States begin long climb to recovery
From: feeds.stateline.org
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The overriding theme of the closing 2010 legislative session was the tremendous challenge of balancing the new fiscal year that begins Thursday, as lawmakers struggled to erase more than $100 billion in budget gaps. The way they did it will resonate in states for a long time.
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AK: New laws for guns, smoking, drinking and texting
From: feeds.stateline.org
"July 1 is the effective date in many states for laws passed during this year's legislative sessions.
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AK: Too early to gauge job gains from maintenance plan
From: feeds.stateline.org
"It's too early to say how many jobs will be created through Alaska Gov. Sean Parnell's deferred maintenance program.
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AZ: Business steps up on immigration
From: feeds.stateline.org
"Arizona can no longer act like a victim of circumstances. Our state has to show it is better than what some politicians forced it to become. Much better.
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AZ: Prop. 108 is not eligible for Nov. ballot, judge rules
From: feeds.stateline.org
"A ballot measure intended to make it harder for unions to organize was structured illegally and cannot appear on the November ballot, a judge ruled Wednesday.
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AZ: Child-support fee more than doubles today
From: feeds.stateline.org
"Noncustodial parents will have to dig a bit deeper for monthly child-support payments beginning today.
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AZ: Panel -- Take steps to cope with SB 1070's fallout
From: feeds.stateline.org
"The state's tourism industry has come up with the answer to fighting the boycotts in the wake of the new immigration law: better public relations.
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AZ: Cactus League brought in an estimated $348 million
From: feeds.stateline.org
"The Cactus League had an estimated $348 million economic impact this year on the struggling Arizona economy.
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AZ: Ariz. panel recommends good PR to deal with fallout
From: feeds.stateline.org
"There's no need to rebrand Arizona to counteract negative publicity from the state's new immigration law, a tourism task force has concluded.
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AZ: ACLU issues warnings for travel to Arizona
From: feeds.stateline.org
"One of the nation's most prominent civil-liberties organizations issued a travel alert for Arizona on Wednesday, saying the state's controversial new immigration law could lead to racial profiling even before it goes into effect.
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AZ: Arizona businesses call for immigration reform
From: feeds.stateline.org
"Nineteen business groups from across the state, tired of the controversy surrounding Arizona's new immigration law, have stepped forward to urge the federal government to take action.
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CO: BP defends Colorado PAC donations, avoids talk of $5.2 million fine
From: feeds.stateline.org
"A BP Rocky Mountain region public affairs spokeswoman Wednesday, reacting to an apparent contradiction in its corporate campaign contribution policy in Colorado, said the global energy conglomerate has been consistent in how it makes donations to political campaigns.
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CO: New Colorado laws address traffic backups, video snooping
From: feeds.stateline.org
"A slew of new state laws take effect today, affecting everything from benefits for elderly legal immigrants to late fees for folks who register boat trailers.
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CO: Forecast for Colorado job losses revised sharply higher
From: feeds.stateline.org
"Colorado is expected to lose significantly more jobs in 2010 than originally predicted because employment losses early in the year caught analysts by surprise.
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CT: CL&P rates will drop 4 percent despite increase for distribution
From: feeds.stateline.org
"Connecticut Light and Power customers will pay about 4 percent less for electricity in January 2011, even with regulators approving a distribution rate hike that will begin that month.
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CT: State sting nets 54 unregistered contractors
From: feeds.stateline.org
"A five-month state sting operation seeking unregistered tradespeople has netted 54 contractors and salespeople, three locksmiths and five agencies that supply home assistants, the state Department of Consumer Protection said today.
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CT: State to pay $3 million to keep trash firm
From: feeds.stateline.org
"The state plans to pay Oakleaf Waste Management $3 million to keep its headquarters in Connecticut and add 40 jobs within a year, Gov. M. Jodi Rell said Wednesday.
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CT: Rell to hedge funds -- It's better in Connecticut
From: feeds.stateline.org
"To the hedge fund managers of New York state, Gov. M. Jodi Rell had this to say on Wednesday: Connecticut will help pack your bags.
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DE: In final act, GA inflicts little pain
From: feeds.stateline.org
"The General Assembly concluded business for the year early this morning, leaving citizens unscathed by tax increases and state employees confident of their jobs.
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FL: Who needs college? Many students skipping higher education for jobs, military
From: feeds.stateline.org
"President Barack Obama wants the United States to become the best-educated country in the world by 2020. Yet Florida is having trouble even reaching the national average for the percentage of students who go to college, according to a new state report. A sizable chunk of Florida's high-school graduates are skipping college in favor of full-time jobs, military service and trade-school training.
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FL: Business owners blast BP's claims rules
From: feeds.stateline.org
"PENSACOLA, Fla. -- As hundreds of business owners shuffle through the claims process to recover losses caused by the oil disaster, BP's promise that it will ``deny no legitimate claim'' is taking on a bitter meaning. ``They have not denied our claim. They have just not paid it all,'' said Tommy Holmes, owner of Outcast Marine, a fishing-tackle supply company in Pensacola.
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FL: State plans new clunker appliance program for central AC units
From: feeds.stateline.org
"Florida's wildly popular Cash for Clunker Appliances program soon will be reborn with a new twist: Rebates for clunker air conditioning systems.
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FL: Gulf beaches hit as distant Hurricane Alex pushes oil onto land
From: feeds.stateline.org
"PENSACOLA BEACH, Fla. — Rough waves from faraway Hurricane Alex pushed tar lumps the size of dinner plates onto Navarre Beach in the Florida Panhandle on Wednesday.
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FL: Gov. Crist asks BP for $50 million for tourism
From: feeds.stateline.org
"Gov. Charlie Crist has asked BP for another $50 million for tourism advertising. In a letter to BP's chief operating officer, Doug Suttles, Crist says the state has already "deployed" the initial round of $25 million.
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FL: Laws take effect today affecting everything from prayer to poker to pythons
From: feeds.stateline.org
"As the clock struck 12:01 a.m. Thursday, gamblers grinned, kids frowned and the faithful said a prayer of thanks.
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FL: FPL rate-hike foes ousted by state panel
From: feeds.stateline.org
"TAMPA, Fla. -- Two of the three remaining utility regulators who rejected the largest electricity-rate increases ever sought in Florida were given their walking papers Wednesday when a nominating council refused to interview them for reappointment to their jobs.
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FL: Feds -- Mortgage fraud ring included cops
From: feeds.stateline.org
"A network of Broward County attorneys, law enforcement officers and mortgage brokers are accused of falsifying a slew of documents to obtain $16.5 million in loans that they used to buy and flip properties during the real estate boom, according to an indictment unsealed Wednesday.
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FL: Storm-whipped waters halt protection effort
From: feeds.stateline.org
"Much of the Gulf Coast from the Mississippi Delta to Florida's Panhandle will be vulnerable to oil washing ashore and creeping inland to marshes and bays this week as booming and skimming operations likely will remain grounded through Thursday due to Hurricane Alex, federal officials said.
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GA: Ga. foreclosures 35% of Q1 sales
From: feeds.stateline.org
"Georgia had a higher-than-average percentage of total house sales coming from foreclosures in the first quarter, according to data Wednesday from RealtyTrac.
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IA: Iowa budget situation -- Better than expected
From: feeds.stateline.org
"The state's budget situation is ending fiscal 2010 better than Gov. Chet Culver could have imagined when he ordered an unprecedented 10 percent across-the-board cut in spending in October.
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IA: Iowa AG enacts price-gouging rules
From: feeds.stateline.org
"Disaster declarations because of flooding and severe weather have prompted the Iowa attorney general to enact a state rule to stop price gouging.
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IA: Farmers hope for dry July
From: feeds.stateline.org
"After potentially record-breaking rainfall over the past 30 days, Iowa farmers finally can put the soggy month of June behind them.
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IA: Iowa officials announce $10 million Conseco fund to settle complaints
From: feeds.stateline.org
"Conseco Life Insurance Co. has created a $10 million fund to compensate owners of a life insurance product, the Iowa Insurance Division announced Wednesday.
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IA: Iowa, ISU withdraw demands alleging wine labels infringed on trademarks
From: feeds.stateline.org
"The state's two largest universities have backed off efforts to prevent a small winery from selling wine with labels that use the schools' colors, but which make no reference to the University of Iowa or Iowa State University.
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IA: Corn prices bolt up as USDA downsizes 2010 crop estimates
From: feeds.stateline.org
"Commodity professionals were caught off guard Wednesday by a U.S. Department of Agriculture report showing 1 million fewer acres of corn planted this year than earlier projected, and almost 300 million fewer bushels of corn in storage.
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IA: 29 Iowa counties eligible to get disaster aid after storms
From: feeds.stateline.org
"Gov. Chet Culver issued a disaster proclamation Wednesday for Humboldt County, raising to 29 the total number of counties eligible to offer aid to residents following storms and flooding this year.
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IA: Corps -- Flood control is priority, not recreation
From: feeds.stateline.org
"Army Corps of Engineers officials know the rumor: Residents in flood-prone neighborhoods of Des Moines claim the Corps keeps water levels up at Saylorville Lake so rich boaters have somewhere to play.
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IA: Des Moines watches, waits for water from Saylorville
From: feeds.stateline.org
"Wait, hope and pray. These are the only options left to north-side Des Moines residents as the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers is scheduled to begin releasing water over the Saylorville Lake spillway at 6 a.m. today.
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IL: Quinn will announce budget plan
From: feeds.stateline.org
"Gov. Pat Quinn will finally let the state know Thursday how he plans to deal with a state budget that even House Speaker Michael Madigan has said is not in balance.
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IL: State needs better jobs, not lower wages
From: feeds.stateline.org
"Bill Brady, the Republican nominee for governor, has it backward when he objects to Illinois' minimum wage.
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IL: Quinn will announce budget plan
From: feeds.stateline.org
"Gov. Pat Quinn will finally let the state know Thursday how he plans to deal with a state budget that even House Speaker Michael Madigan has said is not in balance.
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IL: Most Subway workers cleared to return following salmonella outbreak
From: feeds.stateline.org
"Most of the Subway food handlers employed by restaurants involved in a widespread salmonella outbreak have been cleared to return to work.
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IL: State's unpaid bill tally stands at about $4.5B
From: feeds.stateline.org
"As Gov. Pat Quinn prepares to outline possible cuts in state services during an event in Chicago Thursday, Illinois ended the fiscal year with about $4.5 billion in unpaid bills.
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IL: Beware of the Emerald Ash Borer in your firewood
From: feeds.stateline.org
"What's smaller than a penny, has six legs and can get a county quarantined in a heartbeat?
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IL: ComEd seeks 7 percent rate hike
From: feeds.stateline.org
"Commonwealth Edison is seeking an electricity rate hike of about 7 percent, a move quickly met with skepticism from consumer advocates.
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IL: Durbin introduces bill to stop Asian carp's spread
From: feeds.stateline.org
"Lawmakers from Illinois and Michigan introduced legislation in Congress today that calls on the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers to study the best way to sever the shipping route connecting the Great Lakes and the Mississippi River, a move to prevent Asian carp and other invasive species from migrating between the two watersheds.
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IN: Firework permits down, more private shows expected
From: feeds.stateline.org
"State officials expect more backyard fireworks shows this year because budget problems have forced many municipalities to cancel large professional fireworks displays.
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IN: WellPoint rolling back California rate increase
From: feeds.stateline.org
"WellPoint said Wednesday its Anthem Blue Cross subsidiary in California will reduce rate increases planned for people insured individually, but no such cuts are planned in Indiana.
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KS: Governors ask for federal aid to states
From: feeds.stateline.org
"Kansas Gov. Mark Parkinson joined more than a dozen governors Wednesday to plead with Congress for $25 billion in additional aid to states.
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KS: Temporary injunction issued halting implementation of statewide smoking ban in 28 clubs in Kansas, including one in Tonganoxie
From: feeds.stateline.org
"District Judge Franklin R. Theis on Wednesday issued a temporary injunction affecting 31 Kansas businesses, keeping them from having to abide by the statewide smoking ban that goes into effect today.
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LA: Hurricane Alex hampers cleanup
From: feeds.stateline.org
"Hurricane Alex continued to hammer the coastline of Louisiana on Wednesday by driving more crude oil onto the state's shoreline and sidelining cleanup operations.
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LA: BP should fund Louisiana program to provide mental health services to people impacted by oil spill
From: feeds.stateline.org
"The Deepwater Horizon explosion killed 11 rig workers, and that's an enormous loss for their families and friends. Unfortunately, the workers' deaths were only the beginning of this disaster's human toll.
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LA: BP spill nears a somber record as Gulf's biggest
From: feeds.stateline.org
"NEW ORLEANS -- BP's massive oil spill will become the largest ever in the Gulf of Mexico by Thursday based on the highest of the federal government's estimates, an ominous record that underscores the oil giant's dire need to halt the gusher.
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MA: Cape Wind seeks to jump-start power-buying talks
From: feeds.stateline.org
"Cape Wind Associates and Nstar seem to be going nowhere fast in their negotiations for the utility to buy expensive electricity from the proposed wind farm off Cape Cod. Both sides confirmed yesterday that they've only had one meeting to discuss a possible long-term power deal.
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MA: Patrick signs a painful budget
From: feeds.stateline.org
"Governor Deval Patrick signed a $27.6 billion spending plan yesterday for the budget year that begins today, slashing funding for services across state government, including public education, dental care for the poor, and developmental services for toddlers.
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MA: MWRA approves lowest rate increase in 15 years
From: feeds.stateline.org
"Influenced by the enormous strain on municipal budgets, the Massachusetts Water Resources Authority approved yesterday an average increase of 1.49 percent in water and sewer assessments for fiscal 2011, the lowest hike in 15 years.
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MD: New state laws take effect July 1
From: feeds.stateline.org
"Homeowners in danger of foreclosure now have a right to mediation, schools and police can communicate more freely about gang activity, and civil court filing fees increase — all part of the package of more than 150 new state laws that take effect today.
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MD: Amtrak pledges changes in MARC service
From: feeds.stateline.org
"WASHINGTON — — In the wake of recent disruptions in MARC trains that have angered hundreds of passengers and frustrated state officials, Amtrak announced Wednesday new measures to answer critics and improve commuter rail service in Maryland.
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MD: Slots opponents seek quick appeal
From: feeds.stateline.org
"Just days after a county judge killed a drive to have a referendum challenging zoning for a slot machine casino at Arundel Mills mall, attorneys for anti-slots activists said they will ask Maryland's highest court to hear their appeal.
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ME: Gordon L. Weil -- Energy project foes benefit from lack of balanced national policy
From: feeds.stateline.org
"Maine wants to be a leader in wind power development. It wants energy independence or, even better, to be an energy exporter.
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MI: State legislators still dodging difficult decisions on budget
From: feeds.stateline.org
"State lawmakers haven't acted quickly enough on structural reforms for state government and won't meet their goal of balancing the 2011 state budget by the end of this week.
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MI: State House committee approves film tax credit reform
From: www.mlive.com
"Senate-passed measures to require public disclosure of film production and facility tax credits are headed to the House floor following committee approval.
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MI: Greektown Casino Hotel emerges from Chapter 11 bankruptcy
From: feeds.stateline.org
"Greektown Casino Hotel has emerged from bankruptcy, the board of directors of Greektown Superholdings Inc. announced in a statement Wednesday afternoon.
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MI: Great Lakes lawmakers act to stop Asian carp
From: feeds.stateline.org
"Legislation introduced Wednesday by Great Lakes lawmakers seeks to do what federal agencies have been unwilling to do so far in the battle against the invasive Asian carp -- create a permanent barrier between the waters where the fish is present and Lake Michigan.
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MI: Job retraining efforts sputter in Michigan
From: feeds.stateline.org
"More than two years after Gov. Jennifer Granholm launched what may be the most ambitious job retraining program in Michigan history, 16,164 workers have found new jobs but nearly twice that many either dropped out or are still unable to find work.
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MI: Phosphate ban begins and could help stop algae in Michigan waters
From: feeds.stateline.org
"How clean will your dishes be after today? A ban on phosphates, the hardworking but troublesome main ingredient in most automatic dishwasher detergents, takes effect in Michigan and 15 other states today.
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MI: Ongoing unemployment spurs debate
From: feeds.stateline.org
"Leslie Lynch-Wilson of Lincoln Park celebrated an anniversary last month she never wanted to see.
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MN: 4,100 nonprofits still at risk of losing tax exemption
From: feeds.stateline.org
"More than 4,100 Minnesota nonprofits remain on the so-called "doomsday" list of organizations at risk of losing their tax-exempt status for failure to file federal tax returns, according to a count released Wednesday by the Urban Institute in Washington, D.C.
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MN: Will Obama get nod in Minneapolis in 2012?
From: feeds.stateline.org
"Minneapolis is one of four contenders vying to host the 2012 Democratic political convention expected to nominate President Obama for a second term.
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MN: Do metro hospitals want a strike?
From: feeds.stateline.org
"Can Twin Cities hospitals afford a strike? That's the pressing question as 14 metro hospitals prepare for a potential walkout by 12,000 nurses next week.
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MN: Hospitals, nurses lock horns over staffing
From: feeds.stateline.org
"The nurse-to-patient ratio has become the wedge issue in negotiations between 14 Twin Cities' hospitals and their nurses — with nurses wanting strict ratios to ensure they don't get overwhelmed, and hospital officials saying ratios are wasteful and ineffective.
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MO: A good idea to finance incentives that might save Claycomo
From: feeds.stateline.org
"Missouri Gov. Jay Nixon's call for the special legislative session under way in Jefferson City was fraught with difficult choices.
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MO: Mo. Senate scales back special session
From: feeds.stateline.org
"A Senate committee pared back an incentive package Wednesday to focus solely on Missouri's automotive industry.
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MO: Missouri Senate panel scales back legislation to only tax incentives for automakers
From: feeds.stateline.org
"A Missouri Senate committee Wednesday scaled back economic-development legislation to focus only on tax incentives for automakers.
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MS: Mississippi receives $5M to aid workers hurt by oil spill
From: feeds.stateline.org
"Mississippi is receiving $5 million to assist workers displaced by the oil spill, the U.S. Labor Department announced today.
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MT: Pension checks deposited late
From: feeds.stateline.org
"Thousands of monthly pension checks weren't directly deposited into retired state and local government workers' bank accounts on a timely basis by early Wednesday morning.
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NC: Editorial -- State must fund A&T progress
From: feeds.stateline.org
"It was a good idea at a bad time. But waiting too long to get started on new engineering facilities at N.C. A&T could cost some prime opportunities.
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ND: N.D. has bigger spring wheat, durum crops
From: feeds.stateline.org
"FARGO, N.D. -- The Agriculture Department says acres of both spring wheat and durum wheat are up in North Dakota this year.
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ND: Bobcat to hire 100 people
From: feeds.stateline.org
"WEST FARGO, N.D. -- Bobcat Co. says it plans to add more than 100 jobs at its manufacturing plant in Gwinner.
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NE: Editorial, 7/1 -- Privatization worth pondering
From: feeds.stateline.org
"One remarkable achievement for which City Hall receives too little credit is that it actually has reduced the number of civilian city employees over the past two decades.
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NE: Nebraska farmers plant 4 percent less corn in 2010
From: feeds.stateline.org
"Nebraska farmers planted 4 percent fewer acres of corn this year, and committed 13 percent more acres to soybeans.
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NH: NH shoplifting conviction reversed by high court
From: feeds.stateline.org
"The New Hampshire Supreme Court has reversed the shoplifting conviction of a woman who was stopped in the vestibule of Walmart store, saying she didn't actually leave the premises.
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NJ: Winners and losers in N.J.'s budget
From: feeds.stateline.org
"New Jersey's newest state budget will hit property owners and low-wage workers, but save seniors from higher drug copayments and preserve Bergen County blue laws.
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NJ: Taxes for N.J. employers increase $130-per-employee after $1B shortfall in N.J. jobless fund
From: feeds.stateline.org
"Businesses will have to start paying an average annual increase in payroll taxes of about $130-per-employee to cover for jobless benefits, according to a report on NorthJersey.com.
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NM: Want to wrestle? Got a license?
From: feeds.stateline.org
"The state of New Mexico regulates a lot of professions — nurses, barbers, private investigators, massage therapists. But earlier this week, while searching the state Regulation and Licensing website for an unrelated story, I stumbled across some folks who I had no idea have to be licensed by the state.
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NM: End of stimulus money could mean cuts to state services
From: feeds.stateline.org
"When Gov. Bill Richardson announced the state would spend $1 million in federal stimulus money to boost the fuel budget and buy new cars for state police, Chief Faron Segotta was relieved.
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NV: Raft of new state laws go into effect today
From: feeds.stateline.org
"Starting today, motorists with fuel-efficient cars in Clark County will be able to drive in special lanes during peak hours and "cyber bullying" will be prohibited in public schools.
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NY: Bills on secondhand smoke and domestic workers' benefits advance
From: feeds.stateline.org
"In a flurry of activity late Wednesday, state lawmakers in Albany wrestled with a number of high-profile bills — including measures aimed at helping domestic workers and protecting young children from secondhand smoke.
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NY: Varied bills for special interests move quietly through Albany
From: feeds.stateline.org
"Check-cashing stores could make high-interest payday loans. Funeral homes could offer all-in-one package deals that are now banned in New York and that critics say prey on the families of the recently deceased. And so-called rubber rooms, where New York City schoolteachers languished during disciplinary proceedings until officials moved to close them this year, may soon reopen, this time for city firefighters and police officers.
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NY: Cigarettes at $10 light up emotions
From: feeds.stateline.org
"TROY, N.Y. -- Adriene Russo of Guilderland threw her arms in the air and cheered "Let them go up as far as they can!" Russo was talking about the state tax on cigarettes, which will rise $1.60 today, making New York the most expensive state in which to buy a pack of cigarettes.
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NY: Upstate vs. downstate again becomes issue in Legislature
From: feeds.stateline.org
"With the November elections nearing, upstate Republicans are again accusing Democrats of creating an upstate-downstate divide in New York.
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NY: Paterson says N.Y. needs extra Medicaid aid
From: feeds.stateline.org
"WASHINGTON — Gov. David Paterson traveled to the nation's capital Wednesday to encourage Congress to extend emergency Medicaid funding and prevent "unimaginable pain."
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NY: Governors push for more health care money
From: feeds.stateline.org
"WASHINGTON -- Governors from several cash-strapped states warn that unless Congress gives them more money to help pay for health care for the poor, their states could face layoffs and cuts in services.
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NY: State jobless benefits get push
From: feeds.stateline.org
"State Labor Commissioner Colleen Gardner made what might be the final plea this year for legislation to increase New York's unemployment benefits.
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NY: Independent 'eye' on dredging
From: feeds.stateline.org
"FORT EDWARD, N.Y. -- When PCB dredging of the Hudson River near Fort Edward resumes next year, it will be watched by a set of electronic "eyes" independent of the cleanup by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and General Electric Co.
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OH: Abruptly missing help from HUD
From: feeds.stateline.org
"The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development says it is dedicated to helping Cleveland and other Ohio cities confront the massive foreclosure crisis. Its helping hand felt like a hard fist in March.
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OH: Marchers rally against halt to jobless benefits
From: feeds.stateline.org
"Up to 100 people, many of them members of area labor unions, marched in front of Sen. George Voinovich's Toledo office Wednesday to urge him to support an extension of unemployment benefits.
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OH: Caesar Creek marina plan under way, state official says
From: feeds.stateline.org
"DAYTON, Ohio -- Financing and design details for a new public marina at Caesar Creek are being worked out and an announcement can be expected soon, Ohio Department of Natural Resources director Sean Logan said Wednesday, June 30.
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OH: FirstEnergy pulls plug -- for now -- on 'smart grid' pilot project
From: feeds.stateline.org
"CLEVELAND -- FirstEnergy Corp. pulled the plug Wednesday -- at least temporarily -- on a "smart grid" pilot project for its customers in Greater Cleveland.
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OH: Cincinnati named Ohio's marketing hub
From: feeds.stateline.org
"Cincinnati will soon be named a "Hub of Innovation and Opportunity" in consumer marketing, a state designation that will bring funding and other assistance meant to expand that business here.
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OH: Economy sputters, raising worries
From: feeds.stateline.org
"At the halfway point of 2010, the economic recovery is behaving like a jalopy climbing a steep hill.
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OH: Benefits running out for jobless
From: feeds.stateline.org
"More than 98,000 out-of-work Ohioans are getting by without a weekly unemployment check as congressional leaders continue trying to muster the votes needed to pass another extension.
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OK: State stocks reflect rocky quarter, with some exceptions
From: feeds.stateline.org
"The quarter that ended Wednesday was a tough one for U.S. stocks, and that was reflected in the two-thirds of Oklahoma-based equities that registered losses over the past three months.
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OK: Oklahoma workers urge lawmakers to support jobs bill
From: feeds.stateline.org
"Oklahoma union leaders are urging members of the state's congressional delegation to support efforts to extend unemployment benefits.
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OK: Oklahoma begins tight budget year
From: feeds.stateline.org
"State Fire Marshal Robert Doke cringes when he says it could take up to five months for businesses to get plans approved by the fire marshal's office.
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PA: Cuts run deep in state's budget
From: feeds.stateline.org
"Cigar smokers, snuff dippers, and the companies that make and sell tobacco products are among the winners in the $28 billion Pennsylvania state budget the General Assembly approved Wednesday six hours before the deadline
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PA: Pennsylvania runs up $3 billion bill for unemployment compensation
From: feeds.stateline.org
"As of Tuesday, Pennsylvania's Unemployment Compensation Fund owed $3 billion to the federal government for loans it had taken to extend benefits to people who have lost their jobs. That's $879 million more than the state owed just six months ago.
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SD: Corn yield predicted to double by 2030
From: feeds.stateline.org
"SIOUX FALLS, S.D. -- South Dakota's No. 1 industry got a boost to its self esteem on Wednesday.
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SD: SD Gov. Rounds critical of EPA delay on ethanol
From: feeds.stateline.org
"Gov. Mike Rounds criticized the federal government for delaying a decision on allowing a 15 percent ethanol blend in gasoline during a conference Wednesday on using technology and research to expand South Dakota's agriculture economy.
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TX: Sunset commission to vote on workers' comp changes
From: feeds.stateline.org
"The troubled Division of Workers' Compensation at the Texas Department of Insurance will face a legislative test next Tuesday, as ten state lawmakers and two citizen members on the Sunset Advisory Commission will vote on recommended changes to revamp the division's process of investigating fraud and abuse among doctors who treat injured workers.
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US: State lawmakers move to limit corporate clout
From: feeds.stateline.org
"State lawmakers in New York and Massachusetts are advancing legislation that would put hurdles in front of companies engaging in political activity.
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US: States seek financial help as new fiscal year begins
From: feeds.stateline.org
"State governments desperately need money. Congress is in no mood to spend it. And the reckoning will begin Thursday, when the new fiscal year will start for most states.
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UT: Tobacco tax increase -- Quit or buy out of state?
From: feeds.stateline.org
"When the federal cigarette tax went up 61 cents last year, the Utah Tobacco Quit Line was flooded with calls from smokers who were ready to stop. Now, even more tobacco users are expected to call thanks to a state tax increase adding another $1 to the price of a pack, starting Thursday.
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UT: Conservative group proposes 'working privilege cards'; Utah legislator blasts idea
From: feeds.stateline.org
"Instead of Utah passing its own Arizona-style immigration law, a well-known conservative group is asking legislators to offer undocumented immigrants a "working privilege card."
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VA: Advocates of gun rights celebrate new law
From: feeds.stateline.org
"Gun advocates across Virginia plan a series of celebrations today marking a new law that allows people with concealed-handgun permits to bring hidden firearms into restaurants that serve alcohol.
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VA: Virginia Natural Gas hikes fuel-supply rate
From: feeds.stateline.org
"Starting today, Virginia Natural Gas increased its fuel-supply rate, boosting monthly bills by about 3 percent for customers with average usage.
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VA: New Va. laws take effect -- higher speeds, guns in bars
From: feeds.stateline.org
"In a year dominated by a $4 million budget shortfall, state lawmakers still managed to pass roughly 900 bills that take effect today. The measures run the gamut from seat belts to guns to the promotion of offshore drilling to economic development.
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VA: New laws go into effect Thursday, including Va. concealed weapons measure
From: feeds.stateline.org
"Concealed weapons permit holders in Virginia will be allowed to carry guns into restaurants that serve alcohol provided they don't drink, and Maryland residents will gain mediation rights before possibly losing their homes to foreclosure as hundreds of new laws go into effect Thursday in both states.
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VT: Lower jobless rate in Vermont ends unemployment benefits for some
From: feeds.stateline.org
"Declining unemployment in Vermont has triggered an end to compensation payments for about 1,500 residents, the state's Department of Labor said Wednesday -- just hours after Melissa Harris of Monkton received her notice in the mail. Harris discovered her payments would end July 10. The timing, never good, couldn't be worse, she said.
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VT: Share the road. It's now the law in Vermont.
From: feeds.stateline.org
"Beginning today, those "share the road" signs have some legal teeth to back up the message. Motorists must use "due care" when driving by pedestrians, bicyclists, horseback riders, roller skiers and people in wheelchairs who are also using roads. The law is among the many new regulations that take effect on the first day of July, including changes in the teacher retirement system, the taking of intimate photographs and a tax increase on smokeless tobacco.
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WA: Initiative 1098 will hamper efforts to create jobs
From: feeds.stateline.org
"On Thursday, the sponsors of the state income-tax measure, Initiative 1098, are set to turn in their signatures. What were the signers thinking? Most likely, they were thinking they would not have to pay it.
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WA: Migration from California dwindling, state report says
From: feeds.stateline.org
"Good news for the vocal Californians-go-home movement: They aren't necessarily going home, but they aren't showing up in droves as they were a few years ago.
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WI: State Central members cash in, thanks to merger
From: feeds.stateline.org
"A whole bunch of people in Wisconsin are waking up with more money -- for some, a lot more -- Thursday morning.
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WI: Wis. group -- Food prices changed little since 2009
From: feeds.stateline.org
"Wisconsin's largest farm organization says retail food prices in early 2010 were up only slightly from the same period last year.
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WV: W.Va. to receive additional $72 million in federal funds
From: feeds.stateline.org
"U.S. Secretary of Education Arne Duncan announced Wednesday West Virginia will receive an additional $71.9 million through the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009.
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WV: Fire damages Massey coal plant in W.Va.
From: feeds.stateline.org
"STOLLINGS, W.Va. -- The second fire in a year will delay the reopening of a southern West Virginia coal processing plant, owner Massey Energy Co. said Wednesday.
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WY: Officials see signs of recovery
From: feeds.stateline.org
"Wyoming may emerge from the recession more quickly than previously expected, but the state still is far from full economic recovery, economists and the governor said.
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Visit the Stateline.org Economy & Business Page
From: feeds.stateline.org
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