Do you want a tax with that?
From: feeds.stateline.org
"The funeral home director in Pennsylvania and hair dresser in Michigan may soon have something in common with the yoga instructor in Missouri and limo driver in New York. Their customers may have to pay a state sales tax. With tax revenues at a historic low and federal stimulus dollars drying up, states are eying adding a sales tax to some of the 180 services that states could be taxing but most don’t, ranging from pet grooming and dating services to dental and legal services. The change would be a fundamental shift in states’ tax systems, but the proposals are running into stiff opposition from the business community.
"
AK: Supreme Court rules against hospital in lawsuit
From: feeds.stateline.org
"WASILLA, Alaska -- The state's highest court told Mat-Su Regional Medical Center in February that the hospital didn't have the right to pursue damages from a woman who caused a 2007 accident that injured another woman who was treated at the hospital.
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AK: Alaska legislators rush to finish budget work
From: feeds.stateline.org
"Legislators in Juneau are scrambling to finish subcommittee work on the state operating budget, with a goal of having a proposed spending plan for state agencies ready for public hearings the first week of March, House Finance Committee Co-chair Mike Hawker, R-Anchorage, said Feb. 22.
"
AK: Senator wants to include nontraditional students in scholarships
From: feeds.stateline.org
"Senate President Gary Stevens on Monday proposed allowing nontraditional students to be eligible for the governor's proposed merit scholarship program, a change that state education officials said would drive up costs unpredictably.
"
AL: Alabama Senate adjourns without a bingo vote
From: feeds.stateline.org
"The Alabama Senate adjourned until 10 a.m. Wednesday while backers of an electronic bingo bill try to get the 21 votes needed to pass the legislation.
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AL: Legislature sends BRAC bill to governor
From: feeds.stateline.org
"The Legislature Tuesday sent to Gov. Bob Riley a bill that will create a vital economic development tool for the city of Huntsville and Redstone Arsenal to help cope with BRAC.
"
AZ: New casino east of Flag takes shape
From: feeds.stateline.org
"The gaming arm of the Navajo Nation plans to break ground this fall on a $180 million resort, spa and casino near Twin Arrows, less than a half-hour drive east of Flagstaff.
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AZ: Retailers see 31% rise in sales for December
From: feeds.stateline.org
"Arizona retail sales surged 31 percent from November to December as holiday shoppers got serious about treating themselves to clothing, furniture, appliances and even vehicles.
"
AZ: Finance plan spurs 4 teams to skip Cactus League event
From: feeds.stateline.org
"Four teams boycotted the annual Cactus League kickoff breakfast - hosted by Mesa this year - to protest a proposed leaguewide ticket surcharge to build a new Chicago Cubs spring-training complex and to finance other improvements.
"
CA: Lawmakers expand investigation into health insurance rate hikes
From: feeds.stateline.org
"The scope of a congressional investigation into health insurance rate hikes in California expanded Tuesday as lawmakers summoned the chief executives of four of the nation's largest for-profit health insurers to testify about medical claims denied for individuals with preexisting conditions.
"
CA: Tom Ammiano pads his pocket with 'Milk'
From: feeds.stateline.org
"Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger is not the Capitol's only motion-picture actor. Assemblyman Tom Ammiano, D-San Francisco, filed financial disclosure documents this week showing income of between $10,000 and $100,000 last year from Focus Features of New York.
"
CO: Backers of renewable-energy bill foresee 23,477 new jobs
From: feeds.stateline.org
"Backers of a plan to require more Colorado energy to come from renewable sources said Tuesday that if their bill continues its progress in the state Senate, it could produce thousands of new jobs at small solar companies.
"
CO: Committee defeats bill to allow Coloradans to decline delivery of phone books
From: feeds.stateline.org
"Like a Denver phone book dropping on your front porch, a bill allowing consumers to say no thanks to more home-delivered directories died with a thud Tuesday.
"
CO: Bill to help dropped GM, Chrysler dealers advances
From: feeds.stateline.org
"A Colorado state Senate committee on Monday refused to put the brakes on a bill to give terminated Chrysler and General Motors dealers a right to win back their dealerships, sending the measure onto the full Senate with a unanimous recommendation.
"
CO: Colorado lawmakers hold hearing on broker-lien bill
From: feeds.stateline.org
"A hearing is scheduled for Monday afternoon on a bill in the Colorado Legislature that would allow brokers involved in the leasing of commercial real estate to file liens against properties to get payment owned them by property owners.
"
CO: No consensus on 'card check' in meeting between Bennet, Colorado business leaders
From: feeds.stateline.org
"A group of Colorado Association of Commerce & Industry leaders and U.S. Sen. Michael Bennet could not find common ground Tuesday on the "Employee Free Choice Act," the so-called "card check" bill to make it easier to form union locals, but both sides still called the Washington meeting productive.
"
CT: Stop & Shop moving backwards, union says
From: feeds.stateline.org
"Stop & Shop and its union workforce appear to be at a standoff in contract negotiations underway in Providence.
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CT: Keno hearing -- State vs. casinos in debate worth millions
From: feeds.stateline.org
"Keno is a simple game, but it has created an epic battle at the state Capitol, with nearly $400 million at stake.
"
CT: Report -- Each year, illnesses cost nation $152B and state $1.9B
From: feeds.stateline.org
"Food-borne illnesses cost the nation more than $152 billion a year, including nearly $1.9 billion in Connecticut, according to a report released today by the Produce Safety Project at Georgetown University.
"
CT: Legislators -- State lacks system to regulate power plant safety measures
From: feeds.stateline.org
"Key legislators began talking about how to increase oversight of state power plants after learning from a panel of experts Tuesday that no government agency has authority to regulate safety issues at highly complex electricity generators like the Kleen Energy Systems plant in Middletown.
"
DE: AstraZeneca overhaul leaves 550 jobless here
From: feeds.stateline.org
"AstraZeneca plans to eliminate 550 research-and-development jobs at it U.S. headquarters in Fairfax as part of a global strategy shift that will shutter two laboratories in Europe and pare 8,000 jobs by 2014.
"
FL: Norfolk residential assessments will fall by 4.9 percent
From: feeds.stateline.org
"Led by steep declines on pricey homes in Ocean View, downtown and Larchmont, residential real estate assessments will fall by 4.9 percent. Overall assessments, including commercial and industrial property, will decline 3.6 percent, Real Estate Assessor Deborah Bunn told the City Council on Tuesday.
"
FL: Child-support cases tie up courts
From: feeds.stateline.org
"Cash-strapped parents seeking child support have clogged the state's family court system, forcing hearing officers to work overtime and judges to play case managers.
"
FL: Crist calls for consensus in State of the State speech
From: feeds.stateline.org
"In his farewell State of the State speech, Gov. Charlie Crist made a last-ditch appeal to the Legislature on Tuesday to embrace his style of pragmatic bipartisanship to confront Florida's problems.
"
FL: Florida passes bill giving extra benefits to some
From: feeds.stateline.org
"Florida lawmakers have passed legislation to provide up to eight weeks of additional unemployment benefits for a small group of out-of-work Floridians who qualify.
"
FL: After one-year blip, Florida's population to grow again
From: feeds.stateline.org
"Florida has a new motto: the slow-growth state. The state should rebound this year from its first loss in population in more than half a century, though it's unlikely to return to an era of explosive growth anytime soon, according to new estimates.
"
FL: Big tussle with teachers looms
From: feeds.stateline.org
"Channeling former Gov. Jeb Bush, leading Republican lawmakers filed legislation this week that would dramatically overhaul teacher tenure and pay -- making it tougher for classroom teachers to achieve tenure, easier to get fired, and tying half of their pay formula to student test performance.
"
FL: Businesses to be spared unemployment-tax hike
From: feeds.stateline.org
"Florida lawmakers gave sweeping approval Tuesday to a measure that delays a steep unemployment compensation tax hike for businesses.
"
FL: Seminole Tribe, lawmakers seek common ground
From: feeds.stateline.org
"The framework of a gambling agreement with the Seminole Tribe is underway as House negotiators and the tribe's lawyers are working toward finishing in time for lawmakers to start counting on the cash this session.
"
GA: Univ. Sys. of Ga. proposes shuttering 4-H programs
From: feeds.stateline.org
"CORDELE, Ga. -- Georgia's 4-H programs could disappear. The University System of Georgia is suggesting that 4-H programs throughout the state be abolished as a cost-saving measure.
"
GA: Georgia ranks high for foodborne illness
From: feeds.stateline.org
"Georgia ranks ninth in the country for the total costs of food-borne illness, with an annual tab of $4.7 billion a year, according to study released today.
"
GA: Obama promotes energy-jobs program in Savannah
From: feeds.stateline.org
"SAVANNAH, Ga. -- Barack Obama made his first visit to Georgia as president on Tuesday to pitch a new jobs initiative and rub elbows with fellow Democrats as several congressional seats and the governor's mansion are up for grabs in the Peach State.
"
GA: Morris Publishing exits bankruptcy
From: feeds.stateline.org
"The parent company of The Augusta Chronicle, The Savannah Morning News and The Athens Banner-Herald completed the consummation of its prepackaged plan of reorganization on Monday after receiving court approval to emerge from bankruptcy Feb. 17.
"
GA: Poll finds support for tobacco tax hike
From: feeds.stateline.org
"Most Georgians support raising the tobacco tax to help plug the state's budget deficit, according to a poll released Tuesday.
"
HI: Gov blasts audit as 'defamatory'
From: feeds.stateline.org
"Legislative Auditor Marion Higa could damage the state's good credit rating and cost taxpayers millions of dollars with a not-yet-published audit of the state Department of Budget and Finance, Gov. Linda Lingle said yesterday.
"
HI: Pot tax and furlough ax survive, cross over from Senate to House
From: feeds.stateline.org
"Furlough Fridays would be gone, marijuana for medical purposes would be taxed $30 an ounce and gas-powered leaf blowers would be outlawed in Hawaii as the Legislature moves to the halfway point.
"
HI: Lingle staff, BOE to meet Thursday on furloughs
From: feeds.stateline.org
"Gov. Linda Lingle's staff will meet with members of the state Board of Education Thursday to discuss the ongoing furloughs of Hawai'i public school teachers.
"
HI: Furlough bills move forward
From: feeds.stateline.org
"Showing Gov. Linda Lingle and educators that options are available, state lawmakers yesterday moved bills that would dedicate money from the state's hurricane relief fund and rainy-day fund to reduce teacher furloughs.
"
IA: Wellmark CEO's pay dips 4%, to $2.4 million
From: feeds.stateline.org
"Wellmark's chief executive took home $2.4 million last year, 4 percent less than the $2.5 million he earned in 2008, documents filed with the state show.
"
ID: School for pregnant teens faces Idaho budget ax
From: feeds.stateline.org
"Deep cuts to Idaho's public education budget are creating uncertainty for a Boise high school for pregnant teens and young mothers whose $500,000 state appropriation is due to be suspended and divvied up among the state's 115 school districts.
"
ID: Boise lawmaker -- Don't cut the lowest-paid teachers
From: feeds.stateline.org
"Idaho's lowest-paid teachers would see their salaries fall below $30,000 under a proposed public education budget to be introduced Wednesday in the Legislature's budget-writing committee.
"
ID: Lawmakers eyeing schools budget
From: feeds.stateline.org
"On the eve of the Joint Finance-Appropriations Committee's anticipated vote on the public schools budget, other lawmakers were scrutinizing the proposal and questioning parts of it.
"
ID: Governor honors Burley man for ag excellence
From: feeds.stateline.org
"BURLEY, Idaho — A Burley man was awarded the 2009 Idaho Governor's Award for Excellence in Agriculture for marketing and innovation.
"
IN: Cummins to lay off nearly 200 workers in Columbus
From: feeds.stateline.org
"Diesel engine maker Cummins Inc. is laying off nearly 200 workers at its Columbus MidRange Engine Plant in response to a drop in orders by Chrysler Group LLC.in
"
IN: Creditors -- General Growth biased toward Brookfield proposal
From: feeds.stateline.org
"Chicago-based General Growth Properties Inc. may be prejudiced in favor of a risky bid from Brookfield Asset Management Inc. because of that company's agreement with William Ackman's Pershing Square Capital Management LP, creditors said in court documents.
"
IN: Lear to hire hundreds for Hammond expansion
From: feeds.stateline.org
"Lear Corp. plans to increase production at its Hammond seat manufacturing facility and add 285 jobs this year, the company announced Tuesday.
"
IN: Movie rental kiosks hit with legal threats
From: feeds.stateline.org
"A Southern Indiana prosecutor has threatened criminal charges unless stores with DVD rental kiosks remove R-rated movies and other material considered harmful to children.
"
KS: Nixon's budget may have overestimated Missouri revenues by up to $1 billion
From: feeds.stateline.org
"The state budget presented six weeks ago by Missouri Gov. Jay Nixon may have overestimated revenues by as much as $1 billion, lawmakers warned Tuesday.
"
KS: Kansas House proposal would boost taxes on utility bills and lottery tickets
From: feeds.stateline.org
"A proposal to raise taxes on utility bills, lottery tickets and churches is heading toward a vote in the Kansas House.
"
KS: Senate approves bill to revise distribution of special education funding
From: feeds.stateline.org
"A Senate committee has approved a bill that would change how some special education funding is distributed in the state.
"
KS: House to debate bill that would impose state sales tax on residential utilities
From: feeds.stateline.org
"The debate over whether to increase taxes to help lift the state from its current budget crisis will be held next week in the House, officials said Tuesday.
"
KS: Ethics commission says campaign finance rules don't apply to efforts to oust sitting judges
From: feeds.stateline.org
"Kansas campaign finance rules and contribution limits don't apply to activists who are unhappy with the state Supreme Court and trying to oust at least one justice in the November general election.
"
KY: Senate panel OKs bill to force Breeders' Cup commitment
From: feeds.stateline.org
"A bill passed by a Senate committee Tuesday would force the Breeders' Cup to commit by Nov. 4 to running the 2011 or 2012 event in Kentucky in order to qualify for a pari-mutuel tax break this year.
"
KY: Bill filed to help tracks with 'skill' games
From: feeds.stateline.org
"In what he called a "last effort" to help Kentucky's horse industry, Rep. Harry Moberly Tuesday filed a bill to authorize "electronic games of skill" at the state's racetracks.
"
KY: Abramson wants city or state to buy LG&E and KU if they're for sale
From: feeds.stateline.org
"If reports are true that E.On is considering selling LG&E and other U.S. businesses, Mayor Jerry Abramson wants the city to make a bid.
"
LA: Smiley -- Agency failing to do job
From: feeds.stateline.org
"An area lawmaker accused state revenue workers Tuesday of failing to do their job of collecting taxes. "We're just leaving money on the table," state Rep. Mert Smiley Jr. said during a meeting of the Louisiana House Committee on Appropriations.
"
LA: Workers blast pay plan
From: feeds.stateline.org
"State employees are complaining they are being singled out for unfair treatment under a proposed Civil Service plan affecting future pay raises in state government.
"
MA: Scott Brown -- Let's give stimulus back to workers
From: feeds.stateline.org
"U.S. Sen. Scott Brown's first piece of legislation is a proposal to return unspent stimulus cash in the form of a payroll tax cut for workers, a proposal that came as the Bay State Republican was named to the prestigious Armed Services committee.
"
MA: Coverage switch urged for localities
From: feeds.stateline.org
"Cities and towns would save tens of millions of dollars in health care costs for employees, retirees, and elected officials by joining the state's much larger, more flexible health care system, according to a new report by the Boston Foundation.
"
MA: Secretive group scrambles to meet terms of new lobbying law
From: feeds.stateline.org
"Bay State corporate titans spent months behind closed doors pushing their joint agenda with top political leaders as part of a high-powered business alliance, but they forgot one thing: the state's tough new lobbying law.
"
MA: Solons fight to keep holidays
From: feeds.stateline.org
"A push to ax Beacon Hill's cherished hack holidays met fierce resistance yesterday, as State House solons mocked a bid to eliminate the plum perk that costs taxpayers millions.
"
MD: Md. seeks better coordination of 'middle-skill' jobs training
From: feeds.stateline.org
"Maryland Gov. Martin O'Malley called Tuesday for more training efforts to prepare the workforce to meet an expected surge in jobs requiring certification beyond a high school diploma but less than a bachelor's degree.
"
MD: Fees proposed statewide to cut runoff pollution
From: feeds.stateline.org
"Environmental advocates, stream restoration experts and local officials urged state lawmakers Tuesday to require all jurisdictions to charge property owners a fee to deal with the Chesapeake Bay's growing problem - pollution washing off lawns, driveways, buildings and parking lots.
"
MD: Disabled vets to get bigger checks
From: feeds.stateline.org
"A tweak in county law will bring larger disability checks to veterans who left behind county jobs to serve in the military.
"
ME: Bill would establish strict 'energy corridors'
From: feeds.stateline.org
"The Utilities and Energy Committee heard qualified support Tuesday for a bill that would designate several areas of Maine as energy corridors and set rules for how the state could consider making additional corridors.
"
ME: Panel nixes Maine minimum wage bill
From: feeds.stateline.org
"A lopsided committee vote may doom a bill to index Maine's minimum wage to cost-of-living increases.
"
ME: Democrats present jobs bond package
From: feeds.stateline.org
"Democratic leaders unveiled a $99.2 million jobs bond package Tuesday.
"
MI: Despite state's jobless rate, more try lottery
From: feeds.stateline.org
"It's hard to call it lottery frenzy, but with two jackpots at more than $100 million each, more than a few people are buying a ticket to dream this week.
"
MI: New Ambassador Bridge span stalled
From: feeds.stateline.org
"DETROIT -- The U.S. Coast Guard has halted Ambassador Bridge owner Manuel "Matty" Moroun's immediate plans to build a second span to Canada by denying his company's bridge permit Tuesday.
"
MN: Plan offered to break impasse on health care
From: feeds.stateline.org
"Gov. Tim Pawlenty and Republican legislative leaders said late Tuesday they have produced a plan to break the impasse over providing health insurance for the state's poorest and sickest residents. But DFLers and Republicans would not immediately disclose details as they began to analyze its implications.
"
MN: A quick cycle for appliance rebates
From: feeds.stateline.org
"Want free money for energy-efficient appliances? Tough.
"
MN: Minnesota's good news on budget deficit is followed by more bad news
From: feeds.stateline.org
"A slight improvement in Minnesota's otherwise gloomy fiscal picture gave state lawmakers an opportunity Tuesday for a new round of Capitol jawboning. An economic forecast projected the state's deficit at $994 million, down from $1.2 billion. The state's top economist took the news as a sign the state was emerging from a deep economic funk.
"
MN: Budget forecast -- Gap will be hard to fill
From: feeds.stateline.org
"The worst appears to be over for Minnesota's sagging economy, but the deepest recession in decades has blown a multibillion-dollar hole in the budget that will take taxpayers and lawmakers years to repair.
"
MO: Nixon's budget may have overestimated Missouri revenues by up to $1 billion
From: feeds.stateline.org
"The state budget presented six weeks ago by Missouri Gov. Jay Nixon may have overestimated revenues by as much as $1 billion, lawmakers warned Tuesday."
MO: Nixon suggests more cuts to ailing budget
From: feeds.stateline.org
"After meeting for more than an hour behind closed doors with Senate Republicans today, Gov. Jay Nixon indicated more cuts are coming to state government because of the continuing decline in revenues and because financial support from the federal government will not be what he expected.
"
MO: State unemployment rate drops slightly
From: feeds.stateline.org
"The state unemployment rate dropped slightly in January to 9.5 percent, according to data released Tuesday by the Missouri Department of Economic Development.
"
MO: Withdrawals for overhead expenses hurt social service funds in Missouri
From: feeds.stateline.org
"Nearly $3 million in Missouri funds may have been inappropriately reallocated away from services for veterans, domestic-violence victims, students and children in recent years, according to a new state audit.
"
MT: State of MT has 3,730 vehicles
From: feeds.stateline.org
"The head of the state highway department says every state agency has implemented the same software for tracking its vehicle purchases, use and maintenance.
"
MT: Lawmakers in Helena for budget training
From: feeds.stateline.org
"Montana legislators will be back in town today for a training day to bone up on the state budget, the economy, the federal stimulus law and other topics.
"
MT: Audit uncovers lax management
From: feeds.stateline.org
"Montana's penal agency has improperly handed out millions of dollars to private companies in no-bid deals or allowed companies to supervise Montana prisoners for years in deals with unsigned contracts, a new audit shows.
"
MT: Foes gear up to fight planned gravel pit
From: feeds.stateline.org
"When the Montana Department of Environmental Quality holds public meetings on a controversial proposal for a gravel pit and asphalt plant on the West Bench of Red Lodge, residents should know what questions to ask, a local conservation group leader says.
"
NE: Make appliance rebates efficient
From: feeds.stateline.org
"Nebraska officials are hoping to learn from the experiences of states that preceded them in offering rebates on energy-efficient appliances.
"
NE: Neb. gambling numbers down
From: feeds.stateline.org
"The recession apparently dulled Nebraskans' appetite for wagering on keno, bingo and other forms of charitable gaming last year.
"
NE: Nothing 2nd class about Ogallala
From: feeds.stateline.org
"A Nebraska town considered a first-class tourist draw may not have to worry about being considered a second-class city anytime soon. Nebraska lawmakers on Tuesday gave first-round approval to a bill (LB919) that would let Ogallala continue to be considered a first-class city even if its population were to dip below 4,500 in the 2010 census.
"
NH: NH coffers fail to fill; more cuts predicted
From: feeds.stateline.org
"The state's financial picture may be worse than it was thought just two months ago, if tax revenues in February are a reliable indication.
"
NH: Mayor -- Arena deal to save city millions
From: feeds.stateline.org
"The city will save $1.1 million next year, and more in years to come, under an agreement that allows SMG to continue managing the Verizon Wireless Arena for another two decades, the Mayor's Office announced yesterday
"
NJ: N.J. meets deadline for transportation projects
From: feeds.stateline.org
"New Jersey has met a March 2 deadline to obligate all $652 million in highway and bridge projects funded by federal stimulus dollars, state Department of Transportation officials said on Monday.
"
NJ: NJ Transit announces emergency spending freeze, 200 job cuts
From: feeds.stateline.org
"Facing a $300 million budget gap, NJ Transit will shed 200 jobs, implement an emergency spending freeze, reduce executive salaries by 5 percent and cut contributions to employee 401(k) retirement accounts by a third, the agency's executive director said today.
"
NJ: N.J. report says South Jersey Transportation budget waste was caused by lack of oversight
From: feeds.stateline.org
"Lax oversight allowed the South Jersey Transportation Authority to waste thousands of dollars, according to a state report issued today.
"
NJ: N.J. Assembly is unlikely to vote on pension changes before Gov. Christie's budget address
From: feeds.stateline.org
"Gov. Chris Christie's push to have public worker pension and health benefit reform bills passed before he makes his budget address on March 16 has hit a roadblock in the Assembly.
"
NJ: Poll finds N.J. majority backs work of Gov. Chris Christie
From: feeds.stateline.org
"Gov. Chris Christie Most New Jersey voters surveyed approve of the job Gov. Chris Christie is doing.
"
NM: Legislative committee passes cigarette tax hike
From: feeds.stateline.org
"A bill to boost the state's cigarette tax by 75 cents cleared an important legislative committee Tuesday afternoon, passing on a 10-6 vote.
"
NM: Senate passes big tax bill and waits for House to pass budget
From: feeds.stateline.org
"The state Senate passed a bill late Tuesday that would generate $240 million through various tax and revenue measures to help plug a large budget shortfall next year.
"
NM: Analysis -- Legislators grapple over tax hikes
From: feeds.stateline.org
"According to common political wisdom, politicians should never raise taxes during an election year.
"
NV: Even UNLV's nursing school steels for budget cuts
From: feeds.stateline.org
"Of all the deans at UNLV whose schools may face painful budget cuts, you might think Carolyn Yucha would get a free pass.
"
NV: Special session -- Agreement reached in middle of the night
From: feeds.stateline.org
"Nevada public schools, higher education and services to the poor were spared what some called the worst of the ugly cuts in a compromise approved early Monday by the Assembly and Senate to close a budget shortfall of more than $800 million.
"
NV: Special session -- Gibbons, lawmakers show rare cooperation during special session
From: feeds.stateline.org
"Despite disagreements over how to close Nevada's $805 million budget shortfall, lawmakers and the governor added a political ingredient during the 26th special session often missing in Carson City: bipartisanship.
"
NV: Nevada's shortfall to hit $3 billion for 2011 Legislature
From: feeds.stateline.org
"The Gibbons administration and lawmakers used every trick in the book to fill the $805 million hole in the current budget.
"
NY: Library cash woes are open book
From: feeds.stateline.org
"Library advocates from around the state filled the Capitol on Tuesday to rally against the fifth proposed cut in state funding to the public library system in two years.
"
OH: Plan to cut Saturday home delivery would affect about 2,000 area postal workers
From: feeds.stateline.org
"Hoping to steer clear of a projected $7 billion loss this year, the U.S. Postal Service is back in front of Congress to get passed a package to rebuild revenue that includes cutting Saturday home delivery.
"
OR: Pacific Power seeks 20 percent hike in electricity rates
From: feeds.stateline.org
"Pacific Power is seeking a 20 percent increase in electricity rates starting next January to cover major investments in transmission and generation as well as forecasted higher power costs next year, according to filings with the Oregon Public Utility Commission.
"
OR: Oregon has shed more jobs during the recession than estimated
From: feeds.stateline.org
"Oregon lost more jobs due to the recession than originally thought -- 148,600, or 9 percent of payroll employment -- instead of the 120,000 first estimated.
"
PA: Prison head -- Release short-term state inmates to halfway houses
From: feeds.stateline.org
"The head of the state prison system today outlined steps that could be taken at little or no cost to free up as many as 2,000 prison beds statewide and save the state $200 million, the cost of a new prison.
"
PA: North Huntingdon native to head Fish and Boat Commission
From: feeds.stateline.org
"The Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission has a new executive director.
"
PA: Rivers Casino bright spot for new jobs
From: feeds.stateline.org
"With 950 people on the payroll and 350 to come, Rivers Casino offers a rare bright spot in a downtrodden economy, the chairman of the state House Appropriations Committee said Tuesday.
"
PA: Prison head -- Release short-term state inmates to halfway houses
From: feeds.stateline.org
"The head of the state prison system today outlined steps that could be taken at little or no cost to free up as many as 2,000 prison beds statewide and save the state $200 million, the cost of a new prison."
PA: Group opposed to pigeon shooting upset over billboard denial
From: feeds.stateline.org
"A group opposed to pigeon shooting is accusing a Philadelphia billboard company of refusing to erect an anti-shoot billboard in order to avoid offending state Attorney General Tom Corbett.
"
RI: Business leaders see hopeful economic signs
From: feeds.stateline.org
"Rhode Island business owners and executives who responded to an annual statewide survey on the economy are increasingly hopeful that a recovery will begin in 2010, but not enough to persuade most of them to start hiring again.
"
SC: Business license plan raises legal questions
From: feeds.stateline.org
"A memo from Columbia's city attorney says a city councilman's plan to waive business license fees for new businesses is unconstitutional.
"
SC: Co-op customers can get upgrades
From: feeds.stateline.org
"Customers with the state's electric cooperatives, including those in Dorchester County, could receive new appliances, weather-proofing upgrades and heat pumps, for free, to make their homes more energy efficient.
"
SC: House may cap damage awards
From: feeds.stateline.org
"This week, House lawmakers will debate whether to cap the amount that juries can award individuals and businesses as punishment for the bad behavior by others.
"
TN: Judge rules for state in dispute over credit act
From: feeds.stateline.org
"Nashville judge has ruled that Tennessee officials don't have to disclose yet how six firms were selected to participate in the $120 million Tennessee Small Business Investment Company Credit Act. Chancellor Russell Perkins' ruling Tuesday was the result of an open records lawsuit filed by a man whose company was not selected.
"
TN: Savings dent outpaced by health care increases
From: feeds.stateline.org
"Health care costs, already rising more than twice the rate of inflation, could increase this year at an even faster pace, according to officials with Tennessee's biggest health insurer.
"
TX: Friedman loss means he's faltered three ways as candidate
From: feeds.stateline.org
"The Associated Press has declared Hank Gilbert the Democratic nominee for agriculture commissioner, forecasting that Gilbert will defeat Kinky Friedman for that opportunity. For Gilbert, it's a chance to run afresh against Republican Todd Staples, who beat Gilbert to win the commissioner's spot in 2006. For Friedman, the loss amounts to the third time he's lost an election — in each case running under a different banner.
"
TX: Gilbert beats Friedman to become Democrats' ag commissioner nominee
From: feeds.stateline.org
"East Texas rancher Hank Gilbert roped in the Democratic nomination for agriculture commissioner Tuesday, beating author-musician Kinky Friedman in an unusually lively primary race.
"
US: Senator relents, and jobless bill passes
From: feeds.stateline.org
"WASHINGTON — The Senate ended a politically charged impasse over unemployment pay on Tuesday night, voting to allow jobless Americans in danger of exhausting their benefits another month of aid.
"
UT: More uninsured Utahns will die without health reform, report says
From: feeds.stateline.org
"As some well-insured members of the Legislature swear an oath to sooner die than go along with any federal health care reform, a study released Tuesday projects that in the next decade, 1,200 uninsured Utahns will literally die without it.
"
UT: Corroon to guv -- Cut your pay; guv to Corroon -- Cut yours
From: feeds.stateline.org
"Before Gov. Gary Herbert slashes the state budget, he should slash his own salary.
"
UT: Report -- Keep DU out of Utah
From: feeds.stateline.org
"Depleted uranium from a government cleanup in South Carolina is too radioactive and contains fission waste that should not be buried in Utah, says a new report from technical experts working with the Healthy Environment Alliance of Utah.
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VA: McDonnell proposes budget compromises
From: feeds.stateline.org
"Gov. Bob McDonnell is offering a way for House and Senate budget negotiators to align their diverging budget-balancing plans, including the Senate eliminating what he calls unrealistic revenue presumptions.
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VA: Norfolk residential assessments will fall by 4.9 percent
From: feeds.stateline.org
"Led by steep declines on pricey homes in Ocean View, downtown and Larchmont, residential real estate assessments will fall by 4.9 percent. Overall assessments, including commercial and industrial property, will decline 3.6 percent, Real Estate Assessor Deborah Bunn told the City Council on Tuesday."
WA: 4 contractor groups to bid on $1B Seattle tunnel
From: feeds.stateline.org
"SEATTLE -- The state Transportation Department has asked the four contractor groups interested in digging a $1 billion tunnel along the Seattle waterfront to submit a draft version of their proposals.
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WA: Wetland bank approved by state
From: feeds.stateline.org
"An old cattle pasture in the Vancouver Lake lowlands will become an ecologically rich wetland — and, not coincidentally, a lucrative source of income for the private company transforming the 154-acre property at the Port of Vancouver.
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WA: Bill would let Seattle regulate town cars and limousines
From: feeds.stateline.org
"State lawmakers inched one step closer this week to granting the city of Seattle long-sought authority to crack down on for-hire town car drivers who illegally operate without licenses or insurance and put consumers at risk.
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WA: Third budget plan cuts exemptions
From: feeds.stateline.org
"State House Democrats want to raise about $760 million in taxes by shrinking a long list of tax exemptions and collecting more money from smokers, lawyers, accountants and out-of-state businesses.
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WA: Nearly 200,000 vehicles crossed from Wash. to Canada during Olympics
From: feeds.stateline.org
"During the Olympics in Vancouver, nearly 200,000 vehicles crossed the border into Canada from Washington State, according to the state Department of Transportation, which monitored the crossings.
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WA: Northwest at risk of megaquake like one in Chile
From: feeds.stateline.org
"LOS ANGELES -- Just 50 miles off the Pacific Northwest coast is an earthquake hotspot that threatens to unleash on Seattle, Portland and Vancouver the kind of damage that has shattered Chile.
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WA: Job numbers grow for the first time since late '08
From: feeds.stateline.org
"Washington's January jobs numbers, reported Tuesday by the state Employment Security Department, were the most promising in a long time: 12,400 net new payroll jobs, the first increase since November 2008 and the biggest one-month gain in nearly three years.
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WI: Talgo says no to Janesville
From: feeds.stateline.org
"JANESVILLE, Wisc. -- Despite what could be unprecedented incentives from the city of Janesville, a Spanish train maker has ruled out the city for its Wisconsin manufacturing operation and 50 to 60 jobs.
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WI: Bill designed to encourage buying local food
From: feeds.stateline.org
"State agencies that spend more than $25,000 a year on food would be encouraged to buy that food from sellers in Wisconsin under a bill up for public hearing.
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WI: Senate approves scalping bill sought by Brewers
From: feeds.stateline.org
"The Wisconsin Senate has approved a bill designed to help the Milwaukee Brewers discourage ticket scalpers who bother fans on their way to games.
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WI: Train plant in Milwaukee may yield more benefits
From: feeds.stateline.org
"The decision by Spanish train maker Talgo to locate its first U.S. assembly plant at the former Tower Automotive site on Milwaukee's north side will have a bigger payoff than the 125 jobs it will create, a company executive and public officials said Tuesday.
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WI: State's economy suffers as new car sales plummet
From: feeds.stateline.org
"The numbers are stark: Registrations of new cars and light trucks fell by nearly half in Wisconsin last year compared with a decade earlier, a sudden collapse whose shockwaves are still being felt throughout the state.
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WV: State anti-tobacco programs face budget cuts
From: feeds.stateline.org
"West Virginia has the nation's highest smoking rate, but the state Division of Tobacco Prevention faces budget cuts that would wipe out money for programs that help people quit smoking.
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WV: Bill could lower auto insurance rates, senator says
From: feeds.stateline.org
"State drivers could save a bundle on their auto insurance under a bill passed by the Senate Tuesday, the bill's lead sponsor says.
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WV: Nearly $5.1 million to expand broadband in W.Va.
From: feeds.stateline.org
"Nearly $5.1 million in broadband technology grants will help job seekers across West Virginia and emergency responders and schools in Hardy County.
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WY: Wyoming Weatherization program making progress
From: feeds.stateline.org
"Wyoming's Weatherization Assistance Program crews have weatherized more than 300 homes in Wyoming since July.
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WY: Developmental disabilities program prevails
From: feeds.stateline.org
"The House members of the Wyoming Legislature's Joint Conference Committee on the state budget held their ground this week on the allocation for the developmental disabilities program.
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WY: Senate kills workplace safety bill
From: feeds.stateline.org
"A bill that would have increased employer penalties for workplace safety violations died Tuesday in the Wyoming State Senate.
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WY: Pest control on alert
From: feeds.stateline.org
"Wyoming faces the likelihood of a grasshopper outbreak this summer, which would strain the ability of landowners, county districts and governments to pay for combating the destructive insects, pest control officials said Tuesday.
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WY: SourceGas seeks $7.4M rate hike
From: feeds.stateline.org
"SourceGas Distribution LLC filed a request with the Wyoming Public Service Commission last week asking to raise rates for its 77,250 customers across Wyoming.
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Visit the Stateline.org Economy & Business Page
From: feeds.stateline.org
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