Weekly wrap: New year brings new laws
From: feeds.stateline.org
"New state laws that take effect across the country on New Year’s Day range from affecting the way residents drive to whether they can marry or profit from snapping a celebrity’s photograph. (See also:US: State lawmakers, lacking money, took up bad-behavior bans in '09 and US: New 2010 laws -- Cooking to texting)
"
KY: Study explores potential use of oil and gas on state lands
From: feeds.stateline.org
"Tapping Kentucky land for oil and gas could raise as much as $15.4million a year for the state, according to a study conducted by the Kentucky Geological Survey
"
AK: Parnell names new in-state gas line coordinator
From: feeds.stateline.org
"Gov. Sean Parnell has chosen a state geologist to take over the job of in-state gas line coordinator, a position that was vacated last month.
"
AK: Census to kick off in rural Alaska
From: feeds.stateline.org
"Long before spring breakup, when many residents of rural Alaska head off to fish camps, U.S. Census Bureau workers will begin their count of residents living in communities off the road systems.
"
AK: Minimum wage to get a boost to $7.75 an hour on Friday
From: feeds.stateline.org
"Alaska's minimum wage will increase to $7.75 an hour on Friday.
"
AK: State senator calls for regulation of gas prices
From: feeds.stateline.org
"A state senator says Alaska oil refineries have been gouging Alaskans at the gas pump for more than a year, reaping profit margins unparalleled to ones in the Lower 48, and he is once again calling for government to step in.
"
AL: PSC's Parker decides not to run for District 5 seat
From: feeds.stateline.org
"Alabama Public Service Commissioner Susan Parker said Wednesday that she will run again for her current position and will not be a candidate for the District 5 congressional seat.
"
AL: Top 10 state stories of 2009
From: feeds.stateline.org
"A quiet rural town in south Alabama became a grim historic marker in 2009 -- site of the worst mass slaying in the state's history
"
AL: Alabama 1 of 12 states adopting fire-safe cigarettes with start of new year
From: feeds.stateline.org
"Smokers in 12 states will be lighting -- and relighting -- fire-safe cigarettes designed to go out when they're not puffed as the result of new laws that go into effect Friday.
"
AR: Many roads remain flooded in Greene County
From: feeds.stateline.org
"JONESBORO, Ark. — Greene County officials say many of the county's roads remain underwater after last week's heavy rain and that the water isn't expected to recede soon.
"
AR: Proposals for state fair all over the map
From: feeds.stateline.org
"Proposals for providing land for a new home for the Arkansas State Fair range from free to more than $24 million, according to a TalkBusiness.net review of submissions.
"
AZ: Appliance rebates to start soon in Arizona
From: feeds.stateline.org
"Arizona's appliance rebate program will begin in March, saving consumers between $75 and $425 if they buy energy-efficient appliances, the state announced Wednesday.
"
AZ: 2009 -- Jobless benefits slow in coming
From: feeds.stateline.org
"Arizonans who filed for unemployment benefits in 2009 had a rude awakening. The most any resident can collect, no matter his or her previous salary, is $240 per week, plus $25 from the federal stimulus. That's the lowest amount paid by any state but Mississippi.
"
AZ: Arizona homeowners get insurance break
From: feeds.stateline.org
"Declining real-estate prices, a scarcity of natural disasters and other factors have helped to keep a lid on homeowner-insurance premiums in Arizona.
"
AZ: Arizona may get sky-high solar towers
From: feeds.stateline.org
"There are few ideal ways to make electricity that don't come with at least one drawback. Solar power doesn't work at night, nuclear plants are expensive to build, wind turbines operate best far from where people live, and cheap coal power produces the most global-warming emissions.
"
AZ: Brewer -- U.S. health plan may hurt state
From: feeds.stateline.org
"Gov. Jan Brewer said Wednesday that federal health reform approved by the U.S. Senate in recent days "will cause irreparable harm," costing Arizona billions in the coming years and further unraveling state finances.
"
AZ: Long session led to many missed votes
From: feeds.stateline.org
"The Arizona House of Representatives held 382 floor votes during the 2009 regular session, which stretched into July as lawmakers struggled with the budget deficit.
"
CA: California will begin 2010 with massive budget gap
From: feeds.stateline.org
"California's dismal financial straits this year are just a prelude to what the state can expect in terms of budget woes in 2010. Legislators and the governor battled through much of 2009 to close a $60 billion budget gap. Now they are looking at another, bigger tidal wave of red ink in coming months.
"
CA: New year, new laws, new low for state
From: feeds.stateline.org
"The bills passed in Sacramento this year ran the gamut, from setting penalties related to paparazzi and offering gay spouses various employer benefits to blessing a high-tech billing system for toll roads like the South Bay Expressway and giving San Diego more control over the seal colony at Children's Pool beach.
"
CA: Violence dominates 2009 headlines
From: feeds.stateline.org
"It's a particularly violent list compared with past years: the killing of an unarmed BART passenger, a gang rape outside a high school dance and a rampage that killed four Oakland police officers.
"
CA: CALPIRG rates lawmakers on consumer issues
From: feeds.stateline.org
"Thirty-eight legislators, all Democrats, received perfect scores from the left-leaning public interest group.
"
CA: California pushes for federal help
From: feeds.stateline.org
"Facing a $21 billion shortfall through June 2011, California leaders want billions of dollars in budget relief from Washington that could head off deep cuts expected to state programs.
"
CA: California's new laws
From: feeds.stateline.org
"Here's an alphabet soup look at some bills that become law on Jan. 1, whether we like them or not:
"
CA: Measure intends to put brakes on metal thievery
From: feeds.stateline.org
"All it takes is a saw, some muscle and a few minutes. Day or night, it doesn't matter – maybe they strike while you're in the mall. You don't know anything's wrong until your vehicle starts with a thunderous VAROOM!!!
"
CA: Plan to sell piece of State Compensation Insurance Fund collapses
From: feeds.stateline.org
"A plan to fill last summer's $20-billion budget hole in part by selling a chunk of the state-run workers' compensation company is now so bollixed up in court that it's hampering Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger's effort to devise new ways for reducing a similar deficit this winter.
"
CO: Colorado's first all-girls public school coming to Denver
From: feeds.stateline.org
"Following a growing nationwide trend toward single-gender classroom education, the first all-girls public school in Colorado will open next year in Denver.
"
CO: Stimulus funds beef up programs to weatherize homes
From: feeds.stateline.org
"Cyndy and Stan Louy say they'll know the weatherizing of their Broomfield home has worked if the corners of their bedroom are no longer chilly and the basement loses its frostiness.
"
CO: Unaffiliated candidate's lengthy waiting period "not fair"
From: feeds.stateline.org
"A La Plata County commissioner contacted state Rep. Kathleen Curry in early November, asking the lawmaker to carry legislation to make it easier for unaffiliated candidates to get on the ballot.
"
CO: Ritter, health groups back bill to address crisis in rural care
From: feeds.stateline.org
"A bill proposed for the next legislative session would improve a state loan-repayment program for rural health professionals with the aim of attracting more providers to rural areas.
"
CO: ProPublica report -- state oil and gas enforcement staffing levels inadequate
From: feeds.stateline.org
"Colorado oil and gas regulators have admitted to the Colorado Independent they're spread too thin to handle a new set of EPA rules if proposed federal hydraulic fracturing legislation is passed by Congress, but a new ProPublica investigation suggests staffing may even be inadequate to handle current levels of state oversight.
"
DE: Affordable centers see influx of uninsured
From: feeds.stateline.org
"Barry Knight can't get health insurance through his sales job and can't afford it on his own. But he has ongoing health issues that require ongoing care.
"
FL: Florida officials look at bag ban
From: feeds.stateline.org
"When he gets to the register, Drew Martin always has to explain. "I tell them, no paper, no plastic, I don't want bags at all," he said. "Sometimes, I have to be aggressive."
"
FL: 'Space Caucus' vows to ease blow of shuttle layoffs
From: feeds.stateline.org
"Lt. Gov. Jeff Kottkamp and members of the "Space Caucus" are vowing to cushion the blow of at least 3,500 layoffs when the shuttle fades into history as early as next year.
"
GA: Ga. county looking at 'blight tax'
From: feeds.stateline.org
"MACON, Ga. — Owning a decrepit house in unincorporated Bibb County soon could get more expensive.
"
GA: Federal Judge Anthony Alaimo dies
From: feeds.stateline.org
"Senior U.S. District Court Judge Anthony Alaimo – credited with turning around what was at one time the nation's most dangerous and deadly prison – died Wednesday. He was 89.
"
HI: Furloughs brought fiscal crisis home
From: feeds.stateline.org
"As Hawaii demurely celebrated 50 years of statehood in the middle of recession, the isles proved, if there were any doubt, that 2,500 miles of ocean offers no protection from mainland-style misery.
"
HI: Hawaii governor to re-examine teacher furlough proposal
From: feeds.stateline.org
"Gov. Linda Lingle is examining the details of a tentative agreement on reducing teacher furloughs — even after she summarily rejected the plan four days ago.
"
IA: Experts predict "spike" in farm foreclosures
From: feeds.stateline.org
"Farmers, particularly those raising dairy cattle and hogs, have suffered significant losses in the past two years.
"
IA: Some seek to douse sprinkler rule
From: feeds.stateline.org
"Intense lobbying has begun in Iowa over a new state building code that will require fire sprinklers in new one-family and two-family homes starting in 2013.
"
IA: Budget hearing is quietly posted at Capitol
From: feeds.stateline.org
"No one from the public attended a state budget hearing Wednesday - possibly because no one knew about it.
"
ID: ID's Otter threatens suit over health care reform
From: feeds.stateline.org
"Idaho Gov. C.L. "Butch" Otter said he may sue to stop federal health care reform, calling U.S. House and Senate bills unconstitutional and too costly.
"
ID: Gov. Otter appears in ad promoting H1N1 shot
From: feeds.stateline.org
"Gov. C.L. "Butch" Otter is starring in a public service ad promoting H1N1 flu shots.
"
ID: Idaho gains 10 National Board Certified teachers
From: feeds.stateline.org
"Education officials in Idaho say the state has more than 360 National Board Certified teachers in public schools.
"
IL: Social service agencies at the breaking point
From: feeds.stateline.org
"It's the season of giving, but many cash-strapped social service agencies across the suburbs are hoping it will be the season of getting where overdue state payments are concerned.
"
IL: Contract awarded for new Mississippi River bridge at St. Louis
From: feeds.stateline.org
"CHESTERFIELD, Mo. -- Missouri Highway commissioners have approved a $229.5 million contract to build the main span of a new bridge over the Mississippi River at St. Louis. Illinois transportation officials concurred.
"
IL: State gives final OK on Lincoln Hotel sale
From: feeds.stateline.org
"The state of Illinois has given final approval to the sale of the President Abraham Lincoln Hotel and Conference Center to a Decatur developer. The property should be turned over by late January.
"
IN: State backs lawsuit on Asian carp
From: feeds.stateline.org
"Indiana's attorney general will support Michigan's efforts to keep Asian carp from getting into Lake Michigan through Illinois waterways.
"
IN: Daniels doesn't expect more Indiana cuts in 2010
From: feeds.stateline.org
"Indiana Gov. Mitch Daniels says he doesn't expect to have to make any deeper state budget cuts in 2010.
"
IN: Cuts forcing tough choices
From: feeds.stateline.org
"The three school districts in Posey County, Ind., largely have shunned consolidation talk over the years, and the idea remains unpopular. State officials, however, continue to push district mergers as potential cost-saving opportunities.
"
IN: Carbon Motors still stuck in neutral
From: feeds.stateline.org
"Carbon Motors now has a building for its headquarters, but it is still waiting for funding from the Obama administration necessary to start production of high-tech police cars.
"
IN: State to reveal sales tax delinquents
From: feeds.stateline.org
"Tax delinquent businesses will soon have a new incentive to pay their sales tax debts: public embarrassment.
"
KS: Kansas senators' vote against defense bill actually a vote against health-care reform measure
From: feeds.stateline.org
"At 1 a.m. Dec. 18, Kansas' two U.S. senators, Sam Brownback and Pat Roberts, both Republicans, voted against a motion to stop debate on a bill funding the Department of Defense for the fiscal year.
"
KS: Kansas State Library set to reopen
From: feeds.stateline.org
"The Kansas State Library is set to reopen Thursday in new, temporary quarters.
"
KS: Attorney General Six takes wait-and-see approach on challenging federal health care law
From: feeds.stateline.org
"Kansas Attorney General Steve Six is taking a wait-and-see approach on whether federal health care reform, if approved, would violate any constitutional provision.
"
KS: Kan. Statehouse renovation to stop dome tours
From: feeds.stateline.org
"The dome of the Kansas Statehouse will be off limits to visitors after Saturday.
"
KY: Proposals would ban text messaging while driving
From: feeds.stateline.org
"For years, the General Assembly has brushed aside attempts to ban talking on cell phones while driving.
"
LA: State health budget cutting priority was protecting elders and the disabled, agency chief says
From: feeds.stateline.org
"NEW ORLEANS -- The state Department of Health and Hospitals plans to lay off 445 workers as it moves to mitigate a mid-year budget shortfall, with most of the cuts falling on state-run group homes for the developmentally disabled.
"
MA: State officials delay release of ocean plan
From: feeds.stateline.org
"The final state ocean management plan that was due out by the end of the year is now expected to be released next week.
"
MA: Storm on homefront
From: feeds.stateline.org
"Home takings continued to decline in the Bay State last month, but foreclosure petitions - the first step by lenders to seize a property - swelled to a "relatively high level" from a year ago, a Hub real estate tracker reported yesterday.
"
MA: Boston officials concerned about Yemen shipments
From: feeds.stateline.org
"Liquefied natural gas shipments from Yemen scheduled to arrive for the first time in Boston Harbor in February are prompting a heightened review of tanker security.
"
MD: Property values drop 20 percent
From: feeds.stateline.org
"The tanking housing market has created the largest drop in property assessments in county history, but homeowners should not expect a similar decline in their tax bills.
"
MD: U.S. mortgage aid funds moving slowly
From: feeds.stateline.org
"The foreclosure crisis might be fast-moving, but the wheels of government - not so much.
"
MD: Liquor law compliance means fewer fines
From: feeds.stateline.org
"Revocations and suspensions levied by the city liquor board held steady this year, but fines fell substantially, a sign that the board's message of total compliance has taken hold, its chairman says.
"
MD: More students receiving free lunch
From: feeds.stateline.org
"As the economy stubbornly refuses to pull itself up, county schools are seeing more students sign up for free lunch.
"
ME: Panel opposes cuts to legal aid for poor
From: feeds.stateline.org
"Members of the newly created Commission on Indigent Legal Services are opposing Gov. John Baldacci's proposal to cut their budget by $457,990 in their first year of operation, but the governor says their fears are unwarranted.
"
ME: Forest plan aims for federal funds
From: feeds.stateline.org
"After months of discussion and several promising meetings with Obama administration officials, a working group is completing a pitch for federal funding for "landscape-scale" conservation in Maine's North Woods that would also strengthen the state's forest products industry.
"
MI: Bright ideas for Michigan's economy?
From: feeds.stateline.org
"A labor economist is stirring up debate with a new plan to right Michigan's economy.
"
MI: Work on stem cells in Michigan raises many hopes, questions
From: feeds.stateline.org
"In a sprawling lab packed with beakers, test tubes, microscopes and constantly bustling doctors and lab technicians, tiny gray splotches may hold the secrets to saving lives -- and Michigan's economy.
"
MN: Judge rules against Pawlenty on budget cuts
From: feeds.stateline.org
"Challenging Gov. Tim Pawlenty's power to cut the state budget on his own, a judge on Wednesday halted some spending reductions and introduced a major new element to the upcoming budget fight.
"
MN: Pawlenty considers appealing judge's ruling
From: feeds.stateline.org
". Tim Pawlenty says he might appeal a judge's ruling ordering him to reinstate money he cut from a food program for the poor.
"
MN: Judge's ruling could threaten Pawlenty's $2.7 billion in 'unallotment' cuts
From: feeds.stateline.org
"Gov. Tim Pawlenty "crossed the line" when he unilaterally cut some $2.7 billion in state funds this summer to balance Minnesota's budget, a judge ruled Wednesday.
"
MO: Mo. AG recovers $82M in Medicaid fraud
From: feeds.stateline.org
"Missouri's attorney general says the state recovered more money from Medicaid fraud in 2009 than in any previous year.
"
MO: Nixon calls for ethics reforms
From: feeds.stateline.org
"Gov. Jay Nixon wants the legislature to reimpose limits on political campaign contributions as a way of restoring ethics to state government.
"
MO: Prison site looking for developers
From: feeds.stateline.org
"About 30 acres of the former 147-acre Missouri State Penitentiary site will be set aside for private development under a joint agreement state and local government officials announced today.
"
MO: Detailed plan outlined for redeveloping historic penitentiary site in Jefferson City
From: feeds.stateline.org
"State and local officials here on Wednesday outlined the most detailed plan to date for redeveloping the historic Missouri State Penitentiary site along Jefferson City's riverfront.
"
MS: Barbour seeks more budget authority
From: feeds.stateline.org
"Gov. Haley Barbour wants authority to cut agency budgets without legislative approval after Christmas buying failed to bolster sagging tax collections.
"
MS: Governor -- State workers should pay more pension costs
From: feeds.stateline.org
"Walter Tucker retired in 1987 after 23 years as a state trooper. On Dec. 31, 2004, he retired a second and final time after stints as police chief in Meridian and Brandon, and chief of the state Capitol police.
"
MS: State revenue falls short again in December
From: feeds.stateline.org
"Gov. Haley Barbour said Wednesday that December's revenue collections were 10.76 percent, or $41.2 million, below estimates.
"
MS: Museum restoration funded
From: feeds.stateline.org
"CORINTH, Miss. -- The city of Corinth has formally accepted a $266,000 Community Heritage Grant to help preserve the Verandah-Curlee House Museum.
"
MT: Montana Millionaire lottery has sold just 57 percent of tickets, increasing odds of winning
From: feeds.stateline.org
"With just one day until the million-dollar drawing, the Montana Millionaire lottery has sold just 57 percent of its tickets - barely covering the cost of the prize money and increasing the odds of winning for the more than 81,000 Montanans who have anted up.
"
MT: Update 2009 -- Northwest Montana's big manufacturers hit with big job losses
From: feeds.stateline.org
"KALISPELL, Mont. - It was a tough year for major manufacturers in northwest Montana, with hundreds of jobs lost amid a global economic recession.
"
MT: Budget status pleases governor
From: feeds.stateline.org
"Looking back at 2009, Gov. Brian Schweitzer said he's proud that Montana state government has stayed in the black financially at a time when most states have budgets drowning in red ink.
"
MT: A look at changes in state laws over the decade
From: feeds.stateline.org
"Here is a summary of major state government issues in Montana over the decade:
"
NC: Odds and ends, pre-New Year's edition
From: feeds.stateline.org
"From the not from 'round here but still important department:
"
ND: ND wind project near Rugby completed
From: feeds.stateline.org
"A $300 million wind energy project north of Rugby has been finished.
"
ND: ND natural gas pipeline nears completion
From: feeds.stateline.org
"A mid-January completion date is slated for a $45 million pipeline that will feed North Dakota natural gas into an existing line that moves the gas to Chicago.
"
ND: Plan ready for allocating ND housing credits
From: feeds.stateline.org
"North Dakota's Industrial Commission has approved a plan for allocating $2.43 million worth of housing tax credits next year.
"
ND: Contractor's bid for Minard Hall work $1M lower than competitors
From: feeds.stateline.org
"Contractor Meinecke-Johnson's bid for Minard Hall work was $1 million lower than its competitors, which raised eyebrows among North Dakota State University officials and the other contractors.
"
ND: Petition to boost ND alcohol taxes approved
From: feeds.stateline.org
"Secretary of State Al Jaeger has approved an initiative petition that seeks to increase North Dakota's taxes on beer, wine and liquor.
"
NE: Nebraska's hog inventory drops 6 percent
From: feeds.stateline.org
"Nebraska had 6 percent fewer hogs and pigs on Dec. 1 than it did a year earlier.
"
NE: Land prices trend downward, but no dive foreseen in 2010
From: feeds.stateline.org
"Prices for agricultural land appear to be on a downward path in Nebraska and across the region for the first time since the 1980s, but economists with the Federal Reserve Bank don't expect anything precipitous to happen in 2010.
"
NE: Nebraska attorney general issues warning on fake letters
From: feeds.stateline.org
"Nebraska Attorney General Jon Bruning is warning consumers to watch out for fake prize letters that may appear to be from a state agency.
"
NH: Survey shows firms expect 2010 improvement in economy Few anticipate new hiring
From: feeds.stateline.org
"CONCORD – Data from the recently completed RKM/BIA 2010 Business Outlook Survey shows business owners expect economic conditions to improve in 2010, although the majority anticipate employment levels will remain the same.
"
NH: Bankruptcy prompts call for new rules
From: feeds.stateline.org
"State Securities Director Mark Connolly called for broad reform of New Hampshire's financial regulations yesterday, saying the collapse of an alleged multimillion-dollar scheme run by a Lakes Region investment firm revealed weaknesses in the state's consumer protections.
"
NJ: Proposal would delay water quality protections
From: feeds.stateline.org
"New Jersey environmental groups' celebration over new protections for water quality has turned to outrage as the Legislature considers a bill to delay new rules until 2012 or beyond.
"
NJ: Legislator sees $7M in school board savings
From: feeds.stateline.org
"New Jersey school boards could save more than $7 million a year without mandatory membership in a statewide lobbying association, a lawmaker said yesterday.
"
NJ: Jersey tax collections fall for first time in seven years
From: feeds.stateline.org
"New Jersey is on track to end the year with the first drop in state tax collections since 2002.
"
NJ: EPA petitioned to halt N.J. program
From: feeds.stateline.org
"The federal Environmental Protection Agency has been petitioned to stop New Jersey from implementing its Licensed Site Remediation Professional program, which was approved by the Legislature and governor earlier this year to let private engineers oversee the long-delayed cleanups of more than 20,000 toxic sites.
"
NJ: Employers face stiff tax hike in 2010
From: feeds.stateline.org
"James Bellis is already in a bind.
"
NJ: Dissolving civil unions is anything but simple
From: feeds.stateline.org
"For same-sex couples unhappy in their civil unions, breaking up is hard to do.
"
NM: Final report on New Mexico revenue options available online
From: feeds.stateline.org
"Gov. Bill Richardson's budget balancing task force has just released a final report–and it's a whopping 393 pages.
"
NM: Transparency group says state government is too secretive
From: feeds.stateline.org
""How slow can you go?" asks the New Mexico Foundation for Open Government today in regard to the fulfillment of two information requests for public records.
"
NM: State to put contract data online
From: feeds.stateline.org
"A new database of state government contracts will provide a glimpse into how the state of New Mexico is spending some of your money.
"
NM: NM's Nov. jobless rate stays at 7.8%
From: feeds.stateline.org
"New Mexico's unemployment rate held at 7.8 percent in November, unchanged from October's rate.
"
NV: Gibbons fires campaign manager over first lady remarks
From: feeds.stateline.org
"Gov. Jim Gibbons fired his campaign manager Wednesday for comments he made calling the first lady position "window dressing."
"
NV: Storing the sun's heat
From: feeds.stateline.org
"The U.S. solar energy industry is poised for a major technological breakthrough, and Nevada is in a race with Arizona to be the first to take advantage of it.
"
NV: Schools to state -- Keep out of our kitty
From: feeds.stateline.org
"As the year draws to a close, K-12 and higher education officials are looking ahead to see how they might guard against the deep cuts, layoffs and fiscal uncertainty that defined 2009 for Nevada's public schools.
"
NY: E.P.A., concerned over gas drilling, questions New York state's plans
From: feeds.stateline.org
"The federal Environmental Protection Agency told New York State on Wednesday that it had major concerns about how proposed hydraulic drilling for natural gas would affect public health and the environment, and urged it to undertake a broader study of the potential impact.
"
NY: New York state has first deficit in general fund
From: feeds.stateline.org
"New York is about to achieve a dubious milestone: For the first time in history, the state's main bank account is poised to end the year in the red.
"
NY: NY state lacks sufficient clean water funding
From: feeds.stateline.org
"New York state's 30,000 miles of aging sewer and water treatment systems need billions of dollars in repairs and upgrades in the next two decades, an expensive undertaking even with millions in federal stimulus funding to help.
"
NY: New NY-Vt bridge designs presented Monday
From: feeds.stateline.org
"VERGENNES, Vt. -- The public will get a second chance to weigh in on six possible designs for a new Lake Champlain Bridge linking New York and Vermont. The 80-year-old bridge was demolished this week, after it was deemed unsafe.
"
NY: EPA -- Revise gas drill rules
From: feeds.stateline.org
"The Environmental Protection Agency said New York regulators have much more work to do on proposed regulations that have already held up gas drilling in the state's part of the massive Marcellus Shale formation for more than a year.
"
OH: Penn National pays $2.5M for property, site of new casino in East Toledo
From: feeds.stateline.org
"Penn National Gaming Inc. has completed the purchase of 44 acres in East Toledo on which it plans to have a $250 million casino operating in late 2012.
"
OH: Hugo Boss to close Brooklyn plant in April, 300 workers to lose jobs
From: feeds.stateline.org
"BROOKLYN, Ohio -- Hugo Boss will close its Brooklyn suit plant in April, ending about 300 jobs there, the company said Tuesday.
"
OH: Toledo casino site locked down; Columbus next?
From: feeds.stateline.org
"A Pennsylvania-based gambling company announced today that it has completed the purchase of its casino site in Toledo, and a Columbus site could be purchased within weeks.
"
OH: Transit groups -- All for one, and one for all
From: feeds.stateline.org
"Several environmental and social-service groups announced today that they are pooling their resources to advocate for public transit in Ohio.
"
OH: Ohio's home-insurance premiums sixth-lowest in nation
From: feeds.stateline.org
"The yearly rate Ohioans paid for homeowners insurance rose $6 between 2006 and 2007 to $548, ranking the state sixth-lowest for such premiums, the National Association of Insurance Commissioners said.
"
OH: Ohio auditor to review operations of lottery
From: feeds.stateline.org
"Ohio Auditor Mary Taylor officially begins her review of the Lottery Commission next week, two months after lottery officials tried to close the door on her by arguing that the attention is unwarranted.
"
OH: Budget strains dominate area news
From: feeds.stateline.org
"Some people and events get into the news and stay there. It doesn't take much research to find out what's happening with, say, Tiger Woods, the banking industry or even Lady Gaga.
"
OK: Y2K taught officials about preparedness
From: feeds.stateline.org
""I'll never forget it." Albert Ashwood isn't referring to the Y2K climax as New Year's Eve 1999 rolled over at midnight to Jan. 1, 2000.
"
OK: Drink, drive and pay
From: feeds.stateline.org
"The cost of drinking then driving has gone up.
"
OK: 5 hospitalized, no deaths reported for H1N1 in state
From: feeds.stateline.org
"Only five Oklahomans were hospitalized last week for complications from the H1N1 virus, and no deaths were reported, according to a weekly state report. This is the fourth-straight week without a reported death in the state from the swine flu, the report shows.
"
OR: Tuesday's snowstorm helps Oregon's snowpack, and more is on the way
From: feeds.stateline.org
"Oregon's languishing snowpack got a boost from Tuesday's storm and a parade of wet weather systems starting Thursday will dump another several feet of snow in the Cascades.
"
OR: 5 Questions with Christopher Tamarin
From: feeds.stateline.org
"The holidays are a slow time at many businesses and state agencies, but not in the office of Christopher Tamarin, telecom strategist for the Oregon Business Development Department.
"
PA: Former Orie aide talks about hardball campaign tactics
From: feeds.stateline.org
"A former campaign aide to state Sen. Jane Clare Orie, who is under scrutiny by a county grand jury, says she saw early signs of a go-for-broke attitude on the politician's part when she first sought a state House seat and condoned the tearing down of her rival's yard signs and crank calls to harass opponents.
"
PA: Legislation will take hard look at schools
From: feeds.stateline.org
"State Sen. Jeffrey E. Piccola, R-Dauphin, yesterday said he'll introduce legislation to take a firmer line with low-performing school districts, warning that may involve closing some schools and dissolving some districts.
"
PA: Ex-aide criticizes Orie's campaign tactics
From: feeds.stateline.org
"A former campaign aide to state Sen. Jane Clare Orie, who is under scrutiny by a county grand jury, says she saw early signs of a go-for-broke attitude on the politician's part when she first sought a state House seat and condoned the tearing down of her rival's yard signs and crank calls to harass opponents.
"
RI: A decade of transformations in Rhode Island
From: feeds.stateline.org
"If Rip Van Winkle had slumbered for 10 years in the Ocean State instead of 20 in the Catskill Mountains, he would have rubbed his eyes at an equally altered landscape.
"
RI: Nominee for R.I. economic development chief abruptly quits
From: feeds.stateline.org
"Citing a family member's health problems, Ioanna T. Morfessis, the state's new economic development chief, has abruptly resigned, less than a month before she was set to take over.
"
SC: Led by McMaster, 13 state AGs threaten suit over health care deal
From: feeds.stateline.org
"Republican attorneys general in 13 states say congressional leaders must remove Nebraska's political deal from the federal health care reform bill or face legal action, according to a letter provided to The Associated Press Wednesday.
"
SC: Officials' missteps made headlines during the decade
From: feeds.stateline.org
"When it comes to political scandals, there were plenty to go around in South Carolina during this first decade of the new millennium.
"
SC: McMaster attacks judge's poker ruling in high court filing
From: feeds.stateline.org
"Attorney General Henry McMaster's office says a judge erred when he ruled the poker game Texas Hold 'em is a game of skill in tossing out charges against five local players.
"
SD: State earns broadband map grant
From: feeds.stateline.org
"The National Telecommunications and Information Administration announced South Dakota will be receiving $1.39 million for a broadband mapping grant and a $500,000 planning grant.
"
TN: TN says 13 states' challenge to health bill is premature
From: feeds.stateline.org
"A Republican effort to force changes to the health-care reform bill appears to be gathering steam, but Tennessee's attorney general said Wednesday that his office will sit out for now.
"
TN: Plans march ahead for Civil War anniversary
From: feeds.stateline.org
"The sesquicentennial of the Civil War begins in earnest in 2011, but government and business leaders already are planning how to capitalize on a potential surge in historical tourism.
"
TN: Wages, inflation stay low
From: feeds.stateline.org
"With unemployment at a 26-year high, those still on the job are unlikely to see much in wage gains in 2010, according to local employers and economists.
"
TX: State official finds peace at Central Texas monastery
From: feeds.stateline.org
"About twice a month Tom Suehs finds the perfect place to get away from the pressures facing anyone who runs the state's largest agency with 54,000 employees under his watch and millions of Texans who depend on vital services including Medicaid, food stamps and health insurance for low-income children.
"
TX: Katz's family to put own millions into Lt. Gov. bid
From: feeds.stateline.org
"Austin deli king Marc Katz said Wednesday his family members would pour millions of their own money into his campaign for lieutenant governor.
"
TX: Ecologist travels Texas to pore over flora
From: feeds.stateline.org
"In the rain, amid sand dunes, on chilly mountain passes or deep in vast deserts, Amie Treuer-Kuehn clambers out of her white Chevy pickup to examine yet another patch of Texas ground.
"
US: 13 GOP AGs threaten health bill suit
From: feeds.stateline.org
"Thirteen Republican state attorneys general are threatening to file a lawsuit challenging the constitutionality of the Senate health care bill.
"
US: New 2010 laws -- Cooking to texting
From: feeds.stateline.org
"From same-sex marriage in New Hampshire to payday loans in Kentucky, new state laws taking effect on New Year's Day will change the way people live.
"
US: D.C. region gets what it pays for when it comes to snow removal
From: feeds.stateline.org
"One December day in a small town very far from Washington, a heck of a lot of snow began to fall. After three days, it was four feet deep. After five days, it was six feet deep. And after one week, the snow was as deep as Shaquille O'Neal is tall.
"
US: Chesapeake Bay advocates call EPA cleanup plan too weak
From: feeds.stateline.org
"A day after the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency detailed its plans to crack down on Chesapeake Bay pollution, a collection of scientists, environmentalists and ex-politicians said Wednesday that its approach isn't tough enough.
"
US: State lawmakers, lacking money, took up bad-behavior bans in '09
From: feeds.stateline.org
"MADISON, Wisconsin -- Texting while driving, smoking in public and cooking with artery-clogging trans fats will be that much harder under a bevy of state laws set to take effect around the country on Friday.
"
UT: Recession, gay rights, Huntsman top Utah's 2009 list
From: feeds.stateline.org
"The Great Recession remains in search of a Great Recovery.
"
UT: Utah higher education chief looks back, ahead at good years
From: feeds.stateline.org
"Record enrollment increases, academic collaboration, depleting budgets and college savings plan growth are among the most significant factors posted by higher education in Utah during 2009, according to Commissioner William Sederburg.
"
UT: Uranium storage rule drafted
From: feeds.stateline.org
"Attempting to safeguard the future up to at least 10,000 years, state radiation-control regulators have a new rule that will be out for public comment regarding the disposal of depleted uranium.
"
UT: Utah Dem boss says Shurtleff will do 'anything to grab the limelight'
From: feeds.stateline.org
"With Utah's attorney general poised to sue the federal government over health care reform, critics are accusing him of playing politics rather than doing his job.
"
UT: Lawmaker seeks muscle for personal property protection
From: feeds.stateline.org
"Nobody should be jailed or fined for using a little muscle to protect their property, according to a police officer turned Utah lawmaker.
"
VA: State seeks $27 million from U.S. for snow cleanup
From: feeds.stateline.org
"Virginia estimates that it spent up to $35 million in clearing roads and highways of snow from the storm that swept through the state a week before Christmas.
"
VA: Former officials propose own plan for bay cleanup
From: feeds.stateline.org
"ANNAPOLIS, Md. -- A coalition of former governors, congressmen, scientists and others sent the Obama administration their proposed Chesapeake Bay restoration strategy, a plan much tougher than the one being developed by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency.
"
VA: Va. moves quickly to use stimulus money for water-quality projects
From: feeds.stateline.org
"The Kaine administration, which drew criticism for being the last state to obligate its stimulus money for transportation, is touting its success in using stimulus money for water-quality projects.
"
VA: Resign or be fired, HRT chief is warned by 4 board members
From: feeds.stateline.org
"NORFOLK, Va. -- Four Hampton Roads Transit board members from three cities have asked President and CEO Michael Townes to resign or face possible dismissal over spiraling cost overruns to build Norfolk's light-rail starter line.
"
VA: November joblessness up slightly for region
From: feeds.stateline.org
"FREDERICKSBURG, Va. -- The Fredericksburg region's jobless rate edged up slightly from the month before in November but remained below 6 percent for the fourth-straight month.
"
VT: Vermont state employees OK pay cut
From: feeds.stateline.org
"Unionized state employees overwhelmingly agreed to a 3 percent pay cut, voting to ratify a two-year contract that takes effect in July.
"
WA: Wash. proposes lifting groundwater well moratorium
From: feeds.stateline.org
"YAKIMA, Wash. -- The state Department of Ecology is proposing to allow new groundwater withdrawals in central Washington's upper Kittitas County, a move that would enable developers to move forward on projects that have been on hold for months.
"
WI: State payments for use of local services at 32-year low
From: feeds.stateline.org
"Blaming its tight budget, the state is shorting Madison and hundreds of other Wisconsin municipalities $10.1 million in payments made in place of property taxes on state buildings, the lowest share paid in more than three decades.
"
WI: Wisconsin joins legal battle to stop spread of giant carp
From: feeds.stateline.org
"Wisconsin has entered the multi-state battle against Illinois and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers to stop an Asian carp invasion of the Great Lakes.
"
WI: Holiday treat musseled out
From: feeds.stateline.org
"A tasty little fish traditionally smoked and spread on crackers during the holidays has disappeared from Lake Michigan to the point that it's scarcely available in area fish markets this New Year's Eve.
"
WV: Secretary of state's office to be open New Year's Eve
From: feeds.stateline.org
"Secretary of State Natalie Tennant said her office will remain open until 5 p.m. New Year's Eve to accommodate official end-of-year business.
"
WY: State investments recoup losses
From: feeds.stateline.org
"Wyoming recouped more than $1 billion in the value of its investment portfolio in 2009.
"
WY: Workers' comp increases
From: feeds.stateline.org
"For the first time in 20 years, some benefits were increased for Wyoming's injured workers and their families in 2009.
"
WY: Law foundation joins fight against roadless rule
From: feeds.stateline.org
"DENVER -- A Denver-based conservative legal foundation says a federal policy that barred development of about 58 million acres of forests nationwide illegally created de facto wilderness areas.
"
Republican AGs expand health care attacks
From: feeds.stateline.org
"TODAY'S TAKE: A growing number of Republican state attorneys general are threatening to block health reform backed by congressional Democrats, with Florida’s Bill McCollum becoming the latest.
"
Iowa governor touts 4-day workweek
From: feeds.stateline.org
"TODAY’S TAKE: Iowa Gov. Chet Culver (D) is touting Utah’s first-in-the-nation move to a four-day workweek for most executive-branch state workers, and he is pushing the proposal as a way to cut costs in his own state. Hawaii and Washington State have also tried the idea.
"
Govs ready speeches as fiscal woes persist
From: feeds.stateline.org
"
As governors prepare their 2010 state of the state addresses, at least 36 of them are still struggling to close budget deficits for the current fiscal year, while worrying about new gaps looming in their 2011 spending plans.
"
State budget gaps linger at year's end
From: feeds.stateline.org
"Over the past few months, state legislators around the country have been confronted with unfinished fiscal business tugging at them like a bad dream. Mid-year budget gaps have opened in dozens of states, brought on, in part, by overly hopeful revenue projections.
"
Weekly wrap: Governors offering dire spending plans
From: feeds.stateline.org
"On the eve of state legislative sessions, chief executives are proposing grim budgets; Las Vegas gets encouraging economic news.
"
Visit the Stateline.org Economy & Business Page
From: feeds.stateline.org
"
"
Proactive tax planning to take advantage of timely tax saving opportunities.
Comprehensive business services that integrate income tax compliance
and planning with investments and insurance choices.
Consulting services that review businesses to find hidden opportunities to
increase wealth accumulation and retention.
Foreign investor tax services.
Individualized accounting system setup for new businesses.
State of the art payroll tax services and sales tax preparation.
Preparation of business and individual tax returns and financial
statements.
Budgeting and projection preparation and monitoring, facilitating the
creation and tracking of events.
Assistance in selection and installation of computer hardware and
software, ongoing monitoring and updating of systems.
