Stateline Stories

How Did States Create Jobs?

States this year awarded tax breaks to businesses, touted worker-training programs and even poached jobs from each other to boost their economies and create work for the nearly 12 million Americans still unemployed.

Cheers! All 50 States Embrace the Home Brew Boom

As of July 1, all 50 states will allow aspiring brewers to make their own beer at home. But states are still figuring out how to regulate the popular hobby.

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.

Should Public Workers Have to Live Where They Work?

Municipal residency requirements have gradually become less common. State efforts to ban them can get ugly as cities fight to maintain their middle class population base.

In Michigan and Wisconsin, Some Lawmakers Want to Go Part-Time

Should lawmakers in Michigan and Wisconsin cut their work hours? That’s what some hope to do, as they push constitutional amendments that would convert their states’ full-time legislatures into part-time bodies.

Wisconsin State of the State Address 2013

MADISON, Wisconsin -- Jan. 15 -- Following is the prepared text of Gov. Scott Walker's (R) 2013 State of the State Address

Economic Development Agencies Face New Scrutiny

When Wisconsin partially privatized its Department of Commerce last year, the hope was to create a less bureaucratic job creation organization. Since then, though, the new entity has faced a series of setbacks.

Best of #StateReads: Roots of a Voting Rights Challenge

This week’s extraordinary journalism about state government, tagged to #StateReads on Twitter.

Best of #StateReads: Why New Jersey’s Trains Flooded but New York’s Stayed Dry

This week’s extraordinary journalism about state government, tagged to #StateReads on Twitter.

Voter ID Rulings Vex Administrators Ahead of Election Day

Recent court rulings and ongoing lawsuits have prompted widespread concerns about whether election laws can work smoothly next Tuesday.

Federal Court Clears South Carolina Voter ID Law

A federal court has cleared the way for South Carolina’s voter ID law to be in place in 2013, despite the Justice Department’s decision to oppose the law.

Feds Slam Wisconsin Public-Private Partnership for Economic Development

Transferring control of Wisconsin’s economic development efforts from a state agency to a new public-private partnership was a focus of Governor Scott Walker’s campaign and one of the first things he accomplished when he took office.

Wisconsin Voter ID Law Unlikely to Apply in November

Wisconsinites this November won’t likely need to show photo identification at the polls. That’s because the state Supreme Court says it won’t immediately consider whether to reinstate a voter ID law blocked in a lower court.

N.J. Lawmaker to Replacement Refs: ‘Keep Out’

New Jersey’s Senate president plans to introduce legislation that would ban the use of replacement officials in professional sporting events played on state soil.

Mussel Invasion Moves West

For more than two decades, mussel pests have threatened the water supply in the Great Lakes. Now they have crossed the Rocky Mountains.

Wisconsin Judge Strikes Down Collective Bargaining Restrictions

A county judge in Wisconsin has thrown out most of Governor Scott Walker’s law that severely restricts collective bargaining for public employees, throwing into question changes to contracts already negotiated under the year-old law.

Best of #StateReads: Kentucky Judges Review Child-Abuse List

This week’s extraordinary journalism about state government, tagged to #StateReads on Twitter.

Amid Lawsuits and Controversy, States Prepare for Voter ID

Identifying and verifying hordes of extra voters will be a daunting task for many states ahead of Election Day.

Heat Wave, Budget Cuts Strain Utility Safety Net

Budget cuts and a blistering hot spell wave left states short on cash this summer while tackling high energy demand. Now many worry about having enough heat when winter comes.

Report: Cost of Walker Recall Effort Topped $80 Million

Wisconsin’s unprecedented 15 recall races for governor, lieutenant governor and state senate in 2011 and 2012, prompted a record amount of campaign spending, according to a report released Wednesday (July 25). Candidates, groups and committees spent a total of about $137.5 million on races, including about $84.5

For Some States, Medicaid Expansion May Be a Tough Fiscal Call

GOP governors appear poised to leave federal dollars on the table.

More GOP Officials Vow to Decline Medicaid Expansion

Republican state leaders say they’d rather forfeit federal money than dip into state coffers to expand Medicaid under the Affordable Care Act.

Best of #StateReads: Iowa Felons Struggle for Voting Rights

This week’s extraordinary journalism about state government, tagged to #StateReads on Twitter.

Post-Recall Wisconsin Open for Business, Governor Says

The recent recall election in Wisconsin that let Governor Scott Walker keep his job was apparently also good for businesses in the state, or so says the governor.

Other Elections Besides Walker Recall

Voters will also decide ballot measures, five state legislative primaries and a gubernatorial primary in Montana.

Infographic: Thirty Years of State Recalls

In all of U.S. history, only two state governors have been recalled from office. Today, Wisconsin’s Scott Walker seeks to avoid becoming the third.

Mining Boom in Great Lakes States Prompts Environmental Concern

PART ONE OF TWO: Mining is a thriving industry again in the upper Midwest. But there are questions about whether current state regulations can handle the environmental impact.

Wisconsin Recall Campaign Turns on Job Creation Issue

Scott Walker promised to be the job-creation governor. Two years later, he’s struggling to prove he deserves the label.

Best of #StateReads: Why Louisiana Leads the World in Imprisonment

This week’s extraordinary journalism about state government, tagged to #StateReads on Twitter.

Primaries Set Gov Races in Wisc., N.C.

Voters Tuesday (May 8) formally picked candidates for governors' races in four states while North Carolina voters approved a ballot measure to ban same-sex marriage in the state.

N.C. Governor Race Overshadowed

With all the talk about the recall election of Wisconsin Governor Scott Walker, another governor’s race that will get decided this month has been largely overlooked.

Best of #StateReads: Years After Immigration Law’s Passage, Much Has Changed in Arizona

This week’s extraordinary journalism about state government, tagged to #StateReads on Twitter.

Recall of Wisconsin Governor Gets National Attention

For the first time in Wisconsin state history, voters will have the chance to recall their governor. The race has drawn millions of dollars from outside the state and is seen to have national implications.

More States Consider Diverting Foreclosure Money

TODAY'S TAKE: Officials in a growing number of states are considering diverting money from a $25 billion foreclosure settlement between big banks and attorneys general to help pay for programs that have nothing to do with housing.

In Wisconsin, Assessing a New Labor Law’s Impact

RACINE, Wisconsin - A year after union protests swept Wisconsin's Capitol, labor and management are still grappling with the collective bargaining law that prompted the backlash. Leaders of local governments and schools enjoy having more options to balance their budgets, but state funding cuts often outweigh the benefits.

Wisconsin State of the State Address 2012

MADISON, Wis. - Jan. 25 - Following is the text of Gov. Scott Walker's (R) 2012 state of the state address: Speaker Fitzgerald, Speaker Pro Tem Kramer, President Ellis, Majority Leader Fitzgerald, Minority Leader Miller, Minority Leader Barca, members of the Wisconsin Supreme Court, Constitutional Offi

Wisconsin Recall Effort Quiets Legislature, Energizes Voters

TODAY'S TAKE: Opponents of Wisconsin Governor Scott Walker are expected to deliver petitions with more than 700,000 signatures on Tuesday (January 17) supporting his recall The effort is likely to divert voters' attention this year away from legislative business and toward the campaign trail.

A New Pay System for Wisconsin State Workers

MANAGEMENT BEAT: Wisconsin's new compensation plan for state employees, the first in decades to be drafted without significant worker participation, freezes pay and creates a controversial new method of rewarding employee performance.

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.

Wisconsin Unions Allow Bargaining Status to Lapse

MANAGEMENT BEAT: Unions protested this spring when Wisconsin passed a new law restricting collective bargaining rights. Now, the major unions representing the bulk of state workers are deciding not to get certified to bargain for what they're still allowed to under the law.

Several States Quick to Opt for No Child waivers

TODAY'S TAKE: Connecticut, Oregon, New Mexico and Wisconsin immediately said they would seek waivers from key requirements of the No Child Left Behind law, an option announced by the president on Friday (September 23).

High-Risk Health Care Plans Fail to Draw Crowd

The Obama administration is offering subsidized health insurance to people who have serious medical conditions-but the customers aren't coming.

Which Side Won in Wisconsin Recall Elections?

TODAY'S TAKE: After historic recall elections in Wisconsin on Tuesday (August 10), Democrats and Republicans are trying to frame the results on their terms.

Spotlight Shines on Illinois Concealed Carry Law

PUBLIC SAFETY BEAT: Wisconsin now allows residents to carry concealed firearms in public, leaving Illinois as the only state that does not. Second Amendment advocates are stepping up their pressure to legalize the practice.

Racial Profiling Laws Yield Data but Few Changes

Lawmakers and police have struggled to handle traffic stop data that is supposed to help identify racial profiling. In many places, the data is collected but not used. In others, the results are subject to challenge.

Recall Elections in Wisconsin Test Support for Republican Program

In the six months since Republicans took control of Wisconsin's state government, they have passed dozens of laws that read like a conservative wish list. Starting Tuesday, some of the state's voters will get an early opportunity to pass judgment on what they've seen.

Is Telephone Regulation Obsolete?

Phone companies think now is the time to end regulation of the dwindling number of traditional landline phones still in use. Critics say doing that would lead to higher rates, especially for seniors and those who live in rural areas where cell phone service can be erratic.

California Republicans Riled by Brown's Union Deals

MANAGEMENT BEAT: Limitless payouts for unused vacation time in California … A crackdown on using union dues to purchase magazine subscriptions … A comprehensive audit of Missouri state government, and other management news.

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.

Are 'Charter Universities' the Future of State-Funded Higher Ed?

With more budget cuts on the horizon, many flagship universities are warming to a new bargain with state government: In exchange for less state funding, they would get more say in running day-to-day operations as well as the ability to impose some tuition increases.

Wisconsin Teachers Seek Last-Minute Contracts

EDUCATION BEAT: Wisconsin teachers want to lock in new contracts before anti-union legislation takes effect ... Pennsylvania governor calls for $1.5 billion in education cuts ... Michigan grants emergency financial managers broad powers, and other education news.

Wisconsin Pension Plan Among Most Secure

Pension benefits are a major issue in Wisconsin's current legislative stalemate. In fact, though, Wisconsin is one state where they aren't much of a problem.

Is Wisconsin Standoff Winding Down?

TODAY'S TAKE: Democrats who have fled Wisconsin to strip Republicans of a quorum on controversial labor legislation say they will return to Madison soon. The move would hand the GOP a short-term victory on collective bargaining rights, though Democrats say they will come out ahead in public opinion.

California Looks to Current Workers' Pensions for Savings

MANAGEMENT BEAT: Pension commission argues for tough choices in California … Republican governors back off opposition to collective bargaining … No more "SWAG" in California, and other government management news.

After Union Protests, Next Steps in Wisconsin

MANAGEMENT BEAT: Avoiding a vote on a controversial right-to-work bill, Indiana Democrats flee the state ... A barrage of amendments for Walker's budget bill ... Questionable doctor's notes in Wisconsin, and other government management news.

Wisconsin Dems Flee, Union Discord Grows

TODAY'S TAKE: The battle in Wisconsin over the rights of public employee unions reached a standoff Thursday, as Democrats blocked further action by absenting themselves. The showdown prompted tens of thousands of protesters to swarm the Wisconsin Capitol.

Wisconsin Budget Proposal Hits State Workers

TODAY'S TAKE: Wisconsin Governor Scott Walker proposed a budget on Friday (February 11) that puts an end to most collective bargaining rights for public worker unions and, according to the governor's own estimates, will cost the average state employee thousands of dollars a year.

Wisconsin State of the State Address 2011

MADISON, Wis. - Feb. 1 - Following is the text of Gov. Scott Walker's (R) 2011 state of the state address: Click here to access a video of the address. Speaker Fitzgerald, Speaker Pro Tem Kramer, President Ellis, Majority Leader Fitzgerald, Minority Leader Miller, Minority Leader Barca, Supreme Court Justice

Budget Woes Dominate Governors' Inaugural Speeches

TODAY'S TAKE: New governors were sworn in Monday (January 3) in California, Minnesota, Nevada, Wisconsin and Wyoming. Most of them warned of painful fiscal choices ahead.

Private-School Vouchers Return to Education Agenda

In several states, newly elected Republican governors are reviving the idea of using taxpayer money to send students to private schools.

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.

Democratic Governors May Join Obama Team

TODAY'S TAKE: An announcement last week by outgoing Michigan Governor Jennifer Granholm that she has a "good idea" of what her next job will be has heightened speculation that she will join the Obama administration in the new year. Other outgoing Democrats, including Ohio's Ted Strickland and Wisconsin's Jim Doyle, also may move to Washington.

Is Health Care Ruling a Game-Changer?

TODAY'S TAKE: Partisan state politicians either cheered or denounced a federal judge's ruling Monday (December 13) that a key provision of the Obama administration's new health care law is unconstitutional. Meanwhile, Virginia's governor urged his peers to support an idea to fast-track the case directly to the U.S. Supreme Court, and critics of Massachusetts' broad-based health care program saw a new opportunity to challenge it.

Maine Republican Legislators Contemplate End to Labor Committee

TRANSITION WATCH: Maine Republicans seek to fold historic panel, Connecticut's pension gap gets bigger, and more news of the historic shift in power in the states.

Arizona's Brewer to Request Federal Waiver to Cut Medicaid

TRANSITION WATCH: Arizona's governor seeks new limits on Medicaid eligibility to balance the budget, Chet Culver's alternative energy program could be eliminated in Iowa and more news of the historic shift in power in the states.

Study Finds Details Lacking in Economic Development Deals

TODAY'S TAKE: Governors are placing a premium on economic development, moving aggressively to lure more private-sector jobs to their states. The public, however, often is kept in the dark about the state tax breaks, grants and other incentives that are often at the center of such deals, according to a new study.

Snyder's Detroit Outreach Could Include New Office

TRANSITION WATCH: Michigan's Republican governor looks to strengthen a troubled Democratic city, revolving door rules could trip up a Rhode Island appointment, and other news of the historic shift in power in the states.

GOP Takes the Reins in Maine

TODAY'S TAKE: Maine is one of two states - along with Wisconsin - that flipped from all-Democratic to all-Republican rule on Election Day. On Wednesday (December 1), the state's new GOP-dominant Legislature begins work.

Wisconsin Lawmakers Battle Over Union Contracts

TRANSITION WATCH: Democrats in Wisconsin look to approve lame-duck labor deals, Arizona contemplates its immigration encore, and other news of the historic shift in power in the states.

Why Rainy Day Funds Can’t Always Be Used on Rainy Days

Nearly all states put aside money for tough fiscal times. But the rules for using the money are dramatically different from state to state.

Massachusetts Speaker Reluctant to Reprise Gambling Debate

TRANSITION WATCH: Democrats in Massachusetts look to get along by turning their attention away from gambling, Florida's new governor faces a choice on high-speed rail and other news of the historic shift in power in the states.

High-Speed Rail Faces High-Speed Demise in Midwest

TODAY'S TAKE: Republicans who won the governorships of Ohio and Wisconsin last week are leaving no doubt that they intend to kill high-speed rail projects that have already been pledged billions in federal stimulus dollars.

Republicans Fight Wisconsin High-Speed Rail

MADISON, Wis. - Wisconsin has long been seen as a model state for construction of a regional rapid rail system in the Midwest. The Obama administration has favored the idea with generous subsidies. But two of the three major contenders for Wisconsin's governorship don't want any part of it.

Will Upsets Continue in Tuesday's Primary?

Tuesday is the last big primary day before November, when voters will choose 37 governors. The big question in the primaries is whether Tea Party candidates will upset any frontrunners, as recently happened in Colorado and Florida.

Some Democrats Running for Governor Embrace Obama, Others Ignore Him

TODAY'S TAKE: President Obama this week headlined events to raise money for the gubernatorial bids of fellow Democrats Ohio Governor Ted Strickland and Milwaukee Mayor Tom Barrett. But the enthusiastic welcome he received in Ohio and Wisconsin stands in contrast to the reception he got in Texas and Georgia, where Democratic gubernatorial nominees stayed far away from the president.

How Wisconsin Made Big Medicaid Cuts With Little Controversy

When lawmakers needed huge health care savings to balance the budget, they turned the decision-making over to a panel of stakeholders. The strategy could be a model for other states looking to squeeze money out of their Medicaid programs.

Conservation Cutbacks Force States to Pass on Buyers' Market

With the housing bust driving down land prices, this is the perfect time for states to boost their conservation efforts. But the recession has forced states to cut funding for land acquisition and to pull back from bond sales. The cutbacks point to a dilemma that often bedevils state land programs: Conservation is easiest to fund when times are good but when land prices are the highest.

Why Summer Jobs Are Getting Harder to Find

Last summer, the federal stimulus helped put nearly 320,000 disadvantaged teens and young adults to work. As this summer approaches, most of the stimulus dollars are gone and temporary jobs are harder for young people to find.

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?

Bans on BPA Gain Traction

TODAY'S TAKE: Wisconsin on Wednesday (March 3) became the third state after Connecticut and Minnesota to ban the manufacture of baby bottles and "sippy cups" containing the chemical BPA, or Bisphenol A. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration and the Environmental Protection Agency have cited concerns over the chemical, including possible effects on the development of fetuses, babies and young children. At least nine other states are considering similar legislation, with Maryland poised to become the next to adopt a ban.

The Not-So-Fast Track for High-Speed Rail

The last time intercity passenger trains served Madison, Wisconsin's capital city, students at the University of Wisconsin campus there were protesting the Vietnam War. The trains stopped running when Amtrak took over passenger service around the country in 1971. But last month, the federal government announced it would give the state $810 million in stimulus money to return passenger trains to Wisconsin's second-biggest city for the first time in more than four decades.The $8 billion in federal stimulus money billed as "high-speed rail" funding that will pay for the Wisconsin improvements is going to 31 states to improve service on trains of all speeds. But as even the straightforward case of Wisconsin shows, the path for states to actually build high-speed rail promises to be long, costly and, in some cases, politically contentious.

Wisconsin State of the State Address 2010

MADISON, Wis. - Jan. 26 - Following is the text of Gov. Jim Doyle's (D) 2010 state of the state address: Speaker Sheridan, Speaker Pro Tem Staskunas, President Risser, Majority Leader Decker, Minority Leaders Fitzgerald and Fitzgerald, Constitutional Officers, Supreme Court Justices, tribal leaders, members of the

Summary of the Wisconsin State of the State Address

It's been a difficult year for Wisconsin, but Gov. Jim Doyle (D) struck an upbeat tone during his Jan. 26 state of the state address. Despite budget cuts, furloughs and pay and hiring freezes, Doyle warned that more cuts were on the horizon, although he vowed to continue "protecting education, health care and public safety and protecting the middle class against tax increases."

Weekly Wrap: Recession Setting Records in Wisconsin, Oregon

Sales tax revenue drops for the first time in Wisconsin. Demand for food stamps and food boxes sets records in Oregon. Cigar-smoking Pennsylvania lawmakers reject tobacco tax increase.

Mass. Health Connector, Other Innovations Honored

As the Obama administration and Congress debate the details of a national health care plan, the state that paved the way for universal coverage was honored in Washington, D.C.

Midwest Vies For Stimulus Aid For Fast Rail

The race is on for states that want to build high-speed rail routes to whisk passengers hundreds of miles from city to city without the hassle of flying. Midwestern states hope federal stimulus funds will help them build a 3,000-mile network for trains that can reach up to 110 mph.

Tracking the Recession: Stimulus Helps Revive Summer Youth Jobs programs

With many low-wage jobs snatched up by college graduates, senior citizens and laid-off workers of all ages, young job seekers have a less-than-30-percent chance of finding work this summer. But thanks to $1.2 billion in federal stimulus funds, states are revitalizing summer job programs to give disadvantaged youths a shot at finding a career.

States Applaud New Stem Cell Funding

President Obama's March 9 move to allow federal funding for stem-cell research is expected to greatly benefit states such as California that already have invested in the controversial science. But the decision - which lifts an eight-year-old ban by the Bush administration - will give nearly all states a shot at job-creating new grants in the multi-billion-dollar emerging biomedical field.

Study Finds Disparity in Corrections Spending

States spend seven times more money on prisons than on probation and parole, even though the vast majority of the 7.3 million people now under correctional supervision are not behind bars, according to a Pew Center on the States report, the first detailed survey of state corrections spending since 2002.

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.

Wisconsin State of the State Address 2009

MADISON, Wis. - Jan. 29 - Following is the prepared text of Gov. Jim Doyle's (D) 2009 state of the state address: Speaker Sheridan, Speaker Pro Tem Staskunas, President Risser, Majority Leader Decker, Minority Leader Fitzgerald, Minority Leader Fitzgerald, Supreme Court Justices, Constitutional Officers, tribal le

Economy Could Imperil State Readiness

Budget cuts could undermine the progress states have made to respond to public health emergencies and natural disasters, such as the recent wildfires in California and outbreaks of Salmonella on tainted vegetables that sickened more than 1, 440 people in 43 states, says a new report released Dec. 9.

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.

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.

Salt Prices Put States in a Pinch

Cold-weather states across the country will need hundreds of thousands of tons of salt to keep roads and highways safe this winter. But prices are running two and three times higher than last year, forcing some states and municipalities to make do with less.

Dems Take Full Control in 3 More States

(Updated 5:00 p.m. EST, Nov. 10, 2008)Democrats emerged from Election Day gaining control over more state governments, and they now dominate both the legislature and governor's office in 17 states, compared to just eight for Republicans. With both Democrats and Republicans scoring historic victories, big policy changes could be on the way.

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.

Parties Battle for Control of Statehouses

Montana, Nevada, Ohio, Pennsylvania and Wisconsin are in the national spotlight as states that could swing either Republican or Democrat in November's presidential elections. But they are also among the top 10 battleground states where political control could turn over in at least one chamber of the state legislature, according to a new analysis.

Delegates Speak: Issues Facing the States

Aug. 27, 2008, 4:00 p.m. EDT Q. What serious issue in your state would you like the next president to address? Wisconsin on jobsKeeping jobs in America. It is so important. We are losing jobs in Wisconsin. We have a GM plant (in Janesville) that is going to close down. And those are thousands of jobs. We also have a paper factory who has left us. We have another one that planning on closing. We also have small cheese factories that have closed. We don't have jobs for these people to go to. You can retrain them on jobs … skills and things. But where do they go for jobs? The jobs are not there. They are going to either overseas, or just gone... That is the biggest concern. Because if you don't have a job, you have nothing. You can't go the store and buy the bread and milk that we need to survive, or the food. And you can't, of course, afford mortgages. ... You can't even rent if you don't have a job. ... You have to have a job to survive in life. -Wisconsin delegate Mary Goulding of Greenbay, 57, secretary with the public school district interviewed by Barbara Rosewicz, Stateline.org Maine on energy Energy costs are a strong issue for me because obviously we have cold winters and not a lot of people. There's the whole discussion about being on the energy grid and how we can leverage that and get our money's worth, but the good side is that we are uniquely positioned for wind energy and tidal energy, and I really believe Barack Obama is committed to renewable energy and not just drilling and trying to find more oil in our oceans.-Maine delegate Jennifer DeChant, 35, of Bath interviewed by Pamela M. Prah, Stateline.org New Mexico on health careI have four children and six grandsons.Seniors need help. If they don't get it, they are burdens to their families. In New Mexico, jobs aren't good enough for employers to pay employees adequate health insurance. -New Mexico delegate Mary Gail Gwaltney of Las Cruces, 73, retired interviewed by Stephen C. Fehr, Stateline.org AFTER THE JUMP: Audio and photos from the interviews Comments