U.S. Mint circulates new Alaska quarters
From: juneauempire.com
"ANCHORAGE, Alaska - Alaska commemorative quarters featuring a grizzly bear with a salmon in its jaws were put into circulation Monday by the U.S. Mint."
Energy legislation, rebates signed into law
From: www.adn.com
"Gov. Sarah Palin signed legislation into law Monday to pay each qualified Alaska resident a $1,200 "resource rebate," or personal share of the state's multibillion-dollar oil revenue surplus."
Alaskans vote today in pivotal Republican primaries
From: www.washingtonpost.com
"DENVER - Alaska's Republican voters go to the polls Tuesday to decide whether a pair of GOP incumbents with a combined 75 years in Congress should continue to be the dominant figures in state politics as they battle criminal investigations. "
Ark. agency criticizes survey's religion questions
From: www.thedailycitizen.com
"The Arkansas Department of Workforce Education on Monday criticized as inappropriate an affiliated group's survey of middle school students that included questions asking them if they believed in tithing and whether they believed "in a God who answers prayers."
"
Home sales in state soar as prices plunge
From: www.sfgate.com
"SAN FRANCISCO -- California home sales surged last month even while prices plunged a record amount, as buyers snapped up bargains among the state's hundreds of thousands of foreclosed and distressed properties, according to an industry trade group."
Lawmakers aim to cut global warming by limiting sprawl
From: www.mercurynews.com
"For 30 years, as California's growing population led to sprawling suburbs, traffic jams and fewer farms, attempts to craft statewide laws to stop it have failed again and again."
Decline forecast in Californians' Labor Day holiday travel
From: www.sacbee.com
"Gas prices have been retreating, but that won't translate to more Californians traveling over the Labor Day weekend, according to AAA."
California home sales rise for fourth month
From: www.sacbee.com
"California's free-falling home prices sparked a fourth straight month of year-over-year sales gains during July, the California Association of Realtors reported Monday."
Eco-energy advocates crank up efforts
From: www.denverpost.com
"From the eye-catching 131-foot wind turbine on display near the Colorado Convention Center to the onslaught of industry-sponsored events, the burgeoning renewable energy industry is using the Democratic National Convention as its coming-out party."
Some cemeteries dig green burials
From: www.denverpost.com
"The growing popularity of environmentally sensitive burials could pump life into Denver's run-down Riverside Cemetery and help other Colorado graveyards struggling with rising costs."
CL & P to upgrade electricity transmission lines
From: www.courant.com
"Connecticut Light & Power has plans for a $251 million project to improve electricity transmission in the state by building 38 miles of new power lines through eastern Connecticut and upgrading its substations in Lebanon and Killingly."
Energy savings program reined in
From: www.courant.com
"It was about 6 p.m. on a Friday, and three workers specially flown in from Utah to install energy-saving tinting on the windows of a Rocky Hill office building were unloading their equipment. That's when the call came in: Connecticut Light & Power said it was pulling the plug on the project. "
Payroll check scam hits Westbrook resort
From: www.courant.com
"WESTBROOK, Conn. — Police are investigating a fraudulent check-cashing scheme involving at least 23 thieves posing as employees of a waterside resort."
South Florida home prices continue to drop
From: www.miamiherald.com
"Existing-home sales in July continued to drop in Miami-Dade County but showed signs of stabilizing in Broward, according to figures released Monday by the Florida Association of Realtors."
Governor chided over job losses in U.S. Sugar deal
From: www.palmbeachpost.com
"The chairman of the Florida Senate Agriculture Committee warned Gov. Charlie Crist on Monday that the deal to purchase U.S. Sugar could have "drastic consequences" for the state's economy."
Fay's floods hit uninsured hard
From: www.palmbeachpost.com
"FORT PIERCE, Fla. — Mireya and Jose Gamez knew they were taking a big risk when they decided to pass on flood insurance for their three-bedroom, two-bath home. But huge medical bills had decimated their budget."
State to nix State Farm rate hike
From: floridacapitalnews.com
"State regulators will reject State Farm Florida's request to raise its homeowners insurance rates an average 47 percent."
Fla. rejects State Farm homeowners rate request
From: hosted.ap.org
"Florida insurance regulators Monday rejected State Farm's request to boost rates by an average of 47.1 percent on its homeowners policies in the state."
State Farm denied 47 percent property insurance rate hike
From: www.tampabay.com
"Florida insurance regulators Monday told State Farm Florida that it couldn't raise property insurance rates. "
State pecan crop suffers in winds
From: chronicle.augusta.com
"THOMASVILLE, Ga. --- Pecan grower Tom Stone was stranded at a vacation home on the Gulf of Mexico as Tropical Storm Fay waltzed across northern Florida. When he returned to southern Georgia on Sunday -- even then finding some major roads blocked by downed trees and power lines -- he found his well-tended orchards in shambles."
Ship in distress
From: starbulletin.com
"The Bishop Museum is considering scuttling the deteriorating Falls of Clyde in shallow waters off the Waianae Coast to turn the historic ship into an undersea attraction for divers."
Lawmakers waiting on disaster report to move forward
From: www.siouxcityjournal.com
"Iowa legislative leaders are eagerly awaiting a report from a state advisory commission before they determine the Legislature's role in the state's disaster recovery efforts."
Legislature must act quickly on storm recovery, panel says
From: www.desmoinesregister.com
"There are good ideas in the disaster task force reports released Monday, and only lawmakers can make some of the ideas happen, several Rebuild Iowa members said Monday."
Let childless get Medicaid, leader exhorts
From: www.desmoinesregister.com
"It's time for poor people who are childless to be covered by Medicaid, an Iowa human services official says."
Idaho Lottery unveils game for Special Olympics
From: www.idahostatesman.com
"The Idaho Lottery has a new game to help raise money for the 2009 Special Olympics World Winter Games planned in Idaho this winter."
Blagojevich -- Ethics bill will get complete overhaul
From: www.sj-r.com
"Gov. Rod Blagojevich said Monday he's following through on his promise to "rock the system" by drastically changing an ethics-reform measure to target lawmakers while cracking down on campaign contributors with large state contracts."
Blagojevich says rewrite expands ethics reforms, not guts it
From: www.dailyherald.com
"As Illinois Democrats rallied in Denver for their 'favorite son' during the party's first day at the convention, Gov. Rod Blagojevich was back in Chicago rewriting legislation that may end up killing campaign finance reform."
Meeks has new school pilot project
From: www.chicagotribune.com
"A Democratic state senator and a former Republican candidate for governor on Monday proposed a three-year, $40 million pilot project aimed at proving that better funding and more resources would give low-performing schools a lift."
Indiana releases 2007 medical errors report
From: www.nwitimes.com
"Indiana saw a 24 percent increase last year in errors at hospitals and surgical centers, state health officials said Monday."
Committee to study contentious immigration issue
From: hosted.ap.org
"State lawmakers charged with studying illegal immigration this summer are hoping to collect facts - not political grandstanding or heated rhetoric - during meetings next month."
Electric cars to be built in Kentucky
From: www.kentucky.com
"Gov. Steve Beshear, at the helm of a three-wheeled electric car, took a victory lap around the Capitol on Monday morning after announcing that Simpson County had landed an $84 million factory to build the low-speed vehicles."
State racing panel votes to ban steroids
From: www.courier-journal.com
"LEXINGTON, Ky. – A race-day ban on steroids may be in place at the state's racetracks by next week, following a vote yesterday by the Kentucky Horse Racing Commission."
Electric-car maker ZAP coming to Ky.
From: www.courier-journal.com
"An electric-car maker will break ground Thursday on a plant in Simpson County, and eventually bring as many as 4,000 jobs to Kentucky, company officials said."
Louisiana delegation at odds with Democrat's energy plank
From: www.thenewsstar.com
"DENVER -- More than a special "joie de vivre" separates Louisiana's delegates from others at Denver's Democratic National Convention. Their position on offshore drilling also sets them apart."
Groups attack cable TV change
From: www.2theadvocate.com
"The state's police jury and municipal associations are challenging the legality of a new Louisiana law allowing telecommunications companies to offer cable television service through a statewide franchise rather than seeking city or parish franchises."
Home prices in state drop at record rate
From: bostonherald.com
"Bay State median house prices fell 12.3 percent in July -- the steepest decline ever recorded, new figures show."
11 unions say UMass bargaining in bad faith
From: www.boston.com
"With contract negotiations flagging, labor unions at the state's colleges and universities have filed a complaint of unfair labor practices against the state Board of Higher Education and the board of trustees of the University of Massachusetts, accusing them of bargaining in bad faith."
Slots opponents drafting suit over ballot wording
From: www.baltimoresun.com
"Slots opponents are drafting a lawsuit to challenge the wording of a ballot question that will be put to voters in November on whether to legalize slot-machine gambling at five locations in Maryland."
State agency to provide funds for energy programs
From: www.baltimoresun.com
"The Maryland Energy Administration announced yesterday it is making available $1.5 million in below-market-rate loans to nonprofit groups, local governments and eligible businesses to implement energy conservation and efficiency programs."
Bill would restrict billboards for adult clubs
From: www.detnews.com
"Mary Little cringes every time she sees the billboards trumpeting nearby topless bars along her northwest side neighborhood. "
The buzz on Minnesota bee - A real honey for survival
From: www.twincities.com
"Minnesota has a state flower (pink-and-white showy lady's slipper), a state bird (common loon), a state tree (Norway pine) and a lot of other state things — even a state muffin (blueberry). But does Minnesota have a state honeybee?"
Group calls for private lobbyist ban
From: www.hattiesburgamerican.com
"Mississippi's public universities, community colleges and state agencies should be banned from using tax dollars to hire lobbyists, a legislative watchdog group recommends in a new report."
Employee verification system faulty, some say
From: www.hattiesburgamerican.com
"A new Mississippi law requiring employers to verify the identity of employees may have holes that don't protect employers from hiring undocumented immigrants, said a Sanderson Farms executive Monday."
Federal raid nets 350 detainees from plant
From: www.hattiesburgamerican.com
"LAUREL, Miss. -- An estimated 350 workers are being held at an undisclosed location following an early morning raid Monday on Howard Industries that officials say is the largest round-up of its type in Mississippi in recent years."
Capacity conflict at the pool
From: www.helenair.com
"An ongoing debate between city officials, contracted engineers and the state Department of Public Health and Human Services could cause delays for a planned $2.6 million renovation and expansion project at the Memorial Park pool, potentially putting next year's swim season in jeopardy."
North Dakota lawmakers discuss decriminalizing Blunt-type spending
From: www.grandforksherald.com
"Hours before former workers' compensation executive Charles "Sandy" Blunt returned to court to plead not guilty to criminal charges, state lawmakers began steps to ensure no one else is ever prosecuted for a similar crime."
N.D. AG says WSI meeting was illegal
From: www.bismarcktribune.com
"Two directors of North Dakota's workers compensation agency broke the state's open meetings law by meeting in a restaurant to discuss business without public notice, Attorney General Wayne Stenehjem said."
N.D. tax measure approved for ballot despite possible fraud
From: www.bismarcktribune.com
"A proposal to cut North Dakota's income tax rates will appear on the November ballot despite fraud allegations that disqualified 610 petition signatures, Secretary of State Al Jaeger says."
Audit -- Issues found with transportation service contracts
From: www.journalstar.com
"The Legislature's audit of the state's personal services contracts, to determine compliance with state law, has found a number of issues with transportation service contracts that have caused concerns."
Survey finds Nebraska women face discrimination
From: www.journalstar.com
"A majority of Nebraska women surveyed by an advocacy group say they have been the targets of sexual discrimination in the past five years."
Battleship New Jersey wrestles with state budget cuts
From: www.philly.com
"With its bristling 16-inch guns, the Battleship New Jersey has faced down many enemies over the last 65 years -- from World War II through combat actions in Korea, Vietnam, and Beirut, Lebanon. Now in retirement, the popular tourist destination on the Camden waterfront faces a new enemy: the state budget ax."
N.J. homeowners brace for higher winter heating oil bills
From: www.nj.com
"Across New Jersey, homeowners coping with record home heating oil prices are trying to figure out how they will make it through the coming winter without busting their budgets."
Governor OKs rebates - first checks go out in October
From: www.santafenewmexican.com
"The first wave of tax rebate checks will be mailed to lower- and middle-income New Mexicans by late October. "
Petition on taxes faces challenge
From: www.lvrj.com
"As expected, the state teachers union on Monday filed a lawsuit seeking to disqualify an initiative petition to cap property tax rates from being included on the November general election ballot."
Feds second-guess state OSHA
From: www.lasvegassun.com
"Federal workplace safety officials have raised "significant concerns" about the way Nevada resolved an investigation of a double fatality at the Orleans last year."
Fish-killing Indian Pt. ruled an eco-danger
From: www.nypost.com
"The huge numbers of fish sucked to their death by the cooling system at the Indian Point nuclear plant prove that the system harms the Hudson River environment, a state official has ruled."
Bill seeks uniform gas prices in New York
From: www.democratandchronicle.com
"Gasoline prices are coming down, and lawmakers hope that a bill they passed earlier this month will lower them further, especially in affluent areas. But oil companies warn that if Gov. David Paterson signs the measure, it could have the opposite effect."
State says fair's restroom staff was cheated
From: www.buffalonews.com
"Twenty-five restroom attendants at the Erie County Fair received monetary tips from fairgoers — but they also were getting cheated by the company that hired them, the state Labor Department has announced."
Billionaire's Albany reform group puts its money behind 39 incumbent senators
From: www.nytimes.com
"A political organization backed by the billionaire Tom Golisano made dozens of new endorsements on Monday in Senate races across the state, each candidate a potential beneficiary of the $5 million Mr. Golisano has said he will spend to influence the fall elections."
Buckeye Institute study suggests dropping Ohio income tax to stimulate economy
From: www.cleveland.com
"Dump Ohio's income tax overboard, and the state's economic ship will come in. That's the course a conservative think tank recommends in a study released Monday that concludes the state's economy would be revived if lawmakers eliminated the state's income tax over the next five years. "
State panel OK with Medicaid drug rule
From: www.dispatch.com
"A new state Medicaid rule requiring pre-authorization for dispensing a handful of costly mental-health drugs will take effect without objection from a state legislative panel. "
Turbine tech - Workers maintain wind farm
From: newsok.com
"Fear of falling is one of the few innate fears people have, Andy Woods said. "I can't remember the other ones.""
Backers of LNG terminal admit polling
From: www.oregonlive.com
"Backers of the proposed Bradwood Landing liquefied natural gas terminal have acknowledged their polling of Clatsop County residents about an upcoming ballot measure."
Growth strategy costs Oregon's largest retirement home provider
From: www.oregonlive.com
"When Oregon's largest provider of retirement housing revealed deep financial troubles last week, spokesmen for Sunwest Management Inc. blamed them on outside factors such as jumpy lenders and national housing woes."
Proposed bill to limit gambling board's lawyers
From: www.pittsburghlive.com
"Lawyers for the state Gaming Control Board would be prohibited from working for casinos for one year after leaving the board under legislation proposed Monday."
Leasing of landmark turnpike puts state at policy crossroads
From: online.wsj.com
"DONEGAL, Pa. -- Hobbled by the credit crisis, Wall Street firms and many state governments are hoping that a pockmarked strip of Pennsylvania highway could provide a road out."
July home sales drop in S.C.
From: www.thestate.com
"Home sales dipped in Columbia and throughout South Carolina in July as the traditional home selling season came to an end, according to information released Monday by the S.C. Realtors trade group."
High court rebukes DOT
From: www.charleston.net
"LADSON, S.C. — The state Transportation Department broke the law four years ago when it used an emergency provision to hire a contractor on the long-delayed Ladson Road project without soliciting bids, the S.C. Supreme Court ruled Monday."
Grain bins filling up
From: www.capjournal.com
"After a season of record winter wheat yields, elevator operators are hoping railroad cars will move the crop off site in time for the harvest of other crops."
Experts warn of threat to ash trees
From: www.argusleader.com
"A tiny beetle with a big taste for ash trees poses a threat that would easily surpass the damage done by Dutch elm disease, which has killed some 80 million trees nationally."
Texas students pack bookbags, teachers pack heat
From: www.usatoday.com
"HARROLD, Texas — Along with normal first-day jitters and excitement, students in this tiny district started school Monday wondering which teachers might be toting firearms."
States sue EPA over refinery emissions
From: online.wsj.com
"New York and 11 other states sued the Environmental Protection Agency, claiming it failed to regulate global-warming gas emissions from refineries."
High gas prices drive down traffic fatalities
From: www.usatoday.com
"WASHINGTON — Roll back the clock to 1961: John F. Kennedy was inaugurated president. The Peace Corps was founded. The Dow Jones industrials hit 734. Gasoline reached 31 cents a gallon."
Towns recycle abandoned stores
From: www.usatoday.com
"Wisconsin Rapids, one of Wisconsin's old paper-mill towns, had never fought to keep Wal-Marts and other big-box retailers out. Quite the opposite. The city was so welcoming that it got a state grant to meet Wal-Mart's parking needs in the 1980s."
States sue EPA over refinery emissions
From: www.boston.com
"NEW YORK - Twelve states, including all six in New England, are suing federal environmental regulators over greenhouse gas emissions from oil refineries, the New York attorney general's office said yesterday."
Counties agree to drop lawsuit against Utah Tax Commission
From: www.sltrib.com
"The Utah Association of Counties has agreed to drop a lawsuit filed last week against the Utah Tax Commission, and the two will spend the next 60 days revising the state's plan to redistribute a total of $7.9 million in sales taxes from cell phone companies."
State again recruiting firms for prison job programs
From: seattlepi.nwsource.com
"TACOMA, Wash. -- More than four years after the state Supreme Court ruled that private companies could not operate out of state prisons, businesses are being to asked to give it a go again."
State joins suit filed against the EPA
From: seattlepi.nwsource.com
"Washington has joined 11 states, the city of New York and the District of Columbia in a federal lawsuit technically aimed at curbing air pollution from oil refineries but mostly intended to force the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency to use its regulatory authority to better fight global warming."
State lottery defies odds, offers relief to taxpayers
From: www.greenbaypressgazette.com
"Higher gas prices and a slowing economy aren't cramping lottery sales."
Could inmates work, pay 80 percent of upkeep?
From: www.register-herald.com
"A fresh idea calling for West Virginia inmates to work on-site for private firms at prevailing wages and pay for a large chunk of their upkeep was touted Monday before a legislative panel."
State to save $22 million in teacher pension switch
From: wvgazette.com
"Instead of costing the state millions of dollars, the transfer of nearly 15,000 teachers and school personnel from a 401(k)-style plan to a defined benefits plan will save the state about $22 million in pension costs, legislators learned Monday."
Report says oil and gas drive state's economy
From: www.casperstartribune.com
""Overwhelming," is the word Wyoming Business Alliance/Wyoming Heritage Foundation President Bill Schilling used to sum up the results of a new study that examines oil and gas activity as an engine of state economic activity."
Power wholesaler buys part of Wyo. coal plant
From: www.billingsgazette.net
"LINCOLN, Neb. -- A Nebraska-based power wholesaler has agreed to pay $51 million for a nearly 24 percent stake in a coal-power plant in Wyoming."
Census - Uninsured down, poverty up
From: www.stateline.org
"The U.S. Census Bureau today (Aug. 26) reported modest gains in median income in 2007 and a decrease in the number of people without health insurance. But the number of Americans living below the poverty line rose to 37.3 million, despite six years of economic growth. Experts predict the picture will be worse this time next year."
Why presidential elections matter to states
From: www.stateline.org
"Democrats and Republicans will gather in Colorado and Minnesota to nominate their candidates for president amid uncertainty in the states on the economy and other issues."
WORTH NOTING: Lawmaker called out for 'dirty' stocks
From: www.stateline.org
"A questionable investment embarrasses a Wisconsin state senator. Indiana state fairgoers object to a racy blue-ribbon photo. And one California lawmaker’s hard line on the state budget lands her across the street. In case you missed those stories this week, “Worth Noting” fills you in."
2008 state elections: What's at stake?
From: www.stateline.org
"
(Updated 4:20 p.m. EDT, Aug. 20, 2008)
The historic battle for the White House may be grabbing most of the headlines, but plenty of state races and major ballot measures also could be nail-biters this November — and the results could have national implications.
Stateline.org today is launching a new 2008 interactive guide to help voters keep track of the 11 gubernatorial, 11 attorneys general and seven secretary of state races and some 130 statewide ballot measures.
"
Power rates spike in some states
From: www.stateline.org
"Consumers already grappling with high food, gasoline and heating oil prices in many states now face another financial burden: skyrocketing electricity bills."
Measures could bring youth to state races
From: www.stateline.org
"
Lawmakers in Colorado and Hawaii aim to ramp up political participation by younger candidates with November ballot measures to lower the qualifying age for some state offices."
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.
"
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."
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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