Govs turn to fixing infrastructure
From: www.stateline.org
"PHILADELPHIA — Improving the nation’s crumbling bridges, roads and sewage systems is a $1.6 trillion problem that governors intend to explore in the next year."
California port fee would fight pollution, congestion
From: www.latimes.com
"Saying California children shouldn't breathe soot so people across the country can buy cheap televisions, legislators voted Tuesday to impose a fee on every container moving through the ports of Long Beach, Los Angeles and Oakland.
"
Poll - Economic troubles put burdens on Floridians
From: www.npr.org
"In the upcoming election, there's now clearly one major issue: the economy. A new poll shows that seven out of 10 voters in two swing states - Florida and Ohio - say it's a top issue in deciding how they'll vote for president."
Second Progress Energy nuclear plant is okayed
From: www.tampabay.com
"Progress Energy's $17-billion nuclear project won unanimous approval Tuesday from state regulators, paving the way for the utility to start charging customers for the plant as early as January. "
Mass. Senate votes to let out-of-state gays wed
From: www.npr.org
"The Massachusetts Senate has voted to repeal a 1913 law that has been used to prevent out-of-state gay couples from marrying in the state. In 2004, the state became the first in the nation to allow gay marriages. The House is expected to vote this week."
Schools feel crunch on lunch programs
From: www.boston.com
"The rising cost of grain, milk, and vegetables is expected to drive up school lunch prices this fall for tens of thousands of students, causing even further financial hardships for already-strapped public school systems across Massachusetts, education officials said."
Spitzer charged campaign for hotel bills, raising questions on his use of funds
From: www.nytimes.com
"Two payments to the Mayflower Hotel in Washington were included in former Gov. Eliot Spitzer's campaign filings, which were released on Tuesday afternoon. "
Paterson has raised $3.3 million since March
From: www.nytimes.com
"Gov. David A. Paterson has raised $3.3 million since taking office, by tapping into a broad array of special-interest groups and casting aside the self-imposed fund-raising limits of his predecessor, Eliot Spitzer, according to reports made public on Tuesday. "
Chattanooga 'best fit' for VW, CEO says
From: www.timesfreepress.com
"Chattanooga was "the best fit" for Volkswagen as the German automaker seeks to turbocharge its U.S. sales with the city's largest single manufacturing investment ever, VW of America's CEO said Tuesday."
Pine beetle threat grows in the West
From: www.usatoday.com
"Amy Gannon, hatchet in hand, sliced a slab of bark from a lodgepole pine tree near Wolf Creek, Mont., and quickly spotted a mountain pine beetle larvae no bigger than her pinky fingernail."
States move to regulate senior guardians
From: www.stateline.org
"
As the U.S. population ages and families scatter across the country, the frail elderly increasingly end up relying on court-appointed guardians when they can no longer take care of their personal affairs. California just joined six other states in watching over these professionals charged with protecting society’s most vulnerable adults.
"
2008 state-by-state summary
From: www.stateline.org
"(Updated 12:11 p.m. EDT, July 3, 2008)
Here’s
Stateline.org's state-by-state rundown of significant legislative action in 2008."
Govs celebrate past, look to '09
From: www.stateline.org
"While 70 current and former governors hobnob and reminisce in Philadelphia July 11-14 during the National Governors Association's 100th anniversary celebration, the sitting governors also plan to strategize on how to influence the next president on policies ranging from energy to health care."
Govs punt on global warming
From: www.stateline.org
"
PHILADELPHIA - Congress and the White House aren’t the only ones who can’t agree on a comprehensive energy plan. Neither can the nation’s governors. The National Governors Association is expected to conclude its centennial meeting today (July 14) by urging Congress anew to extend tax breaks that encourage the use of more wind and solar power and energy-efficient buildings, but the governors were too far apart on whether to tackle global warming.
"
WORTH NOTING: Cream pie on gov's 4th of July
From: www.stateline.org
"Vermont
’s governor unexpectedly gets pie in the eye. Ohio State University, a runner-up in football and basketball, earns a dubious top ranking in something else. And the National Football League raids the Pennsylvania State Police for talent. In case you missed those stories this week, “Worth Noting” fills you in."
Sour economy limits states' options in '08
From: www.stateline.org
"
(Updated 4 p.m. EDT, July 2, 2008)
For many states, 2008 will be remembered for record numbers of home foreclosures, $4-a-gallon gasoline and the beginning of a slide into new fiscal woes after two years of overflowing coffers.
Stateline.org’s annual state-by-state look at legislative accomplishments, covering 36 states so far, discerns the trends and precedents emerging from state capitals this year."
FEMA change sends states searching for ice
From: www.stateline.org
"
States looking for free ice from FEMA in the aftermath of a hurricane will be out of luck because of the agency's new policy.
"
Squeeze spares some states
From: www.stateline.org
"Not every state is having budget troubles. Alaska, Texas, West Virginia and others are faring better than most because of their booming energy industries. But North Dakota stands out because it has energy and agriculture — and not many people."
States revisit Prohibition-era booze laws
From: www.stateline.org
"Seventy-five years after the repeal of Prohibition, state lawmakers across the country are marking the anniversary by relaxing or eliminating some laws that have restricted alcohol sales since as long ago as the 1930s."
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."
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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