State's unemployment rate hits 15-year high
From: www.sj-r.com
"Official recession or not, a 7.3 percent unemployment rate for the state of Illinois last month was the highest level in nearly 15 years."
Connerly group refuses to name donors
From: www.omaha.com
"The out-of-state group bankrolling the campaign to ban affirmative action in Nebraska refuses to divulge the names of its biggest donors."
Georgia budget crisis hits workers' paychecks
From: www.ajc.com
"Some agencies are already notifying employees they will have to take a day off without pay each month because of the state's fiscal crisis."
Missouri tops manufacturing study
From: www.columbiatribune.com
"The Show-Me State is tops in the nation for manufacturing and logistics, according to a report card released by Ball State University's Bureau of Business Research."
Statewide home values increase by just 1%
From: www.jsonline.com
"Reflecting the national economic slump and flooded real estate market, the state Revenue Department said today that values of existing Wisconsin homes increased by just 1% last year - the smallest increase in 21 years."
Ohio unemployment jumps to 7.2 percent in July
From: www.daytondailynews.com
"Unemployment in Ohio jumped again in July to 7.2 percent, up from 6.6 percent in June."
Inflation in Utah twice U.S. rate
From: deseretnews.com
"Wasatch Front grocery prices and the overall cost of living are up again - this time twice as high as the national increase, which was the second-highest monthly increase in 26 years, according to the Wells Fargo Consumer Price Index issued Thursday in Salt Lake City."
Income chasm widening in state
From: www.boston.com
"The gap between rich and poor has widened substantially in Massachusetts over the past two decades, according to a new study by the University of Massachusetts. Only those earning the highest incomes benefited from gains in technology, productivity, and globalization, while middle-class earnings stagnated and incomes for poor families plunged 15 percent."
State police system's investments lose value
From: www.nwarktimes.com
"The Arkansas State Police Retirement System's investments fell in value by $ 35 million last fiscal year due largely to losses on domestic and foreign stocks and domestic bonds, system officials said Thursday."
Milk board debates fee to help dairies
From: www.nwarktimes.com
"Arkansas dairy farmers are in trouble and need money to survive, said a state panel, which debated Thursday asking the Legislature to assess a fee on wholesalers to subsidize farmers in the shrinking field."
State returns land grant acreage
From: www.santafenewmexican.com
"In a historic move, the New Mexico Game Commission will return 32.6 acres to the Abiqui Land Grant today. "
State minimum wage to increase
From: www.rockymountainnews.com
"The Denver-area inflation rate for the first half of the year was 3.7 percent, propelled by rising energy costs."
Hawaii's jobless rate climbs in July to 3.9%
From: www.honoluluadvertiser.com
"For the second straight month, Hawaii's seasonally adjusted unemployment rate hit a five-year high, rising in July to 3.9 percent, 1.3 percentage points higher than the same month last year."
Ford cancels 230 layoffs at Kentucky Truck Plant
From: www.courier-journal.com
"Ford Motor Co. has reversed plans to cut 230 line workers in the body and paint departments at the Kentucky Truck Plant, company spokeswoman Angie Kozleski said yesterday."
State's jobless rate rose to 5.8% in July
From: www.courant.com
"Connecticut's job totals have remained flat as the nation has shed jobs over the last year, but the rate of unemployment is gradually rising from the low levels of early 2007."
Worrying invasive snail found in Lake Michigan
From: www.dailyherald.com
"CHAMPAIGN -- Scientists worry that a rapidly reproducing, tiny invasive snail recently found in Lake Michigan could hurt the lake's ecosystem."
Nebraska Beef attracting new recall scrutiny
From: www.journalstar.com
"For the second time this summer, Omaha meatpacker Nebraska Beef is recalling product from retail stores because of E. coli contamination."
Unemployment rate falls to 4%
From: www.billingsgazette.net
"Montana's unemployment rate fell slightly to 4 percent in July."
SC jobless rate jumps to highest mark in 3 years
From: www.goupstate.com
"South Carolina's unemployment rate has shot to its highest level in nearly three years.
"
Ballot taking shape on Ohio's new payday-lending law
From: www.toledoblade.com
"In perhaps the first battle of the Nov. 4 election, both sides of an effort to keep a new payday lending law from taking effect managed to inflict a few wounds yesterday."
Lake Tahoe recovery estimated at $2.5 billion
From: www.rgj.com
"Ecologically ailing Lake Tahoe may be on the road to recovery, but continuing the job over the next decade will come with a daunting cost of about $2.5 billion."
Medicaid bears brunt of states' budget crunch
From: www.csmonitor.com
"NEW YORK - Low-income Americans, beware. Facing budget deficits, two of the nation's most populous states, California and New York, are proposing changes in Medicaid that could affect the eligibility of hundreds of thousands of people or decrease funding for hospitals, doctors, dentists, and pharmacists. "
Oregon creates hot jobs in green energy
From: www.oregonlive.com
"Commuting the 20-mile stretch of Interstate 84 from Hood River to The Dalles, Susan Wolff couldn't help notice truck after truck also headed east, their flatbed trailers loaded with long cylinders -- wind turbine components."
State files criminal charges against lobbyist
From: www.adn.com
"The state has filed criminal charges against prominent lobbyist Ashley Reed, alleging he is chronically late filing required reports disclosing his lobbying activities."
With Juneau's power restored, conservation drops
From: www.npr.org
"Juneau, Alaska, was forced into radical electricity conservation earlier this year when electrical transmission lines were destroyed in an avalanche. "
Alabama automakers riding out first big storm by cutting back production and shifting model mixes
From: www.al.com
"For more than a decade, Alabama has enjoyed the spotlight trained on its booming automotive industry, with images of success beamed around the world."
Only six sign up for self-deporting
From: www.azstarnet.com
"Just six illegal immigrants volunteered to leave the United States in the first week of a pilot program inviting nearly a half-million people to self-deport, federal officials said"
Schwarzenegger urges border cooperation
From: www.signonsandiego.com
"UNIVERSAL CITY, Calif. - Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger escaped the budget stalemate in Sacramento on Thursday to lead a conference of U.S. and Mexican governors contending with pollution, gun-running and drug violence along the troubled 2,000-mile border."
Feathers fly over hens in cages
From: www.sacbee.com
"The fate of the state's 19 million egg-laying hens is coming to a polling place near you. Same-sex marriage, parental notification of abortion - California's November ballot is studded with weighty issues, but none is ruffling feathers like Proposition 2, which would effectively ban farms from raising hens in cages."
Rep. Richardson's Sacramento home declared 'public nuisance'
From: www.latimes.com
"First Rep. Laura Richardson was having problems making house payments, defaulting six times over eight years.
"
Sale of Colorado drilling rights sets onshore record
From: www.santafenewmexican.com
"GOLDEN, Colo. - An auction of federal oil and gas leases on Colorado's Roan Plateau generated nearly $114 million on Thursday, a record for onshore energy lease sales in the lower 48 states. "
Colorado GOP, Dems play blame game with Roan Plateau auction
From: www.rockymountainnews.com
"Democrats and Republicans alike agreed Thursday the state was shortchanged hundreds of millions of dollars on the Roan Plateau energy lease auction."
Roan leases come in low
From: www.rockymountainnews.com
"The long-debated sale of 54,631 acres of natural gas leases on the Roan Plateau in western Colorado netted a continental U.S. record $114 million Thursday, but that figure came as a stunning disappointment to state and industry leaders."
Roan oil, gas sales a gusher
From: www.denverpost.com
"Federal oil and gas leases on the Roan Plateau fetched a record $114 million Thursday, according to Bureau of Land Management officials."
Destructive beetles getting close to state
From: www.zwire.com
"Insect hunters monitoring Connecticut's southern flank for tree-eating Asian longhorns were rethinking their strategy Thursday after the unwanted pests showed up in Worcester, Mass."
Blumenthal opposes upgrading Plum Island biolab facility
From: www.courant.com
"Attorney General Richard Blumenthal is opposing any plan to locate a new lab that would study some of the world's deadliest biological threats on Plum Island, 8 miles off the Connecticut coast."
Unusual alliance fighting to stop budget massacre
From: www.orlandosentinel.com
"With top economists expected to announce grim budget news for Florida -- possibly the worst for the state's government in decades -- an unlikely alliance of groups representing children, the elderly and taxpayers is demanding a solution."
Gov. Charlie Crist wants to accelerate construction projects to boost economy
From: www.orlandosentinel.com
"Gov. Charlie Crist said Thursday that he was directing state agencies to ramp up construction projects already in the pipeline in an effort to offset news that Florida's economy -- and tax revenues -- are in a deep slump."
Fla. revenue estimate may be down again
From: hosted.ap.org
"More spending cuts may loom after Florida economists update their revenue estimates for the current and future budget years."
'Tax swap' axed from November ballot
From: www.tampabay.com
"A state judge stripped a controversial "tax swap" from the November ballot Thursday, saying it would mislead voters about the future of school funding."
New water standards could cost in Augusta
From: chronicle.augusta.com
"Georgia's plan to adopt new water quality standards in Savannah Harbor could have far reaching -- and potentially expensive -- effects on Augusta and 63 other cities and industries that use the upper Savannah River for wastewater assimilation."
Jobless claims rise in Georgia
From: www.macon.com
"Georgia's unemployment rate climbed to its highest point in 15 years last month, according to statistics released Thursday, and the state's top labor official expects it's not finished climbing."
Molokai water rates rising up to 178% starting Sept. 1
From: www.honoluluadvertiser.com
"The state Public Utilities Commission yesterday approved a request by Molokai Ranch to raise water rates for many Molokai residents by substantially more than the regulatory agency proposed in June."
Hawaii prices up 4.9% this year
From: www.honoluluadvertiser.com
"A jump in electricity costs, along with surging gasoline prices and rising housing costs drove up inflation in Honolulu during the first half of the year, keeping prices here higher than in many Mainland cities."
State approves rise in Molokai water prices
From: starbulletin.com
"WAILUKU, Hawaii - An estimated 1,200 residents in West Molokai can expect their water rates to nearly double and in some instances more than triple Sept. 1, under a state Public Utilities Commission decision."
Car rental companies add airport surcharge
From: starbulletin.com
"In addition to extra fees for the first checked-in luggage on an airplane, visitors to Hawaii can now expect to pay another dollar a day for rental cars checked out from the state's airports."
Iowa hatcheries get help after flooding
From: www.wcfcourier.com
"MANCHESTER, Iowa - Iowa's trout program is getting some help after floodwaters washed out more than 250,000 trout from hatcheries in Manchester and Elkader.
"
Lenders extend delay to flood-hit Iowans
From: www.desmoinesregister.com
"CEDAR RAPIDS, Iowa - Flood- ravaged Iowans should contact their lenders if they have trouble making monthly payments, Iowa Attorney General Tom Miller and three of the nation's largest home mortgage companies urged Thursday."
Pottawattamie board members say concerns arise
From: www.omaha.com
"Up to now, Pottawattamie County officials have stayed out of the fray involving a proposed Indian casino in Carter Lake - but that could change next week."
Ex-poor farm is rich in history
From: www.usatoday.com
"WAVERLY, Iowa - Ron Leistikow looks at the vacant, three-story building surrounded by farmland and sees a future museum. Ann Harms envisions a bed-and-breakfast or brewery. Karlyn Armstrong thinks it's an ideal spot for ice-cream socials."
Republicans talk solidarity during their day at fair
From: www.sj-r.com
"Bickering and disarray within the state's Democratic Party are creating an opportunity for Illinois Republicans to regain their once-mighty political strength, and they hope to start that process in November, GOP stalwarts said Thursday."
State Republicans' dream agenda - fight tax increases, look for tax breaks
From: www.dailyherald.com
"If Republicans ran state government, they say they'd make it harder to raise taxes, fast track property tax relief and make it easier to kick unpopular politicians out of office."
Indiana crops recover following spring flood
From: hosted.ap.org
"Two months after flooding swamped many Indiana farms, the state's corn crop is in the midst of an "amazing" rebound after weeks of good weather that revived once waterlogged fields."
Daniels suggests lottery as way to fund scholarships
From: www.indystar.com
"A plan from Gov. Mitch Daniels to help more Hoosiers get into college was hailed Wednesday by Republican and Democratic leaders, but there could be a fight over how to fund the estimated $50 million annual cost."
Scholarships from lottery privatization?
From: www.news-sentinel.com
"Republican Gov. Mitch Daniels has revived a contentious proposal to lease the Hoosier Lottery to a private operator, saying the money could fund a proposed college scholarship program."
Campaigning for a research-boosting tax
From: www.kansascity.com
"The choice may seem curious at first, but supporters of the Johnson County Education and Research Triangle say Kansas Sen. Karin Brownlee is just the person to lead their tax campaign this fall."
Investigation of 22 road contracts sought
From: www.courier-journal.com
"The state's top highway engineer said yesterday that the Transportation Cabinet's inspector general is investigating 22 road contracts awarded in 2006 and 2007 over the objections of department experts."
A raft of new state laws take effect today, targeting everything from firearms at work to cockfighting to home-repair fraud
From: www.nola.com
"Starting today, employees can bring their firearms to work, but can't ride in the bed of a pickup truck if they take interstate highways to get there."
Lottery's Keno gamble pays off
From: bostonherald.com
"The Massachusetts State Lottery's first online venture appears to have hit the jackpot."
Carla Howell's tax fight pays off
From: bostonherald.com
"The move to repeal the state income tax is already paying off for a pair of activists who have pocketed tens of thousands of dollars heading up the ballot campaign, a Herald review has found."
Cahill ends effort to bail out lender
From: www.boston.com
"Massachusetts Treasurer Timothy P. Cahill yesterday said he was calling off efforts to assist the state's student loan authority, based on a college survey indicating most students have found other loan sources by now."
Galvin looks into possible lobbying violation at lottery
From: www.boston.com
"Secretary of State William F. Galvin's office said yesterday that it is looking into whether the Massachusetts State Lottery's largest vendor and one of its consultants, a close friend of state Treasurer Timothy P. Cahill, violated state lobbying laws."
UMass violated bid law, AG rules
From: www.boston.com
"The state attorney general's office has ruled that the University of Massachusetts at Lowell violated public bidding laws in awarding a $20 million student housing project to a local developer."
Cigarette taxes are up -- so is smuggling
From: www.baltimoresun.com
"When Maryland doubled the cigarette tax to $2 a pack, some residents may have found a reason to quit. Smugglers, on the other hand, seem to have found a motive to step up their activities."
Slots foes may contest ballot text
From: www.baltimoresun.com
"OCEAN CITY, Md. - Slots opponents said yesterday that they are contemplating a lawsuit to contest the wording of a November referendum on whether to allow the establishment of 15,000 slot machines at five sites across the state."
Just what the doctors ordered
From: gazette.net
"One of the side effects of Maryland's hospital construction boom is an increased need for health care workers, so some hospitals are looking at expanding teaching partnerships to help meet that demand."
Slots foes press case at MACo
From: gazette.net
"OCEAN CITY, Md. - Slot machine gambling opponents used the Maryland Association of Counties annual summer conference to urge voters to reject expanded gaming, even as a discouraging economic forecast offers little light at the end of the tunnel."
Maine food stamp benefits to rise
From: bangornews.com
"Federal officials have granted the state's request to adjust food stamp benefit levels to reflect higher home heating and other utility costs, which will result in an estimated 59,000 households in Maine getting about $23 a month more beginning next month. Thousands more now also will qualify for the federal program."
Republican legislators press for special LIHEAP session
From: bangornews.com
"Republican lawmakers are pressing their call for a special legislative session to transfer $10 million in surplus funds to Maine's Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program."
More Michigan jobless can't get benefits
From: www.detnews.com
"As the number of unemployed grows in Michigan, an increasing number of people who are out of work also are not getting unemployment benefits, according to recently released data."
Minnesota jobless rate climbs to 5.4 percent in July
From: www.duluthnewstribune.com
"Minnesota's economy lost 8,600 jobs in July."
Minn. court weighs in on UnitedHealth options case
From: hosted.ap.org
"Minnesota's highest court said Thursday that state law requires a mostly hands-off approach to a $420 million stock options settlement between UnitedHealth Group Inc. and its former CEO."
Transportation chief shares ideas
From: www.sctimes.com
"Getting Minnesota's transportation system back on track is going to require creativity and difficult choices, new Transportation Commissioner Tom Sorel told about 50 local business and transportation advocates Thursday in St. Cloud."
Low water levels on the Mississippi causing problems
From: www.southernillinoisan.com
"ST. LOUIS - Low water levels on the Mississippi River is causing problems, just weeks after one of the worst floods ever on Ol' Miss."
Governor likes idea of housing czar
From: www.sunherald.com
"Gov. Haley Barbour responded enthusiastically Thursday to ideas from a Coast coalition on housing and said he may move quickly on one of its suggestions."
State fights bio lab report
From: www.hattiesburgamerican.com
"WASHINGTON - Gov. Haley Barbour's administration is attacking suggestions in a recent news story that politics rather than merit put Flora among six finalists vying for the chance to host a federal biological research lab."
Farmers earn carbon credits
From: www.billingsgazette.net
"It's been a year since Montana farmers cut the record wheat harvest of 2007, but carbon traders say for many there's still money to be made from a bumper crop trapped beneath the sod."
Groups seek to play role in park bison lawsuit
From: www.billingsgazette.net
"Environmentalists and a group of property owners near Yellowstone National Park said Thursday they are seeking to intervene in a lawsuit over the capture and hazing of bison that wander outside the park."
UND professor says recoverable oil in Bakken could more than double after study
From: www.grandforksherald.com
"A UND professor says the amount of recoverable oil on the U.S. side of the Bakken Formation could more than double as a result of a three-year study by UND researchers looking at how to increase the amount of oil that can be extracted from the Bakken's dense shale"
NH demands $25m in restitution from UBS
From: www.unionleader.com
"State securities regulators, alleging fraud by UBS Securities LLC, filed a cease-and-desist order yesterday against the Switzerland- based banking company and demanded restitution in New Hampshire that could total $25 million."
Area students find loans despite crash
From: www.cmonitor.com
"News that New Hampshire's leading student loan issuer would stop providing about $70 million in private loans sent shivers down some spines in March. But with the fall term almost here, several schools said yesterday that students seem to be having success lining up private loans from sources other than the New Hampshire Higher Education Loan Corp.
"
NH suffered $20 million-plus in flood, tornado damage
From: www.unionleader.com
"New Hampshire suffered more than $20 million in damage from last week's floods and July's tornado, the governor said today."
New study will focus on shore damage
From: www.nj.com
"Federal money will help fund a study of shore damage along the Jersey shore."
Navajo Nation: Groups challenge EPA permit
From: www.santafenewmexican.com
"Environmentalists and Navajo groups who have been fighting a proposed coal-fired plant on tribal land in northwestern New Mexico have appealed an air permit granted for the plant. "
Special session: Drop in windfall trims rebate plan
From: www.santafenewmexican.com
"Taxpayers fretting over the high cost of food and gas can still expect some relief from state government in the special session that begins today, just not as much as previously suggested. "
Lawmakers slice $75 million from budget
From: www.nevadaappeal.com
"Lawmakers approved more than $75 million in budget cuts on Thursday - enough to get the state through the rest of this fiscal year - even though they fretted over the damage it will cause to Health and Human Services programs."
Prisons, services cut from budget
From: www.rgj.com
"A long list of budget cuts, mostly in human services and prison funding, was approved Thursday by Nevada legislators dealing with a projected revenue shortfall of nearly $1.2 billion this fiscal year."
Expiring benefits prompt retirement exodus
From: www.lasvegassun.com
"A wave of Nevada teachers, city and county workers, and other employees are retiring in time to take advantage of subsidized health benefits."
Seneca officials take their cigarette tax case to Albany
From: www.buffalonews.com
"Seneca Nation representatives Thursday urged the Paterson administration to back off on any plans to collect sales taxes on cigarette sales by Indian retailers."
SUNY staffers rule list of highest paid New York state employees
From: www.democratandchronicle.com
"At first glance, the roster may look like the payroll for the State University of New York. Clinical professors, researchers, deans, hospital administrators and other high-level managers for SUNY take up all but 12 slots on the list of the 100 highest-paid state employees in 2007."
Seneca leaders seek veto of cigarette tax bill
From: www.timesunion.com
"Days before the state Legislature will try to stem growing budget deficits, leaders of the Seneca Nation pressed Gov. David Paterson's office to veto a bill that would require collecting millions of dollars in taxes on cigarettes now sold tax-free by tribes."
Rhetoric heats up as cuts close in
From: www.timesunion.com
"With a showdown looming in only five days over Gov. David Paterson's plan to cut state spending by $600 million, interest groups revved up their attacks on the proposal Thursday and urged lawmakers to reject the spending reductions."
A union divide under Paterson
From: www.timesunion.com
"Soon after former Gov. Eliot Spitzer took office in 2007, he found himself at war with Senate Republicans over his efforts to institute campaign finance reform and to bring the Senate under Democratic control. Neither goal was achieved. Now, Gov. David Paterson, not six months after taking over from Spitzer, is facing his own foe -- organized labor."
State report tallying jobs finds glass half empty
From: www.nytimes.com
"The unemployment rates for New York City and the state declined in July, which seems like a positive development some government officials could try to take credit for. But Albany was a no-spin zone on Thursday."
Family gives $22.6 million to University Hospitals
From: www.cleveland.com
"University Hospitals plans to use one of its largest gifts ever - $22.6 million from a Northeast Ohio family - to transform its heart and vascular institute into one of the top centers of academic and clinical excellence in the nation."
Lights out in Ohio on blackout's 5th anniversary
From: www.usatoday.com
"CLEVELAND - Five years to the day of the largest blackout in North America, a lightning strike caused the lights to go out again in several Cleveland suburbs."
High gas and food prices pinch meal programs for seniors
From: www.ardmoreite.com
"Pat Peay has been working on behalf of seniors for more than 30 years. And as director of the Southern Oklahoma Nutrition Program, she has seen first hand the impact high gas and food prices have had on the state's elderly meal programs."
Land-use panel will focus on local control
From: www.oregonlive.com
"Oregon's land-use system should give rural communities more control over development and focus statewide regulation on significant farm, forest and natural resource land, a special task force says."
Clean up coal plant, regulators say
From: www.oregonlive.com
"Portland General Electric should spend more than $400 million of ratepayer money in the next decade to cut 80 percent of the haze- and acid-rain causing pollution that spews from its Boardman coal plant, Oregon regulators proposed Thursday."
Bluhm is unanimous pick to take over city's casino
From: www.pittsburghlive.com
"The easy part is over for Neil Bluhm. The Chicago billionaire and real estate developer won control of Pittsburgh's casino license Thursday with the unanimous blessing of the state Gaming Control Board."
Orie, Fumo find common ground on revising slots law
From: www.post-gazette.com
"A political odd couple, if ever there was one, has teamed up in an effort to make major changes to Pennsylvania's 4-year-old slots law."
Faced with high gas prices, Pennsylvania motorists driving less
From: www.post-gazette.com
"Record gas prices helped to keep increased numbers of Americans off the roads at the start of summer vacation, including in Pennsylvania, where driving fell 2.6 percent in June, according to data released by the Federal Highway Administration yesterday."
Increased taxes in Pennsylvania ignite another whiskey rebellion
From: online.wsj.com
"PITTSBURGH -- More than 200 years ago, a group of angry farmers in this southwest corner of Pennsylvania tarred and feathered whiskey-tax collectors and torched their homes. That was the first Whiskey Rebellion."
Traditional energy's modern boom
From: www.washingtonpost.com
"AMWELL, Pa. -- The guys on the derrick, filthy with mud and grease, have the best view in the county. Their drilling rig rises from a bulldozed, flattened patch of meadow near the top of a hill. "
Another 1,700 jobs lost in R.I.
From: www.projo.com
"Rhode Island shed another 1,700 payroll jobs last month and the state unemployment rate jumped three-tenths of a percentage point to 7.7 percent -- the highest since 1993, a government report released today shows."
Underground Pipeline Task Force meets
From: www.rapidcityjournal.com
"A seven-member task force that was created by the South Dakota Legislature to study underground pipelines was told Thursday that the state cannot regulate the construction and operation of interstate pipelines."
Pipeline out of state's hands
From: www.argusleader.com
"A task force formed to review state laws governing pipelines will have little effect on TransCanada's Keystone oil line, members learned Thursday."
Chunk of school property tax relief package wiped out, study finds
From: www.dallasnews.com
"A big chunk of the school property tax relief approved by lawmakers two years ago has been wiped out by higher property appraisals and unprecedented tax hikes by cities and counties, according to a new study by a leading tax research foundation. "
State stepping in as banks bail out of student loans
From: www.sltrib.com
"For the first time, the state of Utah has begun originating student loans, a shift that will ensure that any Utah college student who needs financial assistance can get it, although it will cost more."
Wasatch cost of living catapults past national average
From: www.sltrib.com
"Utahns, who pay the third-highest gas prices in the country, also are getting hammered by inflation in other areas, such as food, utilities and rents. "
Watermen launch advocacy group
From: www.inrich.com
"YORKTOWN, Va. - Virginia watermen launched a statewide advocacy group yesterday to combat water pollution and what they see as overzealous regulation of their struggling industry."
Interest in wind power has Beach looking at controls
From: hamptonroads.com
"VIRGINIA BEACH, Va. - It's no surprise that John Devan would want to install a 33-foot-tall windmill in the Corporate Landing Business Park to power his building."
Disabled Vermonters target inaccessible businesses
From: www.rutlandherald.com
"A group of disabled Vermonters plastered downtown storefronts Thursday morning with paper signs protesting a lack of wheelchair accessibility."
States say drug ruling should be upheld
From: burlingtonfreepress.com
"Vermont and 46 states are urging the U.S. Supreme Court to uphold a Vermont Supreme Court ruling that forced a drug manufacturer to pay $6.8 million to a woman whose arm had to be amputated after she was injected with one of its medications."
State farmworkers face low quality of life, study finds
From: seattlepi.nwsource.com
"From living out of cars to rodent-plagued cabins, Washington farmworkers interviewed for a new survey offer a glimpse into the quality of life for many of the more than 170,000 people who form the backbone of the state's large agricultural sector."
It's a beer vs. kid trade-off
From: www.jsonline.com
"Depending on how it's interpreted, Wisconsin's child labor law might prohibit kids from performing almost anywhere alcohol is served - including county fairs and community festivals such as Milwaukee's Summerfest - a state lawmaker says."
Life drained by water that won't
From: www.jsonline.com
"SPRING GREEN, Wis. -- The floodwaters of June have receded into memory across most of southern Wisconsin, but this Sauk County village and the rolling farmland nearby tell a different story."
Manchin defends friend of court brief on behalf of DuPont
From: www.register-herald.com
"FAIRLEA, W.Va. - Gov. Joe Manchin, while visiting the State Fair Thursday, defended his decision to file a friend of the court brief on behalf of DuPont, which is seeking a partial appeal of a $382 million civil verdict awarded by a Harrison County jury."
Manchin, Douglass tout Web site
From: www.register-herald.com
"FAIRLEA, W.Va. - Gov. Joe Manchin and state Agriculture Commissioner Gus Douglass joined ranks Thursday at the West Virginia State Fair and touted an e-commerce Web site created last year that's linking up chefs and farmers across the state."
State Police keep fairgoers safe
From: www.register-herald.com
"LEWISBURG, W.Va. - With crowds approaching nearly one-quarter of a million people each year, keeping the State Fair of West Virginia a safe and secure place so families can enjoy the state's "biggest garden party" is a task taken on by those familiar folks in green uniforms."
Going green saves taxes
From: www.theintelligencer.net
"WHEELING, W.Va. - West Virginia shoppers won't pay sales tax on such items as energy-efficient clothes washers, televisions and compact fluorescent light bulbs Sept. 1-7."
Southeast Wyo Dems differ on smoking ban
From: www.trib.com
"The two Democratic candidates for House District 3 in southeast Wyoming differ sharply on the need for a statewide smoking ban."
Wyo, Mont. see fewer wildfires this summer
From: www.trib.com
"Wyoming and Montana are seeing fewer and less intense wildfires this summer although there is still about a month and a half left in the fire season, state foresters in both states said Thursday."
Vehicles powered by hydrogen roll onto UD's campus
From: www.delawareonline.com
"Hal Lewis watched longingly as the hydrogen fuel cell-powered Honda FCX Clarity rolled past him."
WORTH NOTING: Michigan billed for woman's gas
From: www.stateline.org
"
A woman wants Michigan to pay for gas wasted in stalled traffic. A Nebraska judge considers whether the Almighty can be sued. And a Democrat-sponsored Web site claims Nevada Gov. Jim Gibbons (R) is the worst of the worst. In case you missed those stories this week, “Worth Noting” fills you in.
"
Frustrated govs rip fed road policy
From: www.stateline.org
"
ATLANTIC CITY, N.J. — Fixing congested roads and deteriorating bridges is becoming more difficult for states as their economies tighten and prices for building supplies skyrocket, but five Northeastern governors blame federal policies for hampering states’ infrastructure improvement efforts, too.
"
States curb carbon as blueprint for feds
From: www.stateline.org
"An effort by Virginia Gov. Tim Kaine (D) to focus Southern governors on reducing greenhouse gas emissions in their states is the latest example of state-led policies that could be used as models for future federal action."
Three states reconsider affirmative action
From: www.stateline.org
"
In a year when voters could elect the country’s first African-American president, three states also will decide on a controversial ballot measure that would end the use of affirmative action in college admissions and government contracting."
States adopt bold anti-poverty measures
From: www.stateline.org
"At least 15 states have declared war on poverty, launching broad, high-profile campaigns aimed at rooting out the causes of poverty and alleviating its effects on children."
2008 state-by-state summary
From: www.stateline.org
"
(Updated 11:15 a.m. EDT, Aug. 6, 2008)
Here’s
Stateline.org's state-by-state rundown of significant legislative action in 2008."
Anti-tax activists again watch Colorado
From: www.stateline.org
"
Colorado voters may get to decide this November whether to ditch for good their strictest-in-the-nation state spending cap that returned extra revenue to taxpayers, while voters in Massachusetts will consider killing the state income tax."
Watch your (official) language
From: www.stateline.org
"Missouri, a key presidential swing state and home to one of the most hotly contested gubernatorial races, will test what some see as voters’ attitudes toward immigrants with a ballot measure to make English the only language of state government."
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."
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.
