Stateline Headlines

Best of #StateReads: N. C. Regulators Miss Catching Cheating Businesses

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

Infographic: S&P State Credit Ratings, 2001–2012

Private, independent credit rating agencies evaluate states’ financial health. States with the lowest grades typically have trouble keeping their spending in line with their tax revenues.

States Move to Regulate Senior Guardians

As the U.S. population ages and families scatter across the country, the frail elderly increasingly end up relying on court-appointed guardians when they can no longer take care of their personal affairs. California just joined six other states in watching over these professionals charged with protecting society's most vulnerable adults.

Tracking the Recession – Much Ado About a Small Stimulus Pot

After weeks of speculation and intense political pressure, a reluctant Republican South Carolina Gov. Mark Sanford on Friday (April 3) became the last governor to formally notify the White House that he plans to accept at least some federal dollars from the stimulus package - but the controversy is far from over.

Federal Court Blocks Parts of Anti-Immigration Law in Alabama, Georgia

A federal appeals court on Monday blocked several provisions of anti-immigration laws in Alabama and Georgia, while leaving intact each state’s so-called “so me your papers” policies.

Eight States Raised Taxes in 2004

Only eight states had to resort to hiking taxes in 2004 to balance their books, a sign that states fiscal squeeze may finally be over, researchers said in a new report released Monday.

Gubernatorial Candidates, Alabama-Kentucky

A comprehensive list of gubernatorial candidates in Alabama through Kentucky.

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.

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.

Kelly plans bill to keep names of those who sign initiatives, referenda private

BLM is creating plan for central and northern Alaska lands

Gov. Parnell reappoints Fairbanks residents to board aviation board

Alaska receives donation for debris removal

Official: Competing applications could slow LNG project

It's called lite gov for the workload

State relaxes Kodiak Island sockeye fishery

Lt Gov. certifies pot application

Parnell seeks federal disaster declaration

Due date approaches for agreement on Alaska LNG project

Standard procedure: No leaflets in state Capitol Building?

University shows lack of integrity in Cobb case

Parnell extends disaster declaration for flooding

Palin returns to Fox News after brief split

Back to work

UAF solar project derailed by regents

Governor signs bill modernizing trust and estate laws

State investing in sound, scientific fishery research

Judge holding board to redistricting timeline

Democrats criticize Gov.'s tax bill

Parnell signs bill to extend state’s contract with Flint Hills

Parnell signs bill to fight sex trafficking

Alaska National Guard soldiers train in Idaho

NPR-A plan strikes good development-conservation balance

Western senators press Obama to block proposed Alaska mine

Obesity rate declines for some Alaska children

Parnell looks to Europe for insight on oil tax policy

Does Pebble have plan? Depends on who's asking

Lawmakers want to renovate, expand their Anchorage offices

Alaska candidates begin positioning themselves for 2014 campaigns

State looking for counsel for ethics complaints

State admits error in prior case for man accused in double murder

Valley Democrat announces bid for lieutenant governor

Renovations, removal of soil believed contaminated planned at Alaska Governor's Mansion

An elections map: Redistricting board needs to get moving

State reports on censorship of anti-abortion protest

Talerico leaves Rep. Isaacon's staff for private position

State approves land-use request by Navy SEALs

McGuire files to run for lieutenant governor

Alaska Tea Party launches salvos at Common Core education standards

Time right for Alaska, BP says

After filing for statewide office, Anchorage mayor undecided on run, he says

Renovations planned at Governor's Mansion

Parnell breaks ground at Special Olympics ceremony

Opponents of Alaska oil tax legislation seek to get referendum on 2014 ballot

Redistricting board plans to meet on schedule

Redistricting Board rehires former executive director

How often is Alaska the coldest state? Ask USA Today

Alaska lobbying group quietly plows ahead to open ANWR

Do national education standards pose new target for Alaska tea partiers?

BP plans $1 billion investment in Alaska as state lowers taxes

Critics say alcohol control board too lenient

Alaska Gambles With Major Oil Tax Cut

A multi-billion dollar tax experiment could make or break Alaska’s economy and provide a lesson for other states.

Alaska State of the State Address 2013

Following is Alaska Governor Sean Parnell's (R) 2013 State of the State Address

Next Elections: Races for Legislative Leadership

For aspiring legislative leaders, the elections aren’t over yet. Even as the final counts from last week’s votes are still being tallied, lawmakers who hope to be house speakers or senate presidents are courting their colleagues.

In Palin Ruling, Alaska Supreme Court OKs Personal Email for State Business

The Alaska Supreme Court on Friday said state officials may use personal email accounts to conduct official business, but some emails sent from private accounts may be subject to open records law.

In Alaska, Bipartisanship on the Ballot

An unusual coalition of Republicans and Democrats has led the Alaska Senate for six years, but many conservative Republicans hope it won’t continue for a seventh.

Alaska State of the State Address 2011

JUNEAU, Alaska - Jan. 19 - Following is the prepared text of Gov. Sean Parnell's (R) 2011 state of the state address: Mr. Speaker, Mr. President, Lieutenant Governor Treadwell, fellow Alaskans, thank you for joining us. The State of the State address is a time to take stock of the progress we've made together. In

Alaska State of the State Address 2010

JUNEAU, Alaska - Jan. 20 - Following is the prepared text of Gov. Sean Parnell's (R) 2010 state of the state address: Lieutenant Governor Craig Campbell, President Gary Stevens, Speaker Mike Chenault, cabinet members, legislators, my family - Sandy, Grace and Rachel. Thank you for joining us. Tonight, we r

Alaska State of the State Address 2009

JUNEAU, Alaska - Jan. 22 - Following is the prepared text of Gov. Sarah Palin's (R) 2009 state of the state address: Click here to access the governor's Web page and view or hear the address. Thank you. Our good Lieutenant Governor Parnell, President Stevens, Speaker Chenault, lawmakers, Native Leaders, my dea

Alaska State of the State Address 2008

JUNEAU, Alaska - Jan. 15 - Following is the prepared text of Gov. Sarah Palin's (R) 2008 state of the state address: Click here to visit the governor's web site and hear audio of the address. Lieutenant Governor, members of the 25th Alaska State Legislature and all Alaskans, thank you for this opportunity to spe

Alaska State of the State Address 2007

JUNEAU , Alaska , Jan. 17 - Following is the prepared text of Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin's (R) 2007 state of the state address. Click here to access the governor's state of the state web site to view and hear the address. Good evening. It is an honor to stand before you tonight. Lt Governor Parnell. Madame Pre

Alaska State of the State Address 2006

Tonight I would like to thank the Legislature for your strong support of the priorities of this administration: • adding to Alaska's transportation infrastructure, with the approval of last year's capital budget which relieved significant congestion in the Mat-Su Valley, Anchorage, Kenai and Fairbanks • increasing edu

Alaska State of the State Address 2005

Mr. President, Mr. Speaker, and members of the Alaska Legislature Welcome back to Juneau and thank you for the opportunity to deliver this State of the State address and to all Alaskans a Happy New Year. First I'm pleased to introduce my partnerNancy. Last year in July we shared our 50th Wedding Anniversary with a big

Alaska State of the State Address 2004

JUNEAU, Alaska - Jan. 13 - Following is the full text of Alaska Gov. Frank H. Murkowski's (R) 2004 State of the State address: Happy New Year to all of you. The good news is there are only 17 more Saturdays until the Session ends. Mr. President, Mr. Speaker and members of the Alaska State Legislature I appreci

Alaska State of the State Address 2002

JUNEAU, Alaska – Jan. 16 - Following is the full text of Gov. Tony Knowles' 2002 State of the State Address, delivered on Jan. 16: Lt. Governor Ulmer, President Halford, Speaker Porter, members of the 22nd Alaska Legislature, my cabinet, my wife Susan, our daughter Devon, fellow Alaskans. Good evening. I'm

Alaska State of the State Address 2001

JUNEAU, Alaska - Jan. 10 - Following is the full text of Gov. Tony Knowles 2001 State of the State Address: Lt. Governor Ulmer, Senate President Halford, House Speaker Porter, members of the 22nd Alaska Legislature, my cabinet, my wife Susan, our children - Devon, Luke and Sara - and fellow Alaskans. Good evening.

Alaska State of the State Address 2000

JUNEAU, Alaska - Jan. 12 - Following is the partial text of Gov. Tony Knowles' 2000 State of the State Address: Lt. Governor Fran Ulmer, Senate President Drue Pearce, House Speaker Brian Porter, members of the 21st Alaska Legislature, my cabinet, my wife Susan, my children Luke and Sara my fellow Alaskans. Good eve

Alaskan State Checks Could Shrink

Alaska Gov. Frank Murkowski (R) is considering giving residents a smaller annual paycheck from the state in order to balance the budget.

Alaskans Split on How to Get State Out of the Red

Alaska is bitterly divided on whether to use a portion of its oil wealth its $28 billion permanent fund to get itself out of budget trouble. While the state faces a projected $500 million budget deficit in the next fiscal year, proposals to tap the fund to plug the gap face fierce resistance. Even a high-profile assembly of citizens has failed to forge consensus.

Alaska, Virginia Rank Tops in Grabbing Federal Dollars

In the annual sweepstakes for federal money, Alaskans per capita came out on top in 2003 while Virginia got the most bucks in federal contracts, and California garnered the most defense dollars, according to new U.S. Census data. The Census Web site has a query system that allows users to search for federal funding levels by state, county and programs.

Alaska Ballot Measure Would Treat Pot Like Liquor

Like a stoned driver crisscrossing the center line, Alaska has veered left and right on the issue of legalizing marijuana. On Nov. 2, voters will be asked to take Alaska further than any other state toward liberalizing use of marijuana, over the objections of state and federal officials.

Alaska Tops in Internet Use

Alaska, known for dog-mushing, forests and forget-me-nots, also can boast about its great surfing Internet surfing, that is. According to U.S. Census Bureau data, the Land of the Midnight Sun is the most wired state in the nation.

Western Governors University Improves Its Grade

Western Governors University, an online academic institution established by 19 states in 1997, has more than doubled its enrollment in the past year to 3,000 students. The surge in enrollment came as e-learning at colleges and universities across the country recorded a dramatic rise. While the number of students taking courses on the Internet is increasing, academics and entrepreneurs disagree over whether the trend is good or bad.

Alaska Officials Eye Oil Fund in Budget Crisis

Alaska, like most states, is facing a major budget deficit. But Alaska, unlike any other state, has enough money in the bank to cover this year's deficit nearly 50 times over.

Tax Bite Big in Maine, Small in Alaska

Alaska and Maine are far apart geographically, but their tax burdens represent an even bigger divide -- Maine residents have the nation's highest state and local tax burden, 12.2 percent of income, while Alaska residents have the nation's lowest, 5.5 percent. The calculations come from the Tax Foundation, a conservative lobbying group in Washington, D.C.

Alaska, Massachusetts Governors Sell Budgets with Advertising

Looking to win popular support for their budget programs this spring, GOP governors in Alaska and Massachusetts bypassed journalists and went directly to citizens through unprecedented paid advertisements in newspaper and on radio and television.

Alaska First in Per-Person Federal Dollars

Alaskans get about twice as much federal aid as people in Nevada where average per-person federal spending was less than $5,000 last year, according to a U.S. Census Bureau report released June 4.

Alaska Governor Takes Heat for Budget Cuts

State fiscal ills are forcing budget cuts from Maine to California. In most cases, elected leaders are spreading the political blame around. Not so in Alaska, where Republican Gov. Frank Murkowski is taking all the heat.

State Efforts To Deter Suicide Stalling

Alaska leads the nation in the number of people that kill themselves it has a suicide rate more than twice the national average. But its among the 23 states without a statewide suicide prevention program.

Alaska Tops in Federal Dollars, Census Says

The federal government spent about twice as much per capita in Alaska than in Nevada where per capita federal spending was less than $5,000 last year, according to a U.S. Census Bureau report released April 23.

State Emergency Aid Compact: 47 Down, Three To Go?

Gov. Tony Knowles has signed legislation making Alaska the 47th state to enter a six-year old interstate agreement to cooperate in responding to natural and civil disasters such as terrorist attacks.

Alaska Won't 'Break The Bank' on Security Spending

Like other states, Alaska scrambled in the wake of the terrorist attacks to assess risk and heighten security around critical infrastructure. But despite recommendations by the governor for broad spending on new security measures, Alaskas looming budget deficit kept lawmakers from approving all but a fraction of funds targeted to ongoing homeland security projects.

Alaska Senate District Tests Candidates Stamina

In Alaska's Senate District C, the rigors of campaigning probably exceed what even presidential candidates must endure. At nearly 240,000 square miles, District C is nearly as big as Texas. And the candidates must rely on a costly, difficult transportation system to get from place to place.

Women Could Win Big On Nov. 5

Voters in nine states will determine on Nov. 5 whether 2002 will live up to its billing as "the year of the woman governor."

Alaska's Treasure Chest Becomes Debate Topic

Alaska has a pot of money that provides every eligible state resident with a yearly dividend well in excess of $1,000. This treasure chest, officially known as the Alaska Permanent Fund, was built by investing a portion of the state's oil revenues not devoted to financing state government operations. Overall oil revenues have declined in recent years, however, creating fiscal problems for the state. Alaska Gov. Tony Knowles and leading legislators want to dip into Permanent Fund earnings to solve the problem. But such a move might mean dividend payments might not grow as fast in the future as they have in the past. So Knowles and his allies are encountering resistance.

States Tackle Privacy Loopholes Created By Congress

When Congress voted two years ago to tear down Depression-era barriers that had long kept banks, investment firms, insurance companies and other elements of the financial services industry from merging , Wisconsin State Representative Marlin Schneider had just one comment: "They're nuts," he said of the federal lawmakers. Since then, a growing number of state legislators have come to the same conclusion as they've tried to address privacy loopholes in the Financial Services Modernization Act of 1999.

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."

Western Mines Drive Up Toxic Releases, EPA Says

Americans might have been exposed to a higher level of toxic chemicals and chemical compounds in 1999 than they were the year before, according to new Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) data. The nations industries generated 7.77 billion pounds of toxic chemicals and compounds in 1999, a 5.3 percent jump from 1998 due largely to increases in emissions and solid waste disposals from metal mining facilities in the West.

On the Record: U.S. Rep. Don Young (R-Alaska) Discusses CARA

Last year, Alaska Republican Don Young convinced three-fourths of the U.S. House of Representatives to support his Conservation and Reinvestment Act of 2000 (CARA), only to see it die in the Senate despite support from state and local governments, thousands of outdoor advocacy groups, and more than sixty Senators.

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