AK: Campaign finance bill has tough road ahead before election
From: feeds.stateline.org
"A bill that would require corporations to disclose their political expenditures inched forward in Juneau on Monday, but hurdles still remain for the measure even as the 2010 elections loom.
"
AK: Session reaches halfway point
From: feeds.stateline.org
"The 2010 state legislative session is at the halfway mark of its 90-day session. It's unclear just what bills will pass the Legislature before adjournment April 19 besides the budget, which is required.
"
AL: Ala. judge asks state attorney general to say which side of bingo issue he's on
From: feeds.stateline.org
"Alabama's attorney general has legal authority over the governor's antigambling task force and must take a position in court on its efforts to shut down electronic bingo casinos, a judge ruled Monday.
"
AL: Northrop Grumman's withdrawal from tanker race makes Mobile, Gulf Coast business leaders glum
From: feeds.stateline.org
"MOBILE, Ala. -- Disappointment spread quickly through the regions business community Monday after Northrop Grumman Corp. announced it would not bid to build aerial refueling tankers for the U.S. Air Force.
"
AZ: Personal bankruptcies up 45 percent in AZ
From: feeds.stateline.org
"Bankruptcy filings continue to climb this year across Arizona and the Valley while most consumers filed for Chapter 7, which doesn't require any repayment of debt.
"
AZ: Association of tribes opposes land measure
From: feeds.stateline.org
"The nation's largest association of Indian tribes is opposing an Arizona bill that would allow Glendale to block the development of a resort and casino on planned tribal land.
"
CA: Northrop Grumman drops bid for aerial refueling tanker contract
From: feeds.stateline.org
"Northrop Grumman Corp. said Monday that it was dropping out of the race for a $35-billion Pentagon contract to build 179 aerial refueling tankers, leaving its rival Boeing Co. as the sole bidder for one of the largest military contracts in U.S. history.
"
CA: Legislative analyst -- California greenhouse gas law could cost some jobs
From: feeds.stateline.org
"The Legislature's nonpartisan analyst says California's landmark greenhouse gas reduction law could cost jobs in the near term, while its long-term impact is uncertain
"
CA: Wal-Mart settles two environmental lawsuits over planned Perris and Yucca Valley stores
From: feeds.stateline.org
"Wal-Mart Stores Inc. settled two lawsuits over the environmental impact of two proposed stores in California, the Center for Biological Diversity announced Monday. Environmentalists had claimed that the Supercenters did not meet greenhouse-gas emission requirements set by the California Environmental Quality Act.
"
CA: State should restart offshore oil drilling, analyst says
From: feeds.stateline.org
"The state's nonpartisan budget analyst says the state should resume oil drilling off the coast of California. Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger has pushed for limited drilling off the coast of Santa Barbara in what is known as Tranquillon Ridge.
"
CA: Teachers' union gives another $500,000 to roll back corporate tax cuts
From: feeds.stateline.org
"The California Teachers Assn. has donated another $500,000 to the effort to repeal new corporate tax breaks set to go into effect later this year.
"
CO: Consumers filed 1,984 complaints with Colorado AG office
From: feeds.stateline.org
"An alleged appliance-rebate scam out of Grand Junction received more consumer complaints last year than any other concern filed with the state attorney general.
"
CO: Data -- Colorado not cashing in on census
From: feeds.stateline.org
"Colorado ranks as the third-lowest state in the nation in how much money it gets from federal programs based on census demographics.
"
CO: Pinnacol worth as much as $374 million to Colorado
From: feeds.stateline.org
"Pinnacol Assurance is worth as much as $374 million to the state, an analysis by financial services firm Morgan Stanley shows.
"
CO: Sage grouse ruling ruffles feathers of Colorado oil and gas industry
From: feeds.stateline.org
"Colorado oil and gas industry officials Monday were nervously eyeing Friday's decision by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service designating the greater sage grouse as "warranted but precluded" for protection under the Endangered Species Act.
"
CO: After winning concessions, automakers won't lobby against Colorado pro-dealer bill
From: feeds.stateline.org
"General Motors and Chrysler have agreed to stop lobbying against a wildly popular bill speeding through the Colorado Legislature that gives help to their terminated dealers after getting a couple of amendments tacked on to lessen the impact of the legislation, both sides said Monday.
"
CO: Amazon.com to drop Colorado affiliates in response to tax law
From: feeds.stateline.org
"Online retail giant Amazon.com notified web-based affiliates across Colorado on Monday that it is dropping them in response to an eight-day-old state law applying state sales tax to such purchases.
"
CT: Farmland will remain undeveloped under state program
From: feeds.stateline.org
"SEYMOUR, Conn. -- High atop Great Hill, Bomba's Farm harkens back to a time when it was farm stands, not grocery superstores, that provided families with fruits and vegetables, and the meat produced there was truly "farm fresh."
"
CT: Package store owner testifies in favor of Sunday alcohol sales
From: feeds.stateline.org
"Dominic Alaimo has been operating a package store in Enfield for 31 years, and he works long hours at his shop. But Alaimo wants the option to work even harder — opening on Sundays because he says business drives right by his Freshwater Package Store on the 2-mile drive to the Massachusetts border.
"
DE: Meney charged thousands to state card, records show
From: feeds.stateline.org
"George Meney, the state's highest-paid school district superintendent, charged nearly $10,000 for restaurant meals in fiscal years 2007 through 2009, more than half of it at Arner's Restaurant near the district offices, state records show.
"
FL: In Florida, Web operations sprout to report on the Capitol
From: feeds.stateline.org
"Envision a well-financed news organization created by big oil companies. Or big power companies. Or gambling casinos. Or a political party. Or anyone else who could afford the tab. Could they just open up shop in the state capital and become a "news" organization? Absolutely. And you wouldn't necessarily know if they had done so.
"
FL: Broward schools seek new teachers -- in New York
From: feeds.stateline.org
"``TEACH near the BEACH!'' read the education jobs posting in the Feb. 28 edition of The New York Times. The ad was for the Broward school district, which is recruiting teachers this week -- in New York City. Yes, this is the same district that laid off nearly 400 teachers last summer and faces another budget shortfall that could result in more lost jobs this year.
"
FL: Crist defends Glades deal
From: feeds.stateline.org
"Gov. Charlie Crist fired back Monday at critics who pummeled him for a $536 million Everglades land deal that they describe as a giveaway to U.S. Sugar Corp.
"
FL: Obama headed to Florida in April to talk NASA
From: feeds.stateline.org
"WASHINGTON — Facing opposition from Florida politicians, President Barack Obama will travel to the state in April to make the case for landmark changes to the space program.
"
FL: More new Florida property insurers in trouble
From: feeds.stateline.org
"Several more small startup property insurers in Florida are headed for insolvency, leaving tens of thousands of homeowners looking for a new company as hurricane season approaches June 1.
"
FL: Sugar deal sparks call for oversight
From: feeds.stateline.org
"With lawmakers already frustrated over a lack of oversight, recent reports on the state's landmark $536 million Everglades agreement with U.S. Sugar Corp. may add momentum for a legislative response in an attempt to prevent a repeat of the controversial deal, a key House lawmaker said Monday.
"
FL: Jackson South hospital could be multimillion-dollar white elephant
From: feeds.stateline.org
"Of all the proposed cuts announced last week for the Jackson Health System, the one with the biggest implications is closing down Jackson South, where a $102-million, four-story addition is 40 percent complete.
"
GA: Another reason to fight tobacco tax hike -- Expensive cigs might lead your kid to switch to pot
From: feeds.stateline.org
"This morning at his weekly press conference, Senate Majority Leader Chip Rogers (R-Woodstock) was drawn into a lengthy discussion about a cigarette tax to help heal the state's increasingly dire budget woes.
"
GA: Opponents of cigarette tax to rally
From: feeds.stateline.org
"Opponents of a possible tax hike on cigarettes will rally on the steps of the Georgia Capitol. The gathering Tuesday is sponsored by Altria, the owner Philip Morris — the nation's largest tobacco company.
"
GA: House passes tax extension to keep Falcons downtown
From: feeds.stateline.org
"The Georgia House passed legislation Monday that's viewed as critical to negotiations to keep the Atlanta Falcons playing in downtown Atlanta. The bill, by Rep. Mark Burkhalter (R-Johns Creek), would extend the expiration of Fulton County's hotel/motel tax from the current 2020 to 2050. It passed 151 to 13, with little debate.
"
HI: House budget plan trims $41M
From: feeds.stateline.org
"House lawmakers completed their first attempt at closing a $1.2 billion budget deficit, passing a supplemental operating budget that trims $41 million from the governor's proposed spending plan.
"
HI: Bills would cut $112M in tax breaks
From: feeds.stateline.org
"Tax exemptions worth an estimated $56 million would be chopped if the Legislature adopts a plan already approved by the state House.
"
HI: House OKs $10 billion budget
From: feeds.stateline.org
"The state House yesterday approved a $10 billion state budget for the fiscal year starting July 1 that is $41.2 million less than Gov. Linda Lingle requested.
"
HI: Stalled bills to restrict Hawaii shark tours could still resurface
From: feeds.stateline.org
"Efforts to limit or halt shark-viewing tours in the Islands through legislation have stalled in the Legislature, but the proposed bills are not dead and may resurface in the weeks to come.
"
HI: Hawaii's public worker furloughs hike costs as services deteriorate
From: feeds.stateline.org
"Costs are going up and state services are going down, as the fallout from layoffs and furloughs continues to settle across government agencies responsible for everything from food and rabies inspections to issuance of birth and death certificates.
"
IA: Iowa group wants cuts in tax credits
From: feeds.stateline.org
"A newly formed coalition of consumer and labor groups is calling on lawmakers to cut more than $50 million in state spending on business tax credits.
"
IA: Brief break predicted for film incentives
From: feeds.stateline.org
"Incentives for new film projects will likely take a one- or two-year break, two key state senators said Monday.
"
ID: Idaho Lottery waits for $1 million winner to show
From: feeds.stateline.org
"The Idaho Lottery is still waiting for the winner of a $1 million Powerball ticket to realize their new found wealth.
"
ID: Lawmaker's plan would put school spending online
From: feeds.stateline.org
"A state lawmaker's plan to make public education spending more transparent would require Idaho school districts to upload their checkbooks online.
"
ID: Lawmakers eschew sweeping immigration reforms for small pieces of legislation
From: feeds.stateline.org
"Illegal immigration is one of the most popular topics in the Legislature, with multiple bills introduced in each of the last four years.
"
ID: House tax committee backs credit expansion
From: feeds.stateline.org
"The House Revenue and Taxation Committee on Monday unanimously backed a bill that would expand the income tax credit for those giving to public schools and some state agencies.
"
ID: Parks and Recreation begins on path toward self-sufficiency
From: feeds.stateline.org
"Sand-boarding concessionaires and ATV riding at southern Idaho's Bruneau Sand Dunes State Park are among cash-boosting ideas that may help the Idaho Department of Parks and Recreation achieve more self-sufficiency, its director said Monday after budget writers set her $30.4 million 2011 budget.
"
ID: Idaho governor says he'll woo Washington businesses turned off by tax increases
From: feeds.stateline.org
"Idaho Gov. C.L. "Butch" Otter put out a "love letter" today to businesses in Washington and Oregon, saying Idaho would love to woo any of them turned off by their homes states' tax increases.
"
IL: Mostly smooth transition following bank's failure
From: feeds.stateline.org
"NORMAL, Ill. -- Customer Ed Houchens walked into the former uptown headquarters of the Bank of Illinois Monday morning, curious to see if some of his favorite employees survived the bank's failure and abrupt transition to new management.
"
IL: Ameren customers urged to take action against rate hike
From: feeds.stateline.org
"PEORIA, Ill. -- State Rep. Jehan Gordon joined with the Citizens Utility Board and AARP Monday to urge Ameren Illinois Utilities customers to take action to try to stop a proposed $130 million rate hike by the company.
"
IL: Illinois sees increase in undercapitalized banks
From: feeds.stateline.org
"Illinois had 16 undercapitalized banks as of December 31, ranging from $3.77 billion-asset Amcore Bank of Rockford to $77 million-asset Citizens Bank & Trust of Chicago, according to a recently released report.
"
IL: Census means billions for Chicago area
From: feeds.stateline.org
"Underscoring arguments for strong participation in this year's census, a new report details the billions of dollars that Illinois and the Chicago region have received in federal funds tied to the previous count.
"
IN: 4th casino files for bankruptcy protection
From: feeds.stateline.org
"Centaur Gaming, the parent company of the Hoosier Park horse track casino in Anderson, announced Monday it would file for bankruptcy reorganization but vowed to continue its gambling operations without interruption.
"
KS: Prairie fires create a heated debate
From: feeds.stateline.org
"The annual torching of the Flint Hills has ranchers and environmentalists at odds, with government officials caught in between.
"
KS: Statehouse Live -- Insurance proposal considered by committee
From: feeds.stateline.org
"A Republican legislator on Monday said his bill allowing small business owners to offer workers money to buy their own health insurance will increase the number of people with insurance coverage.
"
KS: Senate considering bill to allow victims of child pornography to sue for damages
From: feeds.stateline.org
"A Kansas Senate committee is considering a bill allowing victims to sue producers, promoters and users of child pornography.
"
KS: Kansas ready to pass out grants so local governments can improve energy efficiency
From: feeds.stateline.org
"Kansas will award $3 million in grants to cities and counties so that they can make their public buildings more energy efficient.
"
LA: State awards health contract to Blue Cross
From: feeds.stateline.org
"The state's Office of Group Benefits awarded a contract to Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Louisiana, a move that will add up to 200 jobs in Louisiana, the insurer said Monday.
"
LA: Rethinking the economy
From: feeds.stateline.org
"Political heavyweights — including LSU, Southern University and the Baton Rouge Area Chamber — have completed a $145,000 blueprint for making Baton Rouge a region known for innovative companies.
"
LA: State is cutting at-risk youth services
From: feeds.stateline.org
"Truancy prevention, summer-school programs for at-risk youth and tax-preparation help for low-income people are among the programs the state Department of Social Services is planning to eliminate as it tries to shrink its budget in the upcoming fiscal year.
"
MA: Deval Patrick makes Mass. pitch at GoingGreen event
From: feeds.stateline.org
"Gov. Deval Patrick has called on top executives from the nation's clean technology businesses to help make Massachusetts the industry's national leader.
"
MA: Trail of unpaid bills could cloud Mihos's image as fiscal watchdog
From: feeds.stateline.org
"In his second campaign for governor, businessman Christy Mihos characterizes himself as a watchdog of taxpayers' money. Yet the multimillionaire Republican is struggling with financial troubles: A bank rejected his company's request for a line of credit, and he's bounced multiple checks and repeatedly failed to pay business suppliers and political staffers.
"
MA: State orders handrail review
From: feeds.stateline.org
"The state Transportation Department has launched an internal review of possible design flaws in Big Dig handrails that have been linked to the deaths of seven motorists.
"
MD: Counties face more cutting as state income tax payments fall
From: feeds.stateline.org
"The latest state income tax payments to local governments fell $61.8 million year over year, piling new fiscal woes atop budgets already reeling from state cuts, high snow removal costs and earlier revenue declines.
"
MD: Right time for private schools?
From: feeds.stateline.org
"Since 2006, state Sen. Ed DeGrange has tried to create a tax credit for businesses and nonprofit groups that make contributions to certain private and public school initiatives, like scholarships.
"
ME: Bill clarifies Maine wine-tasting law
From: feeds.stateline.org
"A bill to address oversights in Maine's wine-tasting law that was passed last year is now working its way through the Legislature.
"
ME: Smaller firms exempt in new sick days bill
From: feeds.stateline.org
"Proponents of legislation that would require employers to offer workers paid sick days have amended the bill to exempt smaller businesses and to reduce the number of sick days employees can earn each year.
"
MI: Blue Care Network halts plan to buy HMO
From: feeds.stateline.org
"Blue Care Network, a Detroit HMO and subsidiary of the state's largest insurer, has ended plans to buy a large Lansing-area HMO network from Sparrow Health System, the companies announced today.
"
MI: Lawmakers look for way to afford 'Pure Michigan' tourism ad campaign
From: feeds.stateline.org
"Casey Jourden says the Pure Michigan TV ads -- those dreamy, 30-second promos of vacation splendor -- boosted business at least 10% at her new campground near Muskegon last year, even drawing travelers from the East and West coasts.
"
MN: Sophisticated Minnesota fraud ring has global tentacles
From: feeds.stateline.org
"A joint state and federal task force has been quietly targeting what investigators say is a sophisticated organized crime ring in the Twin Cities with about 200 members who have allegedly stolen identities, taken over bank and credit card accounts, distributed counterfeit checks and currency and defrauded businesses and banks nationwide.
"
MO: MoDOT sells 21 parcels for $678,000
From: feeds.stateline.org
"Missouri transportation officials have generated more than half a million dollars for more road projects by selling off property.
"
MO: Conservationists worry about Mo. med school plan
From: feeds.stateline.org
"JOPLIN, Mo. -- Conservationists are unhappy about Missouri Southern State University's plan to build a medical school on 40 acres of native prairie land.
"
MS: Mississippians drank more liquor, cheaper brands in 2009
From: feeds.stateline.org
"Mississippians may be drinking as much as they ever have, but they aren't drinking the good stuff.
"
MS: Ex-NASA official pleads guilty
From: feeds.stateline.org
"Liam Sarsfield, a former chief deputy engineer in Washington, D.C., controlled a $1.5 million fund and designed contracts that wouldn't have to be put out for bid. He steered the contracts where he wanted them to go, including to Mississippi State University and a company in Ohio, prosecutors said Monday.
"
MS: Official -- Toyota production still on hold
From: feeds.stateline.org
"Toyota officials on Monday denied a Japanese newspaper's report that the automaker's Blue Springs plant could start production next summer.
"
MT: Wind lobby -- Restricting federal grant money will hurt development of power projects
From: feeds.stateline.org
"A national wind-power lobby says a proposal by Sen. Jon Tester, D-Mont., and others requiring recipients of federal clean-energy grants to use "made-in-America" parts will slow project development and end up costing jobs in Montana.
"
MT: Tea Party leaders urge Montana lawmakers to cut $500M a year in next Legislature
From: feeds.stateline.org
"Tea Party leaders in Montana have some advice for lawmakers when they come to town for next year's 2011 Legislature: Try to cut general fund spending by about $1 billion.
"
NC: Legislature begins review of ABC system
From: feeds.stateline.org
"A legislative committee examining whether changes should be made to how North Carolina sells liquor will hold its first meeting by reviewing an earlier study by General Assembly researchers.
"
ND: ND leads nation in honey production again
From: feeds.stateline.org
"FARGO, N.D. -- North Dakota leads the nation in honey production for the sixth consecutive year.
"
NE: DOJ -- Neb. voting machine maker must sell some assets
From: feeds.stateline.org
"WASHINGTON - The Justice Department said Monday it will require the biggest voting machine company in the country to sell off key assets following a merger that left the firm in control of more than 70 percent of U.S. voting equipment systems.
"
NE: Nebraska tax revenues fall 2 percent short in February
From: feeds.stateline.org
"Even a lower forecast of state tax receipts didn't help the state revenue department's February report. It showed Nebraska's net sales taxes, individual and corporate income and miscellaneous taxes down in February about 2 percent below the new projections.
"
NH: Company's purchase of N.H. college could earn it $1 billion
From: feeds.stateline.org
"ITT Educational Services Inc. paid $20.8 million for debt-ridden Daniel Webster College in June. In return, the company obtained an academic credential that may generate a taxpayer-funded bonanza worth as much as $1 billion.
"
NJ: NJ Transit's payroll grows 24 percent in three years, report says
From: feeds.stateline.org
"NJ Transit's payroll increased 24 percent from 2006 to 2009, much faster than the rate of inflation, according to a report in The Asbury Park Press.
"
NJ: Green programs face budget cuts
From: feeds.stateline.org
"Planning to put solar panels on your roof or recycle that old refrigerator?
"
NJ: Lesniack revises bill to ease affordable-housing rules
From: feeds.stateline.org
"State Sen. Ray Lesniak unveiled yesterday a revised version of his bill to abolish the Council on Affordable Housing, as a meeting by a Senate committee to vote on the proposal was delayed a week.
"
NM: Law allows drivers to renew licenses online
From: feeds.stateline.org
"New Mexicans will be able to renew their driver's licenses online or over the phone, thanks to two bills signed into law Monday by Gov. Bill Richardson.
"
NM: Governor mulls food tax veto
From: feeds.stateline.org
"Gov. Bill Richardson said Monday that he's considering whether he can reject a proposed tax on food using his line-item veto powers.
"
NM: State budget gives AG more muscle to pursue fraud
From: feeds.stateline.org
"Attorney General Gary King would get extra muscle to go after taxpayer money lost to fraud, if Gov. Bill Richardson signs a state budget the Legislature passed last week.
"
NV: Private schools -- Fending off an exodus of students
From: feeds.stateline.org
"Even as public schools are reeling from state budget cuts, private and parochial schools in the Las Vegas Valley are confronting their own financial struggles, with recession-slammed parents struggling to make tuition payments.
"
NV: Governor to veto bill requiring state offices be closed on Friday
From: feeds.stateline.org
"Gov. Jim Gibbons is going to veto a bill that would require state workers to put in 10-hour days and for state offices to be closed on Friday.
"
NV: Harry Reid, John Ensign work to reclaim rurals' geothermal revenue
From: feeds.stateline.org
"Nevada's congressional delegation is scrambling to try to reverse a 5-month-old change in federal appropriations that is costing some of the state's rural counties hundreds of thousands of dollars each month.
"
NV: Gibbons to veto furlough bill
From: feeds.stateline.org
"Gov. Jim Gibbons will veto a bill tightening furloughs for state workers and instead try to enact most of the provisions of SB3 through executive order and regulations, his administration said Monday.
"
NV: Nevada's jobless rate remains at 13 percent
From: feeds.stateline.org
"As if Nevada's unemployment rate wasn't high enough, fresh statistics show even bigger job woes for specific demographic groups.
"
NY: Testing process gets look
From: feeds.stateline.org
"Board of Regents member James Dawson said Monday that New York's system of administering student tests has so many moving parts and so many people and organizations involved that "if we were Visa corporation, we would have been out of business a long time ago."
"
OH: State could lose plenty if you don't complete census
From: feeds.stateline.org
"If ever there were a reason for filling out the U.S. Census form, here it is: It's attached to billions of dollars in federal money.
"
OH: Census targets $2B a year here
From: feeds.stateline.org
"Greater Cincinnati and Northern Kentucky annually receives more than $2.1 billion in federal aid distributed based on census statistics, according to a report to be released today.
"
OH: Keno sales reported on rise
From: feeds.stateline.org
"The Ohio Lottery's Keno game is finally edging closer to profit projections after lagging far behind expectations for a year and a half, the lottery director said yesterday.
"
OK: Federal gun laws targeted by Brogdon
From: feeds.stateline.org
"Oklahoma could be headed for a showdown with the federal government over firearms regulation and the scope of interstate commerce. A bill that passed the state Senate last week asserts exemption from federal regulation for guns and ammunition manufactured, sold and used in Oklahoma. It is similar to one adopted by Montana last year.
"
OK: Grocery store bill passes Oklahoma House
From: feeds.stateline.org
"A bill intended to encourage neighborhood grocery stores passed the Oklahoma House of Representatives by a vote of 95-0 on Monday.
"
OR: Oregon, California nurseries sue South Carolina over regulation blocking shipment of plants
From: feeds.stateline.org
"Nurseries in Oregon and California teamed up to file a lawsuit in U.S. District Court Monday, seeking to overturn a new regulation they say unfairly blocks shipments of their plants to South Carolina.
"
OR: Where clouds displace forests
From: feeds.stateline.org
"PRINEVILLE, Ore. — The rumble of backhoes and bulldozers on the outskirts of this city of 10,000 is sweet music to a municipality that has lost hundreds of blue- and white-collar jobs in the recession. With a combination of cheap power and favorable climate, Prineville is joining the region's new gold rush: housing electronic data.
"
PA: Pennsylvania's mayors seeking help in raising revenue
From: feeds.stateline.org
"Mayors of small and medium-sized Pennsylvania cities say the Legislature must allow them to raise new tax revenue to prevent more of them from falling into financial crisis.
"
PA: Municipal leaders ask state for more revenue sources
From: feeds.stateline.org
"City and municipal officials from around the state came here today to urge the Legislature to grant them new revenue-raising options to pay for municipal services, such as reimbursing them for tax-exempt property within their borders.
"
PA: Ralph Nader chimes in on Bonusgate
From: feeds.stateline.org
"Former third-party presidential candidate Ralph Nader Monday urged state Attorney General Tom Corbett to file charges against attorneys who "knowingly joined or aided" in the Bonusgate government corruption trial, including at least one attorney from Pittsburgh-based Reed Smith LLP.
"
PA: Defense witnesses begin testifying in Bonusgate trial
From: feeds.stateline.org
"The first sitting lawmaker to testify in the Bonusgate trial took the stand Monday as the defense began to make its case that former state Rep. Mike Veon and three former aides committed no crimes.
"
RI: Pepper recalled as part of salmonella investigation
From: feeds.stateline.org
"The two distributors that supplied pepper to Daniele Inc., the Burrillville salami-maker, have recalled several lots of both black and red pepper, as a complex multi-agency investigation points ever more surely toward pepper as the source of a nationwide salmonella outbreak.
"
RI: Caprio -- No casino bailout
From: feeds.stateline.org
"On the eve of a critical State House hearing on the fate of the bankrupt Twin River slot parlor, General Treasurer Frank T. Caprio had this advice for state lawmakers: "No big bailout for big banks."
"
SD: SD tax refunds still debated
From: feeds.stateline.org
"The House and Senate will take up different proposals to bring in more state revenue by reworking a tax refund system for large construction projects like ethanol plants or wind farms.
"
SD: Tax revenue down but encouraging
From: feeds.stateline.org
"Sales tax receipts for South Dakota were down almost 4 percent in the first eight months of the fiscal year compared to the same period last year, but there are signs the economy is stabilizing, a state economist told lawmakers Monday.
"
TN: Chimp e-mail could hurt Tennessee tourism industry
From: feeds.stateline.org
"With national attention focused on an e-mail sent by a Nashville hospitality executive comparing First Lady Michelle Obama to a chimpanzee, Tennessee's tourism industry has started to feel the fallout.
"
TN: Carmike alcohol bill goes to governor
From: feeds.stateline.org
"A bill allowing wine and liquor sales in downtown Chattanooga's recently opened Carmike Majestic 12 theater is on its way to Gov. Phil Bredesen for his consideration.
"
TX: Data app -- homeland $ecurity
From: feeds.stateline.org
"Loving County has sure gotten its money's worth in federal homeland security grants. The remote West Texas county spent $48,000 from 2003 to 2008 on radio equipment, government records show, but that amounts to more than $1,100 for each of its 42 residents — a per-capita ratio much higher than any other local government in the state. Compare that with Harris County, for example, which received less than $6 for each resident.
"
TX: Economy in Texas shows better stats
From: feeds.stateline.org
"Texas job creation and sales tax revenues may be inching in the right direction, experts said Monday, but state budget writers still face a massive shortfall expected to be swelled further by higher-than-projected Medicaid caseloads.
"
US: Are unemployment benefits no longer temporary?
From: feeds.stateline.org
"Millions of Americans have been forced to rely on unemployment payments for extended periods as the nation struggles through its longest period of high joblessness in a generation, and critics are taking aim, saying that the Depression-era program created as a temporary bridge for laid-off workers is turning into an expensive entitlement.
"
US: More states propose Internet sales taxes
From: feeds.stateline.org
"Jeremy Bray received an e-mail message this morning with an unwelcome surprise: Amazon.com told him it had canceled its affiliate program, which provides small payments for referring customers, for everyone in the state of Colorado.
"
US: State insurance experts see flaw in Obama's plan to curb health premiums
From: feeds.stateline.org
"WASHINGTON — At the heart of President Obama's drive to rein in health costs is a proposal for federal review and regulation of health insurance premiums, with a new agency empowered to block excessive rate increases.
"
US: Public pension funds are adding risk to raise returns
From: feeds.stateline.org
"States and companies have started investing very differently when it comes to the billions of dollars they are safeguarding for workers' retirement.
"
UT: Bill to halt investments in Iran squeaks through Utah House
From: feeds.stateline.org
"A bill to block future investing of state retirement dollars in Iran's petroleum industry narrowly passed the House Monday in a 39-34 vote.
"
UT: Utah Senate votes to grade U.S. senators
From: feeds.stateline.org
"The Utah Senate continued its sessionlong pursuit of states' rights Monday by passing a bill that would seek to rein in U.S. senators who otherwise might ignore the state government's wishes.
"
UT: Utah Legislature -- Bill banning lobbyist gifts over $10 passes House
From: feeds.stateline.org
"As promised by House Speaker Dave Clark, the House Monday afternoon adopted a new rule that says the speaker will publicly disclose any lobbyist-paid-for trip a representative takes.
"
UT: Utah Legislature -- States' rights bills under scrutiny
From: feeds.stateline.org
"While the two dozen or so states' rights bills making their way through the Utah Legislature put the state in league with a national trend, what's to be gained by the efforts, and at what cost, remains a topic of debate.
"
VA: Va. Senate panel kills bill that would shield business from asbestos lawsuits
From: feeds.stateline.org
"RICHMOND, Va. -- A Virginia Senate committee on Monday killed a proposal championed by House Speaker William J. Howell that would have helped protect a Fortune 500 company from asbestos lawsuits.
"
VA: Dominion Resources expects 1,000 employees to accept buyouts
From: feeds.stateline.org
"Dominion Resources Inc. wants to reduce its work force by about 6 percent through buyouts.
"
VA: Thousands line up to seek jobs
From: feeds.stateline.org
"An estimated 7,000 people battled heavy traffic and long lines to attend a job fair with federal agencies yesterday in Stafford County. "There's an intense interest," said Kevin Hall, a spokesman for U.S. Sen. Mark Warner, who hosted the fair at the University of Mary Washington's College of Graduate and Professional Studies off U.S. 17.
"
VT: Conditions get Vermont's maple syrup producers off to a sweet start
From: feeds.stateline.org
"New techniques and bolstered enthusiasm boosted Vermont's maple syrup output last year. This year, ideal weather — cold nights and warm days — has created conditions for a healthy start for the sugaring season.
"
WA: Is there hope for Heritage Center?
From: feeds.stateline.org
"The troubled Heritage Center project was on the cusp of getting financial help Monday after the Senate Ways and Means Committee heard a bill to enact an $8 surcharge on recording fees for mortgage transfers by financial institutions.
"
WA: Boeing, now alone in tanker bidding, must figure the right price
From: feeds.stateline.org
"Northrop Grumman walked away from the $40 billion Air Force refueling-tanker competition Monday, drawing a widely criticized and nearly decadelong procurement process close to an outright Boeing victory.
"
WI: UWM wants more time on Tosa land deal
From: feeds.stateline.org
"The University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee says it needs more time to buy a Milwaukee County Grounds parcel in Wauwatosa, where the university and its partners plan to develop a science research facility, technology-based business park and other buildings.
"
WI: Companies ready to do some hiring
From: feeds.stateline.org
"At least one leading indicator in metro Milwaukee, which hemorrhaged jobs in the last two years, suggests that employers are prepared to begin hiring.
"
WV: Officials say bill will not save jobs
From: feeds.stateline.org
"Incumbent U.S. Rep. Shelley Moore Capito and two other Republicans seeking to oust her West Virginia Democratic colleagues in the House say those Democrats haven't been forceful enough in standing up for coal jobs against the Environmental Protection Agency.
"
WV: W.Va. lawmakers target video raffles with bill
From: feeds.stateline.org
"West Virginia lawmakers are moving toward outlawing the video version of raffle games.
"
WV: EPA chief -- Mountaintop-removal guidelines coming soon
From: feeds.stateline.org
"U.S. Environmental Protection Agency Administrator Lisa P. Jackson said Monday her agency is not seeking to halt mountaintop removal, but will "try to minimize, if not end, any environmental degradation to the water" caused by the practice.
"
WV: W.Va. career centers to get computers, broadband access
From: feeds.stateline.org
"West Virginia is getting $1.9 million in federal economic stimulus money to replace computers and expand technology at 20 workforce training career centers.
"
WY: Legislative Service Office offers stats on legislative session
From: feeds.stateline.org
"With the sound of a gavel, the Wyoming Legislature wrapped up the 2010 Budget Session Friday at the State Capitol in Cheyenne.
"
WY: Stimulus money prompts 59 Wyo highway construction projects, report says
From: feeds.stateline.org
"There are currently 59 American Recovery & Reinvestment Act-financed highway construction projects underway or completed in Wyoming involving $153.4 million in funds, according to data released by the Washington, D.C.-based American Road & Transportation Builders Association.
"
WY: Report criticizes Wyoming victim services
From: feeds.stateline.org
"Wyoming's Victim Services Division collected only a quarter of the restitution costs ordered in criminal cases last year and failed to adequately implement a statewide victim services plan, according to a legislative report.
"
WY: Wyo Supreme Court upholds coal-plant permit
From: feeds.stateline.org
"The Wyoming Supreme Court has ruled in favor of the state's decision to authorize the Dry Fork Station coal-fired power plant, now nearing completion near Gillette.
"
WY: Gov. Dave Freudenthal, First Lady to visit Australia
From: feeds.stateline.org
"Gov. Dave Freudenthal and First Lady Nancy Freudenthal will visit Queensland, Australia, next week to study coal issues in the region, which shares several economic similarities with Wyoming, according to a release from the Governor's office.
"
Smokers beware
From: feeds.stateline.org
"TODAY'S TAKE: Sixteen states raised their cigarette taxes last year to generate more revenue, and the trend shows few signs of slowing down in 2010. Georgia, Kansas, South Carolina and Utah are among the states that could force smokers to pay more as they try to balance their budgets.
"
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.
