First into recession, California shows possible future for U.S.
From: online.wsj.com
"Here's the latest trend that started in California and is spreading to the rest of the country: recession."
Mass. treasurer reports a 'home run' $750m bond deal
From: www.boston.com
"Massachusetts Treasurer Timothy P. Cahill said yesterday that the state was finally able to sell $750 million in revenue bonds at favorable interest rates, averting potentially dire financial problems and securing enough money to keep the state afloat until late November."
State contracts larger than $50,000 on hold
From: www.azcentral.com
"Faced with growing fears about the economy and a darkening fiscal picture for state government, Gov. Janet Napolitano vowed Wednesday to freeze all state contracts larger than $50,000 until they can be reviewed."
Tourism chief resigns
From: www.honoluluadvertiser.com
"Embattled Hawaii Tourism Authority chief Rex Johnson resigned late yesterday from his $200,000-a-year post, ending two months of controversy over using his state computer to forward racist, sexist and pornographic e-mails."
Economy forces state to revisit U.S. Sugar buyout
From: www.miamiherald.com
"Shrinking wallet, growing debt. The same combination that torpedoed Florida's housing market and triggered Wall Street's plunge has put the state's plan to buy out Big Sugar on shaky ground."
Economist -- La. expected to rebound
From: www.2theadvocate.com
"Economies grow 90 percent of the time, but Louisiana will teeter precariously close to that other 10 percent — the no-man's land of recession — in 2009, a leading Louisiana economist said Wednesday in a two-year projection of the state's economy."
Layoffs, trims in education, services coming
From: www.washingtonpost.com
"The region's governors are preparing to propose hundreds of millions of dollars in budget cuts, including layoffs in Virginia and cuts to education and public safety in Maryland, in an early sign of the impact of the economic slowdown on government services."
Plunging prices strain state lobster industry
From: pressherald.mainetoday.com
"Count Maine's lobster industry among the casualties of the worldwide economic crisis."
State pensions pounded
From: www.bostonherald.com
"A financially battered Massachusetts got hit with bad news and good news yesterday on the state pension and bond fronts. The state's pension fund got hammered last month, losing a whopping $4 billion, or 7 percent, amid the chaos in global markets tied to the troubles on Wall Street."
State bonds snapped up
From: www.cleveland.com
"Investing money in the stock market is a roll of the dice right now, but investors apparently had no qualms about snapping up government-backed bonds sold off by the state of Ohio Wednesday.
"
Amid tough times, Nevada's economy reels
From: www.npr.org
"Nevada's economy has seen the worst economic decline among states since January 2007, according to a new report from the Rockefeller Institute. Nevada has the highest foreclosure rate in the country and the credit crunch isn't helping. "
Big paydays for ex-state workers
From: www.mercurynews.com
"A little-known perk is helping some state employees walk away from their jobs with six-figure lump-sum payments for thousands of hours worth of unused vacation and work credits, a practice that cost cash-strapped California $174 million last year."
State tax receipts up 1.7% over '07
From: www.honoluluadvertiser.com
"State tax revenue collections through the first three months of the fiscal year are up 1.7 percent over last year."
Gas prices drop but still among nation's highest
From: www.ajc.com
"Metro Atlanta gas prices are dropping like a stone, though they haven't yet caught the sliding national average."
Economic bright spot -- State revenue rose in September
From: www.ajc.com
"State tax collections unexpectedly rose in September, the first good news the government has had in several months."
State's surplus projected at $957M
From: www.billingsgazette.net
"With the Legislature convening in three months, Montana state government again shows a large projected general-fund budget surplus that approaches $1 billion, the state Legislative Fiscal Division said Wednesday."
S.C. revenue estimate slashed again
From: www.thestate.com
"South Carolina is facing a half-billion budget hole, after state economists reduced revenue estimates for the second time since July."
Texas pulls the plug on fish pedicures
From: www.dallasnews.com
"If you were hoping to jump on the nibbling fish pedicure bandwagon, it might have just passed you by. "
388,000 Utahns lack health insurance
From: deseretnews.com
"Wall Street and the global economy may have gone off the rails, but the runaway health-care system — widely regarded back in the good ol' days a few weeks ago as the single-biggest economic threat — just keeps gaining momentum."
Economic crisis fires up Oregon's treasurer race
From: www.statesmanjournal.com
"The national financial crisis has turned Oregon's political spotlight on an increasingly heated contest for state treasurer."
West Virginia banks bid for state money
From: www.wvgazettemail.com
"Five state banks won bids in an online, six-month certificate-of-deposits auction held by the state Board of Treasury Investments on Wednesday.
"
Alabama could decide today on LNG terminal
From: www.al.com
"Gov. Bob Riley could decide as early as today whether to allow a liquefied natural gas terminal in the Gulf of Mexico, 63 miles south of Mobile."
Alabama Power had the fifth-highest residential power rate among 14 Southeastern utilities in first half of 2008
From: www.al.com
"Alabama Power Co. in the first half of this year had the fifth-highest average price of electricity for residential customers among 14 Southeastern utilities, according to a review of reports by the Energy Information Administration."
Governor criticizes legislative oversight panel
From: www.azcentral.com
"The co-chairmen of a legislative oversight committee have overstepped their authority by trying to put the brakes on a university construction plan, Gov. Janet Napolitano said Wednesday."
Feds to use computer chips to foil cactus thieves
From: www.azcentral.com
"Anyone thinking of swiping a stately saguaro cactus from the desert could soon be hauling off more than just a giant plant."
State's leaders deal with new budget problems
From: www.sfgate.com
"Less than a month after Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger and legislative leaders ended the longest budget impasse in California history, they were back at the negotiating table Wednesday to discuss how to manage an additional $3 billion revenue shortfall this year."
California seeking short-term loan to get by
From: www.sacbee.com
"State leaders Wednesday delayed immediate action to resolve California's latest budget woes as they approached Wall Street with some trepidation seeking a short-term loan."
California, nonprofits form coalition to protect Sierra
From: www.sacbee.com
"TRUCKEE, Calif. – From the shores of Donner Lake on Wednesday, Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger praised the creation of a private, non-profit coalition – the Northern Sierra Partnership – to work with government to protect open space, forests, watersheds and step up efforts to respond to climate change."
State Worker -Managers in a bind on discipline
From: www.sacbee.com
"Last week's report on state worker misdeeds ran down how employees faked their time sheets, used state property for personal business and drank on the job and more."
Californians Against Hate to end boycott against Bolthouse Farms in fight over gay marriage
From: www.latimes.com
"The food fight is over. Nearly a month ago, opponents of Proposition 8 -- which would amend the state Constitution to ban gay marriage -- started a "soft boycott" of Bolthouse Farms, among the largest producers of fresh-cut carrots in the world and the maker of juices and smoothies sold in foodie haunts and upscale markets."
California's Prop. 12 would provide mortgage funds for veterans
From: www.latimes.com
"With hundreds of veterans returning to California from service in Iraq and Afghanistan, voters are being asked to borrow $900 million to provide low-cost mortgages for those who served in the military."
California leaders seek answers to credit crunch
From: www.nytimes.com
"SACRAMENTO, Calif. — With the fiscal health of the nation's most populous state in serious decline, Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger and California legislative leaders promised Wednesday that, despite their differences, they would find the billions of dollars need to avert drastic cuts in services."
Most utilities haven't submitted water plans
From: www.denverpost.com
"The majority of water utilities and providers in Colorado have failed to submit required water conservation and drought plans, state officials said Wednesday. The failure raises questions of how prepared Colorado is for the next drought."
Business advocacy group announces its endorsements in state-level races
From: www.theday.com
"The Connecticut Business and Industry Association has announced its endorsements for the 2008 state legislative elections."
Report - Health premiums rising far faster than pay
From: www.courant.com
"Connecticut premiums for health insurance in the workplace have grown 8.2 times faster than workers' paychecks in the past eight years, an alarming trend that suggests more people will be uninsured and have less access to care, Families USA said Wednesday."
LNG terminal on Delaware shelved
From: www.delawareonline.com
"Radically different world energy markets have forced energy giant BP to abandon plans for a $700 million natural gas import terminal along the Delaware River "for the foreseeable future," the company disclosed on Wednesday."
Florida voters leaning toward ban on gay marriage, poll shows
From: www.orlandosentinel.com
"Floridians look poised to pass a constitutional ban on gay marriage next month but seem less enthralled with other amendments that range from offering tax breaks for public marinas to raising taxes for community colleges."
Florida gay-marriage ban draws wide support in poll
From: www.miamiherald.com
"Florida voters look close to passing a gay-marriage ban and rejecting a community college tax, and are largely undecided about a handful of property-tax issues, according to a new statewide poll on the state's proposed constitutional amendments."
Mailing from shadowy political group blasts Fasano's record
From: www.tampabay.com
"NEW PORT RICHEY, Fla. — A shadowy political group with ties to a much-criticized utility has blasted state Sen. Mike Fasano's record in a flier that hit mailboxes Wednesday."
Candidate clashes with deed enforcers ... again
From: www.tampabay.com
"VALRICO, Fla. — Lewis Laricchia has more than one fight on his hands. He's running for state representative in District 56, but for several months has also battled his homeowners association over the right to display campaign signs on his car."
Alerts to include straying seniors
From: www.tampabay.com
"Surrounded Wednesday by the governor and top state law enforcement officials, Mary Lallucci of Belleair realized her mother's death meant something."
Tax amendment will be on election ballot
From: www.albanyherald.com
"A key economic development tool will be on the table on an election day where it could not be needed more. This time, it is the school system's turn."
Georgia tells gas stations -- Turn over sales records
From: www.ajc.com
"Nearly 150 Georgia gas stations are having to defend why they charged inflated prices after hurricanes Gustav and Ike made fuel scarce in the past month."
Isle tourism chief resigns
From: www.starbulletin.com
"The Hawaii Tourism Authority's top executive tendered his resignation last night following a grueling eight-hour closed-door meeting to discuss allegations that he had used his state laptop to send racist, sexist and pornographic e-mails to friends."
Iowa part of settlement over schizophrenia drug
From: www.radioiowa.com
"Iowa is part of a 62-million-dollar multi-state settlement with Eli Lilly & Company over alleged deceptive practices involving a popular drug. Bob Brammer, a spokesman for Iowa's Attorney General, says 32 states plus the District of Columbia are involved in the settlement over the drug."
Culver -- Obama's wind plan best for Iowa
From: ads.qctimes.com
"NEWTON, Iowa — Iowa Gov. Chet Culver hit the campaign trail Wednesday for Democrat Barack Obama, arguing the presidential candidate's energy plan would help Iowa's growing wind energy industry thrive."
AAA -- Idaho could see $3 gas soon
From: www.idahostatesman.com
"Falling demand, lower oil prices, rising inventories and increased competition have shaved 17 cents off Idaho's average gasoline price in the past two weeks and could push pump costs below $3 a gallon in the next month, AAA Idaho says."
Blagojevich names new farm czar
From: ads.qctimes.com
"A 52-year-old Springfield man has been tapped to become the next director of the Illinois Department of Agriculture."
Nonprofit group thinks it can save Ameren customers money
From: ads.qctimes.com
"A nonprofit group hopes its method of buying electricity could mean cheaper power bills for many Illinois residents, especially customers of Ameren."
Madison County seeks school funding change
From: www.qctimes.com
"EDWARDSVILLE, Ill. - A bipartisan Madison County committee is calling for a constitutional amendment to balance school funding with income taxes, rather than relying almost entirely on property taxes."
Lawmakers' attempt to save state sites might go nowhere
From: www.sj-r.com
"Gov. Rod Blagojevich has quietly approved a bill diverting $221 million from restricted state funds that lawmakers want to use to avert more than 300 layoffs and the closure of two dozen parks and historic sites."
Governor names Tom Jennings to head Ag Department
From: www.chicagotribune.com
"Gov. Rod Blagojevich has tapped acting director Tom Jennings to serve as Director of the Illinois Department of Agriculture. "
Judge won't block plan to move Pontiac prisoners
From: www.chicagotribune.com
"CHAMPAIGN, Ill. - A judge on Wednesday decided not to block a Department of Corrections plan to move 100 prisoners over the next two weeks out of a central Illinois prison the agency plans to close. "
Ill. gov. hands off tricky spending question
From: www.chicagotribune.com
"Gov. Rod Blagojevich has approved diverting $221 million in the state budget that lawmakers hope will prevent layoffs and program cuts, but claimed Wednesday it's up to a potential rival, Comptroller Dan Hynes, to determine whether the money is available. "
Obama stirs up Hoosiers at rally
From: www.journalgazette.net
"Exactly 44 years after President Lyndon B. Johnson campaigned in Indianapolis, Barack Obama energized a crowd of about 15,000 in the state capital."
Obama courts Hoosier votes
From: www.nwi.com
"The message of hope Barack Obama delivered in weeks prior to Indiana's May primary was dampened by economic despair Wednesday during an afternoon rally at the Indiana State Fairgrounds."
Obama -- 'Better days ahead'
From: www.indystar.com
"With the economic news as gloomy as the gray skies overhead, Sen. Barack Obama promised thousands of cheering Hoosiers on Wednesday that "there are better days ahead.""
Kansas to receive more than $1 million from Eli Lilly settlement
From: cjonline.com
"Attorney General Steve Six has announced that he, along with 33 other attorneys general, reached a $62 million settlement with Eli Lilly and Co. arising from alleged improper marketing of the antipsychotic drug Zyprexa."
Bid-tampering trial set in April
From: www.courier-journal.com
"The trial in the highway bid-tampering case involving former Transportation Secretary Bill Nighbert is scheduled to begin April 28 in Frankfort."
City leaders fear cuts to local aid
From: www.bostonherald.com
"Fear of crippling local aid cuts rattled mayors across the state yesterday after Gov. Deval Patrick set a meeting for tomorrow to discuss the economic crisis with the city leaders."
State weighs cuts in critical needs
From: www.baltimoresun.com
"Amid a gloomy economy that has severely eroded tax collections, Gov. Martin O'Malley is considering steep cuts to public education and health care programs and might ask state employees to take a six-day unpaid leave."
Backers - casino's 907 jobs crucial
From: www.sunjournal.com
"LEWISTON, Maine - Oxford County casino backers unveiled an economic impact study Wednesday showing their $184 million project would create 907 jobs."
3 Maine ski resorts oppose casino proposal
From: www.bangornews.com
"PORTLAND, Maine — Three of the state's biggest ski resorts are joining the effort to defeat a proposed casino in western Maine, saying a casino would detract from the state's image as a family-friendly place to enjoy the outdoors."
Credit woes not so harsh in Maine
From: www.bangornews.com
"Even before the Federal Reserve cut a key interest rate Wednesday from 2 percent to 1.5 percent, Maine's financial institutions were liquid and ready to lend, area bank and credit union officials said."
Michigan's movie role pays off
From: www.detnews.com
"Brian Meganck is a big movie fan. Not of watching them, necessarily. Of making them. In Michigan. "
Visionary sets sights on stem cell research
From: www.detnews.com
"Alfred Taubman, Bloomfield Hills billionaire, is delivering his own October surprise week. On Tuesday, he delighted the University of Michigan with a $22 million bequest to the Taubman Institute for Medical Research, doubling his original gift during a symposium on stem cell research there. On Friday, Bill Clinton -- the former president -- will appear at a fundraiser at the Taubman Air Terminal at Oakland International Airport -- accepting Taubman's invitation to raise money for Cure Michigan. "
Study lifts Great Lakes wind power hopes
From: www.detnews.com
"CHICAGO -- Picture 100,000 wind turbines rising from the Great Lakes off Michigan's shores, casting spinning shadows on the water and producing electricity for the entire Upper Midwest."
Mich. Republicans challenge Democrats on business surcharge tax
From: www.detnews.com
"A group of Republican lawmakers challenged House Democrats on Wednesday to break from their month of campaigning, return to the Capitol and pass a Senate bill to accelerate elimination of a 22 percent surcharge on Michigan's main business tax."
Poll shows voters split on outdoors amendment
From: www.twincities.com
"A new poll shows a split among voters on a proposed constitutional amendment to raise the sales tax to fund outdoors and arts programs. "
Dozens of school districts seeking tax hikes next month
From: minnesota.publicradio.org
"More than 50 school districts across Minnesota will seek more money from voters next month. District leaders say the tax increases are necessary to supplement funding from the state, which they say hasn't kept up with inflation. "
Poll finds split on outdoors amendment
From: minnesota.publicradio.org
"The results of a new Minnesota Public Radio News/University of Minnesota Humphrey Institute poll show a plurality of Minnesotans support raising the sales tax to fund the outdoors and arts. But with about a month remaining until Election Day, the level of support might not be sufficient to pass the measure. "
Auditor candidates pledge to fight for rights of consumers
From: www.greatfallstribune.com
"Two former state legislators are vying for the state auditor office, charged with regulating both the insurance and securities industries in Montana."
Front oil, gas leases back on table
From: www.greatfallstribune.com
"The state will offer eight tracts of environmentally sensitive lands along the Rocky Mountain Front for oil and gas leasing in December, including one situated in a game management area providing important elk and bear habitat."
Input sought on gas project
From: www.billingsgazette.net
"The state is seeking public comment on a coalbed methane project that calls for drilling eight wells on state lands in southeastern Montana as part of a larger project."
Higher Ed Board against measures
From: www.in-forum.com
"If North Dakota voters pass initiated measures No. 1 and No. 2, it would not only hurt the future of the state, but would also hinder North Dakota University System's plans for holding tuition steady and granting faculty salary increases, members of the Board of Higher Education said Wednesday."
Revived college roundtable meets
From: www.in-forum.com
"North Dakota's higher education system needs to start producing more skilled graduates of associate and certificate programs because that's where the jobs are now and will be in the future, state and business officials said Wednesday."
NH judicial retirement plan sues on divestment law
From: hosted.ap.org
"The New Hampshire Judicial Retirement Plan has asked a Superior Court judge to decide the constitutionality of a law ordering it to sell its holdings in selective companies doing business in the Sudan.
"
Janeway -- Have to break the system to fix it
From: www.concordmonitor.com
"Sen. Harold Janeway spent much of the past year methodically examining the state's pension system, working with others to find prudent fixes for the system's financial health.
"
Corzine has crisis-borne stimulus plan for Jersey
From: www.nj.com
"With New Jersey already feeling the sting of the national financial crisis, Gov. Jon Corzine next week will unveil a broad plan to stimulate the state's economy -- including incentives for businesses, public works projects and programs to help homeowners who are at risk of foreclosure or cannot afford to heat their homes, officials said yesterday."
To close ranks around Obama, labor hits streets
From: www.lasvegassun.com
"With a month before Election Day, the mood in the Culinary Union's large second-story hall is urgent. Pilar Weiss, the union's steely, hard-charging political director, is rallying her 95 foot soldiers for another day of campaigning for Sen. Barack Obama."
Beers calls 'backroom fix' charge political
From: www.lasvegassun.com
"Nevada Democrats opened a new line of attack Wednesday on state Sen. Bob Beers, vowing to try to repeal legislation quietly approved in 2007 that benefited Beers' former employer."
State better `tighten its belt' - DiNapoli
From: www.nypost.com
"Citing the state's deteriorating financial condition, Comptroller Tom DiNapoli warned yesterday that runaway spending levels can't be sustained. "
Rising debt pressures state budget
From: www.timesunion.com
"Not only are legislative leaders starting, slowly, to push back against parts of Gov. David Paterson's call for $2 billion in budget cuts, but the state's long-term debt is growing as well."
Subpoenas for insurers of workers at L.I.R.R.
From: www.nytimes.com
"One day after the Long Island Rail Road expressed concerns that its employees might be improperly collecting disability payments not only from the federal Railroad Retirement Board but also from private insurers, investigators for the state attorney general on Wednesday began serving subpoenas on four private insurers that sell disability policies and on five doctors who have performed disability examinations on Long Island, a person close to the investigation said."
Supermarket cheated workers, state says
From: www.nytimes.com
"The top two executives at an Associated supermarket in Brooklyn were arrested on Wednesday on charges that they had cheated workers out of more than $300,000 and had falsified business records that they gave to state officials."
Enigmatic billionaire is back in term limit fray
From: www.nytimes.com
"It has been nearly 20 years since Ronald S. Lauder, the cosmetics heir, mounted a hugely expensive and unsuccessful campaign for mayor. And it has been 15 years since he single-handedly engineered and underwrote a referendum that enshrined him as the father of term limits for city officials."
Former AGs, candidates say vote yes for Issue 5
From: blog.cleveland.com
"Attorney general candidates Richard Cordray, a Democrat, and Mike Crites, a Republican, veered off the campaign trail today just long enough to team up and urge Ohioans to keep the state's new law capping payday loans at 28 percent by voting for Issue 5.
"
Pa. lawmakers approve bill overhauling dog law
From: www.philly.com
"In the waning days of the legislative session, lawmakers approved a hotly debated bill overhauling the dog law and another contested bill on energy conservation -- but failed to pass Gov. Rendell's proposal to expand health care for the uninsured."
Lawmakers fail to renew health-care watchdog
From: www.philly.com
"While other states are increasing their ability to track health-care costs and quality, Pennsylvania is poised to move in the opposite direction."
Lawmakers protect puppies but stall on health care
From: www.post-gazette.com
"Dog lovers were heartened by the state Legislature's approval yesterday of a measure to crack down on "puppy mills," but Gov. Ed Rendell and Senate Republican leaders failed to reach a compromise to extend health insurance to 200,000 or more uninsured Pennsylvanians."
Bankers -- No crisis in Valley
From: www.pawtuckettimes.com
"Panic is gripping financial markets around the globe, but a select group of Rhode Island bankers say with nearly one voice that it is "business as usual" at their institutions."
6 juveniles among hundreds arrested in immigration raid
From: www.greenvilleonline.com
"Six juveniles were among the hundreds of workers arrested Tuesday at a Greenville poultry plant, immigration officials said late Wednesday afternoon as they sorted through the aftermath of the largest workplace immigration crackdown ever in the Carolinas."
No tax levied on gun sales
From: chronicle.augusta.com
"COLUMBIA, S.C. --- South Carolina will allow tax-free gun sales the Friday and Saturday after Thanksgiving, and some gun owners say even the small savings that represents will be worth waiting for."
Justice Dept. suit says rezoning by Metro Council broke law
From: www.tennessean.com
"The U.S. Justice Department has sued Nashville over allegations that the Metro Council violated the Fair Housing Act when it changed its zoning code to keep a drug and alcohol rehabilitation center out of Goodlettsville.
"
New rules for ID cards, driver's licenses
From: www.statesman.com
"Immigrants must now prove they are in the United States legally to obtain new driver's licenses and identification cards, which will indicate their status, under new Texas Department of Public Safety rules."
UT chancellor predicts 'significant' layoffs at Galveston medical campus
From: www.statesman.com
"A "significant" portion of the 12,000 employees at the University of Texas Medical Branch at Galveston will be laid off as the campus recovers and downsizes following Hurricane Ike, the interim chancellor of the UT System predicted Wednesday."
Colleges nationwide see a boost in enrollment as the economy sours
From: seattlepi.nwsource.com
"The nation's waning economy means Americans are spending less and saving more, but record numbers are also willing to shoulder the cost of college tuition in hopes of better job security."
Education in spotlight on statewide ballots
From: www.edweek.org
"Education issues are poised to break through the din of presidential politics and economic anxiety in more than a dozen states next month, as voters confront ballot questions and constitutional amendments involving K-12 policy and school finance."
A breakthrough, then a surge, in stem cell research
From: www.chicagotribune.com
"Less than a year after a Wisconsin team helped discover a major alternative to human embryonic stem cells, the Madison scientists say more than 800 labs have begun using the approach, suggesting that many stem-cell researchers are starting to move beyond controversial embryonic sources for their work."
High court case - If harassed workers talk, can they be fired?
From: www.csmonitor.com
"WASHINGTON - The US Supreme Court is set to hear a case this week that will provide important practical advice to workers asked to participate in an internal company investigation of alleged sexual harassment by a senior manager. "
Judge rules attorney can't flip sides
From: www.sltrib.com
"An attorney who represented a polygamous sect for 17 years in various court battles over its communal property trust cannot switch sides and now represent members who want to sue the trust, a Utah judge ruled Wednesday"
Private funds for state hospital?
From: www.heraldextra.com
"Getting private money into the state mental hospital is not a new idea, but it is one that won't go away. During a tour of the 80-acre Provo facility on Wednesday, state Sen. Curt Bramble and state Rep. Becky Lockhart broached the topic with the state director of Human Services.
"
Budget cuts prompt Corrections to eliminate jobs
From: www.sltrib.com
"The Department of Corrections is wasting no time in eliminating positions in the wake of funding cuts from the Legislature."
New witnesses added in House ethics hearing
From: deseretnews.com
"New names appeared Wednesday on an expanded witness list for the House ethics complaints now being heard against Reps. Greg Hughes, R-Draper, and Phil Riesen, D-Salt Lake"
Power plant up to voters
From: www.sltrib.com
"Within hours of hearing oral arguments, Utah's Supreme Court ruled Wednesday to place a Sevier County citizens initiative back on November's ballot.
"
Ethics hearing gets under way in closed session
From: www.sltrib.com
"Former Rep. Susan Lawrence appeared Wednesday before a House Ethics Committee to describe an encounter with Rep. Greg Hughes in which she claims Hughes offered her $50,000 in campaign aid if she would support a plan for private school vouchers. "
Delayed raises part of Kaine budget plan
From: www.inrich.com
"Pay raises would be delayed for state employees, who could lose them altogether should the economy continue to erode, under a Kaine administration budget-balancing plan that will cost some workers their jobs."
Virginia weathering national financial disaster
From: fredericksburg.com
"The current financial crisis that has left some states financially struggling has done little damage to Virginia."
NRC calls special meeting
From: www.timesargus.com
"BRATTLEBORO, Vt. — The Nuclear Regulatory Commission is holding an unusual public meeting next week on the status and condition of the cooling towers at the Vermont Yankee nuclear plant.
"
Yankee fund takes big hit
From: www.rutlandherald.com
"The decommissioning trust fund for the Vermont Yankee nuclear plant dropped by 10 percent, or more than $40 million, in the past month, the Douglas administration said late Wednesday."
Gregoire -- State is on right track
From: www.theolympian.com
"Gov. Chris Gregoire says she's helped move Washington forward on school reforms, getting health care to more kids, promoting renewable energy and creating jobs, but she needs another four-year term to see the changes through."
State agrees to check farmworkers' papers
From: seattletimes.nwsource.com
"YAKIMA, Wash. -- Washington state officials say they have agreed to screen potential farm hands for immigration violations before referring them to jobs, after the federal government threatened to cut millions of dollars from a program that matches workers with jobs."
Wisconsin has third-lowest rate of uninsured residents in U.S.
From: www.jsonline.com
"Wisconsin's rural counties have some of the highest rates of uninsured people in the state, according to new data released today by the U.S. Census Bureau."
12 communities join Doyle's plan for energy independence
From: www.madison.com
"Another dozen communities have signed up for Gov. Jim Doyle's Energy Independent Community Partnership, which seeks energy independence in Wisconsin by working towards generating 25 percent of the state's electricity and transportation fuels by 2025."
Shell, partner agree to curb cig sales to kids
From: www.dailymail.com
"West Virginia is among 46 states and the District of Columbia that secured a pledge from Shell Oil to reduce cigarette sales to children at the giant oil company's service stations.
"
Gov tells BLM to up wildlife stipulations in Fortification Creek CBM plan
From: www.trib.com
"Gov. Dave Freudenthal criticized federal land managers this week for bypassing a full environmental review of coal-bed methane gas development in the Fortification Creek area of the Powder River Basin."
Escalating financial crisis gripping states
From: www.stateline.org
"
State officials are slashing budgets, delaying bond sales and seeking federal help in the wake of a $700 billion bailout package that was supposed to ease borrowing.
"
It could get worse before it gets better
From: www.stateline.org
"The economic outlook for states is "really ugly" for the next two years, writes Raymond C. Scheppach, an economist and executive director of the National Governors Association, in his latest commentary for
Stateline.org. He predicts the downturn likely will be the worst states have faced since the recession and double-digit unemployment levels seen in 1982-83.
"
Stem-cell science an election issue in 3 states
From: www.stateline.org
"
While both presidential candidates agree that the federal government should fund controversial stem-cell research, voters in Michigan, North Carolina and Washington state are being asked to take a fresh look at whether the science, which offers potential cures for millions of Americans, is worth the moral cost of destroying human embryos."
Fiscal report sees ‘great trouble’ brewing for states
From: www.stateline.org
"Arizona, California, Florida, Michigan, and Rhode Island currently are suffering the most from worsening U.S. economic problems, but Connecticut, New York, New Jersey and other states will soon be in the same boat, a leading state policy research center says."
States act to cushion Wall Street meltdown
From: www.stateline.org
"
Cascading economic problems flowing from the crisis on Wall Street are forcing states to urgently redraw their financial blueprints for the rest of this year and next to cushion the impact of the credit squeeze, staggering paper losses for millions of ordinary Americans and soaring energy prices."
State jobless funds are running dry
From: www.stateline.org
"As claims for benefits rise because of the economic downturn, many states are trying to figure out how to pay unemployed workers."
State workers face bleak budget picture
From: www.stateline.org
"(Updated 11:40 a.m. EST, Oct. 3, 2008)
The economic downturn has hit states hard, and among those feeling the effects are state employees, whose salaries are being frozen, who are retiring before they wanted to, who are being asked to take furloughs, or unpaid days off, and who, in an estimated 7,000 cases, have been laid off."
WORTH NOTING: Idaho kids get a new state history book
From: www.stateline.org
"
Idaho’s first lady publishes “Ida Visits the Capitol.” Wine drinkers have mixed feelings about a syrah named Palin. And Marylanders are urged to take a walk after eating the state cake. In case you missed those stories this week, “Worth Noting” fills you in.
"
At high court, states' authority in question
From: www.stateline.org
"The U.S. Supreme Court on Monday (Oct. 6) begins a new term that so far lacks the controversy of last term’s politically explosive cases on gun control, the death penalty and voter-identification laws, but that still is grabbing the attention of states."
McCain vs. Obama: The difference for states
From: www.stateline.org
"
In the 2008 presidential race, Democrat Barack Obama and Republican John McCain offer competing ideas on a host of issues that will have repercussions throughout state government, right down to the local driver’s license bureau. See a rundown of the presidential candidates' positions so far on issues of direct interest to states."
Several AG contests still tight
From: www.stateline.org
"
As their campaigns wind down to the wire candidates for attorney general in 11 states vie for attention in the flurry of higher-profile contests for president, Congress and governor. “Out There” once more rates how vulnerable the parties in control are."
Medicaid rolls, spending up in bleak economy
From: www.stateline.org
"After two years of flat Medicaid enrollment — the same two years which also saw the smallest spending increases for the federal-state health insurance program for the poor — the failing economy has led to a dramatic growth both in enrollment and spending, according to a new report."
U.S. lawmakers fault states for AIG collapse
From: www.stateline.org
"
Four members of Congress say the bailout of insurance giant American International Group Inc. points up a need for federal – not just state – regulation of insurers. But state officials protest that they had nothing to do with the crash of AIG.
"
Three states weigh calls for new charters
From: www.stateline.org
"
Voters in Connecticut, Hawaii and Illinois will decide this year whether to convene constitutional conventions that could alter the framework of their state governments. Proponents hope the conventions would bring about much-needed changes; opponents worry the results would be unworkable."
Renewable energy fuels Colorado governor
From: www.stateline.org
"
Few governors have championed renewable energy as aggressively as Colorado Democrat Bill Ritter. So far, voters seem to appreciate his efforts."
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.
"
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."
Visit the Stateline.org Economy & Business Page
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."
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