W.Va. tops states in gambling revenue growth
From: www.dailymail.com
"West Virginia now ranks second only to Nevada in the share of its state budget that comes from gambling revenues."
A-B board to meet today
From: www.stltoday.com
"Anheuser-Busch Cos. board of directors will meet today in St. Louis, a Busch family member told the Post-Dispatch, presumably to weigh InBev's $47.5 billion offer.
"
Bush praises Iowans, promises flood help
From: www.radioiowa.com
"President Bush took an aerial tour of flood damage in Cedar Rapids and Iowa City Thursday afternoon, then met with local officials to discuss flood recovery plans."
Slowdown reduces state reserves
From: www.theolympian.com
"The slowdown in the state's economy will trim $50 million from expected reserves, dropping the state's surplus to $801 million by next summer, forecasters said Thursday."
Worried sick - Salmonella outbreak hurts Florida's tomato farmers
From: www.orlandosentinel.com
"Tomatoes are coming back to grocery shelves and restaurant menus, but state growers say their immediate prospects still look rotten."
Study - Mass. still top tech state in country
From: bostonherald.com
"Massachusetts remains the ?gold standard? for mining economic growth from technology and science while California is losing its luster, according to a study released yesterday."
HP jobs mark 'transformation' of Arkansas economy, officials say
From: www.arkansasnews.com
"CONWAY, Ark. - The type of jobs Hewlett-Packard will bring to Arkansas, not the number of them nor their wages, make the company's plans historical, economic development officials said Thursday."
State added 2,900 jobs in May
From: www.rep-am.com
"Connecticut added nearly 3,000 jobs last month, but the unemployment rate still jumped dramatically, rising 0.7 percentage points, the state Department of Labor reported Thursday.
"
Flood of 2008 -- Blagojevich halts insurance cancellations for victims
From: ads.qctimes.com
"Gov. Blagojevich Thursday said that companies can't cancel insurance policies of residents impacted by recent flooding, even if homeowners are behind on their payments."
At trade show, Arizona competes for a piece of the biotech cake
From: www.azcentral.com
"SAN DIEGO - The state of Georgia hosted biotech executives from across the globe aboard a decommissioned aircraft carrier. Pennsylvania raffled away a Harley-Davidson motorcycle. And Minnesota handed out a $500 shopping spree at the Mall of America."
Mortgage fraud unusually high in Isles
From: www.honoluluadvertiser.com
"Lax lending standards and the high cost of housing caused an increase in mortgage fraud in Hawaii during the past few years, outpacing the majority of Mainland markets dealing with similar schemes, according to the FBI."
Weak economy squeezing more states
From: www.stateline.org
"(Updated 1 p.m. EDT, June 19, 2008)
A new survey says states could be facing two years of budget troubles as revenues continue to fall and spending pressures mount.
"
Voters may decide fate of payday loans
From: www.stateline.org
"In Ohio and Arizona, the payday loan industry is trying a different strategy in its battle to survive."
State works to prop pensions with bonds
From: juneauempire.com
"Alaska is moving ahead with selling billions of dollars in bonds to prop up the state's underfunded public pensions system, after approval of the plan recently by the Legislature and governor."
State cuts lease costs at rural airports
From: juneauempire.com
"ANCHORAGE, Alaska - The state has withdrawn increases it made to real estate leases at rural airports."
McGuire calls for gas line mediation
From: www.adn.com
"A state senator is calling for a timeout in the natural gas pipeline debate, proposing the Legislature bring in an East Coast mediator to try to work out a "creative alternative.""
Alabama's unemployment rate rises in April
From: www.tuscaloosanews.com
"Alabama's unemployment rate is up - it rose in May to 4.7 percent."
Alabama lawmakers not taking GAO's fuel-tanker decision sitting down
From: www.al.com
"WASHINGTON - Alabama's congressional delegation was relatively low-key these last four months, patiently awaiting the results of a bid protest that they believed would reaffirm Mobile as the choice for the U.S. Air Force's $35 billion refueling-tanker contract."
Interest cooling in VW plant?
From: www.al.com
"Alabama may be poised to cool its pursuit of Volkswagen AG, a prized industrial prospect, because of concerns the German automaker is negotiating with union leaders to organize its proposed $1 billion assembly plant, according to state officials familiar with the project."
Alabama Supreme Court reverses decision in Hurricane Opal lawsuit
From: www.al.com
"A hurricane insurance lawsuit that has pingponged through the Alabama court system will return to the place it began almost a decade ago ? Coffee County Cir cuit Court."
Lawmaker persists in effort to regulate price of textbooks
From: www.nwarktimes.com
"College textbook prices continue to skyrocket, a state senator told a legislative panel Thursday, but publishers and some legislators questioned whether the Legislature should be involved in setting textbook prices."
Court OKs class-action status in suit against General Motors
From: www.arkansasnews.com
"A lawsuit filed in Arkansas alleging General Motors sold 4 million vehicles with defectively designed parking brakes can proceed as a class-action suit, the state Supreme Court ruled Thursday.
"
Lawmakers-- Maybe baseball tax isn't such a great idea
From: www.azstarnet.com
"PHOENIX - Some Tucson lawmakers are already criticizing the new legislative proposal that could lead to a higher sales tax in Pima County to pay for baseball stadium construction and upgrades."
Officials suspend Calif. aerial spraying program
From: www.signonsandiego.com
"FRESNO, Calif. ? State officials on Thursday abruptly canceled California's aerial spraying program to combat a crop-eating moth in urban areas, after months of public uproar over its unclear impacts on the environment and human health."
Crews battling fire in Monterey County to face soaring temps
From: www.signonsandiego.com
"KING CITY, Calif. ? A shift in the weather is expected to make things more difficult for firefighters battling a wildfire in a remote area of Monterey County."
Rising commodity prices bring a windfall to CalPERS
From: www.sacbee.com
"Runaway oil and food prices are angering consumers but yielding sweet profits for investors such as the California Public Employees' Retirement System."
Supreme Court voids California union law
From: www.latimes.com
"WASHINGTON -- In a defeat for the union movement, the Supreme Court on Thursday struck down a first-in-the-nation law adopted in California that would have barred companies from speaking out against unions if they received state funds."
West Coast mayors decry immigration raids
From: www.usatoday.com
"Three West Coast mayors are asking the leaders of other cities to take a stand against workplace immigration raids that they say hurt local economies and may force companies to relocate."
Court rules bosses can speak against unions
From: www.sfgate.com
"A labor-backed California law that barred companies from using funds from the state to campaign against union organizing drives violates federal labor law by limiting employers' free expression, the U.S. Supreme Court ruled Thursday."
California officials stop aerial spraying for moths
From: www.mercurynews.com
"After more than a year of heated controversy, state and federal agriculture officials Thursday announced they have dropped plans to spray urban areas in the Bay Area and Monterey Bay region to eradicate the light brown apple moth, a farm pest."
Cab drivers rally to convince legislators they need help with costs
From: www.nhregister.com
"At the end of a 16-hour shift Wednesday, taxi driver Chaubhury Haidar had made $160."
Temporary freeze of foreclosure proceedings sought
From: www.rep-am.com
"Attorney General Richard Blumenthal urged state court officials Thursday to consider temporarily freezing all pending foreclosure proceedings to allow hundreds of homeowners to take advantage of a new state law that takes effect July 1."
Jobs in state pick up in May
From: www.rep-am.com
"WETHERSFIELD, Conn. - State labor officials say the number of jobs in Connecticut increased by 2,900 in May, helped by the opening of Foxwoods Resort Casino's MGM Grand.
"
Manufactured housing pact at hand
From: www.delawareonline.com
"The last time the House Subcommittee on Manufactured Housing met, the negotiating session between manufactured-home owners and their landlords ended with angry words and ill feelings."
Grants help offices go green
From: www.delawareonline.com
"Recycling conserves energy, creates jobs and saves landfill space. While people in their homes seem to get that message, they tend to forget at work. The Northeast Recycling Council and the Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Control would like to help people be as environmentally conscious at work as they are at home."
Where offshore drilling goes, beaches suffer
From: www.tampabay.com
"Stephen Leatherman has seen every kind of beach in America, and he really likes the ones in Florida. The man known as Dr. Beach usually ranks them among the prettiest in America.
"
Crist's about-face on oil - VP-itis or vox populi?
From: www.tampabay.com
"As a candidate for governor in 2006, Charlie Crist was unequivocal: He would never support oil drilling off Florida's shores. "
Banks won't offer loans at some schools
From: chronicle.augusta.com
"The nationwide credit crunch triggered by the subprime mortgage crisis might now be hitting Georgia colleges, as banks have begun in recent months to stop offering loans to students at some schools."
Officials -- Georgia still hotbed for mortgage fraud
From: www.macon.com
"Georgia dropped from No. 1 in mortgage fraud in 2005 to No. 6 in the nation last year, but remains a hotbed for fraudulent housing loans, officials said Thursday."
Lingle weighs ag land development bill
From: www.honoluluadvertiser.com
"Owners of prime agricultural land could convert 15 percent of their acreage into new housing developments, under a bill awaiting Gov. Linda Lingle's signature."
McCain praises volunteer effort as he tours flood damage
From: www.siouxcityjournal.com
"COLUMBUS JUNCTION, Iowa -- Presumptive Republican presidential nominee John McCain came to this flood-scarred town Thursday, surveying the damage and saying the people here will need significant federal help to recover and rebuild."
U.S. House leaders agree on flood aid package
From: ads.qctimes.com
"Democratic and Republican leaders in the U.S. House of Representatives agreed today on a $2.65 billion assistance measure for states stricken by devastating floods in recent weeks."
Anti-smoking group celebrates upcoming smoking ban
From: www.radioiowa.com
"The student led anti-smoking organization "Just Eliminate Lies" (JEL) held a rally today as part of their annual summit to celebrate the state's new anti-smoking law. JEL members gathered in downtown Des Moines for a rally to celebrate the new law that takes effect July 1st and will ban smoking in most restaurants and bars."
McCain, in Columbus Junction, praises sandbag brigade
From: www.radioiowa.com
"Republican presidential candidate John McCain took a midday tour of flood damage in Columbus Junction Thursday. McCain told reporters he was surprised by the extent of the damage."
Bush assures flood-weary residents he is listening
From: www.siouxcityjournal.com
"CEDAR RAPIDS, Iowa -- President Bush, surveying the aftermath of devastating floods during a lightning-quick tour of the Midwest on Thursday, assured residents and rescuers alike that he is listening to their concerns and understands their exhaustion."
Sympathetic Bush visits flood areas, skips specifics
From: www.desmoinesregister.com
"IOWA CITY, Iowa -- President Bush offered sympathy to Iowans coping with the state's worst natural disaster on a tour of flood-ravaged eastern Iowa on Thursday - and he pledged a coordinated recovery and reconstruction effort."
Midwestern towns wonder whether to rebuild after floods
From: www.latimes.com
"NEW HARTFORD, Iowa - A small sign taped to the glass front door of the town's hardware store still pleads for donations to the victims of the tornado."
Public hearing on Pontiac, Ill. prison closing scheduled
From: ads.qctimes.com
"Gov. Rod Blagojevich?s plan to shutter Pontiac Correctional Center will be the focus of a public hearing Aug. 12."
Gov. halts insurance cancellations in flood areas
From: www.chicagotribune.com
"Governor Rod Blagojevich has ordered a 60-day moratorium on insurance cancellations for residents and businesses in the Illinois flood disaster areas."
Public weighs in on Zion nuclear plant proposal
From: www.chicagotribune.com
"Representatives from a half-dozen area building trades unions voiced strong support this week for a $978 million plan to tear down the Zion nuclear power plant."
Ill. town finds life does go on after floods
From: www.usatoday.com
"VALMEYER, Ill. - Toni Heusohn never thought she would move from her house by the Mississippi River. Then a flood in 1993 wiped out the town."
Floods engulf archaic levee system
From: www.csmonitor.com
"CHICAGO - The floodwaters, in many cases, have simply been too high. "
Region on track for Olympics
From: nwi.com
"The South Shore commuter rail line could play a major part in bringing benefits of the 2016 Summer Olympics to Northwest Indiana."
Retiring state schools chief has new job
From: www.nwi.com
"Suellen Reed, the longtime state superintendent of public instruction, will sell debt financing advice to Indiana schools when her term ends in January."
Finally, Big Ten Network and Comcast reach deal
From: hosted.ap.org
"Finally, the Big Ten Network and Comcast Corp. reached a deal."
Floods likely biggest ag disaster ever for Indiana
From: hosted.ap.org
"Indiana's agriculture director says this month's flooding likely caused the worst agriculture disaster in state history - damaging nearly a tenth of corn and soybean crops and costing farmers upward of $800 million."
Ky. system cleared of age bias
From: www.courier-journal.com
"WASHINGTON -- The U.S. Supreme Court ruled yesterday that Kentucky's retirement system does not discriminate against older workers in violation of federal law."
St. Gabriel track passes, faces veto
From: www.2theadvocate.com
"Legislation won final approval Thursday to allow a horseracing track with slot machines in St. Gabriel, but the bill faces the governor?s veto."
Senate panel -- Pastorek could hire without bids
From: www.2theadvocate.com
"A House committee last week spurned state Superintendent of Education Paul Pastorek?s attempts to circumvent the public bid process to hire consultants."
Cargo airport effort is bumpy ride
From: www.nola.com
"Glen Smith, chairman of the Louisiana Airport Authority for the past 14 years, said Thursday that he thinks the agency's plan for a 25,000-acre cargo airport and manufacturing center has gotten few champions in Baton Rouge over the years because the project doesn't offer much in the way of political patronage."
Biofuel project wins GO Zone bonds
From: www.nola.com
"Developers of a proposed plant near Baton Rouge to convert animal fats, grease and corn oil into diesel fuel won final approval Thursday of a $100 million bond issue to get the project under way."
House OKs raising car insurance mandate
From: www.nola.com
"For the first time in a generation, Louisiana drivers will have to increase the amount of mandatory insurance coverage on their cars if the governor signs a bill that won House approval late Thursday."
Actors' strike could hurt Mass. movie biz
From: bostonherald.com
"After escaping fallout from the three-month writers' strike that ended in February, Massachusetts? growing motion picture economy faces another potential setback in a looming strike by the Screen Actors Guild."
State jobless rate up as growth stalls
From: bostonherald.com
"The state?s jobless rate jumped to 4.9 percent last month, indicating the economic slowdown has finally arrived in Massachusetts on the jobs front."
Firm's ex-managers agree to plead guilty in Big Dig scandal
From: www.boston.com
"Two defendants in a Big Dig billing scandal preliminarily agreed yesterday to plead guilty to highway project fraud in scheming the state out of more than $300,000 for work done on the Interstate 93 tunnel."
Judicial, political pay hikes suggested
From: www.boston.com
"A special panel today will recommend large pay raises - some up to 70 percent - for the state's top politicians and judges, but the board's report was immediately rejected by high-ranking leaders as unacceptable in the current economic climate."
Franchot - stem cells should trump slots
From: gazette.net
"Investing in biotechnology would make it unnecessary for Maryland to pass a referendum legalizing slot machine gambling, Comptroller Peter V.R. Franchot said this week."
Two Anne Arundel councilmen enlist in anti-slot machine campaign
From: www.baltimoresun.com
"Two Anne Arundel County councilmen joined a statewide campaign yesterday urging residents to vote against a November referendum to legalize slot machines, saying that expanded gambling at Laurel Park would have a devastating impact on quality of life in the county."
O'Malley, Smith donor has ties to major project
From: www.baltimoresun.com
"A politically connected Maryland developer recently fined for making improper campaign contributions to the governor and Baltimore County executive owns buildings in Owings Mills near a major transportation project announced in March by those elected officials."
Investing in biotech, 'green' firms
From: www.baltimoresun.com
"Three days after Gov. Martin O'Malley announced a $1.1 billion initiative for the biotechnology industry, Comptroller Peter Franchot announced yesterday that he would advocate that the state pension fund to invest about $1 billion in life sciences and "green" technology such as renewable energy and environmentally sensitive building materials."
Federal report chides Pentagon BRAC outreach to communities
From: gazette.net
"While Maryland communities will benefit from the realignment of military bases, a new federal report confirms fears that the Department of Defense hasn?t provided enough resources or information on the impact of new workers on roads, schools and water systems."
31,000 Maine retirees, veterans yet to file for stimulus rebate
From: bangornews.com
"About 31,000 Mainers who are eligible to receive up to $600 apiece from the federal government?s economic stimulus plan risk losing that tax-rebate windfall if they don?t file a tax return. That includes 1,074 individuals in Bangor, 227 in Brewer and 3,368 in all of Penobscot County. "
Big Ten, Comcast strike a deal
From: www.freep.com
"Followers of Michigan and Michigan State athletics can finally breathe a sigh of relief -- the Big Ten Network and Comcast announced Thursday they have agreed to a long-term deal."
Granholm paves way for cancer facility
From: www.freep.com
"In an unprecedented move, Gov. Jennifer Granholm on Thursday threw out proposed standards requiring hospitals to form a consortium to build a costly cancer radiation facility."
Proton beam rule reversed
From: www.detnews.com
"Michigan Gov. Jennifer Granholm on Thursday rejected a state board's requirement that an expensive new cancer therapy be developed by a consortium of state hospitals, rather than individual health systems."
State to examine outage gripes
From: www.detnews.com
"The Michigan Public Service Commission will investigate the restoration efforts of Detroit Edison and Consumers Power after hundreds of thousands of Michigan customers were without power for days due to recent storms."
Sun Country seeks short-term state help to weather bumpy economic conditions, but it foresees brighter future after Northwest merger
From: www.minnpost.com
"If Sun Country Airlines can weather the industry's increasingly tumultuous fuel-cost storms, its new CEO actually sees brighter skies ahead for the Twin Cities-based carrier, once the Delta-Northwest mega-merger takes place."
State sues pungent dairy farm near Thief River Falls
From: www.startribune.com
"A large dairy in northwestern Minnesota with odors severe enough to drive nearby residents from their homes last week now faces legal problems."
Evacuations continue
From: www.stltoday.com
"WINFIELD, Mo. ? With the rising Mississippi River creeping closer to their homes, most residents of the Winfield Acres subdivision packed the last of their belongings Thursday and left as levees broke in Lincoln County.
"
Burst levees force a town to consider its future
From: www.nytimes.com
"WINFIELD, Mo. - First came the urgent news from a volunteer circling in a helicopter. The pounding Mississippi River had burst a 150-foot-wide hole in a levee, sending water gushing along a new path toward this small city and sweeping at least one empty house off its foundation.
"
Federal rebate awaits scores
From: www.clarionledger.com
"Nearly a quarter of Mississippi's seniors and veterans are eligible for federal a stimulus payment but have not filed a tax return to get one."
U.S. lawmakers try to stop Katrina funds from going to port
From: www.clarionledger.com
"WASHINGTON -- Rep. Bennie Thompson and other lawmakers have asked a key House committee to block Gov. Haley Barbour's move to redirect $600 million in hurricane housing money toward enlarging the Port of Gulfport."
Raising houses, hope on reservation
From: www.billingsgazette.net
"BUSBY, Mont. -- On a bluff overlooking Busby Creek, Winfield Russell is building his house alongside strangers who have come from across the U.S. to help him."
N.C. workers have highest death toll from heat
From: www.newsobserver.com
"North Carolina's workers have the highest death rate from heat stress in the country, according to a Centers for Disease Control and Prevention study released Thursday."
Candidates in runoff focus on labor issues
From: www.charlotte.com
"State labor commissioner candidates John Brooks and Mary Fant Donnan said in Charlotte Thursday that they fear a one-race ballot will attract few voters to the polls on Tuesday."
Lawmakers consider privatizing WSI
From: www.in-forum.com
"Fargo legislative leader says lawmakers will begin exploring whether to make the state?s workers? compensation agency a mutual insurance company that competes with other insurance companies to cover workers."
Nebraska leads in "gazelle-job" growth, index shows
From: www.journalstar.com
"Nebraska seems to be have a fair share of gazelles. Not the leaping African ungulate, but the kind of companies that leap like gazelles: Companies with annual sales growth of at least 20 percent for four straight years"
Permit compromise gains in Legislature
From: www.nj.com
"After reaching a compromise between environmentalists and builders, Senate and Assembly committees yesterday approved legislation intended to spark commercial and housing construction once the economy improves. "
Officials push workers comp bill
From: www.nj.com
"With thousands of injured workers facing lengthy delays for treatment and benefits under New Jersey's workers compensation insurance system, lawmakers yesterday advanced a bill that would require some of the most pressing claims to be considered within 10 days. "
After Assembly OK, budget stalls in Senate
From: www.nj.com
"A $32.9 billion state budget that imposes no new taxes but cuts homestead rebates and aid to towns and hospitals stalled in the Senate Budget Committee last night after it had cleared its counterpart in the Assembly. "
After Assembly OK, budget stalls in Senate
From: www.nj.com
"A $32.9 billion state budget that imposes no new taxes but cuts homestead rebates and aid to towns and hospitals stalled in the Senate Budget Committee last night after it had cleared its counterpart in the Assembly. "
Credit cards bedevil Nevadans
From: www.lvrj.com
"The percentage of Nevada consumers late in making bank credit card payments dropped by 10.8 percent during the first quarter, but Nevadans remain some of the most indebted and most delinquent credit card users in the nation, a credit reporting company revealed."
Krolicki proposal - use tobacco money to balance budget
From: www.lvrj.com
"Lt. Gov. Brian Krolicki says he hopes legislators consider approving his plan that could raise $600 million to $775 million in revenue without increasing taxes to address the budget shortfall."
Pols pushing team spirit
From: www.nypost.com
"State lawmakers want any pro sports team that builds a stadium or arena with public funds to set aside a block of low-cost tickets."
A subprime cushion
From: www.nypost.com
"New York state is creating a 90-day safety period for homeowners snared in the national subprime-mortgage crisis so they can better understand their options."
Vacant housing plan wins state approval
From: www.syracuse.com
"A plan to give tax exemptions to people who rehabilitate vacant homes in Syracuse got the green light Thursday from the state Legislature.
"
Truckers protest gas prices in Albany
From: www.newsday.com
"Hundreds of truck drivers circled the Capitol yesterday, blowing their horns in protest at the price of gasoline - a chorus that could be heard citywide here."
Bill offers relief for overdue taxpayers
From: www.democratandchronicle.com
"The Monroe County Legislature unanimously agreed Thursday to support state legislation that will give delinquent property taxpayers more flexibility in paying their bills, a move hailed by both parties."
Leaders reject foreclosure freeze
From: timesunion.com
"New York will toughen its mortgage rules but won't enact a one-year freeze on all home foreclosures."
Concord racino deal has big payoff
From: timesunion.com
"A Catskills developer planning to move the Monticello Raceway and build a bigger racino as part of a $1 billion investment in the former Concord resort would get hundreds of millions of dollars returned to him in a deal with the state."
Job losses take merry out of May
From: timesunion.com
"The Capital Region's unemployment rate surged to 4.8 percent in May, the highest rate for that month since 1992."
Layoffs show on New York unemployment rolls
From: www.nytimes.com
"Week after week, Wall Street banks and other big employers have announced layoffs by the thousands, but month after month, the official gauges of the job market in the New York metropolitan area registered few signs of a downturn. "
Franklin County prosecutor decides not to charge ex-Sen. Jeffrey Armbruster
From: www.cleveland.com
"Former State Sen. Jeffry Armbruster has been cleared of criminal wrongdoing in the reduction of workers' compensation insurance rates for his private business."
Ex-state senator Armbruster won't face BWC ethics violations charges
From: www.toledoblade.com
"Former state Sen. Jeffry Armbruster will not face charges that he wielded the power of his public office to garner an 88 percent reduction in workers' compensation premiums for a gas station business he co-owned."
Payday-loan supporters must recraft petition
From: www.dispatch.com
"Attorney General Nancy H. Rogers decided yesterday that a group of payday lending supporters were not being truthful in how they described a law they want voters to overturn."
Ex-state senator won't be charged in workers' comp probe
From: www.dispatch.com
"Franklin County Prosecutor Ron O'Brien will not pursue criminal charges against former state Sen. Jeffry Armbruster, who was accused of using his position to gain favorable rate discounts for his business from the Bureau of Workers' Compensation."
Oil, gas industry aids state personal income growth
From: www.news-star.com
"TULSA- Continued expansion of the oil and gas industry helped personal income in Oklahoma grow by nearly 1 percent in the first quarter of 2008, slightly below the national rate, according to estimates released Thursday from the U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis."
Oregon's Measure 49 shows its strength
From: www.oregonlive.com
"Measure 49's clamp upon rural development in Oregon is becoming hard and clear. Instead of having potentially more than 100,000 new houses built in the countryside, Oregonians will see 13,000, according to state projections. "
Oregon fireworks season nears
From: hosted.ap.org
"FLORENCE, Ore. -- Fireworks sales begin Monday in Oregon at stands in parking lots and along roads."
House calls for stricter financial standards for casinos
From: www.post-gazette.com
"House Republicans are calling for more stringent financial requirements for casino operators who renew, transfer or apply for new gaming licenses."
Legislator -- Gambling regulators failed Pittsburgh
From: www.pittsburghlive.com
"State gambling regulators face the uncomfortable prospect of possibly rejecting a financing plan for Pittsburgh's casino after granting Don Barden's PITG Gaming a license in 2006, a witness told a House panel Thursday."
Unions sue over Rendell's furlough threat
From: www.mcall.com
"Three labor unions representing thousands of Pennsylvania state government employees filed suit Thursday in an effort to block furloughs that have been threatened if state budget negotiations stall."
Recession report -- R.I. jobless rate soars to 7.2%, the highest rate in 14 years
From: www.projo.com
"Rhode Island's ailing job market suffered another blow last month, as payroll jobs plunged by 1,800 and the unemployment rate soared to 7.2 percent ? the highest in 14 years, a government jobs report released today shows."
Flurry on Smith Hill means the end is near
From: www.projo.com
"In their usual chaotic rush to finish after six months at the State House, lawmakers raced through votes yesterday on scores of high-profile bills including a new $6.9-billion state budget now headed to the governor to be signed into law; a bill to ?quash-and-destroy? criminal records, no matter how serious the offense, and legislation aimed at easing the brunt of the foreclosure crisis."
S.C. unemployment rate reaches 2-year high
From: www.thestate.com
"State officials say South Carolina's unemployment rate rose to 6.5 percent in May, the highest jobless rate in more than two years."
S.C. crops in peril as drought worsens
From: www.goupstate.com
"Federal officials have put arts of five counties in the northwestern corner of the state in an exceptional drought ? the worst category in the U.S. Drought Monitor."
Refinery may be delayed little by lawsuits
From: www.rapidcityjournal.com
"DAKOTA DUNES, S.D. - Gov. Mike Rounds says opponents of a proposed oil refinery in Union County should not expect to create lengthy delays in the project by filing lawsuits against it."
Bredesen -- 'More unhappy news' in higher Tenn. unemployment rate
From: www.tennessean.com
"Gov. Phil Bredesen said the state?s new unemployment numbers -? showing a sharp increase from April to May -- underscores concerns that economic woes in the state may be long lasting."
Tax hike snuffs cigarette sales
From: www.timesfreepress.com
"Angela Haygood lives and works in Chattanooga, but after Tennessee raised its tax on cigarettes, she regularly goes to Georgia to buy them."
Economy has some states tangled in 'dire' financial snares
From: www.usatoday.com
"The nation's weak economy has landed some big states in a desperate struggle to balance their budgets before July 1 when their new fiscal years begin."
High court aids older workers who claim bias
From: www.usatoday.com
"WASHINGTON - The Supreme Court enhanced the ability of older workers to bring job discrimination claims, in a decision Thursday that comes as the nation's workforce is aging and many companies are downsizing and laying off workers."
Midwest floods expose outdated levee systems
From: www.usatoday.com
"At least 18 more levees on the already flooded Mississippi River are at high risk of being overwhelmed this weekend, endangering small communities and farmland where decades-old flood protections are far below modern-day guidelines"
States spend less as revenues shrink
From: www.usatoday.com
"Spending by states in the coming fiscal year will plummet as revenues continue to come up short and expenses like health care and employee pensions continue to mount, according to a report released Thursday."
On U.S. coasts, a rethink on oil drilling?
From: www.csmonitor.com
"OAKLAND, Calif. and ORLANDO, Fla. - When Sen. John McCain visits Santa Barbara, Calif., next week, Charles Eckberg will be there to protest the Republican presidential candidate's calls to lift the federal ban on US offshore drilling."
Gov. Kaine pitches $1 billion tax plan for road construction
From: hamptonroads.com
"Gov. Timothy M. Kaine tried to rally support for his proposed $1 billion tax increase for transportation Thursday, hours after a state commission cut hundreds of road projects for lack of money."
State expects revenue plunge
From: seattlepi.nwsource.com
"Washington's treasury will take a $167 million revenue hit over the next three years because of the weakening economy, the state Economic and Revenue Forecast Council was told Thursday."
State expects revenue plunge
From: seattlepi.nwsource.com
"Washington's treasury will take a $167 million revenue hit over the next three years because of the weakening economy, the state Economic and Revenue Forecast Council was told Thursday."
Idaho's personal income fell in 1Q; only four states dropped
From: www.theolympian.com
"BOISE, Idaho -- Idaho was just one of four states where personal income slumped in the first quarter of 2008. The others were Mississippi, Louisiana and Arkansas."
State revenue forecast takes hit
From: www.thenewstribune.com
"The economic downturn that has the nation firmly in its grip is starting to crimp Washington state's tax collections, but not nearly as badly as it's hurting the rest of the country."
Initial storm estimate - $470M in damage in Wis.
From: hosted.ap.org
"The storms that produced widespread flooding across the state this month caused almost half a billion dollars in damage."
I-94 opens 1 lane each way
From: www.jsonline.com
"Traffic finally began moving in both directions on Interstate 94 west of Milwaukee as flooded southern Wisconsin continued to dry out, clean up and deal with too much water."
No matter where you are, there are W.Va. Day festivities near you
From: www.herald-dispatch.com
"It's West Virginia's 145th birthday party, and everybody's invited. Well, everybody but Dick Cheney. Today, the Mountain State celebrates its Civil War-born birthday with a whitewater torrent of its best art, music and literature coming at you live all around the state. "
Nonprofits grow in Wyo.
From: www.casperstartribune.com
"LARAMIE, Wyo. -- Nonprofit corporations are now the fourth-largest economic sector in the state and are among the fastest-growing."
WORTH NOTING: Scout takes a hike from Md. mansion
From: www.stateline.org
"Maryland Gov. Martin O’Malley evicts Scout, one of his family’s dogs, from the governor’s mansion. The Colorado Lottery turns to scratch-and-sniff to attract customers. And a Florida prisoner launches a bid for the state House. In case you missed those stories this week, “Worth Noting” fills you in."
McCain, GOP govs split over disaster fund
From: www.stateline.org
"A congressional proposal to create a national “catastrophe fund” to help states recover from natural disasters has put Republican presidential hopeful John McCain at odds with a handful of GOP governors — including two state chief executives frequently mentioned as possible vice-presidential picks for the U.S. senator from Arizona."
Jobs are at risk if Congress doesn't fix the Highway Fund
From: www.stateline.org
"State budgets and nearly 400,000 jobs are at risk if Congress fails to replenish the Highway Trust Fund, John Horsley, executive director of the American Association of State Highway & Transportation Officials, writes in a commentary for Stateline.org."
Tax hikes rare among states — so far
From: www.stateline.org
"Most states are holding off raising taxes to patch holes in their 2009 budgets, but if you live in Maryland, Minnesota, Maine and New York, you’re out of luck."
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."
Visit the Stateline.org Economy & Business Page
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."
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.
