View stories by State
HOME RSS FEEDS ARCHIVES ABOUT US SITE MAP PUBLICATIONS
Search using      Advanced
Saturday, March 20, 2010
or Browse All States
CRIME & COURTS
ECONOMY & BUSINESS
EDUCATION
ELECTIONS
ENERGY
ENVIRONMENT
GOVS' SPEECHES
HEALTH CARE
HOMELAND SECURITY
POLITICS
RECESSION & RECOVERY
SOCIAL POLICY
TAXES & BUDGET
TECHNOLOGY
TRANSPORTATION
ARCHIVES
COMMENTARY
PUBLICATIONS
RSS FEEDS
STATE SPEECHES
NEWS ALERTS
PUBLIC POLICY LINKS
TOOLBARS
STATE BLOGS
ISSUE BLOGS


Register to comment on Stateline.org Stories

Taxes & Budget news

Subcribe to Taxes & Budget news

Not your grandma's bingo

By Pamela M. Prah, Stateline.org Staff Writer

All three types of machines pictured here were once in operation in Alabama before the governor’s task force on illegal gambling confiscated them. Their owners deemed the machines legal electronic bingo, but the task force called them illegal slots.
All three types of machines pictured here were once in operation in Alabama before the governor’s task force on illegal gambling confiscated them. Their owners deemed the machines legal electronic bingo, but the task force called them illegal slots.
It has the drama and suspense of a John Grisham novel: pre-dawn gambling raids by state troopers, rumors of political payoffs, rowdy demonstrations at the State Capitol and a fly-over at this year’s Rose Bowl in California with a banner that read, “Impeach Corrupt Alabama Gov. Bob Riley.” All this fuss over bingo? While many other cash-strapped states are trying to expand gaming as a way to get more revenue, Alabama's outgoing governor is on a mission to stamp out illegal gambling in the Heart of Dixie.

Read More

AK: Push for in-state gas line gets a boost



The drive to build an in-state gas pipeline, with public funds if necessary, got a boost Thursday with the enthusiastic testimony of two of Alaska's elder statesmen, Ted Stevens and Bill Sheffield, with Frank Murkowski offering more conditional support.
Read More
AK: Legislators foresee spending increases in capital budget


Legislators are expecting this year's capital budget, the one-time spending on big-ticket items, to be beefier than last year's, as the state hopes to fend off a recession that has not hit Alaska nearly as hard as elsewhere.   Read More
AL: Mixed emotions over proposed state park bill


FLORENCE, Ala. –- Are you visiting a state park this summer? You could cash in on a pretty sweet deal. A new bill in state legislature would cut rental fees in half for Alabama residents. It might sound good to travelers, but tourism officials say it could cost jobs and create major budget issues.   Read More
AL: State to refine grant application


Alabama failed in its initial bid for a Race to the Top grant, but the state will try again to get a share of the federal school improvement money.   Read More
AL: Ivey touts record as treasurer in bid for governor


TUSCALOOSA, Ala. -- Alabama gubernatorial candidate Kay Ivey gave an impassioned stump speech today to the Republican Women of Tuscaloosa County, imploring the group to elect proven candidates willing to make tough decisions to correct the state's political and financial situation.   Read More
AZ: Cuts to all-day kindergarten big problem for schools, parents


State lawmakers last week permanently cut the funding that made the programs possible in many schools, and now parents, public-school districts and charter schools around the state are struggling to find ways to keep them going.   Read More
AZ: Local musicians play to save Riordan Mansion


Local musicians are pooling their talent Saturday in an effort to save Riordan Mansion.   Read More
AZ: Federal funds to help Arizona storm cleanup


President Barack Obama signed a disaster declaration Thursday that authorizes federal aid for eight Arizona counties and six tribal nations still struggling to recover from flooding and winter storm damage two months ago.   Read More
AZ: Budget base shaky


The budget that Gov. Jan Brewer signed on Thursday is built on a series of assumptions about what voters -- and courts -- will do.   Read More
AZ: Cactus League facilities bill OK'd by House


A bill to help the Chicago Cubs and other Cactus League teams build and upgrade training facilities passed the Arizona House on a 35-19 vote Thursday.   Read More
AZ: Budget for 2011 signed by Brewer


Gov. Jan Brewer signed the fiscal 2011 budget on Thursday, enacting $1.1 billion in spending cuts and program eliminations.   Read More
AZ: Arizona drops children's health program


Arizona on Thursday became the first state to eliminate its Children's Health Insurance Program when Gov. Jan Brewer signed an austere budget that will leave nearly 47,000 low-income children without coverage.   Read More
CA: UC could oversee prison health


The Schwarzenegger administration wants to put the University of California in charge of state prison inmates' medical needs in an overhaul of the troubled corrections healthcare system that could save $12 billion over a decade, officials say.   Read More
CO: Bill to close Old Age Pension loophole withdrawn


A bill to close a loophole in Colorado law that allows elderly legal immigrants to receive a taxpayer-funded pension died in the House on Wednesday after the lawmaker sponsoring the legislation withdrew it.   Read More
CO: Pinnacol offers state $130 million more to privatize


Pinnacol Assurance, the state-chartered workers' compensation insurance fund that wants to be privatized, said Thursday it's willing to offer the state more money — $130 million more — to do that.   Read More
CO: Hickenlooper expresses a bent for business


Denver Mayor John Hickenlooper told a business group Thursday that it's "crazy" to raise fees or taxes when revenues are down, or for Colorado to be known as an anti-business state.   Read More
CO: Poll -- Markey right, Gardner wrong on health reform


In the wake of a Congressional Budget Office report finding that current health reform legislation would cut the deficit by $138 billion in ten years, Colorado Fourth District U.S. Rep. Betsy Markey confirmed that she planned to vote to pass the legislation this weekend.   Read More
CO: Consumer prices inch up in Colorado, West


Consumer prices in Colorado and other western states rose 0.1 percent in February from the previous month, and were up 1.4 percent from February 2009, the U.S. Labor Department reported Thursday.   Read More
CO: Contractors -- Colorado lost 31,600 construction jobs in one year


Colorado lost 31,600 construction jobs in the 12 months ending January 2010, 23 percent of the state's construction employment, the Associated General Contractors of America said Thursday.   Read More
CO: CDOT opens bids on C-470/Santa Fe interchange project


The Colorado Department of Transportation opened bids Thursday for the reconstruction of the C-470 and Santa Fe Drive interchange, a project that will use up the last of the agency's federal stimulus money that it's already been granted.   Read More
CT: Majority oppose return of toll roads


Drivers and most other voters say state lawmakers ought to dump legislation to bring back highway tolls in Connecticut.   Read More
CT: Legislative panel passes bill intended to improve filming tax-break program


The legislature's commerce committee approved a bill Thursday that seeks to improve the state's film tax-break program without running the industry out of Connecticut.   Read More
CT: Private fundraiser foundation to pay majority of UConn president's office furniture


University of Connecticut officials have turned to the school's private fundraiser foundation to pay the bulk of the bill for the more than $35,000 in high-end furniture purchased for President Michael Hogan's office.   Read More
DE: Delaware House OKs tax refunds to college accounts


Legislation to make it possible for people to have their state tax refunds deposited directly into a Delaware College Investment Plan account passed the House unanimously Thursday.   Read More
DE: Baker's budget holds cuts and hikes


The average city resident would pay $216 more in property taxes and water-sewer fees under a budget proposed Thursday by Mayor James M. Baker.   Read More
FL: Florida plan to kill tax benefit for films that aren't 'family friendly' sparks backlash


Florida, the home of Mickey Mouse and beach-bound vacationers, was trying to polish its family friendly image but instead ran into a PR nightmare: an angry Hollywood.   Read More
FL: Florida water managers weigh cuts, selloffs to finance U.S. Sugar land deal


With the odds of borrowing a half-billion bucks growing dicey, water managers are exploring new ways to finance Gov. Charlie Crist's deal with the U.S. Sugar Corp. -- a controversial land buy the governor stood firmly behind Thursday during a South Florida visit. One possible alternative: Pay for a big chunk -- perhaps even all -- of the $536 million price tag in cash.   Read More
FL: Our eye's on you, Jackson is warned


Jackson's governing body survived four proposals to abolish it Thursday as Miami-Dade County commissioners instead voted unanimously to put the beleaguered public health system on a ``management watch'' in which the mayor will follow it closely but not take control.   Read More
GA: House eases way for private-public partnerships on toll roads


The Georgia House passed legislation Wednesday that some say could make private-public partnerships on toll roads and other transportation projects more attractive to the private sector. The bill would exempt the private owners of such projects from property taxes.   Read More
GA: State taps lottery reserves


State officials are dipping into reserves to help pay for education programs funded by the Georgia Lottery for the first time in nearly a decade, as ticket sales lag behind the growth of the HOPE scholarship and statewide prekindergarten.   Read More
GA: Bill to raise state user fees, licenses moving quickly


House leaders trying desperately to fill massive holes in the state budget put a bill to raise more than $90 million worth of state user fees and licenses on the fast track to passage Thursday.   Read More
GA: Press group opposes proposed change in open meetings law


The Georgia Press Association is opposing legislation that would let Sandy Springs and other north Fulton cities meet behind closed doors to discuss the private companies handling most of their government functions.   Read More
HI: Hawaii state workers face more pay cuts under 6-year plan


Gov. Linda Lingle presented an updated six-year financial plan to the Legislature yesterday that presumes another round of pay cuts for state workers and reduces benefits for people in Quest, the state's health plan for the poor and disabled.   Read More
IA: State aims to hire debt collector


Iowa lawmakers are looking to hire a debt coordinator to oversee a process of trying to recoup hundreds of millions of dollars owed to the state for unpaid court charges, back taxes or other delinquent payments.   Read More
IA: ISU, UNI athletics face end to use of tax money


Iowa State University and University of Northern Iowa officials would have until September to draw up plans to wean their athletic departments off taxpayer money under a proposal state regents will consider next week.   Read More
IA: Agency for elderly prepaid vendors, audit says


A publicly funded agency that helps elderly Iowans inappropriately increased its annual budget by prepaying vendors for thousands of dollars' worth of expenses, state auditors allege.   Read More
IA: IPERS changes gain legislative passage


The Senate on Thursday approved adjustments to public-employee retirement plans to ensure they stay solvent.   Read More
IA: State tax credits for Pioneer will aid campus expansion


Pioneer Hi-Bred's $154 million expansion in Johnston will qualify for up to $7.3 million in state tax credits, primarily for research and development at the new facility, economic development leaders said Thursday.   Read More
IA: Iowa schools making doomsday predictions, Senate leader says


School officials have made "doomsday-scenario budgets" but the reality is much brighter, Iowa Senate Majority Leader Michael Gronstal told reporters today.   Read More
IA: Alliant sticks with planned rate increase


Alliant Energy said "no" on Thursday to Gov. Chet Culver's request to hold off on a 10 percent rate increase for its 525,000 Iowa customers.   Read More
ID: Gov. Otter gets some good marks on health care plans for Idaho


With President Obama and Congress concentrating on health care reform, Gov. Butch Otter says Idaho is getting the ball rolling right here, right now.   Read More
ID: Forced raises could be cut next year Temporary pay cut of 4% proposed for state's constitutional officers


The state's seven constitutional officers could face a 4 percent pay cut next year under legislation introduced on Thursday.   Read More
IL: Illinois high court -- Nonprofit hospital can be taxed


An Illinois Catholic medical center isn't a charitable enterprise and must pay property taxes, the state's highest court ruled Thursday in a case that has been closely watched by hospitals nationwide.   Read More
IL: Teachers safe for now in Huntley Dist. 158


While school districts across the area are reducing staff in order to make up decreased revenue from the state, the Huntley Unit District 158 school board shaved a further $2 million from its draft 2010-2011 budget without laying off teachers.   Read More
IL: Lawmakers look to save fire districts money


Fire protection districts would no longer be required to publish proposed ordinances in newspapers under a law the state Senate approved that instead utilizes Web sites.   Read More
IL: State begins new trend of late payments to Kane County


Having just learned the state might slash the share of income tax revenue it receives, Kane County has stopped seeing any income tax revenue at all.   Read More
IL: Tax credit for small businesses touted for 20,000 jobs


Gov. Pat Quinn's proposal for a small business tax credit gained support from both sides of the aisle Thursday.   Read More
IL: Plan could let schools opt out of new rules


Under legislation approved Thursday, local schools wouldn't have to implement some new rules made by the state unless the state also sends money to pay for the changes.   Read More
IL: Budget cuts a 'devastating blow' for local governments


PEORIA, Ill. -- Gov. Pat Quinn's budget proposal to reduce local governments' share of the state income tax could potentially eliminate 22 full-time Peoria County jobs and cut $3 million out of the city of Peoria's budget, local officials warned Thursday.   Read More
IL: Pekin set to consider fiscal plan


PEKIN, Ill. -- City Manager Dennis Kief initially balked at the prospect of passing a fiscal year 2011 budget that relies on more than $700,000 in state income tax disbursement that could evaporate under the budget proposal advanced by Gov. Pat Quinn last week.   Read More
IL: District 86 weighs cost-cutting moves


EAST PEORIA, Ill. -- Cuts to supplies, travel and training workshops are some of the cost-saving measures District 86 school board members weighed Thursday night in an attempt to plug what could be up to a $3 million gap in next year's budget.   Read More
IL: ICC approves smaller tuition increase


EAST PEORIA, Ill. -- An initial vote to raise tuition at Illinois Central College by $8 per credit hour failed Thursday, ending with a stalemate and at least two trustees remarking how students and families are struggling financially.   Read More
IL: Web site allows taxpayers to track state grants


The Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity has launched a Web site called "Grant Tracker."   Read More
IL: Illinois gets $15 million for water projects


Illinois will get more than $15 million in stimulus grants and loans for water system improvement projects.   Read More
IL: Lincoln Developmental Center's future remains foggy


The Lincoln Developmental Center, closed since 2002, is being marketed as a possible site for warehouses or office space, as well as a residential treatment center for youth programs or veterans with Alzheimer's disease.   Read More
IL: Bill OK'd by Illinois House allows schools to skip new unfunded mandates


Under legislation approved Thursday, local schools wouldn't have to implement some new rules made by the state unless the state also sends money to pay for the changes.   Read More
IL: Small-business tax credit approved by House committee


Gov. Pat Quinn's proposal for a small business tax credit gained support from both sides of the aisle Thursday.   Read More
IL: Dental management contract focus of questions


Only weeks before aides to Gov. Pat Quinn said they would review and potentially re-bid all state contracts exceeding $1 million a year, Quinn's administration renewed a $255 million contract with the company that manages the state's dental program for Medicaid recipients.   Read More
IL: Senate approves lease restriction measure


Without dissent, the Illinois Senate today approved a bill aimed at providing more oversight of state building leases.   Read More
IN: Regional grant policy faces delay


PORTAGE, Ind. -- Final adoption of the much-discussed Complete Streets Policy by the Northwestern Indiana Regional Planning Commission Executive Board was delayed Thursday because of the same concerns expressed in several committee meetings.   Read More
IN: Illiana Expressway plan signed into law


The Illiana Expressway bill garnered Gov. Mitch Daniels' signature on Thursday. The law will allow the state to enter in a public-private partnership to build and develop the Illiana Expressway.   Read More
IN: Full day kindergarten hurt by sour economy, cost


Northwest Indiana parents who pay their school districts for full-day kindergarten may face steeper costs next year as districts struggle to find revenue in the wake of $300 million in cuts ordered by Gov. Mitch Daniels.   Read More
KS: Davis says Speaker O'Neal crossed the line; O'Neal vehemently denies wrongdoing


House Democratic Leader Paul Davis on Thursday said House Speaker Mike O'Neal, R-Hutchinson, crossed the ethical line in his capacity as the lead attorney for a group suing the state.   Read More
KS: Proposed constitutional amendment to block federal health care reform fails


A proposed constitutional amendment to block federal health reform in Kansas failed to advance today.   Read More
KS: No tax increase, but schools would take a hit in latest Kansas budget plan


The House Appropriations Committee passed a $5.1 billion budget proposal Thursday that includes no tax increases and would cause public schools to lose $172 million.   Read More
KY: High court denies media's effort to obtain Lawson statement


The Kentucky Supreme Court on Thursday affirmed a lower court's decision to dismiss an attempt by the Herald-Leader and other state media to get access to a 1983 court statement by road paving magnate Leonard Lawson.   Read More
LA: State to refinance debts; millions in savings projected


The state Bond Commission on Thursday approved refinancing up to $600 million in state borrowing to lower debt payments.   Read More
LA: Black Caucus -- La. in 'dire straits'


Leaders of the Louisiana Legislative Black Caucus and others tossed around ideas Thursday on how to cope with state budget problems without unduly harming citizens.   Read More
LA: State staffers rip pay freeze


The state Civil Service Commission has been flooded with e-mails from rank-and-file state employees angry about a proposed suspension of pay raises.   Read More
LA: Higher education cuts loom


State higher education leaders Thursday were preparing to cut another $85 million from their budgets after receiving word from the Jindal administration.   Read More
MA: More cuts loom as state faces $295m in red ink


Massachusetts is potentially facing a new budget gap of up to $295 million this year, a grim forecast that state officials said could spell yet another round of painful cuts before the fiscal year ends in June.   Read More
MD: Md. lists top tax deadbeats, hopes to press them to pay


Maryland's 50 biggest tax scofflaws owe the state nearly $8 million in unpaid taxes, according to the state comptroller, who released names of top offenders on Thursday in hopes of pressuring individuals and companies into paying.   Read More
MD: House panel split on private school funding


The fate of controversial legislation granting tax credits for contributions to private and public schools now rests in the hands of a divided House of Delegates committee.   Read More
ME: Money there for some schools


Maine school districts will have access to $41.4 million in school construction bonds this year, but they have to move fast to get the money.   Read More
MI: Michigan tax shift pits cities vs. Big 3


DETROIT—A tax change in Michigan has sparked a conflict between the Big Three auto makers and the cities and towns that are homes to their plants, normally a big source of support for the car companies.   Read More
MI: Think tank says West Michigan schools are slow to post spending online for public review


GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. -- A growing number of West Michigan school districts are making their checkbook registers available online, but a Midland think tank says the region lags behind the rest of the state.   Read More
MI: Convicted embezzler Richard A. Short of RASCO -- 'I'm still committed to being in Flint'


FLINT, Michigan -- Richard A. Short, a convicted embezzler and chief executive officer of the company that received $9 million in tax credits from the state, said today that he still has hopes that the company will move forward.   Read More
MI: $20 million for Pure Michigan tourism ads OK'd by House


The state House approved $20 million on Thursday for the popular Pure Michigan tourism advertising campaign, with $13 million to come from a new tax on car rentals at airports.   Read More
MI: State panels to probe embezzler's $9M tax break


House and Senate committees will open hearings next week to investigate how the Michigan Economic Development Corp. awarded a $9.1 million tax break to a Flint company led by a convicted embezzler.   Read More
MN: DFLers look to D.C. for lifeline


Legislators are inching closer to plugging a $1 billion budget hole as optimism has spread through the Capitol that a big infusion of federal cash could spare the state from the most painful cuts -- at least for now.   Read More
MO: College leaders OK scholarship equity


Some private college presidents have given up their fight against Missouri lawmakers who want to equalize Access Missouri scholarships.   Read More
MO: Trim waste, Missourians plead online


Read the ideas from all over the state about how to deal with Missouri's budget crisis and you come away with the feeling there's a lot of common sense out there.   Read More
MO: Missouri Senate approves bill for mandated autism insurance coverage


Health insurance coverage of autism spectrum disorders would be required under legislation passed Thursday in the Missouri Senate.   Read More
MS: Colleges eye rate hike for boarding


The leaders of Mississippi's eight public universities presented the state College Board with requests to raise room-and-board rates Thursday but were told to come back next month with proposals for the long-term upkeep of dorms, not just the bare minimum needed to scrape by.   Read More
MS: Board approves agency furloughs


More than 5,000 state employees could be sent home without pay as agencies grapple with continually shrinking budgets. The state Personnel Board on Thursday approved furloughs up to six days for employees of the Department of Public Safety, said Lynn Fitch, the board's executive director. The state Tax Commission and Department of Agriculture and Commerce were each approved for personnel furloughs of four to 12 day   Read More
MS: Legislative highlights


Criminals convicted of a felony may have to reimburse the investigating agency under a new law.   Read More
MT: What happens to Otter Creek coal revenue, regarding schools and other programs


While Thursday's lease of state coal in the Otter Creek Valley creates an $86 million windfall for the state next month, the ultimate decision on how to spend it is a year off — at the 2011 Legislature.   Read More
NC: DOT -- Bridge wasn't feasible


Asked to referee a fight between a powerful coastal senator and an environmental group, the state Department of Transportation has sided with the senator. Mostly.   Read More
NC: A state payday for Dex One


The state giveth and the state taketh away. That was the message of a Thursday meeting from the committee that oversees the state's incentives programs.   Read More
ND: Health care package adds, removes Bank of N.D. item


WASHINGTON -- Bye bye, Cornhusker Kickback. Hello, special treatment for Tennessee and possibly North Dakota.   Read More
NE: Around the Rotunda -- Legislative staff will take day off without pay


The staff of the Nebraska Legislature, about 250 workers, will take a furlough day on Good Friday, April 2, and save the state budget $51,000.   Read More
NH: Litchfield hears sales pitch for Hudson casino


LITCHFIELD, N.H. – If a proposed casino complex in Hudson is approved, neighboring towns could gain jobs, business and direct revenue sharing.   Read More
NH: Court workers okay furloughs


The 363 judicial branch employees in the State Employees' Association will join judges and other court staff in taking unpaid furloughs to meet a $3.1 million budget shortfall. The measure passed yesterday 149-4, with 80 percent of the eligible members voting.   Read More
NH: Panel okays gambling, denies cuts


Faced with difficult budgetary decisions, the Senate Finance Committee yesterday signaled a desire to find new revenue sources rather than make drastic cuts to social services.   Read More
NJ: Unions decry advancement of bills on public pensions


An Assembly panel yesterday approved legislation that would make public-worker pension and health benefits less generous, a move designed to put the state retirement system on sounder financial footing for tens of thousands of future retirees.   Read More
NJ: State aid to municipalities may be cut by $445 million


Governor Christie's proposed $29.3 billion budget would trim $445 million in state aid to New Jersey's recession-weary municipalities, forcing town officials to contemplate layoffs and service cuts to make up for the lost income.   Read More
NJ: New energy budget will give smaller rebates for solar panels on roofs


Residents and small business owners looking to put solar panels on their roofs will receive smaller rebates under a new state Clean Energy Program budget made public Thursday.   Read More
NJ: NJ property tax bills rise as rebates face the ax


Property tax bills in New Jersey have gone up 56 percent since 2001. But the rebate checks that once offset those bills by as much 20 percent may vanish this year.   Read More
NJ: Christie vetoes 5 service contracts approved by Turnpike Authority


Governor Christie on Thursday vetoed five professional services contracts that were approved by the New Jersey Turnpike Authority a month ago.   Read More
NJ: State school board group ask Christie to suspend school budget elections


The New Jersey School Boards Association yesterday called on lawmakers and Gov. Chris Christie to suspend this year's school budget elections so districts can grapple with unprecedented cuts in aid announced this week.   Read More
NJ: Assembly panel approves bills that will change public pensions, health care benefits


To hoots and hisses from public employee union leaders who packed a committee room, an Assembly panel approved five bills yesterday that would make broad changes to public workers pension and health care benefits. Three of the five bills have already passed the Senate.   Read More
NM: State urged to monitor stray voltage


A New Jersey company on Thursday urged the New Mexico Public Regulation Commission to require monitoring of stray electricity like that which was shocking dogs in downtown Santa Fe late last year.   Read More
NM: State could nix city's red-light camera plans


A New Mexico State Transportation Commission decision Thursday could end Santa Fe's red-light camera program before it begins, Police Chief Aric Wheeler said.   Read More
NM: Three senators who voted for food tax now oppose it, Think NM says


Think New Mexico, a non-profit think tank, counts three Democratic state senators who voted for a budget package that included a food tax, but now say they're urging Gov. Bill Richardson to veto the measure.   Read More
NV: Marketplace -- Tax status hurts attracting out-of-state business, Gibbons warns


The uncertainty of Nevada's future tax environment is hurting the state's ability to attract new companies, and fears of possible tax hikes are driving companies looking to move to pick other Western states, Gov. Jim Gibbons said Thursday.   Read More
NV: Special legislative session advocated for water rights


The Nevada Legislature should be called into special session soon to clarify confusion created by the Nevada Supreme Court on thousands of water rights, say advocates for homebuilders, organized labor and the Southern Nevada Water Authority.   Read More
NV: Gibbons -- Shortfall will give government a new look


Gov. Jim Gibbons told the Las Vegas Chamber of Commerce on Thursday that state government will have a new look because of a projected $3.5 billion shortfall next year.   Read More
NV: Governor, Legislature seek to keep $62 million for state budget


Gov. Jim Gibbons and the Nevada Legislature have joined to ask the state Supreme Court to force the Clean Water Coalition in Las Vegas to turn over $62 million to help the financially troubled state government.   Read More
NV: Gibbons' education task force to meet behind closed doors


Gov. Jim Gibbons declared this week that Nevada's future education policy will emerge from a blue ribbon task force he created by executive order.   Read More
NY: Cuomo probes pension 'spiking'


New York became the latest state to shine a light on the practice of pension "spiking"—big increases in a government worker's salary just before retirement to boost the lifelong pension payout.   Read More
NY: Refund-amentally flawed fiscal state


Amid new warnings that the state's finances are worsening, Gov. Paterson has decided to delay income-tax refunds for hundreds of thousands of New Yorkers for at least two more weeks, officials said yesterday.   Read More
NY: Senate backs school tax cap but fate uncertain


The idea of a school tax cap refuses to die in the Senate, despite earlier failed efforts, and an apparent cold shoulder from the Assembly.   Read More
OH: Kasich wants changes but will save details for fall


DAYTON, Ohio -- Republican John Kasich can talk at length about what he thinks Ohio needs to do to get out of the economic ditch — phase out the state income tax, reform regulations, cut government spending — but the gubernatorial candidate is reticent about the details.   Read More
OH: Library cuts likely will wait until summer meetings, trustees say


Dayton Metro Library trustees this summer likely will begin the process of determining what cuts will be needed to balance the budget in 2012.   Read More
OH: Columbus State may hold line on tuition again


Columbus State Community College students likely can count on tuition being frozen for a fourth year in a row, thanks to the school's financial health.   Read More
OK: Oklahoma medical examiners struggle, official says


The state medical examiner's office has a backlog of more than 1,100 uncompleted cases, its chief administrative officer revealed Thursday. The backlog will continue to increase until more doctors are hired, Tom Jordan told the Board of Medicolegal Investigations, which oversees office operations.   Read More
OR: Portland based EcoTrust unveils carbon credits from Olympic forest


A for-profit subsidiary of Portland-based EcoTrust has signed its first deal to sell carbon credits from forest land it owns, putting 3,276 acres on Washington's Olympic Peninsula into the market for credits designed to offset business and government greenhouse gas emissions.   Read More
OR: Oregon energy tax incentives face new limits


A host of reforms aimed at reining in Oregon's budget-busting subsidies for green energy projects were signed into law Thursday by Gov. Ted Kulongoski -- a year after he vetoed a similar bill.   Read More
PA: Pa. Turnpike inspector says he's saved $1 million


The Pennsylvania Turnpike's new inspector general, hired to root out corruption and waste at an agency long regarded as a patronage haven, has forced the termination of 32 turnpike workers during the last year.   Read More
PA: Health insurance program for Pennsylvania children lauded


Ten years ago, affordable health care for Mary Jo Sprague's two children seemed out of reach.   Read More
PA: PUC sets hearing on Marcellus shale pipes


The Pennsylvania Public Utility Commission is holding a special hearing as part of efforts to clarify and possibly expand its role in regulating burgeoning Marcellus shale gas well and gas pipeline development.   Read More
PA: Bonusgate jury ends 5th day of deliberation with no verdict


Jurors ended a fifth day of deliberation this afternoon without reaching a verdict in the government corruption trial of former state Rep. Mike Veon and three associates.   Read More
SC: House approves budget


Smokers would pay 30 cents more for a pack of cigarettes and thousands of state workers could lose their jobs under a $5 billion budget that the state House approved early Thursday after a marathon session.   Read More
SC: Gov. Sanford accepts fine in ethics case


Gov. Mark Sanford of South Carolina agreed Thursday to pay $74,000 to settle charges that his personal travel and campaign spending violated state ethics laws, but he continued to deny wrongdoing.   Read More
SC: Senate sets new spending limits


Senate Finance Committee members settled on a new spending limitation plan for state revenue Thursday, after state economists told lawmakers their previous plan would not work.   Read More
SD: Blender pumps get fed boost


South Dakota is looking for gas station owners who want to install ethanol blender pumps, with $1 million in federal stimulus money to help prime the pump.   Read More
TN: Tennessee's unemployment rate won't get much relief from jobs bill


A jobs package signed into law on Thursday is not expected to create enough jobs to improve Tennessee's persistently high unemployment rate.   Read More
TN: TennCare postpones some cuts for a year


TennCare officials said Thursday they will be able to use a federal refund of $121 million to postpone some cuts to the state's expanded Medicaid program for a year.   Read More
TX: Mayor's aide -- State sees risk in Metro rail debt plan


Metro's plans for repaying $2.6 billion in bonds to finance five light rail lines could be threatened by the Texas attorney general's objections to one revenue source, a leader of Mayor Annise Parker's transition team said.   Read More
US: An alternative to 'alternative' assets


Public pensions are increasingly asking a question that has haunted investors since the financial crisis: When is an alternative investment really more of the same?   Read More
US: Congress does repair job on stimulus school construction plan


Last December, we reported in USA Today [1] that a plan to subsidize billions of dollars in school construction under the stimulus bill had largely flopped. Now, Congress has passed a fix to get the program back on track. President Obama signed the bill today.   Read More
UT: Utah counting on you to send in census form


Utah could have been $900 million richer during the past decade if everyone in the state had returned the U.S. census forms in 2000, according to members of Salt Lake City's Complete Count Committee.   Read More
UT: $1,050 for a voter list?


State Records Committee members sympathized with Steve Maxfield Jr. After all, charging more than $1,000 for a public record that takes the state all of 20 minutes to compile seems a bit steep.   Read More
UT: Joblessness in Utah at 26-year high


Utah's unemployment rate jumped to 7.1 percent last month, its highest level since February 1984.   Read More
UT: Utah's job losses 'more moderate' in February


Utah's economy is slowly improving, with more moderate job losses in February, according to an employment summary issued Thursday by the state Department of Workforce Services.   Read More
VA: State schools will lose $700 million in 2 years


Budget cuts this year could have negative implications for Virginia schools for years to come, members of the State Board of Education said Thursday.   Read More
WA: Crossing sponsors mull plan changes


Eliminating freeway exits in downtown Vancouver and on Hayden Island should be considered under a refined Columbia River Crossing project, local officials on both sides of the river suggested Thursday.   Read More
WA: State tax break entices tech firms to build data centers


To attract data centers to rural counties, Washington state will give tax breaks to tech companies that build them.   Read More
WA: Gregoire scolds Legislature -- Wrap it up by Sunday


Gov. Chris Gregoire scolded fellow Democrats in the Legislature Thursday afternoon, saying lawmakers need to finish their work and go home by Sunday.   Read More
WA: Wash. lawmakers -- Tax compromise could be possible


Legislative leaders were more optimistic Thursday that compromise might be possible on an $800 million tax package to help bridge the state's budget deficit, the main attraction of a special session heading into its fifth day.   Read More
WA: More lawmakers turning down per diem pay


The cost of the special legislative session in Olympia has shrunk to less than $14,000 a day, thanks to a growing line of state legislators who are refusing to accept their $90-per-day expense allowances.   Read More
WI: Local rail 'summit' lobbies for high-speed line on Amtrak route


One hundred high-speed rail advocates, several riding Amtrak from Minnesota, gathered Thursday in La Crosse to promote having the proposed Chicago-to-Twin Cities passenger train follow the river route used by Amtrak.   Read More
WI: Newly signed jobs bill unlikely to spur hiring


Don't look for a burst of hiring by small businesses in Wisconsin as a result of the federal jobs bill signed into law on Thursday.   Read More
WV: Some state officials block access to NCAA tourney


Some 20,000 state employees will be unable to watch the NCAA basketball tournament on their work computers.   Read More
WV: Finished budget includes money for Medicaid waiver programs


House and Senate conferees completed work on the 2010-11 state budget bill Thursday afternoon. House Finance Chairman Harry Keith White, D-Mingo, said the budget includes an additional $15 million for Medicaid waiver programs to provide in-home care to senior citizens and for persons with developmental disabilities.   Read More
WY: Wyoming Coalition for Open Government looks for sunshine


If you want to know the annual salaries of state elected officials or find out what happened at the last meeting of your city council, you have the right to that information.   Read More
WY: Mineral tax revenues push up state income, sales tax down


The latest monthly state income report says mineral severance tax revenues were over 14 percent higher than predicted.   Read More
WY: Report -- Health insurance crisis hits middle class hardest


America's middle class is bearing the brunt of the health insurance crisis, according to a new study.   Read More
The empire strikes out
By Stephen C. Fehr, Stateline.org Staff Writer

Speaking of StatesNew York Governor David Paterson replaced a governor caught up in a scandal. Now Paterson is accused of wrongdoing himself and has declined to run for election. Facing a myriad of challenges, including a $9 billion budget shortfall, Paterson is finding it difficult to be effective in his final months in office.   Read More
Non-profit Ill. hospital must pay property tax
By Stateline.org Staff

TODAY'S TAKE: In a closely watched case, Illinois’ highest court Thursday determined that a not-for-profit hospital had to pay property taxes, because it didn’t offer enough charity care to qualify for a tax exemption.   Read More
USEFUL LINKS
Recent stories from Stateline.org
Or click here to visit our archives
Recession and Recovery
Read the latest news, analysis and research on the economic crisis in the states in Stateline.org's new Recession and Recovery special section.
The Stimulus and the StatesThe Stimulus and the
States

Follow how states are managing the stimulus money and which programs are receiving funding as part of the recovery effort using Stateline.org's stimulus special section.
Stateline Blogs
Stateline.org has compiled an extensive list of state issue political blogs to make it convenient for you to follow state government.

If a blog you find interesting and informative is not on our list, tell us about it by sending an email to editor@stateline.org.
Blogs organized by Issue
lineBlogs organized by State
State Public Policy Resources
Stateline.org has put together a list of state public policy resources organized by issue. Here, you will find useful links to essential information from government, academia, and think tanks. If you have a link to add, please email us.


The Pew Charitable Trusts applies the power of knowledge to solve today’s most challenging problems. Pew's Center on the States identifies and advances state policy solutions.