Unemployment: A lost decade for 12 states
From: feeds.stateline.org
"TODAY’S TAKE: California has fewer people in its workforce today than it did in 1999. For Alabama and Indiana, 1993 is the last time the employment ranks were so thin. And for Michigan — unquestionably the nation’s hardest-hit state in terms of unemployment — 4.1 million people have jobs today. That’s the smallest total since August of 1987, when Ronald Reagan was president.
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AK: House carves gas line funds out of budget
From: feeds.stateline.org
"Legislative opponents of Trans-Canada Corp.'s state-backed natural gas pipeline project stripped much of the money Gov. Sean Parnell has sought for the state's role in pushing it forward from the budget adopted by the House Finance Committee on Tuesday.
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AK: Pipeline operators go with the flow
From: feeds.stateline.org
"Trans-Alaska pipeline engineers say they are confident they can keep the pipeline on which Alaska depends flowing despite declining throughput.
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AL: House panel OKs bill limiting imposter musical performers
From: feeds.stateline.org
"A bill aimed making sure that Alabama residents who buy tickets to a musical concert actually get to see and hear at least one original member of the group has moved to within one step of final passage in the Legislature.
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AL: Senate Democrats propose tax cuts
From: feeds.stateline.org
"Democrats in the Alabama Senate plan to introduce several bills today as part of their new agenda to help Alabama businesses and families, which they said is vital considering the current economy. The proposals include two tax cuts, a state fee cut and investments in the state's housing market.
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AL: Riley signs Redstone development bill into law
From: feeds.stateline.org
"Gov. Bob Riley has cleared the way for construction to begin this spring on a proposed $1 billion office park at Redstone Arsenal.
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AL: Alabama AG says he had 'very good conversation' with governor about bingo
From: feeds.stateline.org
"Attorney General Troy King said he had a "very good conversation" with Gov. Bob Riley this afternoon about electronic bingo but declined to say what he will do with the governor's gambling task force.
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AL: House ban could affect Alabama earmarks
From: feeds.stateline.org
"WASHINGTON -- The congressional practice of steering public money to hometown for-profit companies, especially popular in Alabama's defense-related industries, was banned Wednesday by the U.S. House committee that writes the federal budget.
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AR: State unemployment remains at 7.6 percent
From: feeds.stateline.org
"Arkansas' unemployment rate remained at 7.6 in January for the second month in a row, labor statistics released today show.
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AR: Entergy forecasts lower residential electric bills
From: feeds.stateline.org
"Residential customers of Entergy Arkansas can expect lower electric rates this year even though Entergy is seeking an increase in base rates, the company said today.
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AZ: Failed real-estate venture turns investors into accidental landlords
From: feeds.stateline.org
"Throughout the 1990s, Phoenix-based Right Place Properties had a solid reputation as a boutique developer and real-estate brokerage.
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AZ: Arizona near bottom in Lottery ticket sales, auditor general says
From: feeds.stateline.org
"Arizona ranks near the bottom of per-capita lottery ticket sales compared with other states with similar games, according to a new audit.
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CA: Unemployment tops 20% in eight California counties
From: feeds.stateline.org
"For many California areas, unemployment rates moved persistently higher in January, indicating that the national economic recovery hasn't yet translated into jobs for the Golden State.
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CA: Cal rated worst state on tax administration
From: feeds.stateline.org
"California has the nation's worst state tax administration practices, the Council on State Taxation, a corporate-backed and Washington-based tax study organization, says in a new report
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CA: The Buzz -- Ted Costa, who pushed to suspend AB 32, now opposes effort
From: feeds.stateline.org
"A leader in pushing for a ballot initiative to suspend Assembly Bill 32, California's landmark greenhouse-gas emissions law, said Wednesday he now opposes the effort and is willing to write a ballot argument against it.
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CO: Battle brewing over online sales tax
From: feeds.stateline.org
"Colorado lawmakers recently decided to impose an online sales tax, a move that is generating a battle in Denver and highlighting the pressure states face to find new revenues.
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CO: Planned Parenthood presses Colorado lawmakers to support maternity coverage
From: feeds.stateline.org
"Planned Parenthood of the Rockies staff and supporters descended on the capitol today as part of an annual effort to lobby lawmakers.
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CO: Colo. public schools need $18 billion in construction and maintenance, report finds
From: feeds.stateline.org
"Colorado's 8,419 public-school buildings need almost $18 billion worth of construction work, energy upgrades and overall maintenance, according to a statewide facilities assessment.
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CO: Anti-tax protesters gather at capitol
From: feeds.stateline.org
"Hundreds of anti-tax activists gathered outside the state Capitol on Wednesday to protest government spending and taxation.
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CO: Colorado unemployment up slightly, to 7.4%
From: feeds.stateline.org
"Colorado's unemployment rate rose fractionally in January, to 7.4 percent, the Colorado Department of Labor and Employment reported Wednesday.
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CT: CL&P -- Price incentives cut energy use
From: feeds.stateline.org
"For 10 days last summer, 3,000 Connecticut Light & Power used a combination of price incentives and conservation technologies to encourage customers to cut back on air conditioning and other electricity use.
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CT: Long hours, frenetic pace for workers in weeks before Kleen Energy blast
From: feeds.stateline.org
"NEW BRITAIN, Conn. -- Some tradespeople were working up to 90 hours a week at the Kleen Energy construction site in Middletown in the weeks leading up to the Feb. 7 natural-gas explosion, a state labor official told a panel that is looking into the causes of the blast.
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CT: Middletown building official declares 6 major buildings at Kleen Energy power plant unsafe
From: feeds.stateline.org
"MIDDLETOWN, Conn. -- The owners of the Kleen Energy power plant, extensively damaged in a Feb. 7 natural gas explosion that killed six people, face a substantial rebuilding project.
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CT: State Legislature considers extending foreclosure mediation program
From: feeds.stateline.org
"The crown jewel of Connecticut's home mortgage rescue efforts — the state's foreclosure mediation program — is a model for other states and has helped keep 3,400 borrowers in their homes since 2008.
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CT: Blumenthal sues -- Moody's, Standard & Poor's accused of misleading investors
From: feeds.stateline.org
"Attorney General Richard Blumenthal sued two of the nation's most prominent credit rating agencies Wednesday, alleging they misled investors about the soundness of certain types of investments and unfairly reaped hundreds of millions of dollars in revenues.
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DE: Markell pushes for renewable energy in Delaware
From: feeds.stateline.org
"Gov. Jack Markell on Wednesday proposed a 10-year extension of a Delaware law that requires utilities to buy electric power from renewable sources, seeking to spur green manufacturing and help residents afford small-scale solar installations.
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FL: Fla. jobless rate at 11.9 percent
From: feeds.stateline.org
"Florida matched its highest-ever unemployment rate in January at 11.9 percent with 1.1 million Floridians out of work.
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FL: Florida's orange crop will be 2 million boxes bigger than expected, but still down from last year
From: feeds.stateline.org
"The U.S. Department of Agriculture increased its Florida orange crop forecast for the 2009-2010 season by 2 million boxes today. The state's commercial growers are expected to produce 131 million 90-pound boxes of oranges.
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FL: Crist's grand Everglades deal under assault
From: feeds.stateline.org
"WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. — Gov. Charlie Crist's grand plan to revive the dying Florida Everglades by buying back the land, a key part of his legacy, could be on the cusp of collapsing and dealing another blow to his Senate hopes.
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FL: Crist combines bill signing tour on state plane with campaign stop
From: feeds.stateline.org
"Gov. Charlie Crist used the taxpayer-funded state plane Wednesday for a four-city media blitz that promoted a pro-business initiative but ended with a Miami campaign fundraiser.
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FL: High-profile Miami accountant Lewis Freeman pleads guilty to fraud
From: feeds.stateline.org
"Miami accountant Lewis Freeman, who for years garnered the reputation of a trusted civic leader, pleaded guilty Wednesday to a federal fraud charge alleging he embezzled at least $2.6 million from client trust accounts over the past decade.
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FL: Suit tries to recover $1M from Scott Rothstein's wife
From: feeds.stateline.org
"Kim Rothstein, the wife of convicted Ponzi schemer Scott Rothstein, was sued in federal bankruptcy court Wednesday by a team of attorneys trying to recover more than $1 million from the purported shopaholic.
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FL: Grand jury is probing Jackson Health System
From: feeds.stateline.org
"With Jackson executives using end-of-life terms like ``death spiral'' and ``insolvency'' and a grand jury starting to investigate the public health system's problems, Miami-Dade Mayor Carlos Alvarez said Wednesday he would help get Jackson get a short-term loan but demanded its governing body speed up a decision on a recovery plan.
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GA: Lawmakers approve 'culture of conservation' water bill
From: feeds.stateline.org
"A bill that state lawmakers say will create a "culture of conservation" and potentially help douse Georgia's water war with Florida and Alabama is all but a done deal.
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GA: Push to regulate boards of assessors moves forward
From: feeds.stateline.org
"The push to make sure there are no repeats of a scandal in the Bibb County Tax Assessor's Office moved forward Wednesday at the state Capitol.
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HI: Hawaii foreclosures drop
From: feeds.stateline.org
"Hawaii foreclosures dipped in February for the second month in a row since problems began ramping up, but double-digit year-over-year gains suggest that there are still plenty of distressed isle homeowners.
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HI: Budget cuts may be amplifying recession in Hawaii
From: feeds.stateline.org
"State spending cuts significantly have worsened the effects of the global economic downturn in the Islands, according to several Hawai'i economists who spoke to more than 150 advocates, lawmakers and others at the state Capitol yesterday.
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HI: 1 in 6 in Hawaii lacking full-time work
From: feeds.stateline.org
"Nearly one out of every six Hawai'i workers was either unemployed or underemployed last year.
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HI: State sues Lifelock, alleging deception
From: feeds.stateline.org
"The state Office of Consumer Protection has filed an unfair trade practices lawsuit against Lifelock Inc., a national firm that promises to protect its customers from identity theft.
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IA: Iowa part of settlement with LifeLock
From: feeds.stateline.org
"Iowa is part of a settlement with an Arizona-based company that markets identity theft protection services.
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IA: Iowa lawmakers debate film tax-credit issue
From: feeds.stateline.org
"The state's troubled film tax-credit program took center stage again Wednesday with critics questioning its payback value and backers promoting its draw to keep and attract young workers.
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IA: Iowa adds 4,600 jobs in January
From: feeds.stateline.org
"Iowa added 4,600 jobs in January from December, starting the state's "long journey back from a deep and prolonged recession," said Iowa's employment director in a new report today.
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IA: Senate OKs protection for Maid-Rite cooking method
From: feeds.stateline.org
"A restaurant famous for loose-meat sandwiches could continue using its "traditional cooker" methods, under a provision the Iowa Senate approved Wednesday.
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ID: Gov. Otter urges lawmakers not to delay the Idaho Education Network despite statehouse and courthouse fights
From: feeds.stateline.org
"The $60 million Idaho Education Network is one of the most promising opportunities for education and communication since the telegraph, Gov. Butch Otter said Wednesday evening.
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ID: Leaders forced to take a raise
From: feeds.stateline.org
"State employees have taken furlough days as agencies balance their budgets. Many school districts have frozen salaries and kept positions vacant in classrooms.
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ID: Senate committee passes debt amendments
From: feeds.stateline.org
"The Senate State Affairs Committee on Wednesday approved three proposed constitutional amendments that give public hospitals, airports and municipal electric systems more flexibility to take on debt.
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ID: Idaho ranked 13th in CDC funding for states
From: feeds.stateline.org
"Idahoans think of themselves as ruggedly self-reliant, but the state receives more help from the federal government for health services than most of its Western counterparts.
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IL: Outage brief, but comes at bad time for Ameren
From: feeds.stateline.org
"Ameren Illinois Utilities is in the midst of a contentious campaign for a utility rate hike.
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IL: Illinois pork, cattle producers focus on use of antibiotics
From: feeds.stateline.org
"The use of antibiotics in livestock is getting at least as much attention from hog and cattle producers this year as taxes and deficits.
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IL: Reinstated Illinois GM dealers relieved but wary
From: feeds.stateline.org
"Chicago-area Cadillac dealers Dennis Bauer and Mike Ettleson were among at least 15 General Motors dealers in Illinois who got a stay of execution this week.
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IL: Illinois foreclosure filings up 21% in February
From: feeds.stateline.org
"While foreclosure activity in troubled states like California, Arizona and Nevada posted year-over-year declines last month, Illinois had a 21.76 percent increase in foreclosure filings in February.
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IN: Indiana unemployment rate holds at 9.7 percent
From: feeds.stateline.org
"Indiana's unemployment rate held at 9.7 percent for January as some 327,000 people were looking for work.
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IN: Unemployment insurance -- A primer on the key issue facing Indiana lawmakers
From: feeds.stateline.org
"The key decision state lawmakers must make before adjourning for the year is what to do about a scheduled business tax hike that was intended to replenish the state's bankrupt unemployment insurance fund, but could actually make things worse by causing even more layoffs.
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IN: Unemployment tax creates logjam in Indiana Legislature
From: feeds.stateline.org
"Conflict over a bill that would cancel a scheduled increase at the end of this month in unemployment taxes that Indiana businesses pay still has the Indiana General Assembly in a logjam.
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IN: Industrial devolution changes where Hoosiers work
From: feeds.stateline.org
"For the first time since before the Civil War and perhaps ever, more people in Indiana work in government than in all the factories in the state.
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KS: Foreclosure pain still being felt in Kansas, Missouri
From: feeds.stateline.org
"The home foreclosure action in Kansas and Missouri moved in the opposite direction in February from the national trends.
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KS: Kansas House advances passenger rail measure
From: feeds.stateline.org
"The Kansas House gave tentative approval Wednesday to a measure laying the foundation for expanded passenger rail service through the state.
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KS: State smoking ban will prohibit some outdoor smoking at Lawrence businesses
From: feeds.stateline.org
"A recently approved statewide smoking ban likely will make it illegal to smoke in many of the sidewalk dining and drinking areas in downtown.
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KS: Legislature sends bill to Parkinson's desk to adjust unemployment taxes
From: feeds.stateline.org
"The Kansas House has sent Gov. Mark Parkinson a bill adjusting the taxes paid by businesses into the state's unemployment trust fund.
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KS: Kansas unemployment increases to 7.1 percent
From: feeds.stateline.org
"Kansas unemployment rate went to 7.1 percent in January, according to a state labor report released this morning. That's up from a 6.3 percent jobless rate in December.
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KS: Kansas Legislature tables alcohol levy, but tobacco tax still alive
From: feeds.stateline.org
"Kansas lawmakers trying to close a $467 million budget deficit weighed two tax increases Wednesday — one on alcohol, another on tobacco.
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KY: Senate approves stray horse bill
From: feeds.stateline.org
"A bill to help local governments deal with stray and abandoned horses could soon be headed to Gov. Steve Beshear after winning unanimous approval Wednesday from the Senate.
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LA: Cap-and-trade proposal would benefit La.
From: feeds.stateline.org
"Louisiana would be one of the "big winner states" under proposed federal cap-and-trade legislation that would encourage pumping the carbon dioxide generated by power plants into existing oil fields to force more oil to the surface.
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LA: LCTCS tuition, fee hike OK'd
From: feeds.stateline.org
"Baton Rouge Community College and most of the state's two-year institutions are increasing tuition by at least 5 percent in the fall and also adopting a new $32-per-year student fee.
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LA: Bill criminalizes cockfight viewing
From: feeds.stateline.org
"An East Jefferson lawmaker has filed a bill for the upcoming legislative session that would make it a crime for people to attend cockfights, which are illegal.
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MA: State joins antipsychotic drug lawsuit
From: feeds.stateline.org
"Attorney General Martha Coakley's office joined a federal lawsuit yesterday that contends that Johnson & Johnson paid tens of millions of dollars in kickbacks to get its drugs, especially the powerful antipsychotic Risperdal, prescribed in nursing homes.
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MA: Mass. Pike project crashes
From: feeds.stateline.org
"After sinking $125 million into the controversial project over 13 unlucky years, the developers of Columbus Center will never break ground. California Urban Investment Partners, co-developer of the $800 million mixed-use development along with Boston's Winn Cos., have told the state's transportation agency that they are bowing out of the plan to build a massive mixed-use development over the Massachusetts Turnpike in the Back Bay.
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MA: House ends its corporate earmarks
From: feeds.stateline.org
"WASHINGTON — Small defense companies, energy firms, and other technology start-ups throughout New England could lose tens of millions of dollars a year because of a decision by House Democrats yesterday to abruptly halt budget earmarks for companies.
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MA: Pricey imaging pushes up health costs
From: feeds.stateline.org
"In just two years, spending on MRIs, mammograms, and other imaging tests climbed by at least $214 million in Massachusetts, helping to fuel a dramatic rise in the cost of outpatient hospital care.
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MA: Support grows for limiting junk food in Mass. schools
From: feeds.stateline.org
"A bill that would ban the sale of sugary drinks and junk food in school vending machines and school stores is gaining momentum in the Legislature, as Massachusetts combats a troubling rise in childhood obesity rates.
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MD: House Democrats act to ban corporate earmarks
From: feeds.stateline.org
"WASHINGTON — - Maryland employers, particularly those in the defense and aerospace industries, could take a hit from an election-year decision Wednesday by House Democrats to ban corporate earmarks in 2010.
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MD: Higher fees sought to pay for aiding poor
From: feeds.stateline.org
"Getting married in Baltimore, divorced in Prince George's County and suing someone across Maryland could soon cost considerably more as state lawmakers get creative in their search for money to support programs for the poor.
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ME: State lawmaker renews call for dividing Maine
From: feeds.stateline.org
"A lawmaker from northern Maine has launched another attempt to divide Maine into two states.
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ME: Baldacci outlines bond plan
From: feeds.stateline.org
"Gov. John Baldacci announced the details Wednesday of a $79 million bond proposal that includes money to save northern Maine's last major rail line and to fund transportation projects across the state.
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ME: Gambling addiction aid debated
From: feeds.stateline.org
"The release of data showing that more than 1,200 Mainers called a national hot line for problem gamblers last year has lawmakers renewing debate over the funding level for state help programs.
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ME: Senate confirms Blitz of Hudson for border panel
From: feeds.stateline.org
"The U.S. Senate has confirmed a Maine man to become the federal co-chairperson of a commission that aims to create jobs and boost the economy in the northern reaches of Maine, New Hampshire, Vermont and New York. Sandy Blitz of Hudson was confirmed Wednesday night for the new position with the Northern Border Regional Commission.
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MI: Gov. Granholm pitches Michigan for Google's fiber optic broadband network
From: feeds.stateline.org
"Gov. Jennifer Granholm was in California Wednesday pitching Michigan as a site for Google Inc. to test its new ultra-high speed fiber optic broadband network.
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MI: Group trying to lure Google's high-speed fiber network to Grand Rapids plans flash mob on Calder Plaza
From: feeds.stateline.org
"GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. -- A grassroots online effort to lure Google to build a high-speed data network here is hoping to make a real-world splash March 19 with a "flash mob" on Calder Plaza downtown.
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MI: Digital billboard debate heats up in Michigan
From: feeds.stateline.org
"Scenic Michigan, a nonprofit group, is supporting a bill that would place a two-year moratorium on erecting more of the bright, flashy billboards statewide.
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MN: Legislature acts to ban sex offender chiropractors
From: feeds.stateline.org
"Less than two weeks after a Star Tribune report exposed a legal loophole that allows convicted sex offenders to work as chiropractors, the state Senate is moving quickly on a bill that would overturn the policy.
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MN: Pawlenty to sign bonding bill
From: feeds.stateline.org
"Gov. Tim Pawlenty signaled Wednesday that he'll approve a major statewide public works effort, after DFLers made concessions to fund his priorities with no assurances that he'll approve their projects.
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MN: Rybak -- Minneapolis needs to stick to long-term planning
From: feeds.stateline.org
"Minneapolis Mayor R.T. Rybak on Wednesday headlined what might be his last annual overview of his city's prospects with a four-word phrase: New ballpark, same fundamentals.
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MN: Twin Cities home prices are up again, but still below '06
From: feeds.stateline.org
"Twin Cities area home prices showed not one but two signs of stability in February, as prices rose when compared with the previous month as well as February 2009. The median sale price for homes in the 13-county metro area climbed 6 percent -- from $150,000 in February 2009 to $159,000 in February 2010. The median price in January was $157,000.
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MN: Senate heeds call of jobless
From: feeds.stateline.org
"WASHINGTON - Jobless Minnesotans would see their unemployment and health benefits extended and the state would get help closing its budget gap under a $150 billion bill passed by the Senate on Wednesday.
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MN: 'Racino' bill is tabled by Senate committee
From: feeds.stateline.org
"In a surprise move, a Senate committee on Wednesday night tabled a bill to bolster state coffers by adding slot machines at the state's two race tracks, following a standing-room-only hearing lasting nearly two hours.
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MO: Mass school closures approved in Kansas City, Mo.
From: feeds.stateline.org
"KANSAS CITY, Mo. -- Facing potential bankruptcy, the board that governs the once flush-with-cash Kansas City school district is taking the unusual and contentious step of shuttering almost half its schools.
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MO: Mo. House Democrats back end of some tax breaks
From: feeds.stateline.org
"The top Democrat in the Missouri House is suggesting the elimination of some state tax breaks to help balance the budget.
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MO: Grand jury quizzes Jetton on his handling of adult-entertainment bill in 2005
From: feeds.stateline.org
"Former Missouri House speaker Rod Jetton confronted a federal grand jury face to face and without a lawyer Wednesday amid signs that a federal investigation into strip-club legislation was ending.
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MS: Miss. employment agency in jeopardy
From: feeds.stateline.org
"The Mississippi Department of Employment Security was in jeopardy after a bill reauthorizing the agency died under a deadline Wednesday amid a fight to force Gov. Haley Barbour to accept $56 million in stimulus funding.
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MS: Jobless rate hits 12%
From: feeds.stateline.org
"Unemployment in Mississippi has reached the highest level in nearly 25 years, based on figures released Wednesday.
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MT: FWP commissioners OK new state park
From: feeds.stateline.org
"A new, 6,200-acre state park planned for Alberton near Missoula cleared another hurdle here Wednesday when Montana's Fish, Wildlife and Parks commissioners unanimously approved it purchase.
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MT: Commerce official says Schweitzer administration forced him out
From: feeds.stateline.org
"A longtime state Commerce Department official says the Schweitzer administration forced him to quit Friday because he responded to a Republican senator's inquiry about why $3.5 million in local government grants were being stalled.
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MT: Pro-reform group to disband
From: feeds.stateline.org
"Montana Change That Works, a vocal advocate for health care reform, is running out of money and will close shop at month's end, a spokesman confirmed Wednesday.
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NC: Fewer ABC boards proposed
From: feeds.stateline.org
"The state's top liquor regulator on Wednesday proposed shrinking the number of local ABC boards in the state through mergers and putting them under the thumb of county governments. Local elected officials would have to answer for how well their liquor stores operate.
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ND: ND attorney general to discuss carbon regulations with Minnesota legislators, Pawlenty
From: feeds.stateline.org
"North Dakota's attorney general plans to ask Minnesota officials to support changing a law that makes North Dakota's coal-generated electricity more expensive to sell in Minnesota.
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NE: Nebraska lawmakers blocking teacher pay plan
From: feeds.stateline.org
"Over the past 14 months the state has received about $25,000 from companies considering putting up wind farms on the state-owned land that is set aside for funding education.
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NE: 17 arrested at meatpacking plant in Fremont
From: feeds.stateline.org
"OMAHA, Neb. - Seventeen people were in federal custody Wednesday as part of an ongoing investigation of a Fremont meatpacking plant by immigration officials, authorities said.
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NE: Bill aims to add teleworker jobs
From: feeds.stateline.org
"An Omaha company would get incentives for training home-based "teleworkers" in rural Nebraska and areas of high poverty, under a legislative bill advanced easily on Wednesday.
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NH: Rockingham Park -- After 103 years, live racing comes to an end
From: feeds.stateline.org
"SALEM, N.H. – Live racing is no more at The Rock, the legendary track where Seabiscuit and War Emblem once ran. Rockingham Park, where they started racing horses in 1906, informed the state yesterday that it would no longer hold live racing, but continue with simulcast thoroughbred, harness and greyhound racing.
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NH: Firefighters union to file LGC lawsuit
From: feeds.stateline.org
"The Professional Firefighters of New Hampshire plans to file a class action lawsuit this morning accusing the Local Government Center of misusing money it collects in health insurance premiums from its members.
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NH: Marijuana bill secures wide margin
From: feeds.stateline.org
"The New Hampshire House yesterday voted 214-137 to decriminalize the possession of small amounts of marijuana.
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NJ: N.J. lobbyists spending on gifts is at lowest level recorded
From: feeds.stateline.org
"Lobbyists are also being hurt by the economy and politicians' growing sensitivity to ridicule by the public for taking gifts from them.
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NJ: Study ranks N.J. in top 10 among states that received most federal funds
From: feeds.stateline.org
"New Jersey is among the top of states receiving the most allocated federal funds in fiscal year 2008 based on census numbers, says a study released Tuesday, according to a report by CourierPostOnline.com.
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NJ: Morris County officials prioritize bus routes to be spared from NJ Transit budget cuts
From: feeds.stateline.org
"MORRIS COUNTY, N.J. — Morris County transit officials are scrutinizing bus service and ridership numbers, hoping to create a priority list of routes that should be spared from NJ Transit's cost-cutting plan that would scrap almost the entire Morris Metro intra-county bus system.
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NJ: Officials urge illegal immigrants to cooperate in U.S. Census to benefit N.J.
From: feeds.stateline.org
"The irony is rich. In many contexts, much of the time, immigrants without proper papers are demonized as men and women — and children — who cause problems for properly documented citizens.
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NJ: Reports -- N.J. Democratic groups spent millions attacking Christie in the governor's race
From: feeds.stateline.org
"As then-Gov. Jon Corzine poured millions into his losing re-election bid last year, his party also funneled resources into two outside groups that spent nearly $4 million attacking Republican Chris Christie, reports released Wednesday show.
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NJ: N.J. public entities spent $2M+ to lobby the state in 2009
From: feeds.stateline.org
"From small-town school boards to large independent authorities, public entities in New Jersey spent at least $2.1 million to lobby state government in 2009, according to reports released Wednesday.
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NJ: Officials -- N.J. Gov. Christie to create commission to privatize 2,000 state jobs
From: feeds.stateline.org
"Governor Christie Thursday will create a commission to privatize as many as 2,000 state jobs beginning next January, officials said Wednesday night.
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NJ: Police bust of $10M multihome pot-production scheme is largest in N.J. history
From: feeds.stateline.org
"Police uprooted a multimillion-dollar network of homes used to grow marijuana in the largest bust of pot production in New Jersey history, authorities announced Wednesday.
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NM: Governor signs concealed guns in restaurants bill
From: feeds.stateline.org
"Governor Bill Richardson announced in a press release today that he signed a bill that would allow concealed weapons in some restaurants.
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NM: Roundhouse Roundup -- Food tax hard to swallow for some
From: feeds.stateline.org
"I've heard rumblings that some delegates for Saturday's Democratic Party pre-primary convention at Pojoaque Pueblo's Buffalo Thunder Resort aren't happy about how some lieutenant governor candidates voted in the Legislature last week on reinstating a state tax on groceries.
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NM: New law demands incentives' transparency
From: feeds.stateline.org
"Gov. Bill Richardson has signed a bill that will require state officials to track the effectiveness of the state's economic development incentives.
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NM: Report -- NM unemployment up 2.6% in a year
From: feeds.stateline.org
"New Mexico's unemployment rate rose from 5.9 percent to 8.5 percent between January 2009 and Jan. 2010, a 2.6 percent increase, according to a report released Wednesday by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.
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NV: Gaming does better than expected in January
From: feeds.stateline.org
"Nevada casinos did better than expected in January, despite the fact Chinese New Year — one of the industry's busiest holidays — and the Super Bowl fell in February this year.
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NV: Windfall needed to wipe out invasive species
From: feeds.stateline.org
"Everyone agrees that Southern Nevada needs to get rid of the quagga mussels that threaten to ruin Lake Mead, the foreign grasses that fuel wildfires and salt cedars that steal precious water and choke out native wetland vegetation.
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NV: Companies announce plans for wind turbine manufacturing plant
From: feeds.stateline.org
"A consortium of companies announced plans today to develop a plant in the Las Vegas area that would employ about 1,000 people for manufacturing wind turbines.
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NV: Gibbons clears roadblock to education grants
From: feeds.stateline.org
"Gov. Jim Gibbons is interviewed by Clark County School District student journalists Genevive Bonnet, left, and Brianna In a signing ceremony at Wynn Elementary School, Gov. Jim Gibbons on Wednesday approved legislation intended to remove a barrier that kept Nevada from competing for up to $175 million in federal grants for public education called Race to the Top.
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NY: Albany is taking new budget proposal seriously
From: feeds.stateline.org
"State lawmakers reacted with cautious interest on Wednesday to a broad proposal from Lt. Gov. Richard Ravitch to tackle New York's staggering long-term budget deficit, but suggested that it would most likely require changes to win legislative approval.
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NY: Albany sides with owner in a rent suit in TriBeCa
From: feeds.stateline.org
"Several months after the highest court in New York ruled that Stuyvesant Town's owners were wrong to deregulate apartments while receiving tax breaks, the state's housing agency has determined that another landlord who once received the breaks had the right to charge market-rate rents.
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NY: Former Hevesi aide pleads guilty in pension case
From: feeds.stateline.org
"The former chief investment officer for the state's pension fund pleaded guilty to securities fraud on Wednesday, saying he helped steer pension money to political contributors to former State Comptroller Alan G. Hevesi and to companies that paid kickbacks to Mr. Hevesi's top political consultant, Hank Morris.
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NY: Ravitch remedy -- $6B loan, oversight
From: feeds.stateline.org
"New York could borrow up to $6 billion over the next three years under a budget plan unveiled Wednesday by Lt. Gov. Richard Ravitch.
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NY: Pension scam plea
From: feeds.stateline.org
"One of former state Comptroller Alan Hevesi's top lieutenants pleaded guilty Wednesday to felony fraud charges, bringing the pay-to-play investigation into the operation of the state's $129 billion pension fund a step closer to Hevesi himself.
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OH: Ohio may get to vote again on livestock standards
From: feeds.stateline.org
"Even as the Ohio House voted 98-0 yesterday to establish the Ohio Livestock Standards Board, the Humane Society of the United States and its allies were launching a campaign to unravel it.
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OH: Ban on business donations proposed
From: feeds.stateline.org
"In the wake of a U.S. Supreme Court decision that opened up corporate involvement in political campaigns, Ohio House Democrats want to close the door for companies that do significant business with the state.
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OH: Canadian liquidator buys Chrysler's Twinsburg plant for $45.5 million
From: feeds.stateline.org
"A liquidation company that sells the valuable parts of dead or dying industrial sites has bought Chrysler's Twinsburg Stamping Plant.
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OH: Central Ohio takes jobless hit
From: feeds.stateline.org
"The eight-county region had a jobless rate of 9.8 percent in January, up 0.7 percentage points from the previous month, according to figures issued yesterday by the Ohio Department of Job and Family Services.
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OK: Task force bill exemption spurs Oklahoma House criticism
From: feeds.stateline.org
"A task force that would look at state incentives and tax credits provided to companies and individuals would be a waste of time because the meetings wouldn't have to be open to the public, a state legislator said Wednesday.
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OR: Portland sprout company cited by FDA for rodents, unsanitary conditions
From: feeds.stateline.org
"The Food and Drug Administration has issued a warning letter to a bean sprout processing plant in Northeast Portland, citing a rodent-infested facility with unsanitary conditions.
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OR: Oregon economic index improves for third month
From: feeds.stateline.org
"The UO Index of Economic Indicators jumped 1.7 percent to 88.5, economist Tim Duy said. The scale measured 100 in 1997.
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PA: Defense -- No need for Veon to testif
From: feeds.stateline.org
"Former House Democratic Whip Mike Veon didn't need to testify in his defense because the prosecution's case was weak, his attorney said Wednesday after the defense rested its case in Veon's public corruption trial.
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PA: Fumo friend charged with obstruction
From: feeds.stateline.org
"Mitchell Rubin, fired a year ago as chairman of the Pennsylvania Turnpike Commission, was charged Wednesday with obstructing a federal investigation into his longtime friend, former State Sen. Vincent J. Fumo.
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PA: Six-week Bonusgate trial coming to a close
From: feeds.stateline.org
"Closing arguments are expected today and Friday in the criminal trial of former state Rep. Mike Veon and three former aides.
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RI: R.I. Supreme Court rules against Providence on water rates
From: feeds.stateline.org
"A state Supreme Court decision last week prevents the city from collecting on almost $1.5 million in back payments from the Providence Water Supply Board, the water provider that serves more than 60 percent of the state.
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RI: Pension liabilities mount
From: feeds.stateline.org
"Pension liabilities for Rhode Island cities and towns that maintain their own plans have grown by some $300 million during the past three years, setting some communities up for greater fiscal pain as the bill for promised retirement benefits comes due, a new auditor general report concludes.
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RI: Deepwater CEO defends cost of wind energy
From: feeds.stateline.org
"WARWICK, R.I. — The chief executive officer of Deepwater Wind answered criticism on Wednesday about the high price of power from a wind farm that his company has proposed off Block Island, saying that a premium should be expected for a type of project that has never been done before in the United States.
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SC: Secret union ballots gets OK in Senate
From: feeds.stateline.org
"The Senate passed a bill Wednesday that Republicans say will preempt future attempts by the federal government to promote labor unions in South Carolina by any other method than through a secret ballot.
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SC: Jobless lines get longer
From: feeds.stateline.org
"South Carolina's unemployment rate hit another record high in January as the level of jobless residents rose in all 46 counties.
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SC: State Chamber of Commerce backs Sheheen, Barrett for governor
From: feeds.stateline.org
"In its first-ever endorsements for governor, the South Carolina Chamber of Commerce said Wednesday that Democrat Vincent Sheheen and Republican Gresham Barrett were the two candidates best equipped to lead the state back to prosperity.
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SD: Jobless rate soars in Sioux Falls
From: feeds.stateline.org
"The unemployment rate in Sioux Falls for January leaped to a level not seen in more than two decades, or as far back as data is available, according to the South Dakota Department of Labor.
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UT: Utah Legislature -- Districts to help fund charter schools?
From: feeds.stateline.org
"To the chagrin of Utah school districts, the Senate approved Wednesday a last-minute education funding bill that will require them to share their property tax revenue with public charter schools.
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UT: Some Utah lawmakers growing weary of bashing feds
From: feeds.stateline.org
"For much of Utah's 45-day legislative session, conservatives have risen to support states' rights legislation, united in fiery opposition to a perceived over-reach of the federal government.
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UT: Medicaid funding escapes cuts -- for now
From: feeds.stateline.org
"Utah lawmakers have managed to squirrel away more money for Medicaid.
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UT: Legislature approves holiday for Browning
From: feeds.stateline.org
"Gov. Gary Herbert's signature is the only hurdle remaining for a holiday memorializing the late Utah firearms inventor John M. Browning.
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UT: Utah Legislature -- Senate Oks bill limiting scholarships
From: feeds.stateline.org
"Mercedes Pearce graduated from college last year, at age 19. She's now working at her first real job and said that she wouldn't trade her current situation for any amount of fun she could have had in high school.
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VA: Most restaurants are smoke-free, but exceptions exist
From: feeds.stateline.org
"More than three months after Virginia's new restrictions on smoking in restaurants went into effect, about 88 percent of restaurants in the state have gone smoke-free, the state Health Department says.
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VA: Kaine's office had role in quashing findings
From: feeds.stateline.org
"Then-Gov. Timothy M. Kaine's office was involved in discussions that led to the suppression of findings that a state children's hospital he wanted to close provided an essential service.
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VA: McDonnell signs offshore energy bills
From: feeds.stateline.org
"Gov. Bob McDonnell has added his signature to legislation intended to further his goal of making Virginia the East Coast's energy center.
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VT: Vermont tops in landing federal money
From: feeds.stateline.org
"Vermont does better than any other state when it comes to qualifying for federal money distributed on the basis of census data, a new study has found.
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VT: Stimulus road work totals $85 million in Vermont
From: feeds.stateline.org
"Data released by the Washington, D.C.-based American Road and Transportation Builders Association indicates 32 Vermont highway construction projects are under way or were completed through financing through federal stimulus, the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act.
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VT: State regulators study call to close Vermont Yankee nuclear plant
From: feeds.stateline.org
"Vermont regulators are looking into whether the Vermont Yankee nuclear plant should be shut down while it is leaking radioactive tritium.
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VT: Vermont unemployment rate holds at 6.7 percent in January
From: feeds.stateline.org
"Vermont's unemployment rate for January was 6.7 percent, unchanged from the revised December rate, the Vermont Department of Labor announced Wednesday.
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WA: Feb. foreclosure filings rise just 6% in U.S., fall 13% in Washington state
From: feeds.stateline.org
"WASHINGTON -- The foreclosure crisis isn't over, but the pace of growth nationally may finally be slowing down.
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WA: Trustee in Mastro bankruptcy goes after four new targets
From: feeds.stateline.org
"Four business associates of bankrupt real-estate magnate Michael R. Mastro negotiated "sham transactions" before Mastro entered bankruptcy that were designed to keep assets from his creditors, a new lawsuit alleges.
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WI: Bourns layoffs to begin in May
From: feeds.stateline.org
"JANESVILLE, Wisc. -- A Janesville manufacturer that plans to close this fall will start laying off employees in May.
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WI: No-call violations top Wis. complaints again
From: feeds.stateline.org
"State consumer protection officials say they received 2,187 complaints about no-call violations in 2009.
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WI: Unemployment benefit cuts, higher taxes projected
From: feeds.stateline.org
"Benefits paid to suffering unemployed workers will have to be cut and taxes on struggling businesses will have to go up to pay for a staggering number of claims due to the recession, Wisconsin lawmakers were told Wednesday.
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WI: Milwaukee will make play for super-fast Google Internet service
From: feeds.stateline.org
"There's a good chance Google runs your e-mail, knows what videos you like and tracks every query you make on the Internet.
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WI: Hundreds pack raw milk hearing in Eau Claire
From: feeds.stateline.org
"EAU CLAIRE, Wisc. -- Hundreds of raw milk advocates packed a legislative hearing Wednesday, demanding the right to buy and sell unpasteurized dairy products that some claim have powerful health benefits but that detractors call dangerous.
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WV: Unemployment rate rises in all W.Va. counties
From: feeds.stateline.org
"Unemployment rates are up in all of West Virginia's 55 counties. Figures released Tuesday by Workforce West Virginia also show the number of counties reporting rates much worse than average declined slightly in January
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WV: Senators OK business courts proposal
From: feeds.stateline.org
"Circuit courts in more populous areas of the state could set up business courts under a proposal approved by state senators Wednesday, after concerns some senators had about the cost of the new court systems were allayed.
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WY: Wyo gov signs health care pilot bill
From: feeds.stateline.org
"Many low-income Wyoming residents would be able to get health care through a state program under a bill that Gov. Dave Freudenthal signed into law on Wednesday.
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WY: Testing errors 'unacceptable'
From: feeds.stateline.org
"The Wyoming Department of Education will seek damages from the company responsible for administering the state's standardized tests for public schools, Superintendent of Public Instruction Jim McBride said Wednesday.
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WY: Wyo appliance rebate program coming
From: feeds.stateline.org
"The state energy office will roll out an appliance rebate program April 15.
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From: feeds.stateline.org
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