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."
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.
"
Energy devours incomes in Bush
From: www.adn.com
"The farther you live from a city, the worse the news."
New section of BP pipeline springs leak
From: www.adn.com
"BP and state investigators are looking into a water leak from a new section of major piping in the Prudhoe Bay oil field."
Palin appoints two with Juneau ties to state positions
From: juneauempire.com
"Two construction industry representatives with Juneau ties have been appointed to state positions by Gov. Sarah Palin."
Legislators wait for word on energy plan
From: juneauempire.com
"Gov. Sarah Palin has said she wants the Alaska Legislature to address soaring energy costs, but she hasn't said when."
Beebe willing to consider change in superproject incentives
From: www.arkansasnews.com
"Gov. Mike Beebe said Monday he is willing to look at changing Arkansas' system for providing incentives for "super projects."
"
Coal-fired power plant in Ark. to be operating in 2010
From: www.thecabin.net
"OSCEOLA, Ark. -- A $1.3 billion coal-fired power plant in eastern Arkansas is expected to be completed two years from now, providing much needed electricity at affordable costs, developers say."
Beebe to request more money for incentives fund
From: www.thecabin.net
"Gov. Mike Beebe said Monday he'll ask lawmakers to put more money into a fund created to attract new businesses to Arkansas and help existing ones because virtually all of the $50 million originally set aside has been spent or offered to various projects."
Beebe looking for more funds to draw firms
From: www.nwarktimes.com
"Gov. Mike Beebe said Monday that he plans to ask lawmakers in the 2009 legislative session to again appropriate money to a governor?s discretionary fund for economic development."
House, Senate GOP at odds over cuts in Arizona spending
From: www.azstarnet.com
"PHOENIX ? Frustrated by their inability to negotiate a deal, House Republican leaders unveiled their own plan Monday to cut state spending by more than $500 million next year. "
With state shutdown looming, budget agreement nears
From: www.azcentral.com
"The state Senate appeared to reach a bipartisan budget deal Monday evening that would close a $1.9 billion shortfall in fiscal 2009 and avert any sort of state shutdown a week from today."
Drive to boost lottery sales under way
From: www.signonsandiego.com
"The state lottery is switching its advertising pitch on nearly two dozen billboards throughout the state, a modest attempt to boost ticket sales."
Blazes spark worry over long fire season
From: www.contracostatimes.com
"State fire officials say a boost in early season manpower and equipment has helped them battle a fit of blazes across Northern California."
Cooler weather aids tired crews
From: www.mercurynews.com
" After 31 straight days of fighting fires in Northern California, weary fire crews on Monday began gaining ground on several roaring blazes in the Bay Area, including two that burned more than 1,000 acres in Santa Clara County during the weekend."
Blame lightning-caused fires for the Valley's brown air
From: www.sacbee.com
"With hundreds of wildfires triggered by the weekend's lightning swarm, a brown curtain hangs over the Sacramento region ? even though there are no fires in the immediate vicinity."
Pressed by legislator, nonprofit foundations agree to invest in minority-led organizations
From: www.sacbee.com
"Faced with legislation that would require them to disclose their ethnic composition and detail grants awarded to minority organizations, 10 of California's largest foundations agreed Monday to a multimillion-dollar, multiyear investment in minority communities."
Lightning takes Northern California fires from bad to worse
From: www.latimes.com
"Northern California continued to suffer the fallout of what's turning into a historically bad fire season as a weekend lightning barrage set off more than 700 blazes that by Monday had burned nearly 44,000 acres."
Firefighters start to gain in Northern California
From: www.nytimes.com
"SAN FRANCISCO - Firefighters began to gain an upper hand on some of the hundreds of fires that erupted across Northern California over the weekend."
Non-candidate Schwarzenegger still raises millions in political cash
From: www.sacbee.com
"Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger cannot run for re-election and has no stated plans to seek another office, but he still raises millions of dollars each year."
Rell's minimum-wage veto overridden
From: www.theday.com
"The state legislature narrowly overturned Republican Gov. M. Jodi Rell's veto of a minimum-wage increase Monday, just the second such defeat the Democrats have handed the governor in her four years in office."
State lawmakers muster votes to override minimum wage veto
From: www.zwire.com
"It remained a close call down to the wire, but state lawmakers Monday voted to increase the minimum wage starting next year, overriding the governor's veto from last month and making the state's wage among the highest in the nation."
Legislature overrides Rell's veto of minimum-wage increase
From: www.courant.com
"With one vote to spare in each chamber, the state legislature voted Monday to override Gov. M. Jodi Rell's veto and guarantee a 35-cent increase next year in the state's hourly minimum wage."
Lawmakers override governor on minimum wage
From: www.rep-am.com
"With a little Republican help, the Democrat-controlled legislature voted twice on Monday to override Gov. M. Jodi Rell in a showdown on the minimum wage."
Delmarva says backup power plant unneeded
From: www.delawareonline.com
"Compromise terms for an offshore wind farm no longer require a separate onshore backup generating plant in Sussex County, a Delmarva Power official said Monday."
Project's success a turning point for state politics
From: www.delawareonline.com
"The success of the Bluewater Wind fight may mark a turning point in both the environmental movement and in famously corporate-friendly Delaware politics, project supporters and political observers said Monday."
Sen. Haridopolos calls for public debates on 'tax swap' amendment
From: floridacapitalnews.com
"One of the Legislature's top money managers enlisted several business, education, health care and civic organizations Monday to fight the "tax swap" amendment on Florida's ballot next fall."
State to buy 187,000 acres of U.S. Sugar land, restore Everglades
From: www.sun-sentinel.com
"A blockbuster deal that would end U.S. Sugar's control of former Everglades land could mean a new beginning for the River of Grass."
State scolds FPL, finds green program misleads
From: www.palmbeachpost.com
"The environmentally conscious customers who gave Florida Power & Light $11.4 million for green energy did not get their money's worth, according to a state report released Monday."
State, U.S. Sugar in $1.7 billion deal; purchase hailed as fix for Everglades
From: www.palmbeachpost.com
"Gov. Charlie Crist today is expected to announce a $1.7 billion deal to buy virtually all of United States Sugar Corp.'s land in South Florida, giving the state possession of what many consider the missing link to Everglades restoration."
Many lining up to fight 'tax swap' idea with summer blitz
From: www.orlandosentinel.com
"A broad coalition ranging from hospitals and nursing homes to banks, retiree advocates and schoolteachers is lined up to oppose the $9 billion-plus property tax swap on the Nov. 4 ballot known as Amendment 5."
Hard times in state deflate Crist's approval ratings
From: www.miamiherald.com
"Rising gas prices, the falling real estate market and deep state budget cuts have not only brought South Florida's economy to a crawl, they've deflated the once sky-high approval ratings of Gov. Charlie Crist, according to a new Miami Herald poll."
Land sale would mark the end for Florida sugar giant
From: www.tampabay.com
"The news hit South Florida on Monday like a Category 5 hurricane: U.S. Sugar Corp., the nation's largest sugar producer and the third-largest citrus company in Florida, may soon cease to exist. "
Out-of-state trees cost a lot of green
From: www.tampabay.com
"Could even Joyce Kilmer see any good in this?"
State pursues sugar buyout to aid Glades
From: www.miamiherald.com
"The state of Florida is pursuing a blockbuster buyout of the biggest chunk of Big Sugar, the powerful agricultural industry whose pollution of the Everglades has made it a target of environmentalists for decades."
Lingle's veto list includes 52 bills
From: www.honoluluadvertiser.com
"Gov. Linda Lingle told state lawmakers yesterday she may veto a bill that would develop a program of loan repayments and other incentives for doctors and dentists to practice on the Neighbor Islands and in underserved urban areas."
Lingle's veto list misses major bills
From: starbulletin.com
"Bills to allow public funding of political campaigns, to change agricultural land designations and to require solar water heaters on new homes are going to become law."
Racial makeup of fair's lineup criticized
From: www.desmoinesregister.com
"A state lawmaker says the talent lineup for the 2008 Iowa State Fair is a little too fair. Democrat Wayne Ford said organizers should boost the number of minority acts on the Grandstand and free stages. Two of the 20 major musical acts booked for the August fair are minorities."
CIETC chief reaches plea deal
From: www.desmoinesregister.com
"Former job-training executive Ramona Cunningham has struck a plea agreement with federal prosecutors on charges that she conspired with others to misuse $1.5 million in taxpayer money."
Attorney general seeks dismissal of charges in grave theft
From: www.qctimes.com
"OTTUMWA, Iowa - The Iowa attorney general's office is seeking the dismissal of charges against a former Ottumwa cemetery superintendent charged with stealing cemetery plots."
Idaho public housing gets $1 million in aid
From: www.idahostatesman.com
"BOISE, Idaho -- The federal government is sending more than $1 million to Idaho to replace or modernize public housing."
Busted Budget -- Medicaid rolls continue to grow
From: www.daily-journal.com
"What good is it to have medical coverage if you can't find a doctor willing to see you? The question was asked by an exasperated Sen. Christine Radogno, R-Lemont, as her colleagues debated yet another spending bill."
Busted Budget -- Illinois' neighbor diligent with its funding
From: www.daily-journal.com
"Illinois need only look north to Wisconsin to find a state that has not only managed to keep up with public pension requirements, but is one of a select few meeting 100 percent of its funding obligations."
Illinois lawmakers on trip to Turkey
From: ads.qctimes.com
"Several Illinois lawmakers are in Turkey this week as part of what?s being billed as a cultural tour of the nation."
Anorexia, bulimia may soon become part of mandatory health insurance in Illinois
From: www.chicagotribune.com
"Melissa Traub has struggled for a decade with an eating disorder, her weight sometimes dipping below 100 pounds, her hair falling out by the handful."
AFSCME hopes rally pressures Blagojevich
From: www.sj-r.com
"Tinnie Randall of Springfield found herself in an ironic situation Monday. A public service administrator with the Illinois Department of Human Services, Randall joined the American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees only about a year ago after going years without a pay raise."
State workers protest in Springfield against proposed hike in health-care costs
From: www.chicagotribune.com
"More than 4,000 state workers swarmed the streets of Springfield Monday to protest a proposal to hike their health-care costs by an administration that has sought to make such coverage more affordable for state residents."
Illinois employees protest contract stalemate
From: www.chicagotribune.com
"Thousands of state workers converged on the Capitol Monday to ratchet up pressure on the Blagojevich administration to end a stalemate over a new union deal before the current one expires next week. "
Toll Road complaints roll in
From: www.southbendtribune.com
"Toll booth lines, high gas prices and even an advertising mascot have drawn the ire of motorists traveling the 157-mile Indiana Toll Road across northern Indiana."
Mid-sized, but major impact
From: www.nwi.com
"Mid-sized businesses do more than their fair share to fuel the state economy, the Indiana Chamber of Commerce concludes in a study released Monday."
EPA upholds BP permit
From: www.nwitimes.com
"The Indiana Department of Environmental Management has issued the final air permit for the BP Whiting Refinery's $3.8 billion expansion project."
Hoosiers sound off on mass transit
From: www.indystar.com
"CARMEL, Ind. -- Gisela Reibel thinks transportation planners are moving too fast with their proposal for a light rail line from Hamilton County to Indianapolis."
Flood needs delay rollout of welfare changes
From: hosted.ap.org
"The state has suspended the rollout of automated welfare benefits because staffers at the Family and Social Services Administration have their hands full right now with helping flood victims."
Kansas wheat harvest finally under way
From: www.nytimes.com
"WICHITA, Kan. - Kansas farmers were finally able to get into their fields to harvest winter wheat over the weekend as the ground dried out ahead of the next wave of storms."
State has $58 billion roadmap
From: www.kansas.com
"TOPEKA - Improving existing roads and bridges, decreasing congestion and fostering economic growth are among the state's top priorities in a long-range transportation plan that has a $58 billion price tag over two decades."
Wheat harvest arrives without promise
From: www2.ljworld.com
"With wheat harvest finally creeping into northeast Kansas, the folks who harvest, sell and buy the breadbasket grain are finding themselves looking back with a sense of frustration."
Special session on pensions kicks off congenially
From: www.kentucky.com
"Gov. Steve Beshear and key lawmakers spent much of Monday congratulating each other for finally coming together to prop up the financially teetering state employee pension system."
Kentucky lawmakers begin special session tTo fix pension
From: www.kypost.com
"The Kentucky House has started a special session to consider legislation to help the state's financially troubled retirement system. "
State superintendent able to skip bid process
From: www.thenewsstar.com
"State Superintendent of Education Paul Pastorek should be able to sidestep public bid requirements for educational consulting contracts, the full Legislature has agreed."
Legislature OKs plan to overhaul labor department
From: www.thenewsstar.com
"The Louisiana Legislature gave final passage Monday to Gov. Bobby Jindal's plan to revamp the state labor department and make it the coordinating agency for a fragmented system of worker-training programs and services around Louisiana."
Airport handoff bill handed to Jindal
From: www.nola.com
"A proposal to study the possible transfer of Louis Armstrong International Airport from the city of New Orleans to the state eased out of the Legislature Monday, its future now in the hands of Gov. Bobby Jindal."
Work-force bill advances
From: www.2theadvocate.com
"Gov. Bobby Jindal's proposal to revamp the state's work-force training efforts cleared the Legislature on Monday."
Citizens raises policy premiums
From: www.nola.com
"Homeowners insurance rates at Louisiana Citizens Property Insurance Corp. will increase by a statewide average of 18 percent in October as premiums at the state-sponsored insurer catch up with the dramatic run-up in prices from private companies after Hurricane Katrina."
Truck bill passes
From: iberianet.com
"A bill that passed the Louisiana House of Representatives Thursday may result in the availability of a fuel-efficient truck for many state roads and an economic boom for the state."
State set to OK $3.5 million tax break for JPMorgan's Boston move
From: bostonherald.com
"The state's Economic Assistance Coordinating Council, which oversees government incentives for development, is expected to give its approval to a $3.5 million tax break for banking behemoth JPMorgan Chase & Co. tomorrow."
Advocates say price-tag bill would sow confusion
From: bostonherald.com
"A bill that would eliminate state requirements for grocery stores to individually price most products would "gut" consumer protections, watchdog groups charge."
Racetracks up ante on slot machines
From: bostonherald.com
"Bay State racetrack owners are making a major push to roll out thousands of lucrative slot machines."
State home sales decline in May
From: www.boston.com
"The spring housing market is shaping up as one of Massachusetts' slowest ever."
Accused Big Dig firm files for Ch. 11
From: www.boston.com
"Modern Continental Corp., which earned $3.2 billion as the largest contractor on the Big Dig and was charged criminally by US authorities last week with hiding shoddy workmanship, sought the shelter of US Bankruptcy Court yesterday, claiming up to $1 billion in debts."
No fuel for schools - districts cut back
From: abcnews.go.com
"Students as young as 5 may soon be forced to walk more than a mile to kindergarten in one Maryland County that is struggling to fill its school bus gas tanks in the face of rising oil prices. "
Miss Maryland hopes to land a film career
From: www.hometownannapolis.com
"BALTIMORE - Louise Schlegel has her eyes on Hollywood. Winning the Miss America pageant was a more recent dream."
State officials to tour farms hit by storms
From: blog.mlive.com
"MARTIN, Mich. -- State agriculture officials this afternoon planned to tour farms in Allegan and Ottawa counties, both of which were declared disaster areas because of damage caused by storms earlier this month."
Michigan seeks disaster aid for crop loss
From: www.mlive.com
"Gov. Jennifer Granholm has requested federal disaster assistance for farmers in 55 Michigan counties with crop damage from frost and freezes."
Great Lakes deal ready
From: www.detnews.com
"House and Senate leaders announced Monday they've reached a compromise that could lead to passage, by week's end, of historic legislation protecting Michigan's water and the Great Lakes."
Prison food takes $83 million bite out of state budget
From: www.detnews.com
"Taxpayers spend $83.4 million a year feeding Michigan's 51,000 prison inmates, and could save nearly half that amount by hiring a private food service company, a critical new state audit says."
Deal would limit taking of water from state
From: www.freep.com
"Michigan lawmakers announced an agreement Monday that would regulate new, large-scale withdrawals of water from the state -- a deal expected to clear the way for Gov. Jennifer Granholm to sign an eight-state compact to prevent diversion of water outside the Great Lakes basin."
To avoid student turnover, parents get rent help
From: www.nytimes.com
"FLINT, Mich. - Because he has moved so often, 9-year-old Richard Kennedy has already attended four different schools in Flint. In his mother's latest rental house the other day, he described how it felt to enter an unfamiliar classroom. "
Appeals court strikes down train speed limit in Orr
From: www.duluthnewstribune.com
"The U.S. 8th Circuit Court of Appeals has ruled that the state of Minnesota cannot set a speed limit for trains in Orr."
Duluth firm has key role in building the new I-35W bridge
From: www.duluthnewstribune.com
"The Interstate 35W bridge reconstruction is progressing with breakneck speed, and a Duluth firm is feeling the pressure to get its pieces of the project done with time to spare."
Next stop -- Higher bus, train fares in Twin Cities?
From: www.startribune.com
"High fuel costs have Twin Cities commuters flocking to buses and trains, but mass transit may soon be less of a bargain: Fares across the metro area could rise by 25 cents on Oct. 1, with the possibility of another increase -- of as much as 50 cents more per ticket -- sometime next year."
Flooded fields, higher prices
From: www.stltoday.com
"Jim Bethmann was just a week away from harvesting wheat on his farm north of St. Peters. "It was just right there," he said. "It was so close we could taste it.""
Army Corps chief lauds flood-fighting efforts
From: www.stltoday.com
"MASCOUTAH - After getting a close-up look at the swollen Mississippi River and flood-devastated communities in Iowa, Missouri and Illinois, the commanding general of the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers had high praise Monday for the cooperation of governments at all levels and the courage of local residents."
Funding woes fuel dilemma
From: www.clarionledger.com
"Rising gas and oil prices are putting some of Mississippi's proposed road projects at risk."
Group -- Trim elk, bison numbers
From: www.trib.com
"BILLINGS, Mont. -- A cattle producers' group on Monday called for federal agencies to reduce bison and elk numbers around Yellowstone National Park, as part of efforts to eradicate the livestock disease brucellosis."
Runoff victory may hinge on workers' rights
From: www.newsobserver.com
"Worker advocates have taken an interest in the race for labor commissioner. With a two-term Republican up for re-election this fall, some of North Carolina's bigger employee advocacy groups have endorsed Democratic candidate Mary Fant Donnan in Tuesday's primary runoff as their best hope."
Democrats choose challenger to Berry today
From: www2.journalnow.com
"North Carolina voters head to the polls to choose a Democratic challenger to Republican Labor Commissioner Cherie Berry."
Legislative committee will review N.D. report on finding, keeping young workers
From: www.grandforksherald.com
"North Dakota students and young workers soon will learn how far the state will go to keep them here or bring them back."
MeritCare to slash work force
From: www.in-forum.com
"Up to 100 people at the region's largest health care system will lose their jobs this week, MeritCare's president and chief executive officer wrote late Monday afternoon."
Nelson calls for national energy commission
From: www.theindependent.com
"GRAND ISLAND ? Despite pledges by Saudi Arabia and other countries to increase production, crude oil prices still remain in the mid-$130-per-barrel range."
$80 million Passaic River cleanup planned
From: www.northjersey.com
"Half of the cancer-causing chemical dioxin that pollutes the Passaic River will be removed under an agreement announced today between federal officials and polluters."
As the river suffered, firms changed hands
From: www.nj.com
"The toxic legacy of what is now known as the Diamond Shamrock Superfund site had its start more than half a century ago, on an isolated industrial stretch along the Passaic River in Newark. "
Next to the Passaic, news of a river cleanup brings shrugs
From: www.nj.com
"The area of Newark called Down Neck, just below the last bend of the Passaic River before it empties into Newark Bay, was -- and remains -- home to chemical plants, oil refineries, paint factories, and the heavy trucking companies needed to move it all. "
Dangerous turf also in playgrounds, homes
From: www.northjersey.com
"A California watchdog group says high levels of lead in artificial turf used on sports fields and in the home pose a health risk to children and adults.
"
Next stop - governor's desk
From: www.northjersey.com
"The following measures are among the legislation approved in the Senate and Assembly on Monday. Each bill next will be considered by Governor Corzine:
"
NJ launches '511' travel hotline
From: www.nj.com
"Help for road warriors on New Jersey's busy highways is just three digits away."
Princeton - A beautiful place for a movie
From: www.nj.com
"PRINCETON BOROUGH, N.J. -- New Jersey's highways, ethnic enclaves, seashore and historic homes have served as backdrops for everything from episodes of "The Sopranos" to the classic tale of fading glory, "Atlantic City." "
Deal to detoxify part of the Passaic
From: www.nj.com
"It is, everyone agreed, a good -- maybe even a great -- first step. "
Health, environment departments strengthen tomato import checks
From: www.daily-times.com
"FARMINGTON - New Mexico Environment Department inspectors are intensifying their efforts to block tainted tomatoes from parts of Florida and Mexico from getting into the food chain. "
Forum explores consequences of airline woes
From: www.lvrj.com
"Local boosters could face an unhappy return to the days when Las Vegas was a regional destination if airlines can't figure out how to make money on long-haul leisure routes."
Developer a winner in casino deal
From: timesunion.com
"The Paterson administration and the Legislature have worked out a three-way deal for a Catskills developer to build a $1 billion resort with 2,000 employees, a racetrack, video slots and hotel, according to Senate Majority Leader Joseph L. Bruno."
Bill would ease smoking ban
From: news.cincinnati.com
"MIDDLETOWN, Ohio - A group of Ohio lawmakers want to change Ohio's smoking ban."
Tip-reliant workers say slowdown cuts into tips
From: www.daytondailynews.com
"CINCINNATI - At the Corner Pub on Cincinnati's west side, bartender Melissa Metz can count the cost of the economic hangover in the stack of bills she has at the end of a shift."
Resurrected tax credits may give life to historic buildings
From: blog.cleveland.com
"Historic buildings across the state have a second shot at new life with the reincarnation of a popular state program that fizzled last spring."
Strickland lifts salary freeze on his staff
From: blog.cleveland.com
"Gov. Ted Strickland has lifted a salary freeze for high-earning managers in his administration, though no one is guaranteed to see an increase this summer."
State oil and gas stocks continue to buck trends
From: journalrecord.com
"On a day when declining companies doubled up the gainers 2-1 on Wall Street, state energy stocks ? particularly oil and gas exploration and production companies and service providers ? responded to higher oil prices and were up all across the board."
Unemployment rate climbs
From: journalrecord.com
"More Oklahomans were out of work last month, according to the Oklahoma Employment Security Commission."
Rising fuel costs leads to increasing electric bills
From: www.news-star.com
"Oklahoma Gas & Electric customers should expect to see an average increase of about $15 per month beginning on their July bills to pay for higher fuel prices."
Why your utility bills are going up
From: newsok.com
"Higher energy bills aren't just hitting Oklahomans at the pump."
New Oregon land use law may reduce rural housing
From: www.registerguard.com
"PORTLAND, Ore. -- A state agency says Oregon's newest landuse law will drastically reduce the number of houses built in the countryside."
Athletes headed for Eugene Olympic trials face strict drug testing
From: www.oregonlive.com
"When middle distance runner Nick Symmonds spent a day last fall seeking relaxation fly-fishing along the McKenzie River, he had no idea that back at his Springfield home the United States Anti-Doping Agency had come calling to administer a random drug test."
Loss of timber payments cuts across Oregon
From: www.oregonlive.com
"With the federal government's timber payments to forest-rich states ending this year, the $238 million hit will ripple through every Oregon school district and most county governments."
Study -- State needs time to adjust
From: www.gtconnect.com
"Rural counties that face financial collapse from the loss of federal timber payments need to raise local taxes while the Oregon Legislature and Congress grapple with long-term solutions to a problem that touches the entire state, a task force told the governor Monday."
Bill targets companies working with terrorist nations
From: www.pittsburghlive.com
"The state House is expected to vote this week on a measure that would require the state's pension funds to divest from companies doing business in Iran and Sudan, both of which are on the U.S. State Department's list of terrorist regimes."
Turnpike lease winner gives 30-day extension
From: www.pittsburghlive.com
"The winning bidder for a Pennsylvania Turnpike lease granted the state a 30-day extension on its offer, a spokesman for the financial consortium said Monday."
Pa. court divides on tobacco rulings
From: www.philly.com
"A Philadelphia ordinance banning the sale of cigars and single cigarettes used by illegal drug-takers was partly thrown out and partly upheld yesterday by a divided appeals court."
Citizens Bank will resume college loans
From: www.post-gazette.com
"Citizens Bank, reversing course, is notifying community colleges in Pennsylvania that it will resume making federal loans to students at their institutions."
Economy puts state in a pinch
From: www.pennlive.com
"The Pennsylvania Department of Revenue collected $1.8 billion for the General Fund in May -- $142.2 million less than expected. Revenues have come in less than anticipated twice in 2007 and once in March, but not to the degree they were off in May."
State seeks way to ease jump in electricity rates
From: www.mcall.com
"Consumers bracing for sticker shock when electricity-rate caps expire in a few years could get some relief as part of a state budget deal being negotiated by the governor and Legislature."
Bacteria found in raw milk from New Salem dairy
From: www.pennlive.com
"The Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture says to throw out raw milk from a particular York County dairy."
Delta drops service between State College and Cincinnati
From: www.pennlive.com
"STATE COLLEGE, Pa. -- As of Sept. 1, there will no longer be scheduled passenger air service between State College and Cincinnati."
Bills on foreclosures await governor's approval
From: www.projo.com
"Banks that repossess foreclosed properties in Rhode Island will have to pay the properties' tax and utility bills in a more timely fashion and post bonds for the properties' upkeep if legislation approved by the General Assembly over the weekend is signed into law by Governor Carcieri."
Senate kills E-Verify bill
From: www.projo.com
"The frenzied immigration debate that has engulfed Rhode Island politics and produced more legislative bills here than in almost any other state, ended with a thud over the weekend when a final proposal to crack down on illegal immigration collapsed in the waning hours of the 2008 Assembly session."
Laptops money prompts scrutiny
From: www.argusleader.com
"PIERRE - Money for Gov. Mike Rounds' laptop initiative will be scrutinized from here on out, the interim Appropriations Committee decided Monday, with one legislator saying the governor "used the system to shift money" to continue a program legislators wouldn't fund."
Economy: Slump driving families to seek summer assistance
From: www.knoxnews.com
"Poverty experts say more families are turning to free summer camps, food banks and emergency food aid to deal with the slumping economy."
Nashville- Buyout number jumps to 2,277
From: www.timesfreepress.com
"Gov. Phil Bredesen said Monday there is a simple explanation for why the number of state employees he needs to accept a voluntary buyout offer jumped 13.2 percent last week when the offers were actually made."
Perry ousts head of pension board
From: www.statesman.com
"Gov. Rick Perry has removed Dallas investor Frederick "Shad" Rowe as chairman of the Texas Pension Review Board, which oversees nearly 400 public pension systems that hold $200 billion in assets."
U.S. Supreme Court refuses to hear border fence challenge
From: www.dallasnews.com
"The Supreme Court gave the Bush administration a victory Monday when it declined to step into the controversy over the waiver of environmental laws to speed construction of a 670-mile border security fence. "
Midwesterners work to rise above flood damage
From: www.usatoday.com
"CEDAR RAPIDS, Iowa ? People here have put their shoulders into the grim and dirty task of cleaning up after their worst flood ever, while downstream in Winfield, Mo., folks still were braced as the Mississippi River continued to rise."
Utilities cut off more customers who are behind on their bills
From: www.usatoday.com
"As skyrocketing food and gasoline prices strain budgets, utilities are disconnecting many more customers who fall behind on their bills, and even moderate-income households are getting zapped."
Strained states to make cuts felt by everyone
From: www.washingtonpost.com
"With a new fiscal year beginning in most states next week, budget cuts are about to bite. That means less money for school children in Florida, the end of help with utility bills for poor Rhode Islanders and a good chance tuition will increase at Auburn University in Alabama. "
Schools may raise lunch price as food costs soar
From: www.npr.org
"Rising food prices are posing problems for school lunch programs. With prices increasing on everything including milk, some school districts plan to raise lunch prices for next year."
Drivers slow down as costs accelerate
From: www.usatoday.com
"Some drivers across the nation apparently are cutting their speed slightly to squeeze more mileage out of $4-a-gallon gasoline, according to a USA TODAY review of preliminary state traffic data for the first five months of 2008.
"
Toymakers frustrated by patchwork of safety rules
From: www.washingtonpost.com
"When Washington Gov. Christine Gregoire signed a law banning lead and chemicals known as phthalates from children's products in April, Amy Tucker was thrilled. "
School districts roll out merit-based teacher pay plan
From: www.sltrib.com
"If any teacher would benefit from performance pay, it likely would be Brian LeStarge. "
Dominion looks to raise rates
From: hosted.ap.org
"Dominion Virginia Power is pushing for an increase that would raise electric bills 18 percent to cover the soaring cost of the coal, natural gas and oil it burns in its generating plants to make power."
Virginia's 'safe' tomato harvest underway on Eastern Shore
From: hamptonroads.com
"Virginia's tomato harvest is under way on the Eastern Shore, the center of the state's tomato crop. "
Area a factor for Va. nonprofits
From: www.inrich.com
"In Virginia, the health of the nonprofit sector can be told two ways. There is Northern Virginia, and then there is the rest of the state."
House is already rebuffing Kaine
From: www.washingtonpost.com
"RICHMOND, Va. - Gov. Timothy M. Kaine (D) began a special session of the General Assembly on Monday by challenging legislators to rise above politics and enact his proposed $1 billion tax increase to ease traffic and repair the state's aging network of highways and bridges. "
Vermont farmers see future in grain
From: www.timesargus.com
"RANDOLPH CENTER, Vt. - Set in the green hills of this dairy farming state, where a single white church spire rises in the distance, the Beidler family farm looks -- and sounds -- like an archetype of Vermont agriculture. Twice a day, farmer Brent Beidler calls his cows into the shingled barn for milking, a regular cycle that links him to the state's long dairy tradition."
When it comes to new jobs, Seattle is the leading cybercity
From: seattlepi.nwsource.com
"The Seattle area added the greatest number of high-tech jobs in 2006, outpacing Boston, San Francisco and more than 50 other U.S. cities, according to the Cybercities report from the American Electronics Association."
State to pay airline bag fee for employees
From: www.thenewstribune.com
"The checked-baggage fees charged by some airlines are now part of the cost of doing state business."
Commuters say no to $4 gas, yes to bus rides
From: www.thenewstribune.com
"At the end of March, gas prices had topped $3.45 a gallon. There was talk of a hike in the new Tacoma Narrows bridge toll. And Joshua Hardwick of Gig Harbor had Baby No. 1 on the way. So he took a hard look at his expenses and decided to start riding the bus to his job in downtown Tacoma."
$20 million sought for DMV upgrades
From: www.jsonline.com
"If you're irked by long waits at the Division of Motor Vehicles, brace yourself. Things could get worse."
Skyrocketing gas prices fuel bus ridership
From: www.greenbaypressgazette.com
"Holly Jaklin of Green Bay went to extreme measures to beat rising gas prices."
Gas tax hike would be delayed
From: wvgazette.com
"Legislators are expected to approve a freeze on an increase of 5 to 7 cents per gallon in the state gas tax, beginning Jan. 1."
Buying slump hits state's second-home housing market
From: dailymail.com
"Just two years ago second home sales in West Virginia were booming as people with plenty of money to spend bought up vacation and investment properties in places such as the Canaan Valley and the New River Gorge. Now those high times appear to be over, at least for the moment."
Wyoming launches new job-matching site
From: www.trib.com
"GILLETTE, Wyo. -- The Wyoming Department of Workforce Services has launched a new Web site to match workers seeking a new job with employers in the state."
Wyo. seeks trade ties with China
From: www.trib.com
"CODY, Wyo. -- Calling Wyoming "America's best-kept secret as to being a good place to do business," Gov. Dave Freudenthal welcomed a group of visiting Chinese business and government leaders Monday, urging them to build relationships in the state."
States credit foreign language study
From: www.stateline.org
"Some states are rewarding high school students who study a foreign language outside of the classroom. Connecticut became the latest state to give school credit to students who take private classes and pass a proficiency test."
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."
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