Stateline Headlines

Wyoming legislative committee considers compensation for inmates exonerated by DNA evidence

Wyoming lawmakers take serious look at South Dakota's 24/7 Sobriety Program

Mead appoints new Natrona County District Court judge

Oil company sues Wyoming counties over taxes

Wyoming Lawmakers Seek to Block Federal Gun Restrictions

Wyoming lawmakers proposed legislation this week that would block federal restrictions on guns — any of them.

States Call For Block Grants in 2002 Farm Bill

Wyoming agriculture director Ron Micheli doesn't believe a "one-size-fits-all farm bill" works for every farmer and rancher in his state, much less the whole country. So he has joined with other state agriculture officials to recommend that Congress adopt a limited block grant approach to doling out federal agriculture dollars.

Democrats oppose bill affecting asbestos lawsuits

Wisconsin Supreme Court Retains Conservative Tilt

The Wisconsin high court’s perceived conservative tilt will remain after a justice was re-elected in Tuesday’s vote.

Balance of Power, Future of Key Issues at Stake in Wisconsin Court Race

Two years after one of the most contentious and bruising Supreme Court elections any state has ever seen, Wisconsin voters will return to the polls Tuesday to cast their votes in another judicial election.

Threats, Switches Mark Wisconsin Gunfight

When people imagine Wisconsin, they may think of beer, dairy farms and the pro football Green Bay Packers. But the bucolic Badger State was the scene this week of a bruising political battle over letting citizens carry concealed weapons.

Drunken Driving Plea Tarnishes Wisconsin Attorney General

Wisconsin's first female attorney general is fighting for her political life after an arrest for drunken driving led not only to her embarrassment but also to the discovery she was misusing a state-owned car to commute to work. Democrat Peg Lautenschlager reimbursed taxpayers, paid fines and now gets rides to work because she lost her driver's license. She is trying to put the controversies behind her and says she has no plans to step down.

Governor Vetoes Wisconsin Gun Bill

A bill allowing gun-owners to pack concealed weapons even into the state Legislature -- has sparked a political shootout in Wisconsin, with Republican proponents blazing away rhetorically at criminals, druggies and wackos, while Democrats return fire with equal passion. Democratic Gov. Jim Doyle put at least a temporary stop to this feuding Tuesday with a veto, backed by strong support from Wisconsins law enforcement community and the public at large.

Wisconsin State Senator Faces 18 Felony Charges

Just weeks ago Wisconsin State Senator and former Milwaukee assistant prosecutor Brian Burke (D-Milwaukee) was the front-runner for state attorney general. Instead of prosecuting criminals Burke now faces 18 felony counts of misconduct in office and evidence tampering for allegedly using state resources and state employees for partisan campaigning and trying to cover up his crimes.

Wisconsin Typical Of State Tobacco Settlement Debate

More than 440 bills dealing with how to allocate tobacco settlement funds have been introduced in the state legislatures since the $206 billion dollar settlement between 46 states and the five major tobacco companies was reached last November. With Congress moving to bar any federal claim to share in the settlement, it looks likely that states will have complete control of the money. In many, there is sharp debate on how to spend it. For a special report on how the debate is playing out in Wisconsin - click on

Stalemate on Crime Law A Problem For Wisconsin

Tough new criminal sentencing regulations go into effect in Wisconsin soon, and some experts fear the result could be miscarriages of justice and severe prison overcrowding because the legislature hasn't tailored the criminal code to fit the new rules.

Wisconsin Judicial Race Is Test for GOP

TODAY'S TAKE: Wisconsin voters go to the polls today (April 5) to select a state Supreme Court justice. Many see the election as a referendum on the state's Republican majorities after the bitter fight over collective bargaining.

Wisconsin Allows Concealed Guns in Capitol

TODAY'S TAKE: The Wisconsin Capitol, home to some of the fiercest political protests in the nation earlier this year, will open its doors to people carrying concealed guns, after majority Republicans changed the building's rules.

Majority of W.Va. meth lab busts are in Kanawha

Meth lab busts double in W.Va.

Prison bill mandates more drug courts

Under new law, counties can appoint 'acting' sheriffs and prosecutors

In W.Va., 125 convictions since July for cellphone use while driving

One More Governor's Race on Tap in 2011

TODAY'S TAKE: Voters in four states will choose governors in 2011, one more than is usual for an off-year. The West Virginia Supreme Court issued a ruling on Tuesday (January 18) that the state's acting chief executive, Earl Ray Tomblin, cannot serve on a temporary basis for longer than a year. The other states holding gubernatorial elections are Kentucky, Louisiana and Mississippi.

Washington Supreme Court reviews $100 million award for home care workers

State to compensate people wrongly convicted

School Ruling Roils Race for Washington Governor

School funding is playing an outsized role in the Washington gubernatorial race, but it may be a while before new money comes from Olympia.

High Court to Examine 'Top-Two' Primary

The U.S. Supreme Court will decide whether to let Washington state voters use a "top two" primary-election scheme that, if upheld, could be a model for reformers looking to loosen political parties' grip on the nomination process. Louisiana's primary is similar.

Traffic Tickets Going Digital

Even the most maddening of life's minor irritants - getting a traffic ticket - is going digital as more and more states adapt computer technology to enforce the rules of the road.

Marijuana Bills Tempt Cash-Starved States

A history of marijuana laws This has been a bumper year for marijuana legislation, according to state policy observers. Crushing state budget deficits gave advocates in California, Washington, New Hampshire, Rhode Island, New York and elsewhere an opening to pitch marijuana as a new source of tax revenue. At the same time, the Obama administration gave users and distributors some breathing room by signaling in October that it would scale back on prosecuting them as long as they comply with state law.

Seattle Police Test Taking Drug Offenders Straight to Treatment

A new pilot program gives police officers an alternative to clogging up jails with low-level criminals. Will it save taxpayer dollars?

Precision, please

Letters show top IRS official knew of targeting

Governor receives outside counsel

Judge sets October trial for former mansion chef

Richmond judge to consider dismissing Executive Mansion chef case

Va. lawmakers back probe of IRS

Local Tea Party group says tax exemption request was delayed

McDonnell: Cemetery had right to bury Boston suspect

Special prosecutor takes over in ex-mansion chef case

Ex-McDonnell adviser faces misdemeanor counts

Inmate who sued to get in women's prison weds as man

Report: Va. cabinet member discloses taking gifts

Despite Governor’s Push, Voting Rights for Felons Fails in Virginia

A House subcommittee chose not to take up legislation that would have amended the constitution to automatically restore those rights after nonviolent felons pay their debt to society.

Death Penalty Under Scrutiny in Virginia Legislature

A debate over capital punishment has flared up in what many would consider an unlikely place -- the Virginia legislature. The Old Dominion is second only to Texas in the number of convicts its puts to death. But state lawmakers are now taking a second look at the issue.

Virginia Tobacco Farmers To Get Big Chunk of Settlement

Virginia's General Assembly has agreed to give tobacco farmers a large chunk of the state's tobacco settlement funds to help them cope with dwindling markets stemming from campaigns to discourage smoking. But it took some doing by lawmakers representing the rural south side of the Old Dominion -- they had to fend off a bid by representatives of congested urban areas to claim some of the money for transportation improvements.

Virginia Sweeps Out Immigrant Sex Offenders

A recent law-enforcement operation in Virginia that will result in the deportation of at least 171 immigrant sex offenders - including some who came to the United States legally and have been out of prison for years - has spurred debate over whether the crackdown is fair and if other states should carry out similar sweeps.

Va. Tech Tragedy Revives Gun Controversy

Both the Virginia and Utah legislatures this year wrestled with the question of whether to allow college students to bring concealed guns to campus. Virginia policymakers took a look after Virginia Tech disciplined an unnamed student who brought a firearm to class in 2005.

Va. Tech Shooting Inspires First Legislation

Updated 4:30 p.m. EDT, WednesdayA new proposal to ban guns in dorm rooms at Louisiana public universities is the latest example of state-run universities seeking to protect gun-free zones even as 48 states now allow citizens to carry concealed weapons.

Va. Tech Tragedy Likely to Affect State Policy

Last month's shocking shooting at Virginia Tech - the nation's deadliest, with 33 killed - is likely to have lasting policy repercussions. A look at the legacy of the 1999 shootings at Colorado's Columbine High School shows how such tragic events have an impact on state laws and policies.

July 1 Brings Scores of New State Laws

TODAY'S TAKE: Starting today (July 1), Virginians with concealed-carry permits will be able to bring guns into bars, as long as they don't consume alcohol themselves. New Yorkers will pay as much as $10 for a pack of cigarettes, including a $4.35 state tax. And Oklahoma will require its public school students to learn about the 1995 Oklahoma City bombing.

Women on Death Row Are a Rarity

TODAY'S TAKE: Virginia executed a female prisoner for the first time in nearly 100 years on Thursday (September 23). Nationwide, less than 2 percent of the inmates on death row are women.

Virginia Set to Lift Limit on Monthly Handgun Purchases

TODAY'S TAKE: Virginians will no longer be limited to one handgun purchase a month under legislation set to clear the newly Republican state legislature. The limit has been in place for 19 years.

In State Legislatures, the Gun Lobby Hits Its Target

Gun-rights advocates have succeeded in loosening gun laws in a number of states this year. Next week, they're likely to get more good news when the U.S. Supreme Court rules on the constitutionality of the city of Chicago's handgun ban.

After Giffords Shooting, No Slowdown for Gun Rights

The shooting of a U.S. representative and 18 others in Arizona has done little to slow the momentum of pro-gun legislation in statehouses. If anything, gun-rights supporters face better odds this year due to Republican electoral gains.

Cuccinelli Seeks Quick Review of Health Law

HEALTH BEAT: Virginia's Attorney General Ken Cuccinelli asks the High Court to expedite review of a lawsuit against health care reform … GOP governors threaten to leave exchanges to the federal government … Sebelius offers ways to cut Medicaid budgets, and other health care news.

Northern New England seeing surge in heroin use

Few Governors Tout Bold Initiatives

In his state of the state address last month, Vermont Gov. James H. Douglas said that the state should track convicted drug dealers the same way it does sexual predators, by publicizing their names and addresses. This proposal is one of only a handful of truly innovative programs proposed by governors in their state of the state addresses this year.

Vermont Lawmakers Weigh Crackdown On Campus Hazing

Because of what happened to a would-be University of Vermont hockey player, the Green Mountain state may become the 42d state to make collegiate hazing illegal. But even with such laws, hazing is a widespread problem on U.S. campuses.

Vermont Experiments To Make Justice System Work Better

On any morning, nearly half the 2,500 criminals serving time in Vermont wake up not in prison cells, but in their own homes. Although Vermont has one of the nation's lowest crime rates, it still produces enough criminals to badly overload the Green Mountain State's tiny prison system. To help ease crowding -- and increase the chances that offenders will return to productive lives -- the state has sent a growing number of convicts to live in neighborhoods under programs that range from traditional house arrest to an innovative technique called "reparative probation." In this special report, stateline.org looks at the programs.

States Struggle with Prescription Drug Abuse

PUBLIC SAFETY BEAT: Legislators are looking for ways to deal with a problem that keeps getting worse. Physicians in some states are starting to work with them.

Vermont AG Won't Press Charges Against Nuclear Plant Officials

ENERGY & ENVIRONMENT BEAT: Despite "untrustworthy" behavior, no perjury case against Vermont nuclear plant executives ... Federal offshore drilling bill seeks revenue for Virginia state government ... Iowa governor proposes new Missouri River management group and more energy and environment news.

2 county attorneys investigating Swallow, Utah Attorney General's office

Suit: Make EPA force Utah to cut winter pollution

Utah Speaker: Only informal AG impeachment talks

Senator pushing to have Utah’s attorney general appointed

Gun school for southern Utah teachers: Free training on a firing range

Attorney General John Swallow says he's no criminal

State lawmakers likely to discuss Attorney General John Swallow's troubles

Indicted businessman Jeremy Johnson wants to subpoena to AG John Swallow

Feds block Utah law over police power on public lands

A.G. should resign

Guv pick for corrections chief unanimously endorsed by Senate committee

Utah leaders waiting for feds in Swallow investigation; but will they share answers?

House speaker on Swallow: Impeachment is on the table

Utah Demo calls for special prosecutor in AG Swallow case

Pressure grows on AG Swallow as allegations fly

A federal case

Shurtleff, Swallow lived it up on my dime, says convicted fraudster

UTA board: Is transit police just well-armed customer service?

Utah’s former consumer boss files ethics complaint against Swallow

UTA may look at other models for transit police

U.S. attorney for Utah steps aside from Swallow investigation

UT Supreme Court upholds Glendale murder verdict

State’s lawyers butter the right bread

Despite Ongoing Scandal, Utah Olympics Preparations Well On Way

Olympic boosters spread across Salt Lake City's Capitol Hill this week to replant trees uprooted in the August 11 tornado and attempt to lay a new foundation of goodwill toward the Games. Despite months of scandal and an ongoing Justice Department investigation, Olympic organizers are still confident they can deliver the "best games ever."

Perry signs Morton Act into law

Perry holds ceremony to sign Morton Act into law

Morton Act a victory for justice

House approves Michael Morton Act

West plant blast focus of criminal investigation

Discovery bill vote comes on Brady ruling anniversary

Texas inmate executed for fatal drug-deal robbery

Texas House approves bill that would allow guns on college campuses

For Texas Speaker, Suite Gets Sweeter

As the first Republican speaker of the Texas House of Representatives since Reconstruction, Tom Craddick has reshaped Lone Star State politics. Now, Craddick wants to leave a lasting mark on the Texas Capitol itself, with a controversial $500,000 project to deck out his own apartment there.

Texas Lawmaker Decries Infrastructure Crisis

Aug. 29, 2008 12:00 p.m. EDTDENVER - The information technology industry boomed in the 1990s and this decade, in part, because it inherited a first class system of roads, bridges, air and rail, Texas State Sen. Kirk Watson (D-Austin) said on a panel at the Democratic National Convention here. Watson, a former Austin mayor, spoke of Texas-based Dell, which was able to expand because it could distribute its products successfully. Today, Watson said, he worries that the economy can no longer expand until the nation's infrastructure is improved. (See States worry about dwindling funds.) "We've used it up," Watson said of the existing infrastructure. "We're in a drought of infrastructure." AFTER THE JUMP: Audio from Watson's panel -Stephen C. Fehr Comments

Copper Thefts Trigger Widespread Crackdown

Copper is a hot commodity these days, leading 20 states this year to enact laws to protect homeowners and businesses from criminals stealing gutters, cables and other scrap metals.

State Courts Replacing Paper with Electronic Record-Keeping

State courts have been slow to computerize, but they are gradually replacing stacks of paper with electronic documents.

Texas Again Leads Nation in Executions; Ohio a Distant Second

TODAY'S TAKE: Texas executed more than twice as many inmates in 2010 as the next-closest state, Ohio, according to a new report. Nationally, states executed 46 prisoners this year, a 12-percent decline from last year.

Texas Likely to Allow Guns on Campus

PUBLIC SAFETY BEAT: There appears to be broad political support in Texas for allowing guns on campus at public colleges and universities … Critics deride Nebraska and South Dakota abortion bills as "legalized murder"… Prison visitations limited due to budget cuts, and more public safety news.