Stateline Stories

Minnesota Bucks Trend in Voting To End Emissions Testing

Although vehicle emissions testing is an imperfect science and annoys many motorists, a majority of states maintain testing programs. For one thing, emissions programs do help combat air pollution. For another thing, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency can yank millions of dollars in highway funds if states fail to meet air quality standards. Learn more in this stateline.org report.

Minnesota, West Virginia, Washington Adjourn; Alaska In Special Session

While Minnesota's governor and lawmakers celebrate the end of a legislative session that gave citizens the largest tax cut in state history, Alaska Gov. Tony Knowles has ordered his legislature to continue work in a special session until they forge a long-term budget plan. West Virginia and Washington lawmakers wrapped up special sessions this week by passing compromise bills on nagging issues, bringing to 27 the number of legislatures which have completed work for the year. For more information, click on

Tribes Follow States In Pursuit of Tobacco Money

Emboldened by the $206 billion tobacco lawsuit settlement that has enriched the coffers of 46 states, Native American tribes across the nation are following suit and bringing legal action themselves. In the most recent case, a coalition of 22 tribes from five states filed a federal lawsuit in California on June 3 claiming that the tribes should have gotten a share of the money. For more information, click on

States Embracing Use of 'Green Power'

Demand for "green power" -- electricity generated by renewable energy sources such as wind and water -- is slowly rising. The movement owes its momentum to state policies. Texas, for example, recently passed an electric utility deregulation law stipulating that a certain percentage of Lone Star electricity must be made with green power. For more information, click on

Ventura Known For Caution As Well As Color

Jesse "The Body" Ventura is one of the few state governors whose name has become a household word. That's because the former pro wrestler turned Minnesota chief executive is a colorful addition to the pantheon of U.S. political celebrities. In Ventura's home state, however, the Reform Party idol's cautious leadership belies his colorful style. To read a profile of this unusual politician, click on

Globetrotting Governors Push Exports, Commerce

With most state legislatures having finished work for the year, many of the nation's governors are off to faraway places to enage in commercial diplomacy. Three of the highest profile travellers have been Illinois Gov. George Ryan, California Gov. Gray Davis and Minnesota Gov. Jesse Ventura, but they've had lots of company visiting foreign shores. For more information, click on

Twenty-Seven States Win Awards For Welfare Successes

Twenty-seven states will share $200 million in performance bonuses from the federal government for successfully moving welfare recipients into work. President Clinton announced the awards Saturday. Minnesota showed the best performance, ranking in the top ten in three out of four categories.

Ventura's Reform Party Faces Y2K Test In Minnesota

Third-party politics face a stiff test in Minnesota in 2000, a year which will determine whether Gov. Jesse Ventura's Reform Party has sunk roots deep enough to become a political force or remain a sideline player and occasional spoiler. Meantime, the two traditional major parties are previewing their political strategies as they get set for a legislative session that begins in February. Lawmakers face an enviable challenge, deciding what to do with a projected $1.6 billion budget surplus.

Debate Continues Over Abortion Waiting Periods

Four state legislatures are debating whether to follow the lead of 14 states that impose a waiting period on women who want an abortion, but pro-choice opponents blocked the measure in Colorado, Iowa and Virginia this year. States where controversial legislation remains an issue are Alabama, Alaska, Delaware and Minnesota.

States Increasingly Unprepared For Recession, Study Warns

Five of eight states that in early 1999 had sufficient financial reserves to weather a recession have since lost those cushions due to tax cuts, according to a Center on Budget and Policy Priorities study.

Minnesota's Welfare Program Shows Dramatic Results

A report released Wednesday shows that Minnesota's plan for weaning long-term recipients off welfare has led to one of the largest drops in poverty among single-parent families ever recorded. Minnesota's program also increased the proportion of recipients that got or stayed married, "the first hard evidence" that a welfare program can promote two-parent families, the report says.

UPDATE: More States Decriminalize Safe Baby Abandonment

In February, Stateline.org reported that seven states were considering abandoned baby laws; that number has now climbed to at least 23. Since mid-April alone, Alabama, Colorado, Connecticut, Louisiana, Minnesota, and West Virginia have enacted abandoned baby or "safe haven" laws, often in response to tragic stories of infants left in dumpsters, alleyways, shallow graves, public restrooms or parking lots. For an in-depth report on this policy trend, click on

Minnesota Tops For Kids, Report Finds

Because of its low poverty rate and success in keeping teenagers in school, Minnesota is the best place to be a kid, a national report has found. In its annual survey of the well-being of children in the 50 states, the Annie E. Casey Foundation ranks Minnesota number one, displacing last year's winner, New Hampshire. The Granite State, which has ranked in the Kids Count top ten every year since 1990, slipped to second place.

States Use Red Tape To Shrink Food Stamp Program

To determine how much in food stamps a family can receive, some states want to know what a child earns from a paper route or part-time job. A handful go so far as to demand information on the sale of personal items, including blood, from food stamp applicants. By using unnecessarily long applications and intrusive questions, states are preventing needy families from obtaining food assistance, a study released Monday by the national anti-hunger organization, America's Second Harvest, found.

States Showcase Successes, Pitch New Vision

Confronted with a new set of environmental challenges, states are leading the public policy charge toward a cleaner, healthier America. But the current structures of cooperation linking environmental protection authorities are doing more harm than good to their efforts, a handful of top state officials and analysts testified to a Congressional committee.

Health Of Nation Measured In Report Card

A national report card on health places New Hampshire at the top of the list of states that have healthy residents with decent access to healthcare. Mississippi ranked 50th in the study sponsored by the United Health Group of Minneapolis. Minnesota, Utah and Massachusetts also ranked high among states for all round good health and longevity. Louisiana, South Carolina and West Virginia joined Mississippi at the bottom of the list.

Study Grades States On Higher Education

Connecticut, Illinois, New Jersey, Minnesota, Kansas and Massachusetts get the highest grades in a new state-by-state report card that measures performance in higher education. According to the National Center for Public Policy and Higher Education, a nonpartisan, nonprofit organization, these six states do the best job of preparing students for post-high school education, providing academic opportunities, making them affordable, attaining a high graduation rate and reaping the benefits of an educated workforce. The lowest grades in the report entitled Measuring Up 2000 went to Arkansas, Louisiana, Nevada, Oregon, Tennessee and West Virginia.

Index of 'Caring' Puts Minnesota On Top

Minnesota ranks as the most caring state in the nation, according to a report released last week by the United Way. In the first report of what it promises will be an annual series, the United Way of America, the national association of local non-profit service organizations, has compiled an index of factors it believes reflect Americans' "capacity to care for one another."

Minnesota Legislative Vet Puts Premium On Listening

Stately oil paintings of dozens of past governors line the halls of the Minnesota State Capitol. No such portraits exist of legislative leaders. But in the offices of the Senate majority leader, tiny photographs of past leaders are bunched together in a single frame. The last photo shows the current leader, Democratic-Famer-Laborite (DFL) Roger Moe, looking a youthful 36 years old. The year was 1981.

Minnesota State of the State Address 2001

ST. PAUL, Minnesota - Jan 4 - Following is the partial text of Gov. Jesse Ventura's 2001 State of the State Address: Mr. Speaker, Mr. President, and honorable Legislators. Thank you for allowing me the privilege of this prestigious venue to deliver my second state of the state address. Governor Wendell Ande

Provocative Press Pass Miffs Minnesota Media

When Minnesota Gov. Jesse Ventura's communications director issued "Official Jackal" credentials to the Capitol press corps in St. Paul last week (Feb. 20), he provoked a small tempest and an ongoing debate among the state's journalists and citizens.Is the new badge for reporters who cover the governor an amusing inside joke or a demeaning insult to the fourth estate?

State Brownfields Programs Take National Stage

When Kentuckys Democratic-controlled House and Republican-led Senate both voted unanimously to expand brownfields programs last week, they committed the Bluegrass State to a decade-long push to make investment in cleaning up abandoned industrial sites more attractive to private redevelopers. They also signed on to one of the few nationwide environmental causes to generate real interest in both major political parties since Congress first acted to protect natural resources and public health and set up the Environmental Protection Agency over 30 years ago.

States Vary in Addressing Power Plant Construction

Putting an addition on your home can bring more regulatory hassles than building a power plant in many states. But in a few states like Minnesota, new generating facilities must meet a tough "needs test" to enter today's new electricity market.

State Curbs on Pre-paid Funerals Under Scrutiny

Paying for a funeral is the third largest cost most Americans face, after buying a house or an automobile. The average funeral, including a casket and vault, runs about $6,000. Forty-eight of the 50 states regulate the funeral industry -- the exceptions are Alabama and New Mexico. But a recent investigation in Minnesota suggests that the regulations often do not go far enough.

Seven States To Compete for Innovation Awards

Seven state-run programs in areas such as education, public safety, and the environment are among 15 policy initiatives competing for five $100,000 awards for being the most innovative programs in American government. The awards are given annually by the Institute for Government Innovation at Harvard Universitys John F. Kennedy School of Government in conjunction with the Council for Excellence in Government. The 15 finalists were chosen from 1,300 applicants, and each will receive a $20,000 grant.

Governors Sound Off on Medicaid Budget Fix

The National Governors Association is pushing for an economic stimulus plan that would dole out more federal dollars to state Medicaid programs

Minnesota State of the State Address 2002

ST. PAUL, Minnesota - - Following is the text of Gov. Jesse Ventura's 2002 State of the State Address: Good evening--I'm speaking to you from the Governor's residence in St. Paul. This past year the longest lasting economic expansion in United States history came to an end. For years we had been warned that what goe

States Support Nursing Mothers

Nobody seriously doubts the value of breast-feeding, but until recently the connection between nursing and employment hasnt been on policymakers radar screens. Now, in what appears to be a trend, lawmakers in 31 states have approved breast-feeding legislation within the last eight years.

State Support For Ending Cuban Embargo Growing

What do Illinois Gov. George Ryan and Minnesota Gov. Jesse Ventura have in common with Arkansas chicken producers, Texas rice growers and Utah medical companies? They'd all like to see an end to the 40-year-old U.S. embargo on trade with Cuba.

Technology Helps States Boost Efficiency

More and more states are using electronic tools ranging from web portals to interagency data sharing to make delivery of government services all a taxpayer could hope for, according to two recent studies on the use of digital technologies.

Govs' Travel Makes People Talk

Want to dodge congested airline ticket counters and long security lines? Fly on government aircraft or corporate jets? You might -- if you get yourself elected governor.

Disabled Lawmakers Overcome Barriers

At a recent GOP convention near Elbow Lake, Minn., candidates were allowed to speak until the conventions sergeant stood up to signal five minutes were up. Minnesota Rep. Torrey Westrom, who is blind, says, I went on, and looked over toward him, and said, Im going to keep talking until I see you standing up.

Census Bureau Reports on States Tax Burden

If you live in one of these five states -- Connecticut, Hawaii, Delaware, Minnesota and Massachusetts you can boast, or complain, that you shoulder the heaviest tax burden in the nation.

Cities, Counties Hurt By Budget Cuts

Starved for cash due to slumping sales tax revenues and rising Medicaid costs, North Carolinas Mecklenburg County needs another revenue hit like a fish needs a bicycle. But thats exactly what it got in February. Through April of this year, 10 states Iowa, Michigan, Minnesota, Mississippi, New Jersey, North Carolina, Rhode Island, Utah, Vermont and Washington have cut local revenue sharing dollars to balance fiscal year 2002 budgets.

Ventura, Other Govs Sing Red Ink Blues

Gov. Jesse Ventura, Minnesotas outspoken chief executive, is feuding with the legislature over his decision to close the governors mansion as a cost-cutting move. But even governors with more sympathetic legislatures are enduring cuts in office salaries and travel expenses in the face of budget crunches.

Govs, Media - A Love, Hate Relationship

Some governors love talking policy with reporters, and others thirst for the spotlight. But mostly governors want to control what voters read and hear about them.

Govs' Gaffes Sometimes Overshadow Policies

When Florida Gov. Jeb Bush, a Republican, recently told a group of high school girls its about time a woman became governor of the Sunshine State, he apparently forgot about Janet Reno, a leading contender for the Florida Democratic gubernatorial nomination. Its not the first time a governor has put a proverbial foot in his or her mouth. And it wont be the last.

Minnesota Gov Candidates Face Roadblock

Minnesota commuters will not be the only ones tied up in traffic in the coming months. Congestion on Minnesotas deteriorating roads and bridges has reached the point that gubernatorial candidates will have to address the issue.

State Pension Funds Defy Scandal, Stock Crashes

Has the stock market crisis made you dizzy, like youve just stepped off the wildest roller coaster ride of your life? Well, if youre a retired state worker with a lifestyle tied to the ups and downs of your pension fund, take a deep breath; chances are youre going to be okay.

Governors Races Attract The Colorful

If a former pro wrestler nicknamed The Body can be elected governor, then why not a comedian, an ex-stripper, or a pistol packing candidate? They are among the more colorful contenders for high office this year.

Primary Turnout May Prolong Downtrend

This election year may go down in the record books alongside 1998 when states posted an average voter turnout in the primaries of only 17 percent, the worst in U.S. history.

Education Initiatives Take New Approach

Vouchers are out. After-school programs are in. Education reform is a perennial at the ballot box, but the initiatives that voters will examine Nov. 5 go beyond the standard subjects.

Gubernatorial Candidates, Louisiana - North Dakota

Find a comprehensive list of gubernatorial candidates in Louisiana through North Dakota

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.

Minnesota State Of The State Address 2003

ST. PAUL - Feb. 6 - Following is the text of Gov. Tim Pawlenty's 2003 State of the State Address: Distinguished guests, distinguished members of the Legislature, thanks for the opportunity to report to you and the good people of Minnesota on the condition of our State. Our State is awesome. It remains one of th

State Programs Named Finalists for Innovation Awards

Five state-run programs are among finalists in the competition for Innovations in American Government Awards.

States Use Driver's Education to Boost Organ Donation

Virginia is one of a handful of states that use drivers education as a vehicle to boost organ donation. At least eight others -- Arkansas, Indiana, Iowa, Minnesota, Mississippi, Ohio, Texas and Wisconsin have adopted similar policies in the past few years.

State Lawmakers Form Great Lakes Caucus

Forty lawmakers representing eight states have launched the Great Lakes Legislative Caucus to create uniform laws in their respective states to curb water pollution, regulate water diversion projects and control non-native organisms that threaten the Great Lakes ecosystem.

Midwest Governors Eye Canadian Rx Imports

Several Midwestern governors and legislators from seven states are pressing the federal government to remove legal hurdles to importing lower-priced prescription drugs from Canada.

Pawlenty Pitches Prescription Plan to Congress

Minnesota Gov. Tim Pawlenty (R) Thursday (11/20) urged the federal government to allow the Gopher state to move forward with plans to help its residents buy prescription drugs from Canada: Let us try, Pawlenty said.

Minnesota State of the State Address 2004

SAINT PAUL, Minnesota - Feb. 5 - Following is the text of Gov. Tim Pawlenty's 2004 state of the state address: "Why do we live here in Minnesota?" It's been 25 below, it seems like we only see the sun for a few hours during winter days, and we spend a lot of time shoveling snow. There are other places to live.

Governor Bucks Federal Ban on Canadian Drugs

The federal governments ban on buying prescription drugs from Canada has left some states frozen in their tracks. But Republican Gov. Tim Pawlenty of Minnesota is brazenly bucking federal law by using the World Wide Web to help Gopher State residents buy less-expensive drugs from Canada. While Minnesotas move may be the boldest so far, Pawlenty is just one of dozens of governors, state legislators and city leaders across the country who are putting increased pressure on the federal government to allow re-importation.

Rx Cost-Cutting Puts Governors at Odds with Federal Government

Several governors are sparring with the federal government over their cutting-edge tactics to lower prescription drug costs. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration has branded efforts by Minnesota and other northern tier states to help their residents buy less expensive medicines from Canada illegal and unsafe. And in a separate case, Michigan Gov. Jennifer Granholm (D) is complaining about a bureaucratic delay of federal approval of a multi-state prescription drug purchasing pool.

First State Last on 2008 Drunken Driving Law

Delaware is the last state in the nation to resist cracking down further on drunken drivers by lowering the blood-alcohol level that determines intoxication. Other holdout states -- Colorado and Minnesota -- joined the rest of the country last month in enacting laws to lower the blood-alcohol concentration threshold to .08 percent from .10 percent. Delaware is jeopardizing millions of dollars in federal highway construction funds if state lawmakers don't lower the limit this session. Opponents of .08 argue states' rights.

Ten States Lose Federal Education Money for Poor Children

Federal money to educate poor children is increasing, but 10 states and more than half of the nation's school districts will see a drop in their share of the dollars in the next school year, according to a report released June 15. Overall, nearly 56 percent of school districts will get less federal money, despite a $647 million increase in the Title I program that allocates money for low-income students.

Minnesota Governor Leads Fight for Legal Rx Imports

Minnesota Gov. Tim Pawlenty (R) is leading a growing cadre of governors, including several other Republicans, who favor importing less expensive medicine from Canada as a way to curb rising prescription drug costs. Stateline.org sat down with Pawlenty and got his take on the contentious issue that is creating a rift between many states and the federal government and is making waves in the presidential campaign.

Minnesota State of the State Address 2005

ROCHESTER, Minnesota - Jan. 18 - Following is the text of Gov. Timothy Pawlenty's 2005 state of the state address: At 1:00 this morning, a dozen huge garage doors behind me flew open and this facility came alive as more than 15,000 blood and tissue samples began arriving from across the country and

Budget Deadline Looms Large in 10 States

The clock is ticking in 10 states that still have not adopted budgets for the fiscal year that begins July 1, with an eleventh-hour showdown threatening a partial government shutdown in Minnesota. Some - but not all - of those states are expected to wrap up their budget process this week.

State Lawmakers Bag Online Hunting

Lawmakers in 11 states jumped on the bandwagon to outlaw online hunting this year, and California may soon do the same. Why all the fuss? It's over a single website that briefly offered Internet users a chance this spring to shoot live animals on a Texas ranch and that netted a single customer.

Minnesota State of the State Address 2006

St. Paul, Minn., March 9 -- Following is the full prepared text of Gov. Tim Pawlenty's (R) 2006 State of the State Address. Click here to access the governor's web page and hear the address. Not far from here is a St. Paul city park called "Swede Hollow." For decades it was a disadvantaged area of the city. There w

Mumps outbreak tests pandemic plans

State officials in the Midwest are using an outbreak of mumps to test emergency health plans. The real-life exercise is critical for health officials, who have struggled to ready their systems for a possible flu pandemic in the near future.

State DOTs Hope Drivers See Dots

Test programs in Maryland, Minnesota and Pennsylvania aim to curb tailgating by using road markers that alert motorists to distances between vehicles. The markers serve as a tangible reminder of commonly taught driving guidelines such as the "two-second rule," which urges drivers to stay at least two seconds behind the car ahead.

Democrats Have Edge in Statehouse Races

NASHVILLE, Tenn. - Democrats are likely to make gains in state legislative races this year, but it's a toss-up whether the seats they win will be enough to overtake control of a handful of narrowly divided statehouses, a panel of election experts said at the National Conference of State Legislatures annual conference here.

Nine States Hold Primaries Today

Voters in nine states participate in primaries today, with some of the most closely watched races for state office taking place in Arizona, Minnesota and Wisconsin, where gubernatorial and attorney general races will be decided.

Minnesota Gov Fears GOP Backlash

ST. PAUL, Minn. -- Two years ago, Minnesota Gov. Tim Pawlenty was seen as a rising star in the Republican Party. Now he's in the political fight of his life, in danger of losing his seat to Attorney General Mike Hatch of the Democratic-Farmer-Labor Party.

Season's Greetings

function holidays() { javascript:mywindow=window.open('http://archive.stateline.org/flash-data/xmascards.swf','mywindow','width=800,height=700,directories=no,location=no,menubar=no,scrollbars=no,status=no,toolbar=no,resizable=no');mywindow.focus();screen_height = window.screen.availHeight; screen_width = window.screen.availWidth; left_point = parseInt(screen_width/2)-(800/2); top_point = parseInt(screen_height/2)-(700/2); setTimeout('mywindow.moveTo(left_point,top_point)',100);void(0); } For a holiday treat, Stateline.org presents a gallery of governors' greeting cards: from hand-painted pictures by Tennessee Gov. Phil Bredesen (D) and California Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger (R) to a recipe from outgoing Arkansas Gov. Mike Huckabee (R). Tour the interactive card gallery and learn more by reading the story.

Minnesota State of the State Address 2007

Thank you. Well this is now my fifth State of the State address. I never really thought I had that much to say. In all the years I spent in this chamber, I sometimes saw Mr. Lincoln looking down on us and wondered what he might have thought. I think he might say that politics and politicians aren't too popular the

Stumbles Aside, States Press to Cover All

More than a dozen states are entertaining the idea of making health insurance available to all kids or all residents, but the same problems that stymied such ambitious proposals for years again are tempering expectations.

Sex Ed Landscape Shifting in States

While most states still stress abstinence in sex education, lately there has been a movement toward a comprehensive approach that also teaches about contraception.

Minnesota Governor Lands National Spotlight

Minn. Gov. Pawlenty The many sides of Minnesota Gov. Tim Pawlenty (R) will be on display on a national stage when he takes over as this year's chairman of the National Governors Association this weekend and prepares to host the Republican National Convention in the Twin Cities next summer.

Bridge collapse points to national problem

The Minnesota bridge that collapsed this week is just one of 73,518 "structurally deficient" bridges across the country that state and federal inspectors have deemed in need of significant repairs.

Minnesota Takes the Lead in E-Cycling

Five state legislatures took steps this year to curb the threat of toxic waste created by the proliferation of discarded computer gear and other digital junk, making 2007 a banner year for passage of electronic recycling laws.

Missouri puts bridges on fast track

Missouri's plan to replace or repair 800 bridges in five years is being touted as a novel new way to leverage the power of private capital for public infrastructure by having a team of contractors finance the construction and maintain the bridges for 25 years.

Colleges go on offense against binge drinking

To many college students, binge drinking is a rite of passage, as integral a part of the college experience as midterms and all-nighters. But to college administrators, drinking too much is a hazard to students' health and safety, and they're taking steps to curb it.

In Minnesota, soldiers re-learn civilian life

MOORHEAD, Minn. - The 2,600 members of the Minnesota National Guard who recently returned from a 22-month deployment - including a record 16 months in Iraq - are getting their first glimpse at a state program intended to help them overcome the challenges of life at home.

After tragedy, political resolve collapses

The Interstate 35 bridge in downtown Minneapolis collapsed on Aug. 1, causing Minnesota and nearly every other state to re-examine the condition of their transportation infrastructure. But that uproar hasn't yet translated into a plan to fix Minnesota's $17 billion backlog of bridge and road repairs.

More states worry about revenues

The housing slump impacted revenue in 24 states this year and 18 say they are "concerned" about their revenue outlook, triple the number from last year, a new report released Dec. 10 shows.

New Year ushers in new laws

At least 31 states will enforce new laws that take effect New Year's Day. So as you ring in the New Year, expect some facet of life to change, ranging from where you can smoke in Illinois to how much it costs to enter a strip club in Texas.

States Lead Push for Paid Sick Days

In the midst of this year's flu epidemic, nearly half of all U.S. workers who fall ill or have sick kids must decide whether to stay home and lose wages or go to work sick and expose others, a choice many say no one should have to make. Lawmakers in 12 states and the District of Columbia are considering bills that would make paid sick days a minimum labor standard.

Minnesota State of the State Address 2008

ST. CLOUD, Minn. - Feb. 13 - Following is the prepared text of Gov. Tim Pawlenty's (R) 2008 state of the state address: Click here to visit the governor's web site to view the address. More than 80 years ago, a young man from Central Minnesota made an historic journey, alone, in an airplane across the Atlanti

Economy to Dominate Govs' Meeting

A stream of troubling financial news out of state capitols shows why the sputtering economy is sure to pervade talks among the nation's governors as they meet in Washington, D.C., this weekend.

Commentary: Congress Encroaching on State Priorities

Far scarier than the economic downturn for states is the growing trend on the part of Congress to restrict state revenue and spending prerogatives and to replace them with congressional priorities, writes Raymond C. Scheppach, executive director of the National Governors Association, in his latest commentary for Stateline.org. He cites provisions in two bills now making their way through Congress as important examples.

Turf Wars Rage Over Fake Grass

State legislators are used to political turf wars. Now, debates in a handful of states really are about turf, pitting those who back the artificial variety against supporters of natural grass for playgrounds and athletic fields.

WORTH NOTING: Phantom voter stalks Ala. State House

An Alabama lawmaker says someone's been using his voting machine. Florida's House Speaker locks the doors and turns off Internet access to make legislators pay attention. And Mayberry's Sheriff Taylor endorses a North Carolina gubernatorial candidate. In case you missed those stories this week, "Worth Noting" fills you in.

Oh Say, Is That Banner Made in the U.S.A.?

Lawmakers in 10 states have taken steps to require that American flags bought with state funds be manufactured in this country. While not all the legislation has passed, one state's new law even bans the sale of foreign-made American flags in that state.

NCSL Conference Focuses on Floods, Energy

As state lawmakers gather in New Orleans this week for a policy conference, they'll be reminded often of what can happen if public works are allowed to deteriorate.

Great Lakes States Protect Their Water

Congress begins work Wednesday (July 30) on the Great Lakes Compact, an agreement among eight states designed to preserve their drinking water and promote shipping, electric power and tourism by restricting water diversion from the lakes.

State Reporters on the Big Stories

Statehouse reporters from across the country are keeping tabs on their home-state politicians' attempts to snatch a piece of the national spotlight in Denver during the Democratic National Convention.

Southern Govs Speak Via Videotape to Delegates

Sept. 2, 2008, 1:30 p.m. EDTST. PAUL, Minn. - Hurricane Gustav forced some of the biggest stars in the Republican Party to stay at home to help their consitutents battle the storm that many feared would rival Hurricane Katrina of just three years ago. But four of the five affected southern Republican governors addressed the opening session of the 2008 Republican National Convention Monday (Sept. 1) via taped messages. "I'm sure you can understand why Gov. Jindal couldn't participate," first lady Laura Bush said as she introduced the taped messages, referring to Republican Louisiana Gov. Bobby Jindal as his state was being pounded by Gustav's strong winds and rain. Jindal had been rumored to be, among others, on Republican John McCain's shortlist of possible vice presidential picks before the senator chose Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin. President Bush had been scheduled to address the delegates Monday but instead went to Texas to monitor the storm. The administration had been widely criticized for its handling of Hurricane Katrina. Some Republicans, notably Texas Gov. Rick Perry, stressed that the GOP was ready. "You're seeing Republican governors ... doing a fabulous job of taking care of the citizens. That's what we do," he said via videotape.Texas Gov. Rick Perry on Hurricane Gustav The first lady also noted the governors of the affected states "happen to be Republicans," which drew a thunderous applause from the delegates at the Xcel Energy Center in St. Paul. Florida Charlie Crist, another Republican governor who also was seen as a possible VP candidate, took a less partisan approach in his remarks, remembering his experience during last month's Tropical Storm Fay: "As I traveled our state in the days following Fay's landfall, I was reminded again of the resilience and strength of our people. The kindness they extend to one another. Neighbor helping neighbor. Asking not what party you are, but instead how you can help." Alabama Gov. Bob Riley and Mississippi Gov. Haley Barbour also gave videotaped messages. Governor Jindal said Monday that seven states are helping Louisiana to shelter more than 29,000 citizens at 107 shelters. Texas has offered to shelter several thousand patients, Oklahoma has agreed to accept 4,000 general evacuees, and 150 medical patients from southwest Louisiana hospitals are expected to arrive at the Oklahoma Air National Guard Base at Will Rogers Airport in Oklahoma City today. The state Republican chairmen from Alabama, Florida, Louisiana, Mississippi and Texas formed a working group "to regularly brief their delegates and convention planners, provide access to timely information and assistance, and give input on appropriate steps that can be taken from Minnesota." The McCain 2008 campaign also agreed to charter a DC-9 to transport delegates who wished to return to home to their states.AFTER THE JUMP: More video footage of the governors on Hurricane Gustav. - Pamela M. Prah Comments

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.

Govs' Parties to Fund 2010 Races

MINNEAPOLIS - Republican governors and the people who paid thousands of dollars to hobnob with them partied at a swanky restaurant here this week during the Republican National Convention in nearby St. Paul. Like similar events that Democrats held last week in Denver, it was just one of several big-ticket fundraisers that the Republican Governors Association expects to host during the convention, with some donors paying as much as $250,000 to participate.

The Man McCain Didn't Pick

(Updated 3:40 p.m., Sept. 10, 2008)ST. PAUL, Minn. - Gov. Tim Pawlenty narrowly missed getting a spot on the Republican presidential ticket, but his moment on the national stage likely isn't over yet.

Minnesota State of the State Address 2009

ST. PAUL, Minn. - Jan. 15 - Following is the prepared text of Gov. Tim Pawlenty's (R) 2009 state of the state address: Click here to access the governor's Web page and view or hear the address. One hundred years ago, John Johnson, another 48-year-old Minnesota governor, returned from the national campaign tr

With Crisis as Catalyst, Govs Push Big Changes

Governors are using the economic crisis to sell big changes in how state and local jurisdictions operate, promising overhauls that could alter the face of government around the country. Their proposals range from sharing state helicopters between Minnesota and Wisconsin to shrinking Pennsylvania's system of 500 school districts to just 100.

Weekly Wrap: New Year Brings New Laws

New state laws that take effect across the country on New Year's Day range from affecting the way residents drive to whether they can marry or profit from snapping a celebrity's photograph. (See also:US: State lawmakers, lacking money, took up bad-behavior bans in '09 and US: New 2010 laws -- Cooking to texting)

Minnesota State of the State Address 2010

ST. PAUL, Minn. - Feb. 11 - Following is the prepared text of Gov. Tim Pawlenty's (R) 2010 state of the state address: This state of the state address is not the most important thing that happened in Minnesota this week - not by a long shot. The most important thing that happened this week is that our Red Bulls

Summary of the Minnesota State of the State Address

Republican Gov. Tim Pawlenty sounded familiar themes in his final state of the state address, calling for cuts in business taxes and a cap on state spending.

Going to the Mat Over Money

As states continue to find ways to plug an estimated $460 billion hole that opened up in their budgets between 2009 and 2012, "trimming the fat" and "cutting to the bone" are ancient history. But deeper cuts have gotten trickier. "Everything that hasn't been nailed down has been cut," Anthony Wright, executive director of Health Access California, told The Sacramento Bee. "What's left is the legally questionable stuff." And that's just the point for targets of some of those cuts who are, in increasing numbers, taking their appeals to the courts.

Seven States Lead in Budget Transparency

TODAY'S TAKE: A report released Tuesday (April 13) finds that seven states - Illinois, Kentucky, Ohio, Minnesota, Missouri, Pennsylvania and Texas - lead the nation in budget transparency, providing the public with comprehensive and easily searchable information about government spending. Eighteen states flunked the scorecard created by U.S. PIRG, a Boston-based research and public-interest advocacy group.

Ruling Sets Up Budget Showdown in Minnesota

TODAY'S TAKE: A ruling Wednesday (May 5) by the Minnesota Supreme Court has the potential to rip a $2.7 billion hole in the state budget with just 11 days to go in the legislative session. It also sets up a showdown between the Democratic-led legislature and Republican Governor Tim Pawlenty, who has vowed not to raise taxes.