After furloughs, states mull permanent cuts
From: feeds.stateline.org
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The protracted fiscal crisis is forcing states to shrink their bureaucracies to match revenues. Some are seizing the opportunity to make government more efficient.
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US: County consolidation gains steam across USA
From: feeds.stateline.org
"Municipal consolidation is an age-old movement that's resurfacing during the recession as states, counties and cities wrestle with declining revenue and anti-government sentiment escalates.
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AK: UA regents to seek $200 million for capital improvements
From: feeds.stateline.org
"The University of Alaska Board of Regents has approved its capital improvement budget request to go before the state Legislature in January.
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AK: Colver takes on second job
From: feeds.stateline.org
"WASILLA, Alaska -- Borough Assemblyman Jim Colver has taken a job in Nome state Sen. Donald Olson's Juneau office during the 2010 legislative session, but he said he plans to keep his seat on the Assembly.
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AK: Sarah Palin book signing draws crowds in Arizona cold
From: feeds.stateline.org
"TEMPE, Ariz. -- Hundreds of Sarah Palin fans flocked to a Costco store in Tempe on Tuesday to meet the former Alaska governor and vice presidential candidate and to have her sign their copies of "Going Rogue."
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AL: Northrop Grumman threatens to drop bid for Air Force tanker contract
From: feeds.stateline.org
"Northrop Grumman Corp. informed the Pentagon today that it will not bid on the U.S. Air Force tanker contract unless fundamental changes are made to the selection criteria, the Press-Register has learned.
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AL: White Hall bingo casino resumes operations
From: feeds.stateline.org
"WHITE HALL, Ala. -- An electronic bingo casino in White Hall has reopened with redesigned games.
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AL: Ivey discusses plan to aid PACT
From: feeds.stateline.org
"Kay Ivey, state treasurer and Republican can?didate for governor, wants Alabama to honor all of its Prepaid Affordable College Tuition con?tracts, and she wants the state's four-year univer?sities to help pick up the tab.
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AL: Public Service Commission unanimously approves rate drop for Alabama Power
From: feeds.stateline.org
"Alabama Power Co. customers are going to see their rates drop on Jan. 1, which should provide the typical residential customer with nearly $55 in savings throughout 2010.
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AR: Economy to grow next fiscal year, budget forecasters say
From: feeds.stateline.org
"State budget forecasters are predicting a 2 percent growth in revenue, about $89.5 million, for the fiscal year that begins July 1, according to a report released today.
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AR: Work-release enlargement stuck on hold
From: feeds.stateline.org
"Plans to expand the state Department of Correction's work-release program in Springdale will remain on hold without a federal stimulus grant the agency sought.
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AR: Group reaches out to provide Internet to state
From: feeds.stateline.org
"Whether individuals subscribe or not — Connect Arkansas wants to show the whys and hows of broadband Internet to bring the service to needed areas and make it more palatable to reluctant consumers.
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AZ: Insurance for cars in Ariz. above U.S. average
From: feeds.stateline.org
"The cost to insure a vehicle in Arizona remains in a downward trend, but average premiums here are still relatively high.
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AZ: Bid to stop state's raid on CAP funds rejected
From: feeds.stateline.org
"The Arizona Supreme Court refused Tuesday to order the Legislature to give back money it took from Central Arizona Project funds.
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CA: Calif. insurers say $12 billion invested in Iran
From: feeds.stateline.org
"California's insurance commissioner said Tuesday he will push insurance companies doing business in California to divest up to $12 billion in indirect investments in Iran's defense, nuclear, energy and banking industries.
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CA: State braces for fourth year of drought
From: feeds.stateline.org
"State water officials offered up their bleakest annual water supply prediction ever Tuesday in what amounts to an early warning about the coming year.
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CA: Property tax relief due for California property owners
From: feeds.stateline.org
"The state Board of Equalization, relying on federal statistics, estimated this week that deflation could reduce what many property owners owe — a new twist for the annual formula that caps tax increases based partly on the rate of inflation.
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CA: California could lose energy stimulus funds, auditor says
From: feeds.stateline.org
"Eight months after California was awarded $226 million in federal stimulus money to boost energy efficiency and renewable energy programs, it has failed to spend any of the cash and risks losing it, the state auditor charged Tuesday.
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CA: State departments among 'Best of California' winners
From: feeds.stateline.org
"The Center for Digital Government has recognized several state departments with its "2009 Best of California Awards" for achievements in leadership and information technology.
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CA: California to use deflation in assessing property taxes
From: feeds.stateline.org
"LOS ANGELES — Long used to manageable property tax bills, California homeowners have been lamenting over the last few years that their assessments did not reflect the enormous slide in the value of so many homes here.
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CO: Ballot initiative relaxing restrictions on booze in grocery stores clears first hurdle
From: feeds.stateline.org
"A roomful of lobbyists from all sides of the booze-in-grocery-stores debate watched warily as a ballot initiative relaxing restrictions on wine and full-strength beer sales cleared its first hurdle Tuesday.
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CO: Lawmaker Curry looks to improve oil and gas audits
From: feeds.stateline.org
"State Rep. Kathleen Curry, a Western Slope Democrat who in the past has spearheaded legislation aimed at the state's oil and gas industry, told The Colorado Independent recently that she's not looking to introduce new regulations this session.
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CT: Former state banking chief Burke dead at 78
From: feeds.stateline.org
"WATERBURY, Conn. -- John P. Burke, the former banking commissioner and longtime bank CEO, died at his home in Texas on Monday.
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CT: Rell's latest budget-cut plan fails to assuage Democrats
From: feeds.stateline.org
"Gov. M. Jodi Rell can call the legislature into special session. But she might not be able to make the lawmakers vote.
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CT: Municipalities face major budget challenges if state aid is cut
From: feeds.stateline.org
"When East Hartford Mayor Melody Currey looks at the emergency midyear budget cuts that state leaders are discussing, she questions how her town can absorb another hit.
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CT: Former state film chairman to run planned stratford movie studio
From: feeds.stateline.org
"Doug McAward will serve as general manager for Dogstar, a studio backed by an investor group led by Allen Christopher, a media entrepreneur and former film writer who urged the state to pass the generous film tax credits that he says make this project possible.
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CT: State proposes closing minimum-security prison in Cheshire
From: feeds.stateline.org
"The state is recommending that a minimum-security prison in Cheshire be closed, a move that would have been unheard of during the tough-on-crime days of the mid-1990s.
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CT: Gov. Rell proposes panel to ease burden of budget cuts
From: feeds.stateline.org
"Bracing for an unpopular round of emergency budget cuts, Gov. M. Jodi Rell is trying to pull together a bipartisan panel of legislators and municipal leaders to work out a plan to ease the burden as much as possible.
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DE: Recession to linger in Delaware, Phila. Fed says
From: feeds.stateline.org
"Delaware is likely to remain mired in recession longer than its northern neighbors, according to projections from the Federal Reserve Bank of Philadelphia.
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DE: Delaware's industrial slowdown lowers toxic releases
From: feeds.stateline.org
"Toxic releases from Delaware industrial sites fell by 11 percent between 2007 and 2008, state regulators reported Tuesday, with much of the change tied to cuts at large power plants and the Delaware City Refinery.
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DE: Delaware pulls in $830K from sports betting
From: feeds.stateline.org
"Despite a wipeout weekend in October, sports betting has generated $830,612 for the state treasury during the first 12 weeks of the pro football season, state officials revealed Tuesday.
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FL: Supreme Court to hear Florida beach property rights dispute
From: feeds.stateline.org
"WASHINGTON -- With climatologists predicting an era of rising seas, the Supreme Court today will take up a property rights claim from Florida's Gulf Coast to decide whether private land owners or the public gain the benefits of restoring beaches eroded by hurricanes or high waters.
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FL: Rothstein pleads not guilty to racketeering charges
From: feeds.stateline.org
"FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla. -- Scott Rothstein, the flashy Fort Lauderdale attorney who authorities say ran a $1.2 billion investment scam while acting like a philanthropic tycoon, faces up to 100 years in prison if convicted on federal racketeering and other charges.
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FL: PSC sets stronger Fla. conservation goals
From: feeds.stateline.org
"The Public Service Commission set 10-year energy conservation goals Tuesday that are significantly stronger than Florida's major electric utilities had proposed but well short of what environmentalists wanted.
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FL: Rothstein `fraud' funded campaign donations
From: feeds.stateline.org
"FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla. -- Fort Lauderdale attorney Scott Rothstein doled out large bonuses to his firm's lawyers, purportedly for exemplary work -- but they would receive the awards only after they made fat campaign contributions in their names to political candidates of Rothstein's choice.
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FL: Rise in bookings may signal rebound for South Florida hotels
From: feeds.stateline.org
"MIAMI -- The winter shouldn't be quite as harsh for tourism this time around.
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GA: Legislative leaders predict more budget cuts
From: feeds.stateline.org
"Top leaders in the Georgia House and Senate predicted Tuesday that legislators could be forced early next year to cut state spending by an additional $400 million.
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GA: Niemi -- Ga. to lag nat'l recovery through 2011, long-term prospects good
From: feeds.stateline.org
"Georgia's economic recovery will lag behind the rest of the nation in 2010-2011, but the slow start will give way to more robust growth that will outpace the nation in the years ahead, according to Albert Niemi, dean of the Cox School of Business at Southern Methodist University.
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GA: New transportation funding plan floated
From: feeds.stateline.org
"Georgia General Assembly leaders are working on a new plan letting voters in metro Atlanta decide whether to tax themselves to pay for needed transportation improvements, House Majority Leader Jerry Keen said Tuesday.
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GA: Georgia's bottom line gets a boost
From: feeds.stateline.org
"The state auditor has identified $54 million in lapsed funds from the fiscal year 2009 budget that will be returned to reserves.
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HI: Library staffs furloughed, too
From: feeds.stateline.org
"Workers at the state's public libraries will take 15 furlough days a year for the next two fiscal years, closing libraries on those days starting Dec. 16.
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HI: Hawaii elections chief resigning
From: feeds.stateline.org
"Kevin Cronin, the state's embattled chief elections officer, informed the state Elections Commission yesterday that he intends to resign at the end of the year.
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IA: Iowa census jobs may help local economy -- Temporarily
From: feeds.stateline.org
"IOWA CITY, Iowa -- The 2010 Census could offer thousands of jobs to urban areas of Iowa as part of the U.S. Census Bureau's effort to a better response rate.
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IA: Iowa employers' economic outlook seen as improving
From: feeds.stateline.org
"A survey that tracks the economic outlook of large Iowa employers changed little in the fourth quarter from the third, a report released Tuesday showed.
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IA: Reorganizations, layoffs, spending cuts predicted
From: feeds.stateline.org
"The Iowa Legislature won't tamper with health care benefits for state workers in the 2010 session, but lawmakers say they intend to cut spending in all departments.
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ID: Severe situation -- Idaho spud growers say prices too low for profit
From: feeds.stateline.org
"Leaders of potato grower industry groups say a stellar growing season has been offset by prices for Idaho potatoes that have dropped to less than half of what it cost farmers to grow this year's crop.
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ID: Idaho Power, customer groups urge rate deal
From: feeds.stateline.org
"Idaho Power wants to boost its profits.
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IL: Race tracks lobby for video gambling
From: feeds.stateline.org
"With some communities banning video gambling, the horse racing industry is again lobbying for machines at Illinois racetracks.
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IL: Hynes unveils jobs plan in Rockford
From: feeds.stateline.org
"ROCKFORD, Ill. -- Saying Illinois won't be out of its recession until Rockford is "back on its feet," gubernatorial candidate Dan Hynes announced a multipoint jobs program in the Forest City today.
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IL: Legalized video gambling still at least a year away, regulators say
From: feeds.stateline.org
"It'll be at least a year before legalized video gambling machines will be online in bars, restaurants and truck stops across Illinois, state gambling regulators said today.
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IL: Hynes accuses Quinn of playing politics on job creation
From: feeds.stateline.org
"Democratic governor candidate Dan Hynes unveiled his plans to spur job creation today and criticized Gov. Pat Quinn for trying to trade his signature on a public works program in exchange for approving an income tax increase.
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IL: Municipal video gambling bans don't hurt dollar estimates
From: feeds.stateline.org
"Towns and counties throughout Illinois continue to ban legalized video gambling, but state officials said today that not enough of them have opted out to hurt estimates of how much the machines will fetch.
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IN: Economist -- Indiana farms could see big property tax jump
From: feeds.stateline.org
"A Purdue University farm expert says Indiana's farmers could see a big increase in property taxes over the next few years if state lawmakers don't retool the state's farmland taxation formulas.
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IN: Companies still key to welfare fix
From: feeds.stateline.org
"Indiana's proposed fix to its welfare system includes handing the bulk of supervisory duties back to state employees.
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KS: Missouri schools get progress reports
From: feeds.stateline.org
"Missouri released annual performance reports for school districts Tuesday, showing more than half of Kansas City area districts to be meeting 14 of 14 standards.
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KS: Missouri Department of Transportation lay off 100 statewide
From: feeds.stateline.org
"The Missouri Department of Transportation is laying off 100 people statewide in order to boost its contribution to the retirement system covering its employees.
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KS: State board approves planned casino near Kansas Speedway
From: feeds.stateline.org
"It wasn't the glitziest proposal for a casino in Wyandotte County. Or the biggest or the most expensive.
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KY: Republican money is going to Ky. Democrat
From: feeds.stateline.org
"Major Republican donors with ties to horse racing are crossing party lines to support a Democrat running for the state Senate who promises he'll back casino-style gambling at racetracks.
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KY: Layoffs, furloughs likely if Kentucky state budget cut 6%
From: feeds.stateline.org
"State Treasurer Todd Hollenbach has instituted a voluntary two-day unpaid leave for his senior staff and probably will cut a janitorial contract and lay off two of his 33 employees in January.
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KY: School programs to be cut by $20 million
From: feeds.stateline.org
"Education Commissioner Terry Holliday is telling Kentucky's public school superintendents to brace themselves for $20 million in cuts this year to programs such as preschool for at-risk and disabled children, reading help and dropout prevention.
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KY: Ky. Changing Testing Standards For Horses
From: feeds.stateline.org
"Kentucky is changing its testing standards for horses suspected of violating drug rules.
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KY: Programs for gifted students among those facing state budget cuts
From: feeds.stateline.org
"The Kentucky Department of Education plans to cut its spending by about $20 million during the rest of this fiscal year, which could affect many programs in school districts around the state.
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LA: Retirement funding reviewed
From: feeds.stateline.org
"With the state's public retirement system debt increasing $4.8 billion during the past year, state officials said the pension program has to change.
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LA: Furloughs for state workers supported
From: feeds.stateline.org
"A cost-cutting commission wants state government to take a cue from private business and furlough state workers.
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LA: Cost-cutting panel takes gentler route on job cuts
From: feeds.stateline.org
"With its mid-December deadline drawing near, a state cost-cutting panel rejected a proposal Tuesday to eliminate 15,000 government jobs during the next three years.
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MA: Some legal immigrants can't get health care yet
From: feeds.stateline.org
"More than 100 legal immigrants who were supposed to start receiving care yesterday under a new state health insurance plan will have to wait because the contractor hired to run the program has been unable to reach agreement with providers in Western Massachusetts.
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MA: Swelling need, shrinking aid test charities
From: feeds.stateline.org
"Massachusetts charities are scrambling to provide food, clothing, and other assistance for surging numbers of families seeking aid this holiday season, with many charities receiving twice as many requests as they did last year.
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MA: Baker outlines state pension overhaul plan
From: feeds.stateline.org
"Republican gubernatorial candidate Charles Baker has a plan for tightening the state's pension system he says could save Massachusetts at least $50 million per year.
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MD: County weathers income tax drop
From: feeds.stateline.org
"The share of income tax going to local governments declined dramatically this year, leaving some counties in the lurch and others shrugging off the latest in a long string of budget cuts brought on by the recession.
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MD: City projections show $127 million budget shortfall for next year
From: feeds.stateline.org
"BALTIMORE, Md. -- Baltimore must trim $127 million from its threadbare budget for next year to account for plummeting revenue and ballooning pension costs, according to projections slated to be presented at a City Council hearing this afternoon.
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ME: KVCC gets $50K grant for wind-energy turbine
From: feeds.stateline.org
"FAIRFIELD, Maine -- Kennebec Valley Community College has received a $50,000 grant to help purchase and install a 120-foot-tall wind energy turbine on its campus.
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ME: PUC orders lower FairPoint rates, blasts company
From: feeds.stateline.org
"The Public Utilities Commission on Monday unanimously ordered FairPoint to immediately lower phone rates by $1.72 per line per month for the next year and sharply criticized the company for failing to implement the decrease first ordered months ago.
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MI: Stimulus money not creating job growth, survey of purchasing managers finds
From: feeds.stateline.org
"Incremental recovery in Southeast Michigan manufacturing activity over the last three months is stalling, according to a recent survey of purchasing managers.
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MI: Southeast Michigan's jobless rate drops to 16.7% in October
From: feeds.stateline.org
"Southeast Michigan unemployment rates dropped in October, in line with trends in most of the state's labor markets, according to data released Tuesday by the Michigan Department of Energy, Labor & Economic Growth, or DELEG.
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MI: Bing finds goodwill in Lansing
From: feeds.stateline.org
"Detroit Mayor Dave Bing's first goodwill trip to Lansing Tuesday won praise from the state leaders who the mayor says will play a critical role in helping his financially battered city survive.
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MI: Bing, in Lansing, seeks support for Detroit
From: feeds.stateline.org
"Detroit Mayor Dave Bing met with state lawmakers at the Capitol this morning in an effort to win support for short-term borrowing the city needs to stave off its financial crisis.
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MN: Report ranks Minn. state sixth in college debt
From: feeds.stateline.org
"MINNEAPOLIS, Minn. -- A report shows a troubling trend continuing -- Students are leaving Minnesota colleges with record debt.
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MN: Minnesota lawmakers target charter school rules
From: feeds.stateline.org
"MINNEAPOLIS, Minn. -- Minnesota lawmakers will begin probing the use of state lease aid money that charter schools have used to fuel a building spree paid for with high-cost junk bonds.
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MN: Pawlenty, lawmakers brace for state budget forecast
From: feeds.stateline.org
"State economist Tom Stinson will deliver a long-awaited budget forecast today that Gov. Tim Pawlenty and legislators have been dreading because they expect bad news.
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MO: Missouri Senate leader proposes sweeping ethics bill
From: feeds.stateline.org
"The leader of the Missouri Senate on Tuesday proposed a sweeping ethics bill amid fresh reports that the FBI was questioning how state House leaders handled a tax bill.
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MO: Schaefer wins No. 2 role on appropriations panel
From: feeds.stateline.org
"State Sen. Kurt Schaefer of Columbia has moved up in the Senate's pecking order.
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MS: Lawmaker -- Cuts within days
From: feeds.stateline.org
"A lawmaker expects the governor to announce new budget cuts in the coming days to make up for lost revenue.
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MS: Conservationists push for protection
From: feeds.stateline.org
"The Gulf Restoration Network and six other groups said the state makes it too complicated for average citizens to nominate a waterway as an "Outstanding National Resource Water."
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MS: Stimulus, grants clearing air
From: feeds.stateline.org
"About $1.9 million in federal grants and stimulus dollars is being spent to retrofit school buses built from 1998 to 2006 with diesel oxidation catalysts - a device that reduces emissions from diesel engines.
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MS: Miss. tax collections sluggish again in November
From: feeds.stateline.org
"Mississippi's tax collections in November fell short of expectations for the 15th consecutive month, causing some lawmakers to worry about what will happen in another round of state budget cuts.
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MT: State senator joins auditor's staff
From: feeds.stateline.org
"Sen. Christine Kaufmann, D-Helena, began work this week as a policy adviser to state Auditor Monica Lindeen and will help the office implement the anticipated passage of federal health care reform over the next 13 months.
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MT: Governor to speak to Montana Stockgrowers
From: feeds.stateline.org
"Gov. Brian Schweitzer will address the conservative-leaning Montana Stockgrowers Association, which offered the Democrat its keynote convention speech in Billings as a peace offering several weeks ago.
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MT: State OKs portion of Big Timber wind farm
From: feeds.stateline.org
"State land officials on Tuesday approved siting for part of a proposed 79-megawatt wind farm west of Big Timber, essentially giving developers the go-ahead to place eight of the project's 44 turbines on state land.
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NC: Progress Energy gives up on coal plants
From: feeds.stateline.org
"Progress Energy plans to mothball 11 coal-burning power plants in the state, a move that signals the beginning of the end of the era of cheap coal that has defined the state's electricity production for decades.
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NC: ConAgra fined in deadly blast
From: feeds.stateline.org
"The state Department of Labor found 26 serious health and safety violations at Con Agra's Slim Jim plant in Garner, some of which led to the massive explosion in June that killed four and injured dozens more.
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NC: Perdue going to DC to talk health care, stimulus
From: feeds.stateline.org
"Gov. Beverly Perdue is heading to the nation's capital again to try to keep federal assistance flowing to North Carolina while avoiding additional spending burdens.
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NC: Perdue -- Medicaid is budget-breaker
From: feeds.stateline.org
"Gov. Beverly Perdue says North Carolina's Medicaid program is breaking the budget the Legislature gave state officials this summer.
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NC: Perdue nominates Fox for DOT post
From: feeds.stateline.org
"Gov. Bev Perdue has nominated Greensboro lawyer Michael Fox, 46, to serve on the N.C. Board of Transportation.
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ND: ND Supreme Court mulls corporate ag land ownership
From: feeds.stateline.org
"Attorney General Wayne Stenehjem is asking the state Supreme Court to close what he calls a loophole in North Dakota's law against corporate farming.
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NE: Appliance rebate plan a clunker
From: feeds.stateline.org
"Consumers still will be able to get federal stimulus cash next year for buying energy-efficient appliances, but the wait will be longer than expected.
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NE: Nearly $200K in Disaster Recovery funds awarded
From: feeds.stateline.org
"Four Nebraska communities will use a combined $187,000 in federal disaster recovery funding for projects resulting from summer storm damage, the state Department of Economic Development announced.
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NE: Panel warns of global warming's effects on Nebraska
From: feeds.stateline.org
"A panel of ecologists, biologists and professors told an audience of 50 on the University of Nebraska-Lincoln's East Campus that as the world grows warmer in the next 50 years, so will Nebraska.
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NH: NH revenues up slightly in November
From: feeds.stateline.org
"New Hampshire has some good financial news to report. The state's tax receipts were nearly $7 million ahead of estimates in November.
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NH: Investors wonder -- Where did all the mortgage firm's money go?
From: feeds.stateline.org
"Cape Cod inventor Oskar Klenert says he turned to Scott Farah for funding because of a relationship with the family going back to Farah's grandfather.
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NH: Panel suggests a halt to school construction aid
From: feeds.stateline.org
"Future school construction in the state could hit a roadblock if the Legislature pursues a committee recommendation to suspend providing building aid, but not until after town meeting season.
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NH: Report -- Gambling odds shifting
From: feeds.stateline.org
"Keep an eye on Massachusetts. That's one of the conclusions that Steve Norton, executive director of the New Hampshire Center for Public Policy, presented to the state's Gaming Study Commission yesterday, as the commission prepares to release its interim report.
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NJ: Trenton withholds $20 million in municipal aid
From: feeds.stateline.org
"Scrambling to close a growing state budget gap, New Jersey yesterday canceled December's $20 million aid payment to municipalities.
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NJ: N.J. probe finds waste, abuse in municipal benefits
From: feeds.stateline.org
"New Jersey residents seeking jobs with cushy benefits, such as paid time off for Christmas shopping, payouts for unused sick days, and no-strings-attached departure bonuses, might want to drop off a resume at their local town hall.
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NJ: Corzine outspent Christie 2-1 during election
From: feeds.stateline.org
"Gov. Jon Corzine outspent Gov.-elect Chris Christie by about 2-to-1 in his losing bid for a second term, including $28.5 million from the multimillionaire governor's own pocket, according to reports released yesterday.
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NJ: Scathing N.J. report details millions of taxpayer dollars spent on municipal employee perks
From: feeds.stateline.org
"Hundreds of North Jersey municipal employees are guaranteed paid time off — at taxpayers' expense — to go Christmas shopping, attend weddings, and even donate blood, according to a scathing report released Tuesday by the State Commission of Investigation.
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NJ: Advocates -- Health care will still elude many in N.J.
From: feeds.stateline.org
"Health insurance will continue to be out of reach for many cash-strapped and unemployed New Jerseyans in the coming year even if Congress enacts a health care reform bill, according to two consumer advocacy groups who released separate reports yesterday.
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NJ: N.J. Governor-elect Christie blasts Democrats on budget, lame-duck issues
From: feeds.stateline.org
"Returning from a Thanksgiving vacation, Gov.-elect Chris Christie Tuesday quickly ended any illusion of harmony in the gubernatorial transition.
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NM: Job cuts appear to begin for exempt employees
From: feeds.stateline.org
"The letting go of exempt employees from state government apparently has begun.
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NM: Cutbacks delay new MVD office
From: feeds.stateline.org
"Plans to build a new Motor Vehicle Division field office for Santa Fe have fallen victim to the state's capital-outlay crunch. Officials say an expected groundbreaking on the project by the end of the year won't happen.
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NM: Rise in food stamp cases shows that many more New Mexicans are going hungry
From: feeds.stateline.org
"Here's another sign of how the poor economy is affecting New Mexico: state data show that 70,000 more New Mexicans are using food stamps than just a year ago.
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NV: Report -- Nevada among friendliest states for small businesses
From: feeds.stateline.org
"Forget, for a moment, Nevada's high rates of bankruptcies, foreclosures and unemployment.
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NV: Nevada taxable sales down 18 percent in September
From: feeds.stateline.org
"Taxable sales continued their downward slide in September as merchants reported a total of just under $3.2 billion.
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NV: Nevada state revenues fall $56 million short for first quarter
From: feeds.stateline.org
"The state budget has a $56.6 million hole in it after just three months of this fiscal year.
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NY: Vote due on deficit reduction plan
From: feeds.stateline.org
"Lawmakers are expected to pass a $2.8 billion deficit reduction package today after spending most of Tuesday fighting with the governor over procedure to pass the bills.
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NY: State audit questions Rochester School District spending
From: feeds.stateline.org
"ROCHESTER, N.Y. -- For years, the Rochester school board failed to protect the district's financial interests from waste and abuse by past superintendents and their top aides, taking little or no action to control tens of thousands of dollars in undocumented bonuses and salaries and the awarding of millions of dollars in no-bid contracts, state auditors charge.
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NY: Aid delay costly to cities
From: feeds.stateline.org
"Right off the bat, Cohoes Mayor John McDonald figures the state budget deadlock could cost an additional $9,000.
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NY: Pay, perks hit at power grid operator
From: feeds.stateline.org
"Ten years after its creation, a non-profit "utility" that's supposed to provide New York consumers with a reliable and affordable flow of electricity is spending heavily on consultants -- paying generous salaries, perks and bonuses to its locally based work force and drawing plenty of criticism.
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NY: State grants Harriman development rights, won't release details
From: feeds.stateline.org
"The state and a private developer are proceeding with a plan for the large-scale redevelopment of Harriman State Office Campus -- but few people have seen it.
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OH: AmTrust parent files for bankruptcy
From: feeds.stateline.org
"CLEVELAND, Ohio -- AmTrust Bank, one of the 100 biggest banks in America, may be close to insolvency, with its parent company heading to court in an unusual move seeking bankruptcy protection.
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OH: Lake Erie wind turbine project spreads beyond Cuyahoga County
From: feeds.stateline.org
"ELYRIA, Ohio -- The Great Lakes Energy Development Task Force, chaired by Cuyahoga County Prosecutor Bill Mason, has created a non-profit development corporation that it hopes will get the support of county governments from Ashtabula to Toledo -- and the construction of hundreds of wind turbines over the next couple of decades.
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OH: Senate GOP OK with tax delay?
From: feeds.stateline.org
"Senate President Bill M. Harris said he's optimistic that a budget deal can be completed soon, but another day passed yesterday without a solution as his Republican members met in private into the night.
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OK: Oklahoma budget subcommittee hears about agency's furloughs
From: feeds.stateline.org
"Members of a budget subcommittee were given a dismal image Tuesday of additional furlough days for state employees as the House began two weeks of hearings looking into ways to deal with Oklahoma's revenue shortfall.
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OK: Reducing vendor discounts could save Oklahoma millions
From: feeds.stateline.org
"Oklahoma could save about $20 million a year by reducing the discount given to big vendors for for collecting sales tax, a state lawmaker said Tuesday.
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OR: Oregon reaps $700,000 in pharmaceutical settlement
From: feeds.stateline.org
"The money is part of a $95.5 million civil settlement with Aventis Pharmaceutical, Inc.
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OR: Gas prices fall a penny a gallon in Oregon, nationally
From: feeds.stateline.org
"The price of a gallon of unleaded gas in Oregon fell a penny to $2.75, according to AAA Oregon/Idaho's fuel gauge report.
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OR: State agencies submit cut lists, should tax measures fail in January
From: feeds.stateline.org
"If voters reject tax increases on corporations and the wealthy, lawmakers will be forced to return to Salem in February and find a way to make up for $733 million in revenues that were expected at the time the current $13.3 billion two-year budget was written.
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PA: Another failure at Pa. Web site for jobless claims
From: feeds.stateline.org
"Yet again, the online system that handles about 250,000 weekly claims from jobless Pennsylvanians is having major problems, creating headaches for filers -- and for the people whose job is to answer the state's phones.
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PA: Foxwoods asks more casino planning time
From: feeds.stateline.org
"Citing continuing negotiations in Harrisburg to allow table games at Pennsylvania casinos, investors in the Foxwoods project have asked state regulators for more time to produce a plan showing how their proposed slots parlor in South Philadelphia will look.
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PA: An ill wind blowing on Gamesa
From: feeds.stateline.org
"Gamesa USA, the Spanish wind-turbine manufacturer the Rendell administration lured to Pennsylvania five years ago to help build an alternative-energy economic sector in the state, has been quietly moving its headquarters out of Philadelphia.
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PA: House bill pushes Pennsylvania to go green, legalize marijuana
From: feeds.stateline.org
"Stephany Bowen suffers from fibromyalgia, diabetic neuropathy and chronic pain from four back surgeries, a metal plate in the back of her neck and hypertension in her right leg.
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PA: $375 million in Pennsylvania IOUs put public projects in limbo
From: feeds.stateline.org
"Pennsylvania can't make $375 million in payments to contractors on some publicly funded redevelopment projects because of a delay in approving bonds, a top aide to Gov. Ed Rendell said Tuesday.
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PA: Keep records longer, Pennsylvania auditor general says
From: feeds.stateline.org
"Forty percent of state computer documents Auditor General Jack Wagner requested for an audit were destroyed before the examination of $592 million worth of contracts began, a top official told a Senate panel Tuesday.
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RI: Grant boosts efforts for green-technology jobs
From: feeds.stateline.org
"The New England Institute of Technology has received a $149,000 grant from the governor's Workforce Board of Rhode Island to fund a new industry partnership called the Rhode Island Green Technology Consortium.
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RI: Health insurance rate-hike request hearing in works
From: feeds.stateline.org
"Blue Cross & Blue Shield of Rhode Island, after being denied a rate hike last year, is seeking a double-digit jump in the premiums it charges for its "direct-pay" subscribers.
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RI: House forum generates plenty of ideas, few solutions
From: feeds.stateline.org
"There was no scarcity of ideas at the House of Representatives' first economic forum Tuesday, but some question whether those ideas will translate into legislative action that creates jobs and helps mend the state's limping economy.
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RI: Lawmakers to oppose state withholding of tax payment
From: feeds.stateline.org
"EAST GREENWICH, R.I. — Two of the state legislators who represent the town vowed Monday night to oppose any effort by the governor or the General Assembly to withhold next year's fourth-quarter state motor vehicle excise tax payment to cities and towns.
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SC: USC plans drastic pollution cuts
From: feeds.stateline.org
"The University of South Carolina plans to cut the pollution by its vehicles by 90 percent over the next five years.
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SC: Whale watchers
From: feeds.stateline.org
"From now until spring, a colorful crew will cram into a twin-engine airplane every clear day to draw lines in the sky off the coast of Charleston, searching for whales in the waters below.
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SD: Food stamp use soars in S. Dakota
From: feeds.stateline.org
"Food stamps are putting supper on the table for more South Dakota families, and the usage has soared in Sioux Falls, home of the state's most robust economy.
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TN: Tax-reform group seeks state records
From: feeds.stateline.org
"Leaders of a tax-reform group Tuesday accused the Tennessee Department of Revenue of repeatedly ignoring requests for information about how much money the state loses each year from a corporate tax loophole they contend benefits large, multistate businesses.
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TX: Debtors' treadmill -- Treasure map
From: feeds.stateline.org
"Companies that offer short-term, high-interest loans go where the business is: primarily low- and middle-income neighborhoods.
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TX: Tough season may force Texas oystermen to fold
From: feeds.stateline.org
"SAN LEON, Tex. — A year after Hurricane Ike devastated Galveston Bay's oyster beds, the oystermen who have been harvesting seafood from the bay's fertile waters for generations are barely hanging on, and many fear that this could be their last oyster season.
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US: White House, GOP spar on stimulus
From: feeds.stateline.org
"WASHINGTON -- The White House and congressional Republicans sparred Tuesday over the significance of a Congressional Budget Office report that estimated the federal stimulus package sustained between 600,000 and 1.6 million jobs in the third quarter, and raised gross domestic product by 1.2 to 3.2 percentage points higher than it would have been without the program.
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US: E.P.A. says it expects to raise amount of ethanol allowed in fuel blends to 15%
From: feeds.stateline.org
"WASHINGTON — The Environmental Protection Agency said Monday that it would probably increase the amount of ethanol that gasoline retailers could blend into ordinary fuel, to 15 percent, if tests established that the blend would not damage cars.
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UT: Utah's latest baby boom dwindles
From: feeds.stateline.org
"Utah's seemingly endless wave of babies has crested, and state demographers and economists believe it's the beginning of a downward trend.
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UT: State officials say they didn't endorse Utah Lake bridges
From: feeds.stateline.org
"State officials say they do not endorse Utah Crossing's proposal to span Utah Lake with two bridges, contrary to what the company said on its Web site.
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UT: Laid-off Utahns could lose coverage
From: feeds.stateline.org
"The ranks of uninsured Utahns are set to swell as a nine-month federal stopgap subsidy to laid-off workers who still want to be covered through their former employer's health-care plan runs out.
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UT: McCoy is leaving Legislature to focus on his legal career
From: feeds.stateline.org
"Utah's only openly gay state senator, Democrat Scott McCoy, said Tuesday he is resigning.
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VA: Report shows how well colleges are being funded
From: feeds.stateline.org
"People hear about Old Dominion University's expanding modeling and simulation programs and see campus improvements and might assume that the school is rolling in money, said ODU President John Broderick.
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VA: Stimulus cutoff will increase health costs for jobless
From: feeds.stateline.org
"HAMPTON ROADS, Va. -- If a federal subsidy is not extended to help jobless people pay for health care, unemployed Virginians will have to spend 84.1 percent of their jobless benefits on COBRA health coverage, a Washington group said today.
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VA: Houck warns localities to expect to feel pinch of state budget crisis
From: feeds.stateline.org
"Sen. Edd Houck yesterday called the state's financial projections the worst in 50 years and warned Culpeper County supervisors that local governments will feel the impact.
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VA: Enforcement of Virginia smoking ban is hazy
From: feeds.stateline.org
"VIRGINIA BEACH, Va. -- Quietly signs went up Tuesday signaling to customers that things had changed.
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VA: State to cut spending for region's roads again
From: feeds.stateline.org
"HAMPTON ROADS, Va. -- Hampton Roads once again is getting less than its fair share of state funding to build and improve roads, a transportation official said Tuesday.
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VA: Va. tax amnesty program ends Saturday
From: feeds.stateline.org
"Virginia taxpayers only have a few more days to get square with the state when it comes to delinquent taxes.
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VA: Va. yoga regulation a stretch for teachers
From: feeds.stateline.org
"Three yoga instructors on Tuesday asked a federal judge to halt a state plan to regulate yoga instructor training. The Old Dominion, they say, has stretched too far into an ancient, spiritual practice.
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VT: Vermont property tax rates expected to rise
From: feeds.stateline.org
"For the first time since Vermont adopted a statewide property tax for schools in 1997, the tax rates are expected to increase compared with current levels.
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VT: For sale on eBay -- Vt. treasure trove
From: feeds.stateline.org
"WATERBURY, Vt. – In a nondescript building just north of the village of Waterbury, Bill Beard and Mark Casey oversee a trove of used merchandise that piles in daily from across the state.
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VT: Vermont could cut $20 million in mental health services
From: feeds.stateline.org
"The state of Vermont could cut nearly $20 million in mental health services next year.
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VT: Vermont business relief sought
From: feeds.stateline.org
"Businesses affected by the sudden closure of the Lake Champlain Bridge between Addison and Crown Point, N.Y., could see help from the state in the form of $1 million in stimulus money — if the governor and Legislature can avoid a collision course brimming with political overtones.
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VT: Unemployed could lose health insurance subsidies
From: feeds.stateline.org
"Federal subsidies that cover about two-thirds of the cost of COBRA health care for unemployed workers began to run out Tuesday, according to a report issued by Families USA.
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WA: State cuts to criminal supervision 'are a tragedy waiting to happen'
From: feeds.stateline.org
"It's a Wednesday morning about 4:30 a.m. at the corner of Second Avenue and Bell Street. Nothing is open. Police say there's no reason to be wandering around, and the roughly dozen people who are try to disappear when the cops' van turns the corner.
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WI: State corn harvest is two-thirds complete, but crop still not dry
From: feeds.stateline.org
"With the calendar page turning over to December, Wisconsin farmers are scrambling to get their crops, especially corn, harvested before the first snows fly.
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WI: Audit -- Wis. cable rates rose 21 percent in 2 years
From: feeds.stateline.org
"Basic cable rates in Wisconsin increased an average of 21 percent over the past two years, despite a new law designed to increase competition and lower costs, an audit released Tuesday said.
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WI: Area foreclosure filings drop 9.4%
From: feeds.stateline.org
"Foreclosure filings dropped 9.4% from October to November in southeastern Wisconsin, marking the second consecutive month that filings declined.
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WV: Nov. coal revenues buoy W.Va. tax collections
From: feeds.stateline.org
"A second straight month of better-than-expected tax collections has narrowed the revenue shortfall threatening West Virginia state government.
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WV: Energy-saving tax holiday boosts businesses
From: feeds.stateline.org
"West Virginia's three-month Energy Star tax holiday gave a significant boost to manufacturers and retailers that sell energy-saving products, according to business owners.
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WY: Money available to Wyo residents to install renewable energy systems on homes
From: feeds.stateline.org
"The Wyoming State Energy Office (SEO) is using over $2.2 million in federal funding to launch a program that will help homeowners defray the cost of installing renewable energy systems.
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WY: WY Quality Counts program releases annual report
From: feeds.stateline.org
"The Department of Workforce Services' WY Quality Counts! Program has released its annual report to the Wyoming State Legislature.
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WY: Gov. says state must spend less
From: feeds.stateline.org
"The city of Cheyenne is estimated to lose about $10 million over the next two years under the proposed 2011-12 Wyoming State Budget.
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WY: Gov. Freudenthal proposes leaner state budget
From: feeds.stateline.org
"Wyoming Gov. Dave Freudenthal on Tuesday proposed major cuts to transportation and local government funding as part of a leaner state budget for the next two years.
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Tax revenue down in at least 44 states
From: feeds.stateline.org
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TODAY'S TAKE: Tax collections declined in the third quarter in the 44 states for which early data are available, according to a report released today (Nov. 23). Even North Dakota -- which has weathered the recession better than most states -- is feeling the effects.
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Weekly wrap: Forecasting revenue is a lot like predicting the weather these days
From: feeds.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.
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Visit the Stateline.org Economy & Business Page
From: feeds.stateline.org
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