Quinn survives — For now
From: feeds.stateline.org
"CHICAGO — The governor of Illinois has nine months to win over a clearly frustrated state electorate.
See also: Primary season starts, and govs could fall
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Governors talk energy with Obama
From: feeds.stateline.org
"TODAY'S TAKE: President Obama on Wednesday (Feb. 3) told a group of 11 governors — including those from coal-friendly states — that the United States must move aggressively toward a clean energy economy.
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AK: Legislative Council OKs public relations campaign
From: feeds.stateline.org
"The Legislative Council has decided to push ahead with the state paying for a public relations effort to curb the Endangered Species Act and the listing of polar bears, despite lawmakers saying it could create a black eye for Alaska.
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AK: French -- Panel to 'contain' campaign court decision
From: feeds.stateline.org
"Corporations won't have to disclose their spending for or against candidates this election year unless lawmakers force them to, a Senate committee concluded Wednesday.
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AL: Justice says Supreme Court bingo decision is unfair to VictoryLand
From: feeds.stateline.org
"Not all Alabama Supreme Court justices agreed with this afternoon's decision to lift a lower court order that halted a raid at Macon County's VictoryLand casino.
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AL: Alabama ABC employees warned not to patronize gambling venues
From: feeds.stateline.org
"Employees of the Alabama Alcoholic Beverage Control Board have spent leisure time at some of the same gambling venues that ABC has been trying to shut, and they must stop going there, an agency letter said.
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AL: Alabama Christian Coalition gets gambling money from PACs
From: feeds.stateline.org
"Campaign finance reports show one of the state's leading faith-based groups, the Christian Coalition of Alabama, has received donations from political action committees financed largely by gambling interests.
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AL: Group urges removal of sales tax on groceries
From: feeds.stateline.org
"An organization that represents Alabama's poor is urging the Legislature to pass a proposed constitutional amendment to remove the 4 percent state sales tax from groceries and over-the-counter medicine.
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AL: Senate passes ban on most no-bid contracts
From: feeds.stateline.org
"The Alabama Senate has approved legislation to stop the state government from issuing no-bid contracts except in emergencies.
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AL: VictoryLand shuts down all operations
From: feeds.stateline.org
"VictoryLand came to a complete halt Thursday. The war of words between Gov. Bob Riley's illegal gambling task force and VictoryLand did not.
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AR: Legislature unlikely to approve Sunday alcohol sales, Beebe tells wholesalers
From: feeds.stateline.org
"Gov. Mike Beebe told Arkansas beer distributors today he doubts the Legislature would change state law to allow stores to sell alcohol on Sundays.
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AZ: State announces fines against 2 waste firms
From: feeds.stateline.org
"The Arizona Department of Environmental Quality and the Arizona Attorney General's Office announced Thursday that waste firms operating two western Arizona landfills have agreed to pay $58,000 in fines.
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CA: In California, a rebuke to Toyota
From: feeds.stateline.org
"SAN FRANCISCO — Wary of the expanded Toyota recall and still stinging from a recent decision by the Japanese automaker to close a major manufacturing plant in California, the State Assembly turned patriotic on Thursday, adopting a "Buy American" policy for all future vehicles bought for its fleet.
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CA: For Hollywood, stand-ins play California's part
From: feeds.stateline.org
"LOS ANGELES -- In a new indignity for Hollywood's struggling film production business, Los Angeles and its environs are about to be ravaged by aliens in "Battle: Los Angeles." It stars Aaron Eckhart, is set for release by Sony Pictures in 2011 — and was shot in Louisiana.
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CA: Assembly to stop buying foreign cars
From: feeds.stateline.org
"The Assembly Rules Committee, the house's policy-making body, voted today to restore a "Buy America" policy that will apply to future cars acquired for Assembly members or the house pool.
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CA: California likely must forge own way on health, forum experts say
From: feeds.stateline.org
"The discussion Thursday was to have focused on how California could begin implementing sweeping federal legislation to remake the country's health care system.
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CA: Governor gearing up to sell ads on freeway electronic signs
From: feeds.stateline.org
"In his latest effort to patch California's cash-strapped budget, Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger has resurrected an idea to convert overhead freeway displays into electronic advertising billboards.
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CA: Million-dollar homes in California suffer further sales drop in 2009
From: feeds.stateline.org
"Sales of California homes priced at $1 million or more tumbled for a fourth consecutive year in 2009, according to a report released Thursday.
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CA: Jump in service disconnections sparks move by California
From: feeds.stateline.org
"California regulators, reacting to a dramatic increase in service shut-offs, ordered electric and gas utilities Thursday to make greater efforts to help keep the lights and heat on for non-paying customers, especially those in poorer neighborhoods.
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CA: Anthem Blue Cross dramatically raising rates for Californians with individual health policies
From: feeds.stateline.org
"California's largest for-profit health insurer is moving to dramatically raise rates for customers with individual policies, setting off a furor among policyholders and prompting state insurance regulators to investigate.
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CA: Southland panel rejects funds for ethanol fueling stations
From: feeds.stateline.org
"A regional panel Thursday turned down nearly $11 million in federal stimulus dollars targeted to build 55 ethanol fueling stations across Southern California, saying it had policy concerns about ethanol as an alternative to gasoline.
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CO: Capitol dome tops list of endangered sites
From: feeds.stateline.org
"The golden dome of the state Capitol could be toppled by Colorado's rocky economy.
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CO: Colorado foreclosures jump in 2009
From: feeds.stateline.org
"Foreclosure filings surged in Colorado last year, but fewer foreclosures ended up in forced sales, the state's Division of Housing reported Thursday.
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CO: Colorado Senate Republicans call for across-the-board budget cuts
From: feeds.stateline.org
"A rancorous legislative session, aggravated by a budget crisis and a crucial election in November, took another turn Thursday when Senate Republicans called for across-the-board budget cuts instead of a Democratic plan to eliminate tax credits and exemptions.
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CO: Getting a read on Colorado schools
From: feeds.stateline.org
"The dream and mission of the public education system is equal opportunity.
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CO: Poll -- Public health-insurance option a winner with Colorado voters
From: feeds.stateline.org
"The Wall Street Journal Wednesday painted a bleak picture of Capitol Hill Democrats wandering about without a map on health reform in the wake of the Scott Brown victory in Massachusetts, as if the blow of recognition that an anti-health reform Republican is taking Teddy Kennedy's seat has dazed the caucus leaders out of all proportion, leaving them foggy on the fact that they're still sitting atop an enormous majority.
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CO: Colorado maternity insurance bill moves out of committee
From: feeds.stateline.org
"Two Denver Democrats reluctantly diluted the bill they co-sponsored aimed at expanding maternity coverage in Colorado.
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CT: Pratt workers scramble to deal with plant closing
From: feeds.stateline.org
"Peter Tirado is no fan of plant closings, and no stranger to them. In 23 years with Pratt & Whitney in the company's home state, he's been through two.
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CT: Paid sick days an issue again
From: feeds.stateline.org
"One day into the legislative session, Rep. Selim G. Noujaim is already crafting his argument against a measure that would require businesses to give their employees paid sick days.
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DE: On Europe trip, Markell hopes to lure jobs to Delaware
From: feeds.stateline.org
"Gov. Jack Markell will travel to Europe next week to meet with business leaders. The governor announced Thursday evening that he will be traveling to Germany and England and will meet with executives at the Fraunhofer Institute, AstraZeneca, Barclays Bank and HSBC to try to lure more jobs to Delaware.
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FL: Court records show Florida foreclosures increasing; Palm Beach County levelling off
From: feeds.stateline.org
"Florida's courts tackled 398,825 foreclosure cases in 2009, an 8 percent increase over the previous year and a glut that led to a new statewide mediation rule aimed at reducing the overload.
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FL: State Farm, Florida's biggest auto insurer, files for 9.2 percent rate increase
From: feeds.stateline.org
"Cost-sensitive Floridians have another increase to worry about: The price for auto insurance is trending up.
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FL: Law firm admits inaccuracies in applying for state pension fund work, withdraws
From: feeds.stateline.org
"A prominent law firm seeking lucrative pension work from Florida pulled out of the running Thursday after the firm's senior partner acknowledged making inaccurate statements to a selection committee.
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GA: Perdue backing mortgage fraud bill
From: feeds.stateline.org
"A new mortgage fraud unit spearheaded by the Georgia Bureau of Investigation would go to work on one of the fastest growing crimes in the state under legislation announced Thursday by Gov. Sonny Perdue.
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GA: Staton wants to toughen massage parlor regulation
From: feeds.stateline.org
"State Sen. Cecil Staton challenged local officials Thursday to get tougher on shady spas and massage parlors in the Macon area, and he announced his own push to strengthen state laws that lay out penalties for masturbation sex shops masquerading as massage centers.
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GA: Lobbyists attack Bibb tax supporting halls of fame
From: feeds.stateline.org
"The effort to increase Macon and Bibb County's hotel-motel tax to support the sports and music halls of fame, which was already bowing under the weight of complicated state laws controlling the tax, suffered a major blow Thursday with the public revelation that two large lobbying groups will work against the effort.
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HI: Dry spell taking toll on islands
From: feeds.stateline.org
"The rainy season here is falling so far short of normal this year that Hawaii is the only state with a National Weather Service assessment of "extreme drought" status.
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HI: State Rep. Joe Bertram declares bankruptcy
From: feeds.stateline.org
"State Rep. Joe Bertram is declaring bankruptcy because he says he can't afford medical expenses from an illness that hospitalized him last year.
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IA: Big farms rule in organic
From: feeds.stateline.org
"The Agriculture Department is out with it's first full-scale census of organic farming, and one finding may surprise some consumers: Big farms dominate organic sales just like they do conventional farming. That's true in Iowa as well as in California.
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IA: Lottery CEO asks to sell tickets via phone, Web
From: feeds.stateline.org
"An idea to let Iowans purchase lottery tickets and games using cell phones or the Internet raised concerns among a consumer advocate and legislators on Thursday.
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IA: 'Fair share' among Democrats' 2 updated labor bills
From: feeds.stateline.org
"Two major labor proposals that have had volatile political histories were re-introduced Thursday by House Democrats, who say the bills have more momentum in this session than in years past.
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ID: Democrats propose break for venture capitalists
From: feeds.stateline.org
"Democrats want anybody who takes an ownership stake in a small Idaho business to be eligible for a 50 percent tax break when they unload their share of the venture for a profit.
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ID: Idaho loan officers taking federally mandated licensing exams
From: feeds.stateline.org
"According to the Conference of State Banking Supervisors, which oversees the testing, 31 percent of the roughly 10,000 people who took the national test from July 30 to Nov. 30 failed it, and about 27 percent did not pass the state-specific component.
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IL: Illinois court overturns malpractice statute
From: feeds.stateline.org
"In a case that could resonate in Washington, the Illinois Supreme Court on Thursday overturned the state's five-year-old medical malpractice law because it limited compensation to injured patients for pain, suffering and other non-economic harms.
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IL: Illinois congressmen seeks to limit coal ash regulation
From: feeds.stateline.org
"WASHINGTON -- A bipartisan group of Illinois congressmen warned the White House on Thursday that federal regulation of coal ash, a toxic byproduct of coal-fired power plants, could devastate Illinois' economy.
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IN: Revenue gloom has sliver of light
From: feeds.stateline.org
"Indiana tax collections for January continued to lag behind projections and were well below last year's level, but Gov. Mitch Daniels on Thursday found some cause for optimism.
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KS: Kansas House speaker under fire for working as lead attorney in suit against state
From: feeds.stateline.org
"Kansas House Speaker Mike O'Neal, a Hutchinson Republican, is taking heat from Democrats for working as lead attorney in a class action suit against the state over a legislative budget decision.
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KS: Kansas House budget committee cuts legislature's pay, but still faces $39 million deficit for current fiscal year
From: feeds.stateline.org
"A Kansas House committee endorsed a deficit-reduction bill Thursday that cuts legislators' pay but still doesn't balance the state's current budget.
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KS: House GOP pushes bill to cap Kansas property taxes
From: feeds.stateline.org
"Fourteen House Republicans are sponsoring a measure that attempts to slow the growth of property taxes in Kansas.
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KS: Kansas gets $415,000 plus consumer restititution in settlement over annuities
From: feeds.stateline.org
"Kansas has received $415,000 from a five-state, $2.1 million settlement with the Nationwide Insurance Co. over questionable annuities sold by Overland Park-based Waddell & Reed Inc., the Insurance Department announced Thursday.
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KS: Kansas Senate advances bill to ban discrimination based on sexual orientation
From: feeds.stateline.org
"A Senate panel has endorsed a bill that would prohibit discrimination in Kansas based on sexual orientation or gender identity.
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KS: 14 Kansas Republicans introduce legislation to require votes before any property tax hike
From: feeds.stateline.org
"Fourteen House Republicans are sponsoring a measure that attempts to slow the growth of property taxes in Kansas.
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KS: Northeast Kansas legislator asks for delay in closing of National Guard armories, is rebuffed
From: feeds.stateline.org
"A northeast Kansas legislator on Thursday tried to delay the closing of 18 Kansas National Guard armories, but was unsuccessful.
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KY: Bill would decrease jobless benefits
From: feeds.stateline.org
"Unemployment benefits would decrease and taxes on employers would increase under a proposal approved by a House committee Tuesday to fix the state's bankrupt Unemployment Insurance Trust Fund.
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KY: Six Flags theme park Kentucky Kingdom is closing
From: feeds.stateline.org
"LOUISVILLE, Ky. -- Six Flags Inc. announced Thursday it would close its Kentucky theme park because of a lease dispute, making Kentucky Kingdom the sole property to be shut down as the company restructures under bankruptcy protection.
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LA: Lawmakers angry about I-10 contract
From: feeds.stateline.org
"The system used to award a $60 million state highway contract to a firm with the highest bid and longest time to do the work has to be changed, lawmakers said Thursday. "The whole process stinks," said state Rep. James Armes, D-Leesville.
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MD: Tax credit won't help them, some small business owners say
From: feeds.stateline.org
"Gov. Martin O'Malley's proposed job-creation tax credit may have the support of several business associations, but some small business owners are saying it won't help.
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ME: Fraser, unions reach tentative deal
From: feeds.stateline.org
"MADAWASKA, Maine — The United Steelworkers union and Fraser Papers Inc. ended contract talks Thursday with a tentative deal that management said would keep the town's 680-worker paper mill running but that union negotiators declined to endorse or reject.
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ME: Reinvesting in Maine
From: feeds.stateline.org
"A couple that owns a concrete curbing company in Old Town is getting $1.7 million. A Rockport animal hospital is getting $1,025,000. A Waterville boat dealer and service yard is getting more than $2 million, and an auto parts sales firm in Hancock County is getting $1 million. And all of it is public money.
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MI: Legislation approved for city of Detroit's $250 million bond sale
From: feeds.stateline.org
"The city of Detroit has gained final approval of legislation that would clear the way for the city to sell up to $250 million in bonds that would go toward its deficit-elimination plan.
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MI: Cox talks agriculture with farmers
From: feeds.stateline.org
"EMMETT TWP., Mich. -- Michigan Attorney General Mike Cox mingled Thursday with about 50 local farmers, listening to concerns and fielding his gubernatorial plan for protecting farmland and the right to farm.
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MI: Asian carp summit will be closed-door, but Feb. 12 event is open to the public
From: feeds.stateline.org
"The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, on behalf of the Asian Carp Regional Coordinating Committee, will hold a meeting in Chicago on Feb. 12 to discuss plans and get recommendations on Asian carp control efforts.
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MI: Study -- Pure Michigan provided $500M boost
From: feeds.stateline.org
"A new study shows the acclaimed Pure Michigan television ad campaign, with the voice of actor Tim Allen, lured two million visitors from around the U.S. and Ontario to Michigan last year, and they spent $500 million in the state.
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MI: State's tourist ads get support
From: feeds.stateline.org
"Gov. Jennifer Granholm, in her State of the State speech Wednesday, implored lawmakers to find money to continue the acclaimed Pure Michigan television ad campaign promoting tourism.
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MN: Minnesota House Democrats propose $1 billion borrowing bill
From: feeds.stateline.org
"Minnesota House Democrats are kicking off the 2010 legislative session with a proposal to borrow $1 billion for construction projects.
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MO: Agreement aims to save Katy bridge
From: feeds.stateline.org
"BOONVILLE, Mo. — A historic Missouri River bridge that is a potential link in the 225-mile Katy Trail State Park will be preserved for future use under an agreement with Union Pacific Railroad, Gov. Jay Nixon announced Thursday.
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MO: Missouri House OKs drug tests for public officials, some welfare recipients
From: feeds.stateline.org
"Missouri's elected officials and many people who receive cash welfare benefits would start undergoing drug screening under legislation given first-round House approval Thursday.
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MO: Strip club bill advances in Missouri
From: feeds.stateline.org
"Legislation placing far-reaching restrictions on adult-entertainment businesses in Missouri won preliminary approval in the state Senate on Thursday and may continue on a legislative fast track thanks to a federal investigation.
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MS: Former Choctaw chief dies
From: feeds.stateline.org
"Phillip Martin, who led the Mississippi Band of Choctaw Indians to economic heights as tribal chief for 28 years, died Thursday night after suffering a stroke days earlier. He was 83.
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MS: Mississippi gets an $18.5 million boost from drug lawsuit
From: feeds.stateline.org
"State Atty. Gen. Jim Hood announced a lawsuit settlement against pharmaceutical giant Eli Lilly and Company on Thursday that boosts Mississippi's sickly treasury by $18.5 million.
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MT: Minimize cuts to vital human service programs, advocates urge Schweitzer
From: feeds.stateline.org
"Human service advocates are urging the Schweitzer administration to minimize any cuts to human service programs when balancing the state budget, saying such programs are vital in an economic downturn.
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ND: N.D. synfuels plant makes $7.1 million last payment to feds
From: feeds.stateline.org
"A North Dakota company has made its final payment to the federal government for a synthetic gas plant, making up most of the $1.5 billion loss taxpayers initially had on the project.
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ND: New report criticizes N.D. stimulus spending Web site
From: feeds.stateline.org
"A recent report ranked North Dakota last in the country for the transparency of its economic stimulus spending, but an official said the state didn't want to spend tax dollars on duplicating information that is available through the federal government.
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ND: Frontier Airlines set to end its service in Fargo
From: feeds.stateline.org
"Frontier Airlines – touted as a low-cost carrier that would bring down fares at Fargo's Hector International Airport – is dropping its Fargo-Denver service, effective April 5.
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NJ: N.J. lawmakers target Passaic Valley sewerage commission
From: feeds.stateline.org
"Democratic and Republican legislators have been trying for at least 15 years to reform the Passaic Valley Sewerage Commissioners, once again under fire for its high salaries, patronage hires and use of politically connected lobbyists.
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NJ: N.J. lawmakers reconsider extending tax increase for high-income residents
From: feeds.stateline.org
"New Jersey lawmakers are gearing up for a fight over whether to extend a tax increase on the rich as the state's budget problems grow by the week.
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NJ: N.J. Gov. Chris Christie plans to talk about budget in first major policy address
From: feeds.stateline.org
"Gov. Chris Christie plans to address the state's current budget problems next week during a joint session of the Legislature in his first major policy address.
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NJ: Affordable-housing changes pushed in New Jersey
From: feeds.stateline.org
"A plan to eliminate the state Council on Affordable Housing and put towns in charge of their own housing obligations is necessary to streamline an unwieldy bureaucracy, supporters said yesterday.
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NJ: Christie advisers call for tough new school rules
From: feeds.stateline.org
"In a call for change that has raised eyebrows within the New Jersey education community, Gov. Christie's transition advisers have recommended expanding the number of charter schools, re-evaluating hundreds of education regulations, and radically tightening eligibility for high-school students applying to the NJ STARS college-tuition program.
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NM: House prepared to vote on tax package, Speaker says
From: feeds.stateline.org
"The House of Representatives could vote as early as Friday morning on a plan to raise $380 million in new revenue to help close next year's budgetary shortfall.
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NM: Measures seek to rein in exempt jobs
From: feeds.stateline.org
"The issue of exempt employees on state government's payroll hasn't gone away this session, despite layoffs of 59 of the governor's political appointees in January.
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NM: State legislature -- City, counties fear bill will cut revenue
From: feeds.stateline.org
"City and county governments across New Mexico, including Santa Fe's, could face the need for public-employee layoffs and furloughs if a revenue bill that surfaced in the state Senate this week wins approval, a New Mexico Municipal League lobbyist warned Thursday.
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NM: As another movie shoots around town, debate continues on incentives
From: feeds.stateline.org
"While Bill Murray, Mickey Rourke, Megan Fox and Kelly Lynch film the 1950s-period drama Passion Play in and around Santa Fe, a different kind of high-voltage show may play out at the Roundhouse today.
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NV: Gibbons lashes out at Obama during Fox News interview
From: feeds.stateline.org
"Gov. Jim Gibbons on Wednesday discussed President Obama's latest remark about Las Vegas during a Fox News interview.
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NV: Budget crunch puts shorter school year, teacher pay cuts on table
From: feeds.stateline.org
"Shortening the school year, cutting teacher pay and delaying textbook purchases were among the options floated at today's meeting of the Interim Finance Committee, which met to review a potential $167 million hole in the state's budget for K-12 education.
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NV: Cuts to higher education budget unavoidable, Nevada lawmakers say
From: feeds.stateline.org
"More than half of all the tax money collected by the state of Nevada goes toward public education.
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NV: Budget crunch -- Schools superintendent says proposed cuts would cost 2,322 teacher jobs
From: feeds.stateline.org
"The president of the state teachers union refused Thursday to support cutting teacher salaries to help solve Nevada's $881 million tax revenue shortfall unless the cut is approved through collective bargaining negotiations.
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NY: Cuomo sues Bank of America, even as it settles with S.E.C.
From: feeds.stateline.org
"The legal drama surrounding the controversial takeover of Merrill Lynch by Bank of America, one of the pivotal moments of the financial crisis, took a fresh turn on Thursday as the attorney general of New York leveled civil fraud charges against Kenneth D. Lewis, the former Bank of America chief who masterminded the deal.
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NY: New York sues Bank of America over Merrill Lynch merger
From: feeds.stateline.org
"No sooner did America's biggest bank announce a proposed settlement with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) over the Merrill Lynch merger than New York's attorney general filed civil charges against B of A and its former CEO, Ken Lewis, alleging they misled investors.
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NY: Ex-BofA chief sued for fraud
From: feeds.stateline.org
"Former Bank of America Corp. Chief Executive Kenneth D. Lewis and the company's current consumer-banking chief were accused in a civil complaint of duping investors by failing to disclose mounting losses at Merrill Lynch & Co. before shareholders approved the securities firm's takeover by the giant bank.
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NY: New York state labor chief is confirmed to federal post
From: feeds.stateline.org
"The Senate voted 60 to 37 on Thursday to confirm M. Patricia Smith, the New York State labor commissioner, for the Labor Department's No. 3 post.
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NY: Summary of the New York state of the state address
From: feeds.stateline.org
"Gov. David Paterson (D), facing what could be a difficult primary campaign this year, proposed a plan Jan. 6 that he said would fix New York’s shattered finances, rejuvenate its slumping economy and restore trust in government through a series of major ethics reforms.
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OH: State tax receipts fall short in January
From: feeds.stateline.org
"State revenue for the current fiscal year so far has fallen nearly $100 million behind projections, after tax receipts for January came in 6.5 percent short of estimates, preliminary numbers released today show.
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OK: House Republicans move quickly to save face
From: feeds.stateline.org
"House Republican leaders acted quickly Thursday to rally behind their newest member, a day after his first speech on the House floor ended up as part of an embarrassing loss for the GOP majority.
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OK: About 23,000 Oklahomans still lack power
From: feeds.stateline.org
"More than 23,000 homes and businesses are still without power a week after an ice storm rolled through the state, the Oklahoma Corporation Commission reported.
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OR: Tests show bagged greens in Oregon, elsewhere have bacteria
From: feeds.stateline.org
"Lab tests on major brands selling both organic and nonorganic greens in Oregon and across the country showed high levels of bacteria that point to unsanitary conditions.
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OR: Senate overrides veto on PERS
From: feeds.stateline.org
"Public employees would be shielded from state agency math errors that could force them to repay retirement benefits under a bill that the Oregon Senate repassed Thursday over Gov. Ted Kulongoski's veto.
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OR: Bill on chemical in food containers draws debate
From: feeds.stateline.org
"Mothers, health-care professionals and children's advocates clashed with food and grocery representatives over a proposed ban on Bisphenol A in children's food containers during a public hearing Thursday.
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OR: Ban on offshore drilling heads for House vote
From: feeds.stateline.org
"A bill calling for a 10-year ban on oil and gas drilling off the Oregon Coast will go to a House vote after passing out of committee Thursday.
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OR: Unemployment benefits extension nears final approval
From: feeds.stateline.org
"A Senate vote was scheduled today on a six-week extension of unemployment benefits to 18,600 Oregonians about to lose them.
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PA: Corbett puts focus on budget crisis
From: feeds.stateline.org
"Dealing with a looming budget crisis will be the next governor's first job, Attorney General Tom Corbett said Thursday.
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PA: Municipal policing contracts opposed by state police
From: feeds.stateline.org
"A bill that would allow municipalities without police departments to hire and pay for state troopers to patrol their streets drew mixed reviews at a state Senate committee hearing Thursday in Hempfield.
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RI: R.I. PUC urged to deny National Grid's rate hike
From: feeds.stateline.org
"The state's struggling utility customers can't afford a rate hike by National Grid, protesters said Thursday.
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SC: Rex proposes rise in cigarette tax
From: feeds.stateline.org
"Anti-tobacco and education groups have joined the state schools chief in calling on legislators to increase the state's cigarette tax to the national average.
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SC: S.C. lottery director to head boards
From: feeds.stateline.org
"The head of the South Carolina lottery has been tapped to oversee the boards of directors at First Federal of Charleston and its holding company.
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SC: Senate still at odds over proposal
From: feeds.stateline.org
"The South Carolina Senate resumed debate Thursday, but reached no conclusion, on a plan to change to the statewide property tax system by capping the reassessments of properties that change ownership.
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SD: EPA rule could stifle SD ethanol production
From: feeds.stateline.org
"The new Renewable Fuels Standard rules announced Wednesday by the Environmental Protection Agency call to triple U.S. biofuel production by 2022, which could increase net farm income by 36 percent while lowering gasoline and diesel costs. So why are some South Dakota farmers up in arms about the standard?
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SD: Rounds says he pushed for SD in energy meeting
From: feeds.stateline.org
"Gov. Mike Rounds said Thursday he pushed for federal action that would help South Dakota develop ethanol plants and wind-generated electrical power when he met this week with President Barack Obama and top federal officials.
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SD: Rounds says he pushed for S.D. in energy meeting
From: feeds.stateline.org
"Gov. Mike Rounds says he pushed for steps that would help South Dakota develop ethanol plants and wind power when he met this week with President Barack Obama and other federal officials.
"
TN: TN child support collections drop
From: feeds.stateline.org
"The economic downturn means fewer parents can pay their court-ordered child support, and Tennessee is marking its first decline in child support collections in almost 10 years.
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TN: State group lobbies for climate legislation
From: feeds.stateline.org
"WASHINGTON - Susan Richardson Williams realizes it might strike some as a little odd that she is leading a campaign to urge Congress to pass comprehensive energy and climate change legislation.
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TN: GOP leaders won't back cable TV tax
From: feeds.stateline.org
"Tennessee Republican legislative leaders said Thursday they're opposed to Gov. Phil Bredesen's proposal to tax cable TV to save some government jobs and pay for higher education.
"
US: Trial lawyers contribute, shareholder suits follow
From: feeds.stateline.org
"Norfolk County, Mass., has only a small pension fund, but it is a big player in court. Two weeks ago, the fund joined with two others in a shareholder suit against drugstore chain CVS Caremark Corp., whose stock had fallen. It was the 12th time since 2006 the pension fund has gone to court after a stock it owned declined.
"
UT: Utah lawmaker Mike Noel targets global warming lawsuits
From: feeds.stateline.org
"A Utah legislator who is one of the most ardent critics of global warming wants to keep the judiciary out of the political debate and protect industry from what he says are frivolous lawsuits.
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UT: Ethics overhaul advances
From: feeds.stateline.org
"The Utah House on Thursday approved a set of ethics bills -- including an independent commission to review citizen complaints -- that leaders said should make clear to voters that they're serious about policing their own.
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UT: Utah Legislature -- Utah health care reform bill unveiled
From: feeds.stateline.org
"The third year of decadelong overhaul of the state's health care system got officially under way with the announcement of landmark reform legislation that establishes a state risk adjuster board to ensure consumer health risks are spread evenly among private insurers as they increase access for 350,000 uninsured Utahns.
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UT: Utah legislative panel OKs resolution on climate-change
From: feeds.stateline.org
"Citing cataclysmic impacts to the economy — from ranching to mining to small-business interests — a legislative committee Thursday threw its support behind a resolution urging the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency to halt its carbon-dioxide reduction policies.
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WA: Port of Vancouver expects growth in 2010, executive director says
From: feeds.stateline.org
"VANCOUVER, Wash. -- Several construction projects at Port of Vancouver offer the promise of future economic growth, Port executive director Larry Paulson said today.
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WA: Ten state workers to lose jobs next month
From: feeds.stateline.org
"Ten painters and other trade workers received notices Thursday that they will be laid off by the Department of General Administration effective March 8.
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WA: State regulators drop push to mandate secrecy on troubled-bank actions
From: feeds.stateline.org
"State banking regulators have dropped a controversial proposal to explicitly exempt from public disclosure their enforcement actions against troubled banks.
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WA: Median price of homes rises in Seattle, keeps dropping in suburbs
From: feeds.stateline.org
"Home prices in the city of Seattle rose in January for the first time in nearly two years while they continued to fall in the rest of King County, according to one closely watched measure.
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WA: 520 boosters stand behind their plans
From: feeds.stateline.org
"Five members of the Seattle City Council joined representatives from business, labor, the University of Washington, and Eastside governments Thursday morning to support the state's proposed six-lane 520 bridge replacement (video here) -- even though the size of the controversial Montlake Interchange remains a mystery.
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WI: Task force calls for teaching about entrepreneurs
From: feeds.stateline.org
"A task force is recommending ways that Wisconsin's schools can teach about entrepreneurship.
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WI: More than 100,000 state residents face losing unemployment benefits
From: feeds.stateline.org
"More than 100,000 state residents could lose their unemployment benefits by the end of April unless emergency measures are taken soon, state lawmakers warned Thursday.
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WI: New State Fair chief plans to use lessons of past to shape fair's future
From: feeds.stateline.org
"WEST ALLIS, Wisc. -- When Rick Frenette was 12 years old in the early 1960s, he was running the hot dog-on-a-stick stand at the Northern Wisconsin State Fair for his father in his hometown of Chippewa Falls.
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WI: Perch return to local waters - in an old factory
From: feeds.stateline.org
"Perch have largely disappeared from Lake Michigan, but Milwaukee diners soon might be able to order the popular Friday night fish fry species once more from local waters.
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WI: Michigan study disputes economic effect of closing 2 Chicago locks
From: feeds.stateline.org
"Illinois politicians have claimed that even a temporary closure of two Chicago navigation locks will lead to regional economic devastation, but a new transportation analysis released by Michigan Attorney General Mike Cox tells a different story.
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WV: House rejects job impact step for bills
From: feeds.stateline.org
"The House of Delegates has rejected a proposal to tack on jobs impact statements to most legislation.
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WV: Weatherization program suspended in Kanawha, other counties
From: feeds.stateline.org
"Three people were fired and a federally funded weatherization program was suspended at a Charleston regional anti-poverty organization after state officials reviewed the agency earlier this week.
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WY: Wyo Treasurer seeks owners of $35 million in unclaimed property
From: feeds.stateline.org
""Wyoming Windfall" is the catch name for the Unclaimed Property Division of the State Treasurer's Office.
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WY: Almost 600 Wyo state government jobs remain unfilled under hiring freeze
From: feeds.stateline.org
"Near the close of it's four weeks of deliberation on the state's 2011-12 two year budget in December and January, the legislature's Joint Interim Appropriations Committee received a report which detailed 595 state "positions," or job vacancies, which have been left unfilled by over a year of a state government hiring freeze.
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WY: Brown announces for auditor
From: feeds.stateline.org
"Republican and accountant Bruce Brown announced his candidacy Thursday for the Republican Party's nomination to run for state auditor.
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WY: Brown announces for auditor
From: feeds.stateline.org
"Republican and accountant Bruce Brown announced his candidacy Thursday for the Republican Party's nomination to run for state auditor."
WY: Wind tax proposal stirs debate
From: feeds.stateline.org
"Several Republican candidates for governor voiced skepticism, if not outright opposition, to a wind energy tax proposed earlier this week by their potential opponent, Democratic Gov. Dave Freudenthal.
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Weekly wrap: Fed report doubts energy states will recover first
From: feeds.stateline.org
"Revenues down in gas-producing states; Obama snubs Las Vegas—again; and economist Mark Zandi predicts start of economic expansion.
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Visit the Stateline.org Economy & Business Page
From: feeds.stateline.org
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