying their rising tuition bills next year. The state's top grants for college could be reduced by as much as $700 for the 2008-09 academic year. The state's student-aid agency board of directors is to vote today on a plan that would cut the size of the state grants."
House, Senate put off Twin River question
From: www.pawtuckettimes.com
"Legislation that would allow Twin River and Newport Grand to remain open 24 hours a day on weekends and holidays was once again scheduled for a vote in both the House and Senate on Wednesday and for at least the third time, each chamber kicked the controversial can down the road for one more day."
No action taken on bottle-bill proposal
From: www.projo.com
"Witnesses for and against a bottle bill stated their cases on how to best handle the deluge of beverage containers consumed in Rhode Island during a packed 2?-hour committee hearing at the State House yesterday."
Bill legalizing poker at residents' homes busts in SC House
From: www.goupstate.com
"Legislators have folded on a bill that would legalize kitchen table poker."
House won't play 'games of chance'
From: www.thestate.com
"And you thought playing skeetball was innocent, family-friendly entertainment."
SC House OKs bill that will fix property tax law
From: www.goupstate.com
"A South Carolina lawmaker says a proposal to delay a property tax increase for real estate purchases will help the slumping housing market and keep large construction projects from going to other states."
National report -- State's work safety fines weak
From: www.charleston.net
"In the wake of last year's deadly Sofa Super Store fire, state workplace safety officials handed down some of the stiffest fines ever imposed on a public agency and a private business in South Carolina."
Convoy - Gov. Rounds may address trucker protest
From: www.argusleader.com
"The organizer of next Monday's protest in Pierre by truckers who are mad about high diesel-fuel prices says he's been told that Gov. Mike Rounds will address the group.
"
Tenn. lifts state sales tax for weekend
From: www.knoxnews.com
"The spring Sales Tax Holiday is this weekend in Tennessee."
Bill to provide lottery scholarships to veterans advances in House
From: www.tennessean.com
"Legislation that would allow honorably discharged Iraq and Afghanistan veterans to use lottery funds to attend school is among several lottery-related bills advancing in the House."
Nashville - Rock mining bill dies in lobbying avalanche
From: www.timesfreepress.com
"The Bredesen administration on Wednesday abruptly announced it was dropping legislative efforts to restrict rock mining this year after the industry mounted a lobbying blitz that triggered an avalanche of criticism among some lawmakers."
Nashville - Governor eyes $400 million in new cuts
From: www.timesfreepress.com
"Gov. Phil Bredesen said Wednesday he may cut another $400 million to $500 million from his proposed 2008/2009 budget as revenue projections continue to fall."
Texas asking IRS to raise limit on guaranteeing school bonds
From: www.statesman.com
"Texas school districts are issuing unprecedented amounts of debt, straining the capacity of a state program that saves districts $100 million a year or more by guaranteeing them a top bond rating."
Texas to temporarily extend enrollment period
From: www.statesman.com
"Starting in June, Texas will temporarily extend the food stamp enrollment period from six to 12 months for hundreds of thousands of families already in the program."
Marketing of boot camps under congressional scrutiny
From: www.nytimes.com
"WASHINGTON - Youth boot camps and their referral services are using deceptive marketing practices when trying to convince parents of troubled kids to try the programs, a federal investigation has found."
Scientists report political interference
From: www.washingtonpost.com
"More than half the Environmental Protection Agency scientists who responded to an independent survey made public yesterday said that they had witnessed political interference in scientific decisions at the agency during the past five years. "
States spar for foreclosure funds
From: www.politico.com
"The House Financial Services Committee approved a $15 billion foreclosure aid package Wednesday, but only after it survived a behind-the-scenes regional fight in which Chairman Barney Frank (D-Mass.) invoked House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.) to stave off Midwest efforts to claim a larger share of funds, at the expense of California."
Huntsman steps up nuclear waste fight
From: deseretnews.com
"Gov. Jon Huntsman Jr. has stepped up the fight to keep low-level nuclear waste from Italy out of Utah."
Gov. vows to halt EnergySolutions' importation of Italian nuke waste
From: www.sltrib.com
"Gov. Jon Huntsman Jr. on Wednesday vaulted to the front lines of a national fight against foreign nuclear waste."
Home sales plunging in Utah
From: deseretnews.com
"Sales of single-family homes and condominiums in Salt Lake County declined 42.21 percent in the first quarter of 2008, compared with the same period last year."
Assembly OKs bond bill
From: fredericksburg.com
"Legislators yesterday approved a $1.6 billion bond bill, and approved or rejected governor's amendments to legislation in their one-day reconvened session."
General Assembly approves bond bill
From: www.inrich.com
"Virginia lawmakers are divvying up $1.4 billion in bricks-and-mortar projects and handing an unexpected goody to Gov. Timothy M. Kaine: an appointment to the powerful agency that oversees corporate Virginia."
State permit for Hopewell ethanol plant debated
From: www.inrich.com
"HOPEWELL, Va. - Residents and public officials yesterday turned to the Department of Environmental Quality in hopes it would side with their positions on construction of an ethanol plant near downtown."
Va. legislators pass $1.5 billion bond package
From: hosted.ap.org
"Virginia legislators approved a nearly $1.5 billion bond package Wednesday to finance higher education, state parks and mental health facilities with public borrowing."
Amid crab crunch, legislators push for state of emergency
From: hamptonroads.com
"Virginia lawmakers are urging Gov. Timothy M. Kaine to declare a state of emergency because of waning crab stocks in the Chesapeake Bay and to petition the federal government for disaster relief for affected watermen and seafood merchants."
Legislators approve borrowing $1.5 billion
From: www.washingtonpost.com
"RICHMOND, Va. - The Virginia General Assembly voted Wednesday to borrow $1.5 billion to pay for nearly 70 construction projects at colleges, parks and mental health facilities during a one-day session designed to complete the year's unfinished legislative business. "
Senate's housing bill would alleviate shortage
From: www.timesargus.com
"Administration officials and for-profit developers say the Senate's version of a controversial housing bill will help alleviate Vermont's housing shortage and stoke a faltering economy."
Toxin bill raises hunters' ire
From: www.timesargus.com
"A bill outlawing a family of chemicals in children's toys would not, normally, attract the ire of hunters and fisherman.
"
Lawmakers consider budget, economy
From: www.timesargus.com
"It was all about money at the Statehouse Wednesday, as lawmakers began considering what to do about a worsening state economy and also decided the decommissioning fund of the Vermont Yankee Nuclear Plant needs to be bulked up."
WA ag director Loveland to retire
From: www.nwpr.org
"RICHLAND, Wash. -- Valoria Loveland, Washington states director of agriculture, announced that she will retire on May 5."
Birth control denial revisited
From: www.jsonline.com
"The Thomas More Society, a law firm based in Chicago that represents abortion opponents, on Wednesday asked the Wisconsin Supreme Court to hear an appeal of a disciplinary action brought against a pharmacist who refused to fill a prescription for birth control because of his religious beliefs."
State Fair parking fee goes up, shuttle discontinued
From: www.jsonline.com
"It will cost more to park at the Wisconsin State Fair this year, and thousands of fairgoers will have to find a new way to get there."
State Fair parking fee goes up, shuttle discontinued
From: www.jsonline.com
"It will cost more to park at the Wisconsin State Fair this year, and thousands of fairgoers will have to find a new way to get there."
Doyle looks to spare road work
From: www.jsonline.com
"Legislative leaders are rejecting Gov. Jim Doyle's plan to go $257 million deeper in debt to protect transportation spending - prompting fears among some that Doyle may scale back summer and fall highway maintenance and rebuilding projects."
Wind farms proposed on water
From: www.jsonline.com
"Three developers are floating plans to erect hundreds of wind turbines in Lake Michigan as interest in the construction of wind farms surges around the country."
How crisis management meeting went awry
From: www.post-gazette.com
"On the morning of Monday, Oct. 15, eight West Virginia University officials and faculty members gathered to find a way out of a growing crisis. Hanging in the balance were the university's reputation and that of a prominent alumna, Heather Bresch, the daughter of West Virginia Gov. Joe Manchin."
WVU made 'flawed' decision
From: www.post-gazette.com
"MORGANTOWN, W.Va. -- West Virginia University administrators made a "seriously flawed" decision fraught with favoritism in awarding Mylan Inc. executive Heather Bresch a graduate degree she didn't earn, investigators said in a scathing report released yesterday."
3 companies agree to limit mountaintop mining
From: www.theintelligencer.net
"HUNTINGTON, W.Va. - A trio of coal companies has agreed to temporarily limit operations at three mountaintop removal mines opposed by environmentalists. "
Union report - W.Va. 3rd in workplace death rate
From: wvgazette.com
"West Virginia has the third highest workplace death rate among states, according to a national report released this morning by the AFL-CIO."
Wyoming second in on-job deaths
From: billingsgazette.net
"CASPER, Wyo. -- For years, Wyoming has ranked among the worst states for workplace deaths."
Credit crunch hits states' college loans
From: www.stateline.org
"
(Updated 11:55 a.m. EDT, April 23, 2008)
The credit crisis has led some state lending agencies to suspend their federal and private student loan programs, forcing thousands of students to search elsewhere for money to pay for college.
"
Turf wars rage over fake grass
From: www.stateline.org
"State legislators are used to political turf wars. Now, debates in a handful of states really are about turf, pitting those who back the artificial variety against supporters of natural grass for playgrounds and athletic fields. "
States push to get food to needy
From: www.stateline.org
"This year, soaring food and energy prices and lost jobs have led a record number of people to enter the federally funded Food Stamps program — more than in any year since the program began in 1964. But even as the number of applicants spirals, states are reaching out to millions more who may not realize they are eligible or are reluctant to participate."
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."
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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