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- Stateline Story
Governors Rip Feds in Annual Policy Speeches
If there was any doubt states are frustrated with federal policymakers, the nation's governors provided stark reminders in "state of the state" speeches delivered during the first two months of 2008.more -
- Stateline Story
'Present' Votes Defended by Ill. Lawmakers
In most legislatures, lawmakers vote either "yes" or "no" on bills, but in Illinois, senators and representatives can hit a third button for a "present" vote. Now that quirk - not unique to Illinois - has sparked heated exchanges among Democrats vying for president.more -
- Stateline Story
Govs' Salaries Range From $1 to $206,500
Compared with the pay of captains of industry or college football coaches, the $124,398 average salary earned by U.S. governors in 2007 isn’t so spectacular. But for many, that’s not a problem. Three governors are donating their salaries back to the state, and others are fighting against a raise. more
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- Stateline Story
Driver's Licenses Get a Makeover
Driver's licenses across the country are going high-tech, with invisible features to stop identity thieves scheming to commit credit card fraud or just hoping to buy a beer before turning 21. More than half the states are using digital scans of faces, fingerprints or irises or invisible digital watermarks to stop identity theft and counterfeiting. A 2005 federal law, the Real ID Act, will be making all states revamp their licenses.more -
- Stateline Story
Govs set innovative agendas
Massachusetts Gov. Deval Patrick (D) wants to recruit 1000 volunteers to work on community projects across the Bay State. His proposal is among a long list of new initiatives unveiled by governors in announcing their agendas for 2007.more -
- Stateline Story
Affirmative Action on Michigan Ballot
The fight over a ballot initiative to ban affirmative action in Michigan's university admissions and government hiring and contracts has turned ugly, leading to a raucous process and claims of voter fraud. The Michigan proposal is modeled after measures passed by California voters in 1996 and Washington state voters in 1998.more -
- Stateline Story
Virginia Accelerates Telework Program
Click image to enlarge Traffic congestion -- a hot issue in Virginia -- has driven lawmakers to shift the state's telecommuting initiative into overdrive, challenging government managers to allow at least 25 percent of eligible employees to work from home. Thirty-four states and the federal government have adopted telecommuting, or telework. But bosses have been slow to allow their employees to use the option. Virginia's new statute assumes all state employees are candidates for working at home, and calls on managers to explain why they aren't.more -
- Stateline Story
Federal Overtime Rules: New Headaches for States
Workers and employers arent the only ones scratching their heads over new federal workplace overtime rules. The new overtime rules are causing confusion in states and rancor on the campaign trail and on Capitol Hill. The U.S. House of Representatives voted Sept. 9 to block the new rules, but observers dont expect the action to hold up to stiff GOP opposition and a White House veto threat. The outcome of the November elections could well determine whether the new federal requirements stand and whether states that have their own overtime rules decide to keep them. more