Stateline Stories

Texas, California and Georgia Lead In High-Tech Job Growth, Report Says

The booming United States high-tech industry has created more than one million jobs since 1993 and provides a total annual payroll of more than $240 billion, according to Cyberstates 3.0, a report issued earlier this month by the American Electronics Association. The report shows that the U.S. high-tech industry employed 4.8 million workers in 1998, with Texas, California, Georgia, Colorado and Washington leading the way.

On the Record: Georgia Gov. Roy Barnes

Among the 43 states that revealed how much they spent for Y2K computer fixes, Georgia's $322 million budget was the largest. Last weekend, while attending the National Governors' Association winter meeting in Washington, D.C., Georgia Gov. Roy Barnes told Stateline.org Senior Writer Blair S. Walker that Georgia received a lot more than Millennium Bug protection for its money.

Push For Ten Commandments To Return To Schools

The Ten Commandments are experiencing a renaissance in states debating bills that would display the Big 10 in schools alongside historical documents. Emphasizing history, not religion, is a strategy that Commandments backers hope will skirt court challenges.

State, Local Governments Receive Kudos for Web Sites

Since 1995, Government Technology has singled out state and local governments that host particularly innovative Web sites. North Carolina and Georgia were winners, as was a tiny county in Nevada.

States In South, West Big Winners In 2000 Census

The historic movement of Americans away from the northeastern states to the west and southwest continued over the last decade, the Census Bureau reported Thursday, and as of 2003, the make-up of the U.S. House of Representatives will be adjusted to reflect the population shift.

Georgia State of the State Address 2001

ATLANTA, Georgia - Feb. 9 - Following is the full text of Georgia Gov. Roy Barnes' 2001 State of the State Address: Lieutenant Governor Taylor, Speaker Murphy, Members of the General Assembly, Justices of the Supreme Court, Judges of the Court of Appeals, Members of the Consular Corps, Ladies and Gentlemen: Today,

What's Behind the Medicaid Cost Explosion?

As budget talks get going in state capitols across the country, cash-strapped officials are pinpointing Medicaid spending as one of the biggest causes of budget problems cropping up in state after state. Skyrocketing prescription drug prices, increased costs for home and community-based healthcare and coverage of more disabled people are the main factors in the explosion of Medicaid spending, experts say.

Tracking Election Reform: This Week's News

Despite last year's fiasco in Florida, several state legislatures this week defeated or pigeon-holed election reform measures, but others plunged into what could be a busy, contentious season of debates on overhauling how Americans vote. Maryland, Colorado and Utah were states where major proposals went nowhere, but there was action in Georgia, South Carolina, Florida, and Iowa. To read the first of a series of weekly reports on this issue, click on

Tracking Election Reform: Florida Moves Forward

Election reform efforts suffered a partisan blow in Congress this week but received a top-level vote of confidence in Florida, the state regarded as ground zero for voter discontent in November 2000. Capitol Hill Republicans and Democrats broke off talks Tuesday (3/27) to create an election reform task force after the two sides could not agree on the make-up of a panel. In Florida meantime, Gov. Jeb Bush (R) expressed confidence that the legislature would adopt a "system that is the best in all 50 states."

Florida Set To Adopt Election Reform Package

Florida lawmakers were poised to pass a sweeping election reform bill Friday (5/4) that they say will address nearly all of the voting ills revealed during last years presidential contest in the state. Senate and House negotiators combined a number of pieces of legislation into Senate Bill 1374. Related bills cruised to unanimous approval in committees and lop-sided victories in both houses. Fridays vote comes on the final day of the Sunshine States 60-day legislative session.

Election Officials Report Mixed Success on Reform

Members of the National Association of State Election Directors, a reform-minded group long before last year's presidential election mess in Florida, met in Arkansas last weekend (July 14-15) to compare notes on the progress of election reform around the country -- and found there was little to cheer about.

Election Reform Drive Brings Little Change

Most Americans returning to the polls next year will vote in exactly the same way they did in the heavily-scrutinized 2000 presidential election. Punch card machines will not lie in scrapheaps, chads will still be hanging and swinging and 1950s-era lever machines will still be the voting machines of choice in thousands of precincts.

States, Health Plans Address Anthrax-Related Rx Issues

In the wake of October's anthrax attacks in Florida, New York and Washington, D.C., states and insurers have seen an increased request for antibiotics like Ciprofloxacin or Cipro, as it's known. Maine and Virginia have now stepped up education for doctors on antibiotic use, while Georgia officials are asking doctors to justify why they are prescribing the drug.

Election Officials Move to Avoid 'Another Florida'

Election officials in two states and host of cities, towns and counties holding elections tomorrow (11/6) have put in place a number of voting reforms to avert "another Florida" as they prepare for the first major balloting since Republican George Bush defeated Democrat Al Gore in last year's disputed presidential race.

Budget Deficits Inflame Debates

Governors throughout the country are rolling out their budget proposals for the upcoming fiscal year. They are doing so amid warnings this will be the toughest budget season in a decade and perhaps since World War II. In most states, painful spending choices are the order of the day, thanks to the U.S. economic showdown and resulting budget squeezes. This is causing heated debates as an Illinois example illustrates.

Longest-Serving Legislator Takes Upbeat View

When Hugh Gillis first got himself elected to the Georgia legislature, stump speaking was a political art form, Franklin Roosevelt was in the White House and the attack on Pearl Harbor was nearly a year away. Sixty-one years later, Gillis, 83, is still helping to make laws for his state -- and his status as the nation's longest-serving state legislator gives him a certain perspective.

Enron's Troubles Include State Probes

Hoping to spearhead the fight to recoup billions of dollars of retirement fund losses, representatives of five states are asking to lead a nationwide class-action lawsuit against bankrupt energy giant Enron Corp.

Georgia State of the State Address 2002

ATLANTA, Georgia - Feb. 6 - Following is the text of Gov. Roy Barnes' 2002 State of the State Address: This is the fourth year that I have had the responsibility of standing before you to report on the state of our great state. For the last three years, it was a pretty easy thing to do, because most of the

Crematories Need More Regulation, Experts Say

Twenty-three states are considering new regulations on cremation, some of them because of the sensational scandal in Georgia, where officials recently found the remains of more than 300 people whose loved ones had arranged to have them cremated. Currently, California is the only state that requires the inspection of cremation facilities.

New 'Human Transporter' Getting Green Light

With a national lobbying effort clearing its path, a much-ballyhooed new "human transporter" called Segway is scooting through state legislatures, winning regulatory changes that allow it to be used on sidewalks and other pathways frequented by pedestrians.

State School Superintendent Hopefuls Hit Campaign Trail

Voters in eight states will be electing a new state school superintendent this November. Although the job entails sparing public education from the sharp blade of the budget scythe and being responsible for revamping schools to meet new federal demands, the field is full of hopefuls from major and minor political parties.

Southern Governors to Coordinate Emergency Response

With the nation approaching the first anniversary of last Septembers terrorist attacks, governors from across the South have unveiled a plan to link their health and emergency agencies to better coordinate response and relief efforts.

South Lags in Industry Research

The New South looks uncomfortably like the Old South, as industry research in the region - a key component of economic and wage growth - lags behind the rest of the country, a new report shows.

Gubernatorial Candidates, Alabama-Kentucky

A comprehensive list of gubernatorial candidates in Alabama through Kentucky.

Georgia State of the State Address 2003

ATLANTA, Georgia - Jan. 27 - Following is the text of Gov. Sonny Perdue's 2003 State of the State Address: Lieutenant Governor Taylor, Speaker Coleman, Members of the General Assembly and especially my wonderful wife Mary, without whose love and support I would not be here today. My fellow Georgians, tonight I

Governors Propose Major Tax Hikes

The first few weeks of 2003 have seen a spate of proposed tax increases from governors across the political spectrum and around the country. To date, the governors of Arkansas, California, Connecticut, Georgia, Kentucky, Missouri, Nevada and Ohio, have proposed tax increases to balance state books.

States Lose Track of Sex Offenders

A child rapist could become your neighbor, and youd never know it. Thats because many state laws requiring sex offenders to register for inclusion in databases arent working. California has lost track of more than 30,000 sex offenders, and Wisconsin, Minnesota and Oregon can't account for more than 10 percent of their registered sex offenders.

Southern Governors Oppose Federal Plan To Upgrade Grid

With an abundance of cheap, reliable electricity at their fingertips, governors from across the South are against federal plans to spread the costs of transmission grid upgrades among all the states. They say the proposal represents an assault on the South's economy, which depends on low cost energy to attract big manufacturers.

Governors Kick-Off Discussion of Long-Term Care

Under the glare of television lights, four governors recently kicked off what they hope will be at least a year-long national conversation about long-term health care for the elderly. In 2008, nearly 77 million World War II Baby Boomers will start to retire and state public health safety-net programs will not be able to keep up, the governors said.

Georgia State of the State Address 2004

ATLANTA, Georgia - Jan. 14 - Following is the text of Gov. Sonny Perdue's 2004 state of the state address: Mr. President, Mr. Speaker, members of the General Assembly, and my fellow Georgians. I come before you tonight to report on the state of our great state. And before I give you that report, I want you to kno

Three States Lead in Pre-School Programs

Georgia, New Jersey and Oklahoma outpace the nation in providing high-quality preschool for 3- and 4-year- olds. But most states lag in early education efforts needed to ensure that all students are ready to learn when they arrive in kindergarten, according to a new national study.

Ten states Identified as Legislative Battlegrounds

Political control of legislative bodies in 10 states could change in the November election, the National Conference of State Legislatures said in an analysis that identified the battleground states as Colorado, Georgia, Indiana, Maine, Montana, North Carolina, Oklahoma, Oregon, Vermont and Washington.

Southeastern States Struggle with Teacher-Quality Rules

Southeastern states are lowering the bar for teacher qualifications and using federal rules under the No Child Left Behind Act as a maximum standard rather than a minimum, according to a report released today . The Southeast Center for Teacher Quality concludes that some states are focusing only on what teachers know and not how well they convey that knowledge to students.

Truant Teens Lose Licenses in Georgia and Other States

For teenagers, few freedoms are as precious as being able to drive. So Georgia high school students will want to think twice about skipping school this year: 10 unexcused absences could cost them their drivers license.

Georgia State of the State Address 2005

ATLANTA, Georgia, Jan. 12, 2005 -Following is the text of Gov. Sonny Perdue's 2005 state of the state address: Mr. President, Mr. Speaker, President Pro Tem Johnson, Speaker Pro Tem Burkhalter and members of the General Assembly... My fellow constitutional officers...Justices of the Supre

Georgia State of the State Address 2006

ATLANTA, Jan. 11 - Following is the prepared text of Georgia Gov. Sonny Perdue's (R) 2006 state of the state address: Mr. President, Mr. Speaker, Senator Johnson, Representative Burkhalter … Members of the General Assembly. Constitutional officers and members of the judiciary. The Consular Corps and other distin

Abortion foes split on state bans

In defiance of the 1973 Roe v. Wade ruling, lawmakers in at least five states are proposing bills to immediately ban all abortions, except when the woman's life is in danger. The bills' sponsors say the time is right to test the new alignment of the U.S. Supreme Court. But some pro-choice activists fear the strategy could backfire.

Rising revenues spur tax cuts, spending

From Massachusetts to Hawaii, signs abound that the immense pressure placed on state budgets by the fiscal crisis early this decade has eased, opening the door for a wave of fresh tax cuts and new spending.

Alaska No. 1 in 'pork' per capita, again

Alaska -- infamous for its federally funded "bridges to nowhere" -- ranked first in per-capita federal spending for pork-barrel projects last year, a distinction it has held for the past 16 years. Hawaii came in second, and Georgia ranked last, according to the latest report from a group that hawks congressional spending. The report and database offer 9,963 examples of what the group calls wasteful federal spending, searchable by state.

More states sanction deadly force

A year-old Florida law sanctioning the use of deadly force against muggers, carjackers or other assailants outside the home is rapidly being adopted by other states and already is being raised as a defense in at least three shootings in Florida.

Lawmakers Set New Ages for Marriage

Legislators in Georgia and Kansas changed their marriage laws this spring to prevent teens from marrying so young. But raising the legal age for marriage for teens too young to vote or even drive proved challenging as lawmakers wrestled with possible effects on abortion rates, welfare rolls, citizens' privacy and the nature of marriage itself.

States Retool Welfare Under New TANF Rules

While most states are scrambling to meet stiff new federal standards for moving poor people from welfare to work, Georgia, Arkansas and New Hampshire already have revamped their Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) programs to comply with the new rules. States that fail to meet the standards face hefty penalties starting Oct. 1.

Strictest Immigration Laws Put to the Test

Frustrated by the federal government's failure to stop illegal border crossings, state and local governments are experimenting with new -- and potentially unconstitutional -- ways to deter illegal immigrants, making it harder for them to get jobs, driver's licenses or housing. Some of the toughest new laws are coming out of city halls in towns like Hazleton, Pa., and Riverside, N.J.

States Press Congress for S-CHIP Fix

At least six states - Georgia, Illinois, Maryland, Massachusetts, New Jersey and Rhode Island - are projected to run out of federal money for the State Children's Health Insurance Program by May, and they're looking to Congress to fix the problem quickly. But they're also asking for a long-term solution so states won't have to ask Congress to retool S-CHIP's funding formulas every year.

Georgia State of the State Address 2007

ATLANTA, Jan. 10 - Following is the prepared text of Gov. Sonny Perdue's (R) 2007 state of the state address: Mr. President, Mr. Speaker, President Pro Tem Johnson, Speaker Pro Tem Burkhalter … Members of the General Assembly. Constitutional officers and members of the judiciary. The Consular Corps and other distin

AGs Aim to Make MySpace a Safe Space

Under pressure from state attorneys general, the popular social-networking Web site MySpace agreed Monday to turn over information on thousands of sex offenders it kicked off its site in early May.

Govs' Speeches Send Grads on Their Way

Like any graduating class, the crop of governors giving commencement addresses in 2007 had its own standouts.

New Laws Take 'Romeo' Into Account

A handful of states are trying to draw clearer distinctions between sexual predators and young offenders who pose less of a risk, such as those involved in consensual sexual encounters.

GOP Rules Amid Bickering in Georgia Statehouse

Republicans who control Georgia state government reverted to name-calling and charges of temper tantrums during the 2007 legislative session, one of the longest in state history and noted more for its failures than its accomplishments.

Drought pushes states to find new fixes

As states across the country struggle to find new solutions to water shortages in the continuing drought, governors of three Southern states - locked in a battle over a Georgia lake - turned to Washington, D.C., in search of a truce. Other states' policymakers also are responding to parched conditions.

Georgia State of the State Address 2008

ATLANTA, Ga. -- Jan. 15 -- Following is the prepared text of Gov. Sonny Perdue's (R) 2008 state of the state address: Click here to visit the governor's website to view the address. Mr. President, Mr. Speaker, President Pro Tem Johnson, Speaker Pro Tem Burkhalter and members of the General Assembly… My fellow co

Immigration Roils States

States took the lead on immigration reform in 2006 enacting a record 78 immigration-control laws in 33 states. Immigration will continue to dominate state politics this year even as a new Democratically-controlled Congress considers taking up the issue.

WORTH NOTING: ...And The Lobbyist Makes Three

Three's a crowd when Georgia lobbyists foot Valentine's Day bills. Midget wrestling gets pinned in Iowa. And an epidemic of faux pas hits lawmakers. In case you missed any of those stories this week, "Worth Noting" fills you in.

WORTH NOTING: Scout Takes a Hike from Maryland Mansion

Maryland Gov. Martin O'Malley evicts Scout, one of his family's dogs, from the governor's mansion. The Colorado Lottery turns to scratch-and-sniff to attract customers. And a Florida prisoner launches a bid for the state House. In case you missed those stories this week, "Worth Noting" fills you in.

Republicans Deal With More Stormy Weather

The weather isn't being kind to the Republicans. The threat from Hurricane Gustav, which hit the Gulf Coast and canceled partisan festivities at the start of the Minnesota convention, is dissipating just as another potential hurricane threatens to send East Coast delegates fleeing before the close of the convention.

Teachers Lured From Struggling States

One state's misfortune is another's opportunity, as out-of-state recruiters hire teachers away from states with large budget gaps.

WORTH NOTING: Idaho kids get a new state history book

Idaho's first lady publishes "Ida Visits the Capitol." Wine drinkers have mixed feelings about a syrah named Palin. And Marylanders are urged to take a walk after eating the state cake. In case you missed those stories this week, "Worth Noting" fills you in.

Report: Voting Glitches Could Disrupt Election

In two weeks, the American voting system will be stressed as never before with record voter registration and expected large turnouts. But the greatest pressure will fall on 11 battleground states whose stars are aligned for an election debacle: tight races coupled with radical changes in their voting systems.

Shifting Economy Keeps States Guessing

A month from the start of many legislative sessions, state leaders still don't know how much money they will have to cut from budgets.

Nasty Judicial Races Renew Complaints

Another bruising campaign season in judicial elections has spurred calls for reform from advocacy groups, lawyers and others in the legal community, but fierce debate persists over how exactly state judges should be chosen.

Georgia State of the State Address 2009

ATLANTA, Ga. - Jan. 14 - Following is the prepared text of Gov. Sonny Perdue's (R) 2009 state of the state address: Click here to access the governor's Web page and view or hear the address. Mr. President, Mr. Speaker, President Pro Tem Williams, Speaker Pro Tem Burkhalter … Members of the General Assembly.

State Leaders Struggle With Tough Cuts

The recession is forcing governors and legislators to cut services and raise taxes and fees. They'd rather make a difference in other ways.

Tracking the Recession: Credit Crunch Eases Slightly

It's still hard for states to borrow money, but Georgia shows it's not impossible.

Tracking the Recession: A Chat With Two State Leaders

Two prominent state legislative leaders, a North Carolina Democrat and a Georgia Republican, offer an early take on whether the stimulus is working in their states.

States Roll Out Plans for 'Smarter' Roads

Nearly half the states plan to use some of their federal stimulus funds to pay for high-tech gadgets that will reduce congestion, help the environment and create jobs quickly.

Ga. Hotline Aims to Cut Mental Health Costs

Even as the recession chips away at mental health services across the country, Georgia's around-the-clock psychiatric hotline is finding a way to weather the storm - and other states are watching closely.

Weekly Wrap: Bullet Point Dramatizes Crisis

Mississippi's "down budget times" have led to the rationing of highway patrol ammo. Fallout from the recession is likely to mean higher fees for would-be Cal State students. It's delaying tax refunds in several states. Vermont had some good news - it ended the budget year that ended June 30 in the black. For a quick update on how the economic crisis is affecting states, read Stateline.org's "Weekly wrap."

At Least 26 States Spend Less on Prisons

The recession is taking a dramatic toll on what had been one of the fastest-growing areas of state government spending: prisons. A new survey says corrections budgets are down in at least 26 states, with prison officials laying off workers or reducing their pay, eliminating vocational and other programs for inmates and granting some prisoners early release.

States Draw Down Rainy Day Funds

Faced with historic revenue drops, lawmakers in states across the country tapped rainy day funds in fiscal years 2009 and 2010 at levels not seen since the recession following the 2001 terrorist attacks. And more seem poised to join them.

Ga. Work Program Grows, Attracts Followers

As states struggle to help legions of jobless workers find employment, some are seeking advice from Georgia, where a growing number of people are landing jobs as a result of free tryouts sponsored by the state unemployment system. Georgia plans to expand the proven program in hopes of spurring private-sector hiring.

Georgia State of the State Address 2010

ATLANTA, Ga. - Jan. 13 - Following is the prepared text of Gov. Sonny Perdue's (R) 2010 state of the state address: Mr. President, Mr. Speaker, President Pro Tem Williams, Speaker Pro Tem Jones … Members of the General Assembly. Constitutional officers and members of the judiciary. The Consular Corps and other dis

Summary of the Georgia State of the State Address

Republican Gov. Sonny Perdue used his last state of the state address to reminisce about his seven years in office, relate the state's fiscal crisis to other challenges in American history and admonish the Republican-majority legislature to make the tough decisions needed to improve the state's future.

The Ever-growing Sex Offender Registry

Under separate state Supreme Court decisions issued days apart in Georgia and Wisconsin last month, two men who did not commit sex crimes must register as sex offenders. Their offense - a crime known as "false imprisonment" - was deemed to warrant inclusion on public registries even if there was nothing sexual about it.The cases reflect a growing debate in the courts and in legislatures. As states crack down on sex offenders, including less serious and even non-sex offenders in online registries, does the value of such registries diminish?

Ga. Lawmakers Break Transportation Gridlock

After years of debating how to raise funds for unclogging highways and boosting transit, Georgia lawmakers have struck a compromise. The approach relies on officials from regions around the state to cooperate with each other like they never have before.

As Scholarship Programs Strain, Will Students Begin to Lose HOPE?

Georgia's landmark HOPE scholarship program was the first to give college students a free ride in exchange for earning good grades. Now, merit-based scholarships in Georgia and other states that copied the idea are threatened by a convergence of economic factors.

Five Ex-Governors on Ballot in November

TODAY'S TAKE: Voters' choice of Roy Barnes in the Democratic primary for Georgia governor on Tuesday (July 20) means that all five former governors who are running for their old jobs this year will be on the ballot in November. What is less certain is how they will fare.

Sales Tax Holidays: Easy to Sell but Hard to Justify

This time of year, politicians love to give shoppers a break on clothes, shoes and back-to-school supplies. The short bursts of tax relief are popular with consumers and retailers, but tax experts say the benefits are oversold.

As Some States Close Highway Rest Stops, Others See Roadside Revenue

In the South and West, providing drivers a sanctuary on the Interstate costs states dollars they don't have. But many Northeastern states make lots of money by commercializing rest areas. The difference is due to an obscure federal law that critics want to change.

Tuesday's Primary Night is a Nail-Biter

TODAY'S TAKE: Primary elections for governor in four states Tuesday provided plenty of drama. The run-off election between the top two Georgia Republicans still appeared too close to call Wednesday morning, while Minnesota Democrats look to have narrowly avoided a recount. In Colorado and Connecticut, victory went to candidates who, until recently, were largely unknown.

This State Park Brought to You By...

Faced with the prospect of closing parks or facilities, some states are turning to a funding opportunity long considered taboo: sponsorship agreements with corporations.

Roy Barnes' Campaign of Contrition

ATLANTA -- In the 2002 governor's race, incumbent Roy Barnes lost to Sonny Perdue in one of the biggest upsets in Georgia political history. Now, as Barnes campaigns to win back his old office, can he pull off an upset of his own?

Georgia Work$ Expands

A nationally recognized re-employment program called Georgia Work$ is expanding to include all jobless workers, whether they're receiving unemployment benefits or not. New Hampshire and Missouri have copied the successful on-the-job training program that already has given thousands of job seekers a chance at a new career.

Fatal Accident Rattles Georgia Governor Race

TODAY'S TAKE: A car collision that killed a teenage driver and injured the daughter and two granddaughters of Georgia gubernatorial candidate Roy Barnes has temporarily placed his campaign on hold.

Governor Debates Heat Up

TODAY'S TAKE: With less than three weeks to go until Election Day, hostility is on the rise in campaigns for governor. The sharper edge has been on display in several debates this week.

How Many Ex-Governors Will Win?

TODAY'S TAKE: In a campaign season marked by an anti-establishment mood, five former governors with a combined 40 years in office will be on the ballot next week, potentially bucking the trend. But at least one, Maryland Republican Robert Ehrlich, has substantial ground to make up. The others appear to be ahead or are locked in close contests.

Early and Absentee Voting Erode Election Day Tradition

Polling day at the court house may be a revered institution of American democracy, but it's one that is steadily fading away.

Rick Snyder Picks a Democrat

TRANSITION WATCH: Michigan's Republican governor-elect reaches across the aisle for a top appointment, Georgia's governor-elect picks a controversial chief of staff, and other news of the historic shift in power in the states.

Trickle of Democratic Legislators Become Republicans

TRANSITION WATCH: Fewer state-level Democrats are becoming Republicans than in 1994, new Speakers of the House are elected in Montana and Tennessee and other news of the historic shift in power in the states

Georgia's Nathan Deal Hands Off Personal Finances

TRANSITION WATCH: Georgia's incoming governor creates a blind trust, Ohio's new governor tries to keep Race to the Top money and other news of the historic shift in power in the states.

Pat Quinn Rehires His Old Chief of Staff as an Adviser

TRANSITION WATCH: Jerry Stermer returns three months after he resigned in Illinois, charges of nepotism in South Dakota and other news of the historic shift in power in the states.

Governors-Elect Plan Low-Budget Inaugural Celebrations

TRANSITION WATCH: New governors arrange no-frills inaugurations as acts of symbolism, redistricting roles are reversed in Ohio, and more news of the historic shift in power in the states.

Party Switch Gives Texas House Republicans Supermajority

TRANSITION WATCH: Two-thirds control of the House means Texas Republicans can overcome Democratic delaying tactics, outgoing governors issue their final pardons, and more news of the historic shift in power in the states.

Alabama Ethics Law Angers Teachers Union

TRANSITION WATCH: Alabama Republicans restrict payroll deductions used to boost a leading teachers' group, Wisconsin Democrats' last gasp at contracts for public workers fails and more news of the historic shift in power in the states.

Jerry Brown to Abolish California Inspector General Office

TRANSITION WATCH: California's governor-elect kills a watchdog office to save $700,000, Nevada's incoming governor considers budget plans that trouble local governments and more news of the historic shift in power in the states.

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.

Georgia State of the State Address 2011

ATLANTA, Georgia - Jan. 12 - Following is the prepared text of Gov. Nathan Deal's (R) 2011 state of the state address: Lt. Governor, Mr. Speaker, President Pro Tem Williams, Speaker Pro Tem Jones, Members of the General Assembly, Constitutional Officers, Members of the Judiciary, my fellow Georgians: The addre

Scott Puts Road Projects on Hold During Review

TRANSPORTATION BEAT: Florida's governor delays $500 million for transportation projects ... the Texas DOT could be in for a remaking ... mayors seek Great Lakes basin study, and other transportation news.

Christian Health Co-Ops Cater to 'Obamacare' Opponents

Religious groups that help members pay for medical treatment are exempt from key provisions of the new federal health law. As their popularity grows, some state officials are warning consumers to be wary of these unlicensed operators, while others see them as a welcome alternative to traditional health insurance.

Movement to Shrink Class Size Falters Amid Budget Austerity

A decade ago, it was an article of faith around the country that pupils learn better in less crowded classrooms. That idea is proving to be a casualty of the recession.

Rendell Proposal: Allow Prisoners to Care for Dogs

PUBLIC SAFETY BEAT: Pennsylvania's former governor plans a statewide initiative to pair stray dogs with prisoners … Arizona weighs upping corrections spending even as it dramatically slashes funding elsewhere … Michigan considers allowing guns in hospitals, casinos and stadiums, and other public safety news.