Economy to sway 2010 gov races
From: www.stateline.org
"
The tax hikes that so many states levied to plug holes in their recession-ravaged budgets this year could endanger a few incumbent governors’ careers in 2010 when 37 gubernatorial contests are at stake."
AK: Alaska gets money for green jobs
From: www.adn.com
"Pacific Northwest states are getting more than $1.1 million from the U.S. Department of Labor to encourage green jobs."
AK: Jobs down in Alaska for sixth straight month
From: www.adn.com
"Alaska's unemployment rate jumped to 8.9 percent last month as the state recorded its sixth straight month of job losses."
AL: Higher education leaders estimate costs for 2011 budget year
From: www.montgomeryadvertiser.com
"State higher education officials estimate that they will need between $40.4 million and $501.2 million more in state funding to keep the state's two-year colleges and four-year universities afloat during fiscal 2011.
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AL: Alabama rolls out new U.S. 280 toll road plan
From: blog.al.com
"State transportation officials are ready to move forward with a $710 million makeover of U.S. 280 -- a new plan that doesn't rely entirely on elevated toll lanes that doomed a previous proposal to unsnarl the congested highway.
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AL: Judge named to hear suit over state computer contract
From: blog.al.com
"Chief Justice Sue Bell Cobb on Thursday appointed a Jefferson County judge to hear a lawsuit filed by a legislative committee trying to block a $13 million no-bid computer contract. "
AL: White Rock: EBSCO dumped hazardous waste
From: blog.al.com
"At a press conference today, representatives of White Rock Quarries, a company that wants to put a limestone quarry in Vincent, said EBSCO Industries is trying to block the project to hide 15 years of illegally dumping hazardous waste from its nearby plant.
"
AR: Fight health bill, ex-Clinton adviser urges
From: www.arkansasonline.com
"The health-care overhaul bill being considered in the U.S. Senate is "the most serious threat to our lives and our liberties we Americans have faced since World War II," former Clinton adviser Dick Morris told about 250 Arkansans who rallied against the legislation. The group gathered Thursday on the Capitol steps in front of a "Hands Off Our Healthcare" tour bus.
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AR: Swine flu death toll 20 in state
From: arkansasnews.com
"Two more Arkansans have died from swine flu, pushing the death toll from the H1N1 virus to 20 in the state, the state Health Department said today.
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AR: Board OKs beer, wine sales at Fayetteville Walmart stores
From: arkansasnews.com
"The state Alcoholic Beverage Control Board on Thursday approved beer and small-farm wine permits for a Walmart Neighborhood Market and a Walmart Supercenter in Fayetteville, the first grocery stores in the city to be approved for alcohol sales.
"
AZ: Few cancelations reported at winter RV parks
From: www.eastvalleytribune.com
"Arizona has a thriving industry catering to Canadian and northern U.S. residents known as "snowbirds" who flee to the state's warm climate for the winter."
AZ: Gould, Verschoor won't support budget plan
From: www.eastvalleytribune.com
"Efforts to start plugging the $2 billion hole in the state budget came to a screeching halt Thursday when two Republican lawmakers refused to support the plan."
AZ: Jobless rate rises despite more working
From: www.eastvalleytribune.com
"What all that means is that there is no sign that the Arizona economy has hit bottom. "
CA: Utility shut-offs soar for poor PG&E customers
From: www.sfgate.com
"The number of low-income households cut off by Pacific Gas and Electric Co. after they fell behind on their utility bills jumped 75 percent this year, according to a state report released Thursday.
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CA: California's poverty rate 13.3 percent - maybe
From: www.sacbee.com
"California's poverty rate is almost exactly that of the nation as a whole, the Census Bureau says in its latest massive data release, while its median household income of $57,988 is higher than all but a dozen states."
CA: Campbell reports raising $1 million for governor's race
From: www.sacbee.com
"Republican gubernatorial candidate Tom Campbell announced today he's passed the $1 million mark in fundraising, nearly doubling what he had raised by the end of June."
CA: Pension board member directed funds to a firm with ties to his, documents show
From: www.latimes.com
"An appointee of Los Angeles Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa voted two years ago to direct millions in public pension dollars to a company that invested in his own private equity fund, according to documents obtained by The Times."
CA: CalPERS board members endorse new lobbying rules
From: www.latimes.com
"Board members at California's huge state pension fund offered support Thursday for a plan to register as lobbyists the controversial middlemen hired by private investment funds to help get lucrative business from public pension plans."
CO: Colorado foreclosure filings headed for record
From: www.denverpost.com
"Colorado is on track to top the record of 39,900 foreclosure filings set in 2007 as widespread unemployment makes it harder for borrowers to make their mortgage payments."
CO: Hit hard by times, Colorado woman still standing
From: www.denverpost.com
"She watched her rewarding job in the mortgage industry disappear and her financial security dissolve in a $3 million bankruptcy. "
CO: Xcel Energy lops nearly $44 million off rate-increase request
From: coloradoindependent.com
"Xcel Energy Thursday filed for state approval of a settlement with consumer groups in its ongoing rate case before the Colorado Public Utilities Commission (PUC), knocking nearly $44 million from its rate-increase request."
CT: Connecticut -- Road, bridge projects face funding reality
From: www.courant.com
"Across Connecticut, communities and business leaders are lobbying the state to widen their highways, build interchanges, replace bridges and expand public transit systems."
CT: Carlyle to run Conn. roadside service stops
From: www.washingtonpost.com
"The Carlyle Group said Thursday that it has signed a deal with Connecticut to refurbish and run the state's 23 highway service stops in return for a share of the revenue over the next 35 years."
CT: Starwood hotels to move headquarters to Stamford
From: www.theday.com
"STAMFORD, Conn. -- Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide Inc. says it will move its headquarters from White Plains, N.Y., to Stamford in January 2012, with the help of millions of dollars in incentives from the state of Connecticut."
CT: State's home loan pain grows -- Foreclosure, delinquency rate soars
From: www.courant.com
"Foreclosures and seriously delinquent home loans in Connecticut logged another grim milestone in the third quarter, soaring a full percentage point to 7 percent of all loans — the largest quarterly increase in nearly 30 years, according to a new report Thursday."
CT: Rell announces plan to rebuild 23 highway service plazas
From: www.courant.com
"Gov. M. Jodi Rell on Thursday announced a deal with associates of Subway restaurants that she said would rebuild the 23 highway service plazas and create 350 jobs."
DE: Correction Department alerts Delaware to crowding crisis
From: www.delawareonline.com
"Crowding at Baylor Women's Correctional Institution near New Castle, the state's only women's prison, could become a crisis even if there's a relatively small spike in crime, Corrections Commissioner Carl C. Danberg told state budget writers Thursday."
DE: Delaware Dept. of Education seeks leaner budget for 2011
From: www.delawareonline.com
"Secretary of Education Lillian Lowery asked state budget makers Thursday for $3.68 million less than she received in this year's budget to run the state's public education system in the next fiscal year."
DE: Delaware asked to invest in wind company
From: www.delawareonline.com
"A startup company whose management includes former Lt. Gov. John Carney is seeking a state investment of $350,000 to establish an operation in Wilmington to manufacture support towers for wind turbines."
FL: Retailers want rollback of Fla. unemployment tax
From: content.usatoday.net
"Some Florida businesses want to partly roll back an increase in their unemployment compensation tax after being shocked by its magnitude."
FL: As the South Florida economy slows, so do divorces
From: www.miamiherald.com
"MIAMI -- With the economy sputtering, South Florida couples are staying together more or attempting do-it-yourself divorces rather than paying pricey divorce lawyers."
FL: Cigarette tax boosts state budget
From: www.miamiherald.com
"A new tobacco tax is doing just what its proponents envisioned -- reducing cigarette sales while fattening state coffers.
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FL: Need a job? Senate going to pay budget expert up to $170K a year
From: www.postonpolitics.com
"Senate budget chief J.D. Alexander is setting up a new office to help him figure out if the state is spending money wisely.
Alexander and his House counterparts have grappled with the state's plummeting revenues and are facing a $2.7 billion projected spending gap in next year's budget."
FL: Miami-Dade leaders to fight wage theft
From: content.usatoday.net
"
MIAMI -- Miami-Dade Commissioner Natasha Seijas announced a plan to combat the problem of wage theft -- an effort that could serve as a model for cities nationwide."
FL: Victim in `juice scam' never met alleged villain Scott Rothstein
From: www.miamiherald.com
"FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla. -- A Coconut Grove businessman says he invested $2.16 million with Scott Rothstein after a friend solicited him to buy into a high-profit deal -- that returned nothing."
GA: $38,683,179,000 - Georgia companies piling up cash
From: atlanta.bizjournals.com
"Georgia's largest companies are flush with cash as cautious CEOs build a capital cushion and others look for expansion opportunities.
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GA: Grand Central Terminal for Atlanta?
From: www.ajc.com
"A plan to build a major passenger terminal in downtown Atlanta might soon boast new life, in the form of an $80 million-plus jump start, state officials said at Transportation Board meetings Wednesday and Thursday."
GA: Adelman nominated ambassador to Singapore
From: blogs.ajc.com
"State Sen. David Adelman (D-Atlanta) has been nominated by President Barack Obama to be U.S. ambassador to Singapore, the White House announced late Thursday.
"
HI: Average statewide gas price up for fifth straight week to $3.35
From: www.honoluluadvertiser.com
"The average price of a gallon of regular gas in Hawaii rose for the fifth consecutive week to $3.35 a gallon, according to the AAA Hawaii Weekend Gas Watch."
HI: State gets $1.24M in federal funding to promote 'green' jobs
From: www.honoluluadvertiser.com
"The state Department of Labor and Industrial Relations said it has been awarded $1.24 million in federal funds to be used in developing an information bank to facilitate job training, job search and placement in "green jobs.""
HI: Senate Dems endorse Lingle plan to use rainy day fund to reduce furloughs
From: www.honoluluadvertiser.com
"State Senate Democrats have endorsed Gov. Linda Lingle's plan to use $50 million from the rainy day fund to help reduce teacher furlough days."
HI: School board approves bus fare increase
From: www.honoluluadvertiser.com
"Public school parents will pay more for their kids to ride the school bus come next year after the state Board of Education voted 8-2 tonight to raise one-way fares from 35 cents to 75 cents."
IA: New Postville packer gets state assistance
From: www.desmoinesregister.com
"The new owners of the former Agriprocessors in Postville received $600,000 in state assistance Thursday for a $15 million proposal to expand and modernize the kosher beef and poultry packing plant."
IA: $1.1 million award helps Iowa train for green jobs
From: www.desmoinesregister.com
"The state has been awarded $1.1 million by the Labor Department to study the state's supply and demand for labor in alternative energy and other sectors."
IA: 3rd-quarter foreclosure rate nears 10% in Iowa
From: www.desmoinesregister.com
"The lingering recession pushed Iowa's foreclosure rate for all loans to 2.65 percent and mortgages 30 days or more past due to 6.92 percent, a report from Mortgage Bankers Association showed Thursday."
IA: Iowa City stem cell company gets state grant
From: www.desmoinesregister.com
"Cellular Engineering Technologies of Iowa City received $50,000 from the state Thursday to develop a more efficient technology platform to make adult stem cells for use in medical research, drug development and clinical therapy."
IA: Culver calls for tax break review in wake of film fiasco
From: www.desmoinesregister.com
"Gov. Chet Culver ordered a review Thursday of 30 state tax credit incentives in the wake of a criminal probe into Iowa's film program, a dire budget forecast and an explosion in the tax breaks' costs."
ID: ITD hires new director
From: www.magicvalley.com
"The Idaho Transportation Department has a new director, just days after the former director sued the state agency over her firing."
ID: Home starts plunge across the nation and in the Valley
From: www.idahostatesman.com
"Construction of U.S. homes unexpectedly plummeted last month to its lowest point since April, the Commerce Department said Wednesday. "
ID: 1 in 10 Idaho babies born prematurely
From: www.idahostatesman.com
"Kristi Burke was just 25 weeks into her pregnancy in 1999 when she awoke in the night doubled over with pain."
IL: Unemployment rate in Illinois climbs to 11 percent
From: www.dailyherald.com
"Employment in the trade and transportation sector dipped by 1,400 positions and the manufacturing sector lost 800 jobs, IDES said."
IL: United considers first plane order in more than a decade
From: www.chicagobreakingnews.com
"United Airlines is close to placing its first aircraft order in more than a decade and has narrowed its search to two ground-breaking airplanes: Boeing's 787 Dreamliner or Airbus's counterpart, the A350-XWB, sources told the Tribune."
KS: Kansas audit -- Teachers' hall of fame lost $251K in 3 years
From: www.kansascity.com
"An audit in Kansas shows that the National Teachers Hall of Fame lost nearly $251,000 from 2006 through 2008."
KS: Statehouse Live -- More higher education cuts expected, regents say
From: www2.ljworld.com
"The Kansas Board of Regents on Wednesday retreated from its request for a funding increase, said it would not appeal a flat budget recommendation, but indicated it expected further and significant cuts."
KS: 'Tough, hard' cuts on way for higher ed
From: www2.ljworld.com
"Preparing for another round of budget cuts, the Kansas Board of Regents on Wednesday started to tamp down expectations."
KS: Official -- Repealing tax exemptions would help finance state services
From: www2.ljworld.com
"A top official in Gov. Mark Parkinson's administration on Wednesday said Kansas needs to repeal some tax exemptions to provide the revenue needed to fund crucial state services."
KY: State jobless rate rises to 11.2 percent
From: www.kentucky.com
"Kentucky's unemployment rate rose in October to 11.2 percent, but the state saw an overall net gain in jobs.
"
KY: Senate hopefuls squabble about terrorism, coal
From: www.kentucky.com
"LOUISVILLE — Republicans Trey Grayson and Rand Paul exchanged sharp words on the issue of Guant namo Bay, and Democrats Jack Conway and Daniel Mongiardo squabbled about their alliances with coal.
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KY: Latest death brings H1N1 toll to 30 in Kentucky
From: www.courier-journal.com
"BURLINGTON, Ky. — A northern Kentucky woman in her 30s has died from complications related to swine flu.
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KY: Kentucky PSC recommends ways to prevent power outages
From: www.courier-journal.com
"The Kentucky Public Service Commission offered a broad — and expensive — set of recommendations Thursday to limit power outages and ease recovery when the lights go out.
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LA: Ark., Miss. let out of utility agreement
From: www.2theadvocate.com
"Federal regulators Thursday allowed Entergy Corp.'s subsidiaries in Mississippi and Arkansas to withdraw from an agreement that includes hundreds of millions of dollars in refunds for the utility's Louisiana customers."
LA: Strain -- State still waiting for funds
From: www.2theadvocate.com
"The state agriculture department should have nearly all of $44.5 million in disaster recovery grants and loans in farmers' hands by Christmas, the head of the agency told legislators Thursday."
LA: Lombardi pitches higher ed bailout
From: www.2theadvocate.com
"LSU System President John Lombardi is satirically proposing a federal bailout for higher education nationwide."
MA: State ready to fill in Big Dig's missing links
From: www.boston.com
"It was touted as the Big Dig's greatest open-space gift to Boston: a spectacular ribbon of parks, paths, and pedestrian footbridges linking the Esplanade to both the Rose Kennedy Greenway and Boston Harbor. But when the Central Artery/Tunnel Project officially wrapped up two years ago, only half of what was promised had been built."
MA: State jobless rate declines, bucking trend
From: www.boston.com
"The Massachusetts unemployment rate dropped last month for the first time in two years, and job losses slowed - signs the state's beleaguered job market may be stabilizing."
MA: No agreement, no $147m upgrade
From: www.boston.com
"Massachusetts has missed an opportunity to tap into as much as $147 million in grant money available under the federal stimulus package because of a deep disagreement between the Patrick administration and residents of Roxbury and Mattapan."
MA: State slashes aid for struggling homeowners
From: www.capecodonline.com
"HYANNIS, Mass. — For Cape Cod families on the edge of homelessness, the holiday season just got harder."
MA: Gov. Deval Patrick to Legislature -- Get back to work
From: www.bostonherald.com
"A steamed Gov. Deval Patrick slammed lawmakers yesterday for abruptly clocking out and taking an early holiday break as pending education and crime reforms along with budget cuts hang in the balance."
MA: Charles Baker cooks up plan to cut pension abuse
From: www.bostonherald.com
"Job-hopping to inflate state pensions and out-the-door parachutes higher than $90,000 will be banned under a new proposal by Republican gubernatorial candidate Charles Baker, as a Herald review shows the number of retirees raking in that much or more shot up 30 percent this year."
MA: Jobless rate drops in Bay State
From: www.capecodonline.com
"The Massachusetts unemployment rate fell last month for the first time in nearly 2 years as the job market was spurred by expansion in the science, health and business services sectors."
MD: The mortgage crisis deepens
From: www.baltimoresun.com
"BALTIMORE -- The mortgage crisis has worsened to the point that about one in every 10 prime borrowers in Maryland and nationwide -- homeowners judged to be good credit risks -- were behind on payments in September."
MD: State slashes budget by $362M
From: www.hometownannapolis.com
"The latest round of state budget cuts imposed yesterday will limit student financial aid, slice Medicaid payments to hospitals and even reduce commuter bus trips for state employees when the legislature is not in session."
MD: Port of Baltimore to get multi-million-dollar upgrade
From: www.baltimoresun.com
"BALTIMORE, Md. -- Gov. Martin O'Malley is expected to announce today that a company will invest hundreds of millions of dollars to upgrade the port of Baltimore - a project likely to bring thousands of jobs to the city.
"
ME: NH real estate experts say housing sales up
From: hosted.ap.org
"MANCHESTER, N.H. -- New statistics show that New Hampshire's real estate market is in the midst of a slow and steady recovery."
ME: New budget woes may shut down rural courthouses
From: www.bangordailynews.com
"Maine's chief justice said Thursday that she is hopeful the judicial branch can find ways to weather the next round of deep budget cuts without closing courthouses in rural areas of the state."
ME: Election money may be scant
From: www.bangordailynews.com
"The prospect that Maine's clean election fund could run dry before the November 2010 elections is causing some concerns among gubernatorial candidates hoping to tap into the program."
MI: U.S. jobless rate to peak at 10.4%, but job growth to be tepid, University of Michigan economists say
From: www.mlive.com
"The U.S. unemployment rate will plateau at 10.4 percent in early 2010 and dip to 9.5 percent by the end of 2011 as job growth lags output, University of Michigan economists said Thursday."
MI: All Emergency Unemployment Compensation extensions set to expire Dec. 31 unless Congress enacts new extensions
From: www.mlive.com
"There's another problem with the unemployment extensions signed into law earlier this month: The legislation does nothing to address the fact that all of the Emergency Unemployment Compensation benefits program all expire at the end of the year.
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MI: New report shows Michigan tax system unfair, but reactions continue along partisan lines
From: www.mlive.com
"Without exception, every business advocacy organization, special interest group and partisan of any stripe screams these days for some sort of change in Michigan's governmental structure."
MI: Michigan Secretary of State plans branch closings
From: www.lansingstatejournal.com
"EAST LANSING, Mich. -- The Secretary of State branch in downtown East Lansing will close as early as next year under a plan to consolidate branch locations in 11 counties statewide."
MI: Another property tax blow on horizon
From: www.freep.com
"Michigan home values have taken a nose dive in the past two years, and experts say commercial and industrial property values are about to do the same."
MI: Bills aim to force pay cuts
From: www.freep.com
"Calling it "another option to consider" in addressing the financial crisis gripping Michigan's public schools, an Oakland County lawmaker wants to empower the state schools superintendent to make unilateral cuts to the pay and benefits for school employees under some circumstances."
MN: Lowry Bridge, Saints, Como Zoo fighting for your money
From: www.startribune.com
"MINNEAPOLIS, Minn. -- The Great Culling Process has begun as legislators, mindful that labor is cheap now, decide which projects should get state help.
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MN: Property tax forecast -- up, but not as much
From: www.twincities.com
"Property taxes would increase an average of 3.5 percent across Minnesota next year if local governments adopt their proposed levies, the state Revenue Department announced Thursday. "
MN: Mortgage crisis hits prime borrowers
From: www.twincities.com
"More prime borrowers in Minnesota fell behind on mortgage payments during the third quarter, according to a report released Thursday, as delinquencies and bank foreclosures nationally hit record highs. "
MN: State says it needs more than stimulus
From: www.twincities.com
"The state Department of Transportation said in its 20-year plan, released this week, that federal economic stimulus money does not solve immediate or long-term funding needs. "
MO: Mo. gov. to detail community college funding plan
From: hosted.ap.org
"Missouri Gov. Jay Nixon is to announce plans for funding the state's community colleges."
MO: Mo. public defender system topic at attorney forum
From: hosted.ap.org
"Missouri's public defender system is expected to be a hot topic of discussion Friday as attorneys convene in Jefferson City."
MO: Missouri pensions board will select law firms for suits
From: www.stltoday.com
"Rejecting allegations that they were setting up a "pay-to-play" system, Missouri officials laid the groundwork Thursday for filing lawsuits to recoup investment losses by the state's pension plan.
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MS: Universities worry about effects of merger talk
From: www.clarionledger.com
"University leaders say they worry that talk of mergers will impact their ability to recruit students and raise money during a time when both are needed. "
MS: Lawmakers' trips hit amid revenue crunch
From: www.clarionledger.com
"Senate leaders have eliminated all taxpayer-funded out-of-state travel for the rest of the fiscal year. Meanwhile, the House is considering a proposal to limit its members to one out-of-state trip each this fiscal year, said House Management Committee Chair J.P. Compretta, D-Bay St. Louis.
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MS: Miss. Governor's Mansion gets nearly $50K touchup
From: nems360.com
"NASCAR fans are helping the Mississippi Governor's Mansion get a small facelift.
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MT: Montana, federal officials more tolerant of bison leaving Yellowstone, report says
From: www.missoulian.com
"BILLINGS -- Federal and state officials are drafting new strategies to deal with bison coming out of Yellowstone National Park, but still don't have an alternative to periodic slaughters of the iconic Western animal."
MT: Study -- Montana's richest pay less in taxes than low-, middle-income families
From: www.missoulian.com
"Montana's low- and middle-income families pay a larger share of their income in state and local taxes, on average, than do the state's richest households, a new national study concludes."
MT: Montana's Children -- Healthy, but poor, study shows
From: billingsgazette.com
"First, the good news, and there's a lot of it: Montana's children are healthier than kids in the rest of the country. "
NC: UNC tuition hike too small, some say
From: www.newsobserver.com
"CHAPEL HILL, N.C. -- Students at UNC-Chapel Hill will continue to pay far less for their educations than peers at most of the campus's competitors under a tuition plan approved Thursday. And that, some say, is a problem.
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NC: Doctor is brusque. Patient complains. Doctor fires back.
From: www.charlotteobserver.com
"Dr. Earl Sunderhaus, an Asheville eye doctor, has what might charitably be described as a brusque bedside manner. That much is not in dispute. But the N.C. Medical Board may decide Sunderhaus overstepped the bounds of decency when he recently told a patient she was irresponsible for being unemployed, on Medicaid, and relying on taxpayers to cover another pregnancy after giving birth less than a year earlier.
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NC: Stam sees a chance for eminent domain bill
From: www.newsobserver.com
"The departure of state Sen. Tony Rand has a lot of people wondering how the Senate will operate without the powerful master of rules, legislative maneuvers and hardball politics. It even has state Rep. Paul Stam wondering whether he'll finally get a favorite bill passed in the Senate.
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NE: Senators will work around Heineman's schedule to wrap up session
From: www.journalstar.com
"Gov. Dave Heineman called 49 senators to Lincoln 2 1/2 weeks ago to find a solution to a budget crisis. He met with the Appropriations Committee and other key committee chairs Nov. 2, and held briefings with others, to outline his proposal to cut the two-year budget to fill a gap in revenue. Then, according to a few senators, he more or less disappeared.
"
NE: McGill named head of Urban Affairs Committee
From: www.journalstar.com
"Lincoln Sen. Amanda McGill was elected Thursday to chair the Legislature's Urban Affairs Committee.
She will succeed Omaha Sen. Mike Friend, who resigned this summer to become the first director of the state's Office of Violence Prevention.
"
NH: NH watching if businesses wrongly classify employees
From: www.theunionleader.com
"MANCHESTER, N.H. – Four state agencies are coordinating efforts to enforce laws that require most workers to be classified as employees and not as independent contractors."
NH: NH real estate experts say housing sales up
From: hosted.ap.org
"MANCHESTER, N.H. -- New statistics show that New Hampshire's real estate market is in the midst of a slow and steady recovery."
NJ: Dem leader -- Economy trumps gay marriage
From: www.nj.com
"Following a dust-up over gay marriage in which he said he was taken out of context, Senate Majority Leader Stephen Sweeney said it would be irresponsible for Democrats to bring a bill to vote if they are not sure it will pass."
NJ: Christie lays down his law for state
From: www.nj.com
"In his first major speech since Election Day, Gov.-elect Chris Christie told local officials yesterday they better step up and become part of the solution, or he would become their problem."
NJ: Corzine urges N.J.'s local leaders to share more services
From: www.northjersey.com
"Governor Corzine made his parting plea to a ballroom full of mayors and other local elected officials: Confront the redundancies inherent in the 566 different municipal governments."
NM: Questions surround State Investment Council money manager
From: newmexicoindependent.com
"Hassan Nemazee, a longtime Democratic moneyman, was arrested last August and later accused of perpetrating a $292 million Ponzi scheme. "
NM: State mulls reducing Medicaid coverage
From: www.santafenewmexican.com
"Gov. Bill Richardson's administration is proposing to overhaul Medicaid and scale back health care services to some lower-income New Mexicans to cope with a projected budget shortfall of $300 million next year in the state's largest health care program. "
NM: Soft drink taxes could raise a lot of dough
From: newmexicoindependent.com
"The second meeting of Governor Bill Richardson's budget balancing task force happened today."
NM: Audit -- Suspect spending in school districts
From: www.santafenewmexican.com
"Three sport utility vehicles purchased for school administrators from an out-of-state dealer."
NV: Welfare told to sign contract but not given the money to pay for it
From: www.nevadaappeal.com
"Lawmakers on Thursday told state Welfare Administrator Romaine Gilliland to sign a $10.7 million contract even though they withheld part of the money to pay for it."
NV: State sells $131 million in bonds
From: www.nevadaappeal.com
"Nevada Treasurer Kate Marshall has announced the sale of $130.9 million in general obligation bonds at one of the lowest interest rates ever."
NV: Lawmakers defer action on prison furlough plan
From: www.nevadaappeal.com
"The Interim Finance Committee on Thursday deferred action on a plan to allow the Department of Corrections to avoid furloughs.
"
NV: The Strip -- License approved for Aria
From: www.lvrj.com
"There was never any doubt Thursday whether Nevada gaming regulators would approve a casino license for the centerpiece resort inside the $8.5 billion CityCenter development."
NV: Regulators holding off to let court rule in Watanabe case
From: www.lasvegassun.com
"Back in May, a high roller went public with his allegations that Harrah's Entertainment not only kept him drunk but provided him drugs to induce his massive gambling losses."
NY: Governor -- 'There is no deal'
From: www.timesunion.com
"The work goes on, but the legislators are gone. Members of the state Senate and Assembly left the Capitol on Thursday with plans to return on Monday -- if, that is, their leaders manage to hammer out a package to close the state's estimated $3.2 billion budget deficit.
"
NY: Governor extends buyout window; agencies asked to let workers sign up
From: www.timesunion.com
"As part of the ongoing effort to trim the payroll and save money, Gov. David Paterson is extending a $20,000 buyout offer to state workers.
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NY: Aid to help businesses hit by closed bridge
From: www.timesunion.com
"The state will provide nearly $3 million in economic assistance to businesses affected by last month's closing of the Champlain Bridge, a major link between New York and Vermont.
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NY: Capital Region unemployment remains at record levels
From: www.timesunion.com
"The Capital Region's unemployment rate in October was seven percent, the state Department of Labor said today.
"
OH: Bill aims to help workers due pay
From: www.dispatchpolitics.com
"Senate Democrats say it's time to expand the state's ability to investigate and resolve instances in which workers are not paid wages owed them."
OH: Bill aims to help workers due pay
From: www.dispatch.com
"Senate Democrats say it's time to expand the state's ability to investigate and resolve instances in which workers are not paid wages owed them."
OH: Problem mortgage rate loan worsens in Ohio, but not as much as in some other states
From: www.cleveland.com
"Roughly one in six Ohioans with a mortgage was a month or more behind on payments as of Sept. 30, according to a report released today."
OH: Casino issue won big with absentee voters
From: www.dispatch.com
"Voters who cast an absentee ballot in the Nov. 3 election generally were much more likely to support the statewide issue authorizing casinos than those who went to the polls Election Day, final unofficial results show."
OH: Slot-like machines in a legal muddle
From: www.dispatch.com
"Attorney General Richard Cordray's office insists that it cannot decide whether slot-like Sweepstakes machines are legal in Ohio because courts haven't ruled on the devices."
OH: Delinquent loans rise to record number
From: www.dispatch.com
"A report, issued yesterday by the Mortgage Bankers Association, found that loan delinquencies rose to record levels in the third quarter of this year."
OR: Tax measures represent next economic crossroads
From: www.statesmanjournal.com
"With Oregon's economy and tax collections apparently stabilizing, the next development affecting state services and aid to public schools will hinge on how Oregon voters decide the Legislature's budget-balancing tax measures Jan. 26."
OR: Has Oregon's economy bottomed out?
From: www.statesmanjournal.com
"Oregon's economic downturn might have hit bottom, Oregon's state economist told lawmakers Thursday."
OR: State issues alert on seven children's products.
From: www.oregonlive.com
"Oregon authorities alerted the public on Thursday that seven products for children sold in Target, Wal-Mart and other big retailers contain excessive amounts of lead."
OR: Curtain dropping on Oregon's recession
From: www.oregonlive.com
"Oregon's recession is over. Or nearly over, state economist Tom Potiowsky declared Thursday. "
OR: Oregon OKs $20 million settlement in college savings plan suit
From: www.oregonlive.com
"Thousands of investors in Oregon's hard-hit college savings plan will recoup some of their losses under the terms of a $20 million legal settlement approved Thursday. "
OR: regon OKs $20 million settlement in college savings plan suit
From: www.oregonlive.com
"Thousands of investors in Oregon's hard-hit college savings plan will recoup some of their losses under the terms of a $20 million legal settlement approved Thursday. "
PA: State October jobless rate flat
From: www.post-gazette.com
"In recent months Pennsylvania has been in step with the nation in terms of unemployment, staying about a point behind the national rate as both rates slowly ticked up.
"
PA: Some don't report how stimulus funds spent
From: www.pittsburghlive.com
"Stung by criticism over data showing billions in federal stimulus money going to nonexistent congressional districts in Pennsylvania and other states, the government corrected its Web site created to track the money. "
PA: Rendell revises gaming claim
From: www.pittsburghlive.com
"Gov. Ed Rendell on Thursday backed off his claim the FBI and U.S. Attorney's Office investigated the state gambling board's award of slot licenses in 2006 and found nothing."
RI: R.I. jobless rate dips, but 73,000 are still out of work
From: www.projo.com
"For the first time in nearly three years, Rhode Island's unemployment rate dropped, to 12.9 percent in October, offering a faint but reassuring sign that the state's economy may be on the road to improvement."
RI: In Providence, a crescent of green business sprouts
From: www.projo.com
"When Alteris Renewables decided to add another office in either Rhode Island or Southeastern Massachusetts, it considered Fall River, New Bedford and Bristol. "
SC: Candidate for governor raises Confederate flag issue
From: www.thestate.com
"The Confederate flag must be removed from the State House grounds if South Carolina is to attract jobs, according to one Democrat running for governor. Thursday, Mullins McLeod, a Charleston attorney, released a plan to create jobs and reopened an old S.C. wound about whether it's appropriate to fly the flag on Capitol grounds.
"
SC: 'Superload' could be big draw on Upstate roads
From: www.greenvilleonline.com
"A load longer and heavier than a jumbo jet will today begin a slow trek across Greenville County, clogging some of the area's busiest roads and leaving in its wake an economic impact expected to reach the tens of thousands of dollars.
"
SC: Role of black colleges in higher education touted
From: www.thestate.com
"The presidents of six colleges and universities in South Carolina met Thursday morning with the chief executive officer of a private foundation that has given at least $2 million to a pair of historically black colleges and universities in this state.
"
SD: SD employers continue to benefit from work tax credit program
From: www.capjournal.com
"The South Dakota Department of Labor says $5.7 million in tax credits were provided to employers in the state through the Work Opportunity Tax Credit program in federal fiscal year 2009, ending Sept. 30."
TN: UK goes smoke-free
From: www.courier-journal.com
"LEXINGTON, Ky. — Kentucky's flagship public university gave the official heave-ho to tobacco on Thursday, touting the health benefits of a smoke-free policy covering all of its sprawling campus in the heart of burley tobacco country.
"
TN: TN colleges brace for cuts, tuition hike
From: www.tennessean.com
"Higher education institutions in Tennessee are bracing for another round of budget cuts and tuition increases next year."
TN: TN guns-in-bars law back in court
From: www.knoxnews.com
"A law that allows handguns in Tennessee bars and restaurants is being challenged once again in court.
"
TN: TVA price increases fuel higher tax payments
From: www.timesfreepress.com
"Higher electricity prices may have squeezed recession-weary consumers in the past two years, but the higher TVA rates are helping to funnel more money into state and local government coffers."
TN: TVA cuts bonuses; no pay raise for top brass
From: www.timesfreepress.com
"For the first time since the Tennessee Valley Authority revamped its top management about three years ago, the federal utility didn't give pay raises or performance bonuses to its top managers this year."
TN: Water quality penalty expected next year
From: www.timesfreepress.com
"Chattanooga could be fined as early as next spring for not living up to the standards of its water quality permit, a Tennessee Department of Environment and Conservation official said Thursday.
"
TX: Hospital war
From: www.texastribune.org
"DALLAS — As lawmakers in Washington hammer out a health care reform bill, physician-owned specialty hospitals — a quarter of which are in Texas — face an uncertain fate. Those under development could see bulldozers, not cranes. Those already in operation may face serious limits on growth."
TX: Investment firm stands by reports on gifts to State Board of Education official
From: www.dallasnews.com
"State Board of Education member Rick Agosto has accused an investment company of incorrectly reporting that it gave him more than $1,000 in gifts before it sought a lucrative contract with the board. But the company has insisted that its disclosures are generally correct and said in letters to the Texas Education Agency that the disagreement may partially result from differences in accounting."
TX: Heritage Society opposes addition to Governor's Mansion
From: www.statesman.com
"The Heritage Society of Austin, a leading proponent for rebuilding the fire-gutted Governor's Mansion, will not support recently revealed plans for a two-story addition to the 153-year-old building.
"
TX: Despite his millions, Shami faces steep climb to governor's office
From: www.statesman.com
"HOUSTON — With hundreds of supporters watching, businessman Farouk Shami leapt into the Democratic gubernatorial primary field Thursday with plenty of hoopla and a promise to spend millions more than his opponents will likely raise, but he will face obstacles that even money may not allow him to overcome.
"
TX: Who's got the swine flu vaccine?
From: www.statesman.com
"State health officials said Thursday that they have funneled most doses — about 147,000 in Travis County — to private physicians, urgent care clinics and hospitals, where workers must decide whether patients meet the criteria to receive the scarce immunizations.
"
US: Senate panel debates offshore drilling
From: online.wsj.com
"WASHINGTON -- A Senate panel on Thursday battled over whether the country could expand oil and gas drilling in coastal waters without damaging the environment, spotlighting one of the big fights over climate legislation."
US: Mayors sound alarm over drop in city revenues
From: online.wsj.com
"WASHINGTON -- Mayors from four U.S. cities said they are facing a once-in-a-generation fiscal crisis and that federal stimulus funds have, so far, been largely unhelpful in helping them balance budgets hit by steep drops in nearly every source of municipal revenue."
US: Watchdog urges caution on claims of 640,000 stimulus jobs
From: www.nytimes.com
"WASHINGTON — The government watchdog overseeing the federal stimulus program testified Thursday that he could not vouch for the Obama administration's recent claims that the money had saved or created 640,000 jobs. He suggested that the administration should have treated the number with more skepticism."
US: Great American Smokeout 2009 -- Which states have most smokers?
From: www.csmonitor.com
"Those promoting Thursday's Great American Smokeout 2009 have their work cut out for them. That's because cigarette use among Americans, after declining for decades, has remained virtually unchanged for five straight years, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)."
UT: Utah's unemployment rate rises to 6.5 percent
From: www.sltrib.com
"Another 4,500 Utahns lost jobs last month, increasing the state's unemployment rate to 6.5 percent in October. "
UT: Utah oil and gas leases should be reinstated, report says
From: www.deseretnews.com
"A new analysis by an association representing oil and gas producers asserts the Department of the Interior thwarted the public process and "second-guessed" its own land managers when it yanked bids on oil and gas parcels sold at a controversial auction in Salt Lake City last December."
UT: Legislators intent on fixing bonus situation at trust lands agency
From: www.sltrib.com
"A series of bonuses given to Utah's school trust lands top officials are still in the crosshairs of legislative leaders, who are convinced the $150,000 in payments were an end-run around state budget cuts. "
VA: Va. faces $3.5 billion hole in next two-year budget
From: www2.timesdispatch.com
"PORTSMOUTH, Va. -- Local governments aren't likely to escape the pain when the General Assembly attempts to eliminate an estimated $3.5 billion hole in the next two-year budget."
VA: Virginia tax collections reflect struggling economy
From: www2.timesdispatch.com
"Virginians are taking home less pay, spending less in stores and still are getting hit on their investments, new state tax-collection statistics show."
VA: Hundreds get help at service fair for the homeless
From: www2.timesdispatch.com
"The U.S. Marine Corps veteran has survived since August without a permanent roof over his head, and he understands the consequences of living on the streets."
VA: Hampton Alcoa plant lays off 250
From: hosted.ap.org
"HAMPTON, Va. -- Alcoa Howmet is laying off 250 workers, or nearly a quarter of its work force, at its Hampton manufacturing plant."
VT: Feds hit farms looking for illegal immigrants
From: www.burlingtonfreepress.com
"Federal immigration officials served subpoenas on at least four Vermont dairy farms Thursday as part of a national crackdown on businesses suspected of using immigrant workers who have entered the country illegally."
WA: Ranks of uninsured swell in state
From: www.spokesman.com
"Washington state is on pace to reach a dangerous milestone within 14 months, Insurance Commissioner Mike Kreidler said Thursday: 1 million uninsured residents."
WA: Unpaid Wash. medical bills near $1B per year
From: www.seattlepi.com
"Washington's insurance commissioner says unpaid medical bills in the state will cost about $1 billion a year by 2011."
WA: State budget gap widens
From: www.theolympian.com
"An additional $760 million in hoped-for state revenue evaporated in the latest economic forecast, and lawmakers began talking up the pros and cons of tax increases to help plug a budget shortfall now estimated at $2.7 billion. "
WA: S.C. senator -- We 'threw everything at Boeing'
From: www.seattlepi.com
"CHARLESTON, S.C. -- South Carolina Sen. Paul Campbell, R-Goose Creek, said the tough competition from Washington state made South Carolina work even harder for the bid."
WI: Wis. Great Lakes ballast regs set for Feb.
From: host.madison.com
"State environmental officials say they'll begin enforcing new ballast water regulations on Great Lakes vessels in February."
WI: Suit over search-engine keywords tries new angle
From: host.madison.com
"A lawsuit in Wisconsin is bringing a fresh challenge to the practice of paying for keywords on Google and other search engines to boost one company's link over a rival's."
WI: Troubled mortgages at record level in state
From: www.jsonline.com
"One of every nine homeowners in Wisconsin was behind on mortgage payments or in foreclosure at the end of September - a record level that industry observers said Thursday is likely to rise."
WI: Asian carp may have breached barrier
From: www.jsonline.com
"New research shows the fish likely have made it past the $9 million electric fish barrier on the Chicago Sanitary and Ship Canal, a source familiar with the situation told the Journal Sentinel late Thursday."
WV: Special session to last another day for gas-tax bill
From: www.wvgazette.com
"Legislators will spend one more day in special session, after House Republicans blocked a passage vote Thursday on a bill (SB4004) to freeze the state's gasoline tax at the current 32.2 cents a gallon.
"
WV: WVU Tech athletic department losing money, audit shows
From: www.wvgazette.com
"West Virginia University Institute of Technology's athletic department has a losing record when it comes to finances, running budget deficits of more than $1 million for each of the past two academic years, a legislative audit released Thursday concludes.
"
WY: Revenue committee finally passes some tax bills
From: cowboystatefreepress.org
"The legislature's Joint Interim Revenue Committee spent the day Nov. 18 killing bills, including measures calling for taxes on electric generation, wind energy, property and fuel. "
WY: Committee rejects tax measures
From: www.wyomingnews.com
"The Legislature's Joint Interim Revenue Committee declined on Wednesday to sponsor any of a series of tax measures."
WY: Don't blame wind, officials say
From: www.trib.com
"Power producers have installed more than 500 megawatts of wind energy generation in Wyoming in the past year. "
Weekly wrap: Forecasting revenue is a lot like predicting the weather these days
From: www.stateline.org
"Indiana is mulling changes to how it estimates monthly revenues, while several states are considering mergers and consolidations of government agencies, universities, school districts and more to save money."
Budget insiders see worse ahead in Calif., Mich.
From: www.stateline.org
"Two of the states hit hardest by the Great Recession–California and Michigan–are bracing for an even tougher time making ends meet next year, putting big spending cuts or outright elimination of some services on the table, top budget officials from both states said Friday (Nov. 13)."
Visit the Stateline.org Economy & Business Page
From: www.stateline.org
"Two of the states hit hardest by the Great Recession–California and Michigan–are bracing for an even tougher time making ends meet next year, putting big spending cuts or outright elimination of some services on the table, top budget officials from both states said Friday (Nov. 13)."
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