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Each week, Stateline.org posts commentary by syndicated columnist Neal Peirce and other experts on
state policy. You'll find the latest opinion piece at the top of the list below.
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Obama picket policy sets dangerous precedent
By Neal Peirce, syndicated columnist, posted 06/21/2009
Usually sure-footed politically, the Obama administration last week erred seriously by letting a local picket line trigger the withdrawal of Vice President Biden and some 100 federal officials from the U.S. Conference of Mayors meeting in Providence. R.I. Read More
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Federal stimulus dollars, state deficits -- and federalism
By Raymond C. Scheppach, in a commentary for Stateline.org, posted 06/12/2009
Even with well-timed help from the economic stimulus package, state governments will face a rough three years ahead, warns Raymond C. Scheppach, an economist and executive director of the National Governors Association, in his latest commentary for Stateline.org. With state budgets through 2011 expected to face shortfalls of $200 billion to $250 billion, the federal government should take care not to heap more costs on states with new legislative initiatives, Scheppach writes.
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California's agony can't be ignored
By Neal Peirce, Special to Stateline.org, posted 06/07/2009
Everyone knows public finances in California, America’s once-fabled Golden State of opportunity, are in shambles. But should the rest of us care? The state’s ever-rising deficit has hit $24.3 billion as the legislature’s liberal Democrats and conservative Republicans remain in constant deadlock. Voters in May overwhelmingly rejected five “budget reform” ballot measures. Read More
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Politically Uncorrected: Giant killer
By G. Terry Madonna and Michael L. Young, Special to Stateline.org, posted 06/01/2009
Joseph A. Sestak!
A household name across Pennsylvania he is not. Yet Congressman Sestak, who represents Pennsylvania’s seventh congressional district (largely Delaware County), is set to challenge a veritable political legend, Arlen Specter, for the 2010 Democratic U.S. Senate nomination. In doing so he is also taking on the collective Democratic establishment including President Obama, Vice President Biden, Governor Ed Rendell, Senator Bob Casey, and state party Chair T.J. Rooney. And equally important he is going up against what is inarguably the most formidable money machine ever mobilized by the Pennsylvania Democratic Party. Read More
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Outreach to immigrants: A suburb's exciting new way
By Neal Peirce, Special to Stateline.org, posted 05/17/2009
GAITHERSBURG, Md. — Perched on the northside of the Nation’s Capital, Montgomery County, Md., has long been as one of America’s wealthiest jurisdictions. It might be one of the last places you’d look for breakthroughs in helping poor immigrants. Read More
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Three sticking points could stunt stimulus education reform
By Allison Armour-Garb, Special to Stateline.org, posted 05/04/2009
President Obama is asking states to make education reforms in exchange for almost $40 billion in stimulus funds for schools. But his aspirations may be on a collision course with competing realities, such as pressures to use the money to save teachers' jobs, writes Allison Armour-Garb with the Nelson A. Rockefeller Institute of Government in a commentary for Stateline.org. Read More
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Politically Uncorrected: Corruption - no longer an iffy proposition for Pennsylvania
By G. Terry Madonna and Michael L. Young, Special to Stateline.org, posted 04/25/2009
The question is no longer a speculative one. No longer can we ask “if” corruption, widespread and systematic, is returning full bloom to Pennsylvania. Instead, it is now time to ask “why” – why after an absence of a quarter of a century, the blight of public corruption has returned to the Keystone State. Read More
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Agencies collaborating: Affair of the year
By Neal Peirce, Special to Stateline.org, posted 04/19/2009
Two federal departments collaborating? An unnatural act? Maybe. But if you care what kind of neighborhood you live in, or whether you or your kids will be able to make ends meet, then check out this burgeoning departmental romance. Read More
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Politically Uncorrected: The Specter Toomey race — why so close?
By G. Terry Madonna and Michael L. Young, Special to Stateline.org, posted 04/16/2009
The dust is still settling after Tuesday’s obstreperous Republican primary for US Senate. Pat Toomey’s insurgent campaign succeeded in pushing four-term incumbent Arlen Specter closer to defeat than had any of his previous opponents. Though the election is over, the debate continues about how Senator Specter managed to sneak past Toomey, the three term congressman from the Lehigh Valley. Read More
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New York: harbinger of how the stimulus works?
By David Shaffer, Special to Stateline.org, posted 04/10/2009
New York is the first state to approve a budget that incorporates federal economic stimulus funds, and the Rockefeller Institute’s David Shaffer says the example it set may portend a troubling state approach to the worst recession in modern times. Read More
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Water crises–global but close to home too
By Neal Peirce, Special to Stateline.org, posted 04/09/2009
Top-level global attention is shifting to the world’s waters: Will supplies and quality be enough to sustain the world’s growing billions of people in this flood- and drought-challenged century? Read More
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Politically Uncorrected: A specter to behold
By G. Terry Madonna and Michael L. Young, Special to Stateline.org, posted 03/31/2009
It’s a specter to behold. Pennsylvania’s most successful politician in modern times is on the ropes and engaged in what looks like the fight of his life. Read More
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The economy, the stimulus package and the states
By Raymond C. Scheppach, Special to Stateline.org, posted 03/23/2009
What are the prospects that the $275 billion being sent to states by the federal stimulus package will help turn the nation’s economy around? In his latest commentary for Stateline.org, Raymond C. Scheppach, an economist and executive director of the National Governors Association, dissects the stimulus package and shows piece-by-piece how states can play a role in the national recovery. Read More
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Click here for Stateline.org's interactive map following the recession and stimulus in all 50 states.
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 | Stateline.org has put together a list of state data 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.
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