Taxes & Budget news Subcribe to Taxes & Budget news |
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By Stephen C. Fehr, Stateline.org Staff Writer
More than $300 million is generated from delinquent Louisiana taxpayers; California finance chief hangs it up; Iowa Gov. Culver campaigns as problem solver; and stimulus Web site turns up boo-boos.
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By David Harrison, Special to Stateline.org
It’s going to be a long, hard climb out of the current economic downturn for many recession-ridden states hit hard by the housing crash, unemployment and shrinking revenues. But as the national economy starts its slow recovery, 11 states and the District of Columbia are showing signs of emerging from the recession, according to a new report.
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AL: IRS seeks check recipients in area
By Cosby Woodruff, Montgomery Advertiser
The IRS is looking for 257 taxpayers in the River Region in order to give rather than to receive. The IRS is looking to give those people, and more than 1,000 others around Alabama, refund checks that were misdirected or otherwise undeliverable.
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AZ: Feds' latest move may lift Valley home sales
By J. Craig Anderson, The Arizona Republic (Phoenix)
An expanded version of the home-buyer tax-rebate program could jump-start the market for higher-priced homes and help sustain the booming low-end housing market, Phoenix-area real-estate analysts say.
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CA: Eyeing a run
By Torey Van Oot, The Sacramento Bee
Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger plans to sign into law two of the water bills passed early Wednesday morning. Assembly Speaker Karen Bass is also scheduled to attend the 10 a.m. signing ceremony at the Tujunga Wellfield Groundwater Recovery Project in Los Angeles.
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CO: Grand plans for rail in Denver hit a wall of fiscal realities
By Kirk Johnson, The New York Times
DENVER -- One of the most ambitious one-time mass-transit projects in the nation's history, called FasTracks — $4.7 billion, 122 miles of passenger rail and a hectic construction schedule of only 12 years — was approved by voters here in 2004 along with a regionwide sales tax to pay for it.
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CT: UConn Trustees approve $992.3 million budget
By Kathleen Megan, The Hartford Courant
Delayed by the lack of a state budget until September, the University of Connecticut Board of Trustees approved this year's $992.3 million budget Monday — a 3.8 percent increase over last year — amid warnings from its chief financial officer that while this year's budget is "fine" he has "serious concerns" about 2011 and "great concerns" about 2012.
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CT: Rell makes $34 million in cuts from state budget
By Christopher Keating, The Hartford Courant
The reductions were ordered in hundreds of categories, including $8.5 million from the Department of Children and Families, $7.25 million from the multibillion-dollar Department of Social Services, $3.7 million from the Department of Developmental Services, $1.26 million from the Department of Environmental Protection, $500,000 from the state Department of Agriculture, and $200,000 from the chief state medical examiner's office.
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DE: Report on casinos pushed to late Dec.
By Jeff Montgomery, The News Journal (New Castle-Wilmington)
A panel examining prospects for more casinos in Delaware now hopes for an independent report on the issue by the end of December, further pushing back its deadline for a recommendation to lawmakers.
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DE: Lower digits fetch lower prices
By J.L. Miller, The News Journal (New Castle-Wilmington)
When the nation's financial bubble burst, a uniquely Delaware asset quietly deflated. Prices paid for low-digit Delaware license plates have fallen, in some cases by half, since the glory days of 2006 and 2007.
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FL: Fla. justices consider mediation for foreclosures
By The Associated Press, The Miami Herald
Mediation would be a good way to expedite a flood of mortgage foreclosures, members of a foreclosure task force said Wednesday, but some disagreed on the details in oral arguments before the state Supreme Court.
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GA: Virtual schools chart new course
By D. Aileen Dodd, The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Representatives of five would-be virtual charter schools will file into the administrative towers of the Georgia Department of Education today to pitch their brand of public education, which lets students study at home computers in their pajamas.
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HI: Lawmakers still cool to session on schools
By B.J. Reyes, Honolulu Star-Bulletin
House leaders again resisted calls for a special legislative session to deal with public schools, asking instead for a reopening of the state teachers' contract to restore classroom time being lost to furloughs.
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IL: Video gambling no sure bet
By Bob Goldsborough, Chicago Tribune
Almost four months after Gov. Pat Quinn signed the Video Gaming Act into law to help fund a large, long-awaited capital bill, local governments are grappling with whether to ban video gambling and risk jeopardizing the extra funding for crumbling roads, to defer a decision until state rules regulating video gambling are made official, or to allow it.
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IL: Doubts rise on Chicago's mental health clinics
By John Byrne and Hal Dardick, Chicago Tribune
Chicago's mental health budget will shrink next year amid continued billing problems that resulted in a state funding cut, prompting aldermen Thursday to question how much care the city's clinics will be able to provide.
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IN: IU economists predict weak recovery in 2010
By The Associated Press, Evansville Courier and Press
BLOOMINGTON, Ind. -- Indiana University economists predict a weak recovery in 2010 as the state and nation begin to recuperate from one of the worst recessions since World War II.
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KS: Budget estimate declines by 4.2%
By Scott Rothschild, The Lawrence Journal-World
State fiscal experts Thursday said the Kansas economy remains stuck in recession, and that means a further drop in tax revenues and more budget cuts.
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KY: State gets stimulus money for child care
By Stephenie Steitzer, The Courier-Journal (Louisville)
Gov. Steve Beshear announced Thursday that Kentucky will receive $4 million in federal stimulus funds to pay for training and other resources for child-care providers.
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LA: Taxpayers in La. sought for refunds
By Staff Reports, The Advocate (Baton Rouge)
TThe Internal Revenue Service is trying to get refund checks totaling more than $1.6 million — an average $1,080 apiece — to nearly 1,500 Louisianans whose checks were returned to the IRS by the U.S. Postal Service because of mailing address errors.
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LA: Finance report shows two fund BR Tea Party
By Greg Garland, The Advocate (Baton Rouge)
Baton Rouge Tea Party LLC reported collecting $10,266 in contributions between Oct. 6 and Oct. 23 for its campaign to defeat a $901 million tax package on the Nov. 14 ballot, according to campaign-finance reports released Thursday.
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LA: Recovery School District would not be focus of Race to the Top federal grant, Pastorek says
By Robert Travis Scott, The Times-Picayune (New Orleans)
NEW ORLEANS, La. -- The state Department of Education would use a large portion of a potential Race to the Top grant to help pay for a $40 million data management system, a principals training institute and other expanded agency roles in addition to the direct cash that the federal program is targeting at failing schools, Superintendent of Education Paul Pastorek said Thursday.
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MA: Good news, bad news for fishery
By Don Cuddy, Cape Cod Times
NEW BEDFORD, Mass. — The deep and murky waters of fishery management in New England just became a little murkier for Jon Williams, CEO of the Atlantic Red Crab Co. in New Bedford.
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MD: Montgomery might sue state over school funding law
By Nelson Hernandez, The Washington Post
Top Montgomery County officials threatened Thursday to sue the state and "aggressively pursue" legislation that would change state law after Maryland's attorney general found that the county had failed to meet the state's minimum level of funding for education. The opinion renders it potentially liable for millions of dollars in penalties.
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MD: Plan for I-270 light rail gains steam
By Katherine Shaver, The Washington Post
Routing a transit line closer to the Kentlands and through two developments planned for west Gaithersburg would draw as many as 42,000 daily boardings, enough to make either a light rail line or busway in the Interstate 270 corridor eligible for federal money, according to a state study released Thursday.
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MD: Waiting to learn who pays Dixon's legal bills
By Julie Bykowicz, The Sun (Baltimore)
BALTIMORE -- Baltimore Mayor Sheila Dixon's legal bills, racked up during a years-long corruption probe that has led her to enlist seven criminal defense attorneys for a theft trial next week, could run into the hundreds of thousands of dollars, legal observers say.
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MI: MDOT to double bridge toll to $3
By Stephen Tait, The Times Herald (Port Huron)
The plan, which is scheduled to take effect Jan. 5, would increase the cost from $1.50 to $3 for passenger vehicles and from $1.75 to $3.25 an axle for commercial vehicles.
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MI: 55 Michigan troopers to be rehired
By Chris Christoff, Detroit Free Press
State budget director Bob Emerson said the department was given the go-ahead today to hire the troopers, who were among some 100 rookie troopers laid off July 1 in a cost-saving move by Gov. Jennifer Granholm.
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MI: State aid for schools gets House boost
By Chris Christoff and Lori Higgins, Detroit Free Press
Deep cuts in state aid to schools stirred action Thursday, as the House voted 74-29 to restore $184 million using federal stimulus money set aside for fiscal year 2011.
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MI: State aid for schools gets House boos
By Chris Christoff and Lori Higgins, Detroit Free Press
Deep cuts in state aid to schools stirred action Thursday, as the House voted 74-29 to restore $184 million using federal stimulus money set aside for fiscal year 2011.
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MI: House aims to aid schools
By Kathy Barks Hoffman, The Associated Press, Lansing State Journal
The Michigan House voted Thursday to tap federal stimulus money set aside for next year to soften a cut in school funding now, but it's unlikely the move is going to win the support of the state Senate.
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MO: Stimulus to fund some road work
By Staff Reports, Columbia Daily Tribune
Federal stimulus cash will pay for 13 additional road-resurfacing projects in Central Missouri for the five-year Statewide Transportation Improvement Program.
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MO: Yogis exercised about a new tax
By Janese Heavin, Columbia Daily Tribune
Melissa Tipton practices yoga at least four times a week. She wouldn't mind being taxed for it, but she's not keen on her yoga studio being lumped in with fitness clubs.
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MS: Slow recovery darkens budget outlook
By Bobby Harrison, The Daily Journal (Tupelo)
State economist Phil Pepper told legislative leaders and Gov. Haley Barbour on Thursday not to expect much improvement in Mississippi's economy until the second half of next year.
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NC: Rep. Pricey Harrison wants Blue Cross probe
By Mark Binker, The News & Record (Greensboro)
Rep. Pricey Harrison has asked the state's attorney general and Department of Insurance to investigate Blue Cross Blue Shield of North Carolina's use of campaign-style tactics aimed at defeating controversial federal health insurance legislation.
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NC: Liberals may gain in Rand's departure
By Mark Johnson, The News & Observer (Raleigh)
State Sen. Tony Rand had several important roles at the legislature - majority leader, chairman of the rules committee that determines when and how legislation will be considered, member of the committee that writes the state budget.
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NC: State sends 16 to Calif. training
By Lynn Bonner, The News & Observer (Raleigh)
The state is using $140,000 in federal stimulus money to send 16 employees to child development workshops in San Diego while North Carolina has thousands of struggling families seeking subsidized care for their children.
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NE: Lincoln senator recommends furloughs, not layoffs for workers
By JoAnne Young, Lincoln Journal Star
Senators introduced five bills in special session Thursday, aimed at saving money for the state or saving money for a particular program. Lincoln Sen. Bill Avery introduced a resolution (LR4) that would have agencies use furloughs rather than layoffs of state workers if needed to meet across-the-board budget cuts.
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NJ: N.J. governor calls for new budget trims
By The Associated Press, The Philadelphia Inquirer
TRENTON, N.J. -- Gov. Corzine directed members of his cabinet yesterday to come up with $400 million in additional savings options as he struggles to keep the state budget in balance.
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NJ: Corzine accomplishments tempered by tough times
By Adrienne Lu, The Philadelphia Inquirer
As Gov. Corzine heads into what are likely to be the final weeks of his political life, following the failure of his reelection bid on Tuesday, it's unclear whether the bearded Midwestern native with the down-to-earth demeanor and the sweater vests will be remembered more for his legislative accomplishments or for the car wreck that nearly took his life in 2007.
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NJ: Corzine orders $400M in cuts to balance budget
By John Reitmeyer, The Record of Bergen County
Governor Corzine is preparing $400 million in budget cuts and wants legislators to shelve any new spending measures during their upcoming lame duck session, all to offset revenue losses blamed on the poor economy.
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NV: Levin calls for record of business owners' IDs
By John G. Edwards, Las Vegas Review-Journal
Sen. Carl Levin on Thursday cited the book "Merchant of Death" about Russian arms trafficker Viktor Bout as Exhibit One for his case against allowing private corporations and limited liability companies to keep the names of their owners secret.
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NV: Managing fraud a lesson of recession
By Abigail Goldman, Las Vegas Review-Journal
Robert Frimet is a self-proclaimed fraud expert, a businessman who audits other companies' books, gives lectures on recognizing employee theft, and sits as a civilian member on the Nevada Fight Fraud Task Force.
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NY: Senate Democrats rebuff governor on special session
By Tom Precious, The Buffalo News
Reducing the state's soaring deficit, legalizing gay marriage, slowing property tax growth and toughening drunk driving laws are among the items on the agenda for a special session of the Legislature that Gov. David A. Paterson has scheduled for Tuesday.
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NY: Wind law could benefit company
By Christine McConville, Boston Herald
Despite significant opposition in Western Massachusetts, state environmental affairs secretary Ian Bowles is pushing hard to get a controversial wind-turbine law passed before the legislative session ends on Nov. 18.
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OK: Obama promises U.S. tribal leaders he'll tackle issues
By Chris Casteel, The Oklahoman (Oklahoma City)
WASHINGTON — Greeting the first American Indian conference to be sponsored by the White House in 15 years, President Barack Obama told tribal leaders Thursday he will work with them on problems that have plagued Indians for decades.
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PA: Grand jury may seek charges against Perzel
By Dennis B. Roddy and Tracie Mauriello, Pittsburgh Post-Gazette
A statewide grand jury is considering recommending charges against former House Speaker John Perzel, R-Philadelphia, and a number of others in connection with millions of dollars in taxpayer-funded computer data that investigators believe was used for political campaigns.
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PA: Gubernatorial candidate Knox wants campaign limits
By Brad Bumsted, Pittsburgh Tribune-Review
Democratic gubernatorial candidate Tom Knox, who is expected to spend millions of his own money on the campaign, said Thursday he wants to limit what other people can spend on state campaigns as part of a wide-ranging reform agenda.
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RI: Governor vetoes saltwater fishing license
By Peter B. Lord, The Providence Journal
Governor Carcieri, reversing more than a year of work by his own staff and the state's largest recreational fishing organization, has vetoed a proposed $7 state license for saltwater fishing. He called it "excessively intrusive."
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SD: Coming soon -- Vending sales of lottery tickets
By Bob Mercer, Capital Journal (Pierre)
The state Game, Fish and Parks Commission needs to take emergency steps to slightly increase the number of deer licenses for some East River units because too many licenses have been issued to hunters for the upcoming season.
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TN: Judge declines paper-ballot push
By Richard Locker, The Commercial Appeal (Memphis)
A Nashville judge Thursday turned down a motion to force state election officials to move faster toward installing paper-ballot voting systems across Tennessee in time for the 2010 general election as required by the legislature.
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TN: Bredesen calls biofuel criticism 'outrageous'
By Tom Humphrey, Knoxville News Sentinel
Gov. Phil Bredesen branded a legislative attack on the BioFuels Initiative he launched two years ago as "ridiculous" and "outrageous" Thursday and said it endangers an unannounced "very large investment in East Tennessee."
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TN: Colleges brace for flu wave
By Joan Garrett, Chattanooga Times Free Press
Colleges in Tennessee and North Georgia are bracing for a second wave of "influenzalike illnesses" just as campuses are recovering from a fall surge in the flu.
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TN: Groups want to preserve more plateau land
By Pam Sohn, Chattanooga Times Free Press
Cumberland Plateau groups are looking to expand efforts to preserve and connect large tracts of plateau land -- a minimum of 1.7 million acres and perhaps about 2 million acres.
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TN: Tennessee offers entrepreneurs a boost
By Bonna Johnson, The Tennessean (Nashville)
Five Nashville venture capital firms were selected to take part in a $120 million state program to invest in start-up, early and mid-stage companies, and, in the process, perhaps discover a business that will become the next FedEx or HCA.
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TX: Refund policy restored for prepaid tuition plan
By Gary Scharrer, The Houston Chronicle
Responding to tens of thousands of Texans, a state board acted unanimously Thursday to reinstate a former refund policy for prepaid college tuition that reflects the value of tuition — not simply the amount paid into the fund.
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UT: State's top ed official addresses budget
By Lisa Schencker, The Salt Lake Tribune
State Superintendent Larry Shumway urged lawmakers not to cut education dollars further and said he plans to take action to address inappropriate relationships between teachers and students as part of his first State of Education speech Thursday evening.
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WA: State to pay $525,001 in public-records settlement
By Christine Clarridge, The Seattle Times
The state Department of Social and Health Services has agreed to pay $525,001 to two women and a teenage girl for failing to turn over public records after they filed a $45 million lawsuit against the state claiming they were physically and sexually abused by their foster father.
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WV: DEP finds problems at W.Va.'s coal-ash dams
By Ken Ward, Jr., Charleston Gazette
Nearly two-thirds of the coal-ash dams across West Virginia might need repairs, and a quarter of them are ranked as being in poor or unsatisfactory condition, according to a report released Thursday by the state Department of Environmental Protection.
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WY: Federal stimulus spokesman defends Web site
By Ben Neary, The Associated Press, Casper Star-Tribune
A spokesman for the federal economic stimulus program is defending the program's Web site against criticism from a top Wyoming official, who said she sees problems with the site that might misinform the public.
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