Stateline Stories

Best of #StateReads: On Further Review, Georgia Dropout Rate Doubles

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

Iowa Governor Blasts Pentagon Air Guard Cuts

Just days before he and other governors are scheduled to meet with Pentagon brass, Iowa Governor Terry Branstad attacked the Defense Department Thursday (July 12) for failing to work with governors on plans to drastically cut the size of the Air National Guard.

Best of #StateReads: Getting Aggressive With Pension Investments

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

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.

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.

States take lead to fix housing crisis

States are in the forefront of policymaking to minimize damage from the mortgage meltdown. Although President George W. Bush on Thursday (Dec. 6) announced a groundbreaking agreement with major lenders to temporarily freeze sub-prime interest rates that are set to rise, California Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger got there first: He unveiled a similar deal last month.

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.

Weekly Wrap: Louisiana Pleasantly Surprised by Haul From Tax Amnesty Program

More than $300 million is generated from delinquent Louisiana taxpayers; California finance chief hangs it up; Iowa Gov. Culver campaigns as problem solver; and stimulus Web site turns up boo-boos.

States Reconsider Juvenile Life Sentences

The Supreme Court ruled that mandatory life without parole for juveniles convicted of murder is unconstitutional. But the court left little guidance for states on what to do next.

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.

Results of June 6 State Primaries

Four Republican state senators who voted against South Dakota's strict new abortion ban were ousted in Tuesday's primary; several incumbent state legislators in Alabama, Iowa and Montana also got the boot. In governor races, California state treasurer Phil Angelides won the Democratic nomination and will face Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger (R). In Alabama, Gov. Bob Riley beat back a GOP primary challenge from former Alabama Chief Justice Roy Moore, known for refusing to remove a Ten Commandments monument from the state courthouse. Here is a sampling of local news coverage of the results in races for state offices in the June 6 primaries.

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.

Alabama Parents Go to Court Over Property Tax

EDUCATION BEAT: Alabama school advocates sue the state over funding ... Arizona senators approve drastic cuts to school budget ... New Jersey governor continues to battle teachers' unions, and other education news.

State AGs Fight Teen Smoking—Onscreen

More than 30 attorneys general are mounting a campaign to add anti-smoking ads to the beginning of films in which actors light up onscreen. The bid to fight teen smoking was prompted by a study that showed a marked increase in smoking among children who watch movie characters puffing away.

WORTH NOTING: 'Hockey mom' to make NHL debut

Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin (R) will take part in Saturday's Philadelphia Flyers-New York Rangers game. Devotees of fish pedicures in Texas and the state of Washington will have to settle for more traditional foot-cleansing methods. And an Iowa appeals court finds that slow-pitch softball is a contact sport. In case you missed those stories this week, "Worth Noting" fills you in.

Slumping Economy Hits Prosperous States

With the fall in energy and farm prices, many well-off states are finding they can't escape the national recession.

Report: 11 States Emerging From Recession

It's going to be a long, hard climb out of the current economic downturn for many recession-ridden states hit hard by the housing crash, unemployment and shrinking revenues. But as the national economy starts its slow recovery, 11 states and the District of Columbia are showing signs of emerging from the recession, according to a new report.

Despite Debt Fears, Voters OK Most State Bond Measures

Where borrowing was on the ballot Tuesday, voters usually said yes. Meanwhile, Colorado affirmed its ability to issue debt.

Anti-Lying Laws Give Political Pinocchios Little to Fear

If you're sick of politicians lying, well, so are they. Eighteen states have some type of law against lying about a candidate. Yet come election season, untruths about opponents run rampant and few politicians are ever punished.

Immigration: Will Other States Join Arizona?

TODAY'S TAKE: The national and international debate over Arizona's new immigration law continued Monday (April 26), as critics of the legislation called for an economic boycott of the state and the Mexican president, Felipe Calderon, warned that it "opens the door to intolerance and hatred." Less-noticed, however, was a state lawmaker in neighboring Utah who is drafting a similar bill in his state, and who says he has the support he needs to make it law.

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.

States to Try Outsourcing Economic Development

Which works best - a government-run business promotion agency or a private one? We're about to learn some lessons.

Lt. Govs More Than Spare Tires, Study Shows

When a lieutenant governor shakes hands with the boss, a couple of fingers check the governors pulse -- because, as an old joke goes, no pulse equals a promotion. The joke stems from conventional wisdom, which holds that, like the U.S. vice president, the main duty of whoever occupies the number two state job is to take over if the state's numero uno dies or becomes disabled. But a new study by a Georgia political science professor argues that conventional wisdom is wrong.

April Cruellest Month For State Budgets

April is the cruellest month, T.S. Eliot lamented in his epic 1922 poem, The Waste Land. State lawmakers might be inclined to agree after tallying up April income tax collections.

Eco-Terrorists Targeted By Get Tough State Laws

Boise Cascade Inc. recently dedicated its newest timber and wood products office in Monmouth, Ore. The imposing building is a steel-capped, cinderblock fortress. That's because the original log-cabin office was burned to the ground on Christmas Day, 1999, by a fringe environmentalist group called the Earth Liberation Front (ELF).

States Move To Deal With Attack Effects

Gov. James Gilmore of Virginia Wednesday lifted the one-week waiting period for unemployment benefits so workers hurt by the closing of Reagan-National Airport can get immediate financial help. Gilmore also announced establishment of the Virginia Post-Attack Economic Response Task Force to assess the adverse impact on the state's economy and develop a plan for dealing with it. A similar task force is contemplated by Hawaii Gov. Ben Cayetano, who scheduled a special meeting with local officials and business leaders Wednesday about the potential impact of revenue losses on businesses directly related to the state's travel and tourism industry.

State Attorneys General Discuss Microsoft Case

Alternately cocky and cautious, three of the 19 state attorneys general who joined the U.S. Department of Justice in successfully filing antitrust claims against Microsoft Corp. discussed a federal judge's ruling in the case Monday. The attorneys general of California, New York and Iowa downplayed reports that friction between the states and Justice led a federal mediator to scrap settlement talks last week. They refrained from discussing what penalties Microsoft should face.

Inmates Gladly Take on Odd Jobs for Low or No Pay

Gone are the days of the chain gang. Today, states are finding more creative uses for felons, from saving retired thoroughbreds in Kentucky to growing poinsettias for state buildings in Iowa to fighting mudslides in California. The work saves millions for states and gives inmates something worthwhile to do.

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.

Weekly Wrap: Doing the Math on State Jobs

State and local governments are not gaining employees recently; officials worry about revenue loss from tax breaks; Pennsylvania Gov. Ed Rendell discovers 40 pounds of fat to cut.

Tuesday's Primaries: What to Watch

TODAY'S TAKE: In the busiest primary election day of the year, voters in 10 states will go to the polls Tuesday (June 8) to decide a wide range of questions from whether Maine will reform its tax code to which Republican will face off against Jerry Brown in the California governor's race. Stateline outlines key themes to watch in the state-level contests.

Culver Preempts Branstad By Inking Pay Raise With Iowa Union

TRANSITION WATCH: Iowa's outgoing governor locks in his successor with higher employee salaries, California's Jerry Brown wants to flatten the structure of the governor's office, and other news of the historic shift in power in the states.

Peter Shumlin Picks a Team of Rivals

TRANSITION WATCH: Vermont's governor-elect appoints former political opponents, Iowa's thrifty transition and other news of the historic shift in power in the states.

Jerry Brown's Tax Plans Come into Focus

California's governor-elect wants to extend income, sales and vehicle tax increases, Nevada's incoming governor finally quits his day job, and more news of the historic shift in power in the states.

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.

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

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.

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.

States See Fourth Quarter Tax Revenue Slowdown

States had a prosperous year overall in 2000 with record surpluses and tax revenue growth. But there were signs of weakening economies in many states as the year drew to a close, and a new report suggests a major slowdown in tax collections could just be the tip of the iceberg.

Abuses in Delaware Weatherization Program Revealed

ENERGY & ENVIRONMENT BEAT: Delaware's troubled energy efficiency efforts ... a deal to remove protections for wolves ... Iowa leads in wind power and other energy and environment news.

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.

Questions Swirl Around Nuclear Cost Recovery

Charging ratepayers for nuclear plant construction made sense to many legislatures a few years ago. Attitudes have shifted since then.

Conservative Activists Take Aim at Florida Justices

Judicial retention elections, which used to be just a formality, are becoming much more competitive and expensive. In Florida, conservative activists are targeting three members of the state’s Supreme Court.

GOP Sticks With Prez Primary Rules

For all the complaining about the 2008 presidential primary season starting too early, the GOP has done little to change the 2012 contest schedule.

With Rick Scott as Governor, Merit Pay Plan for Florida Teachers May Pass

TRANSITION WATCH: Florida conservatives are eager to revisit merit pay, Arizona's Republican Senate President breaks with business groups on tax incentives and other news of the historic shift in power in the states.

Sequester Cuts at Justice Department Threaten Local Drug Investigations

The partisan gridlock in Washington, D.C. threatens to curb drug investigations in rural communities.

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.

After Standoff, Illinois Road Construction Continues

TRANSPORTATION BEAT: Illinois senators agree to back off in a budget fight that threatened to halt the state's summer road building season … Nevada clears the way for its first and only tollroad … Digital billboards could soon be legal in Missouri and Oregon, and other transportation news.

Judge Fights in Iowa, Illinois Signal New Era for Retention Elections

2010 may go down as the year when an obscure type of judicial election became a big-money battle.

State Lawmakers Push Crackdown on Cancer-Causing Radon

Legislation filed in Iowa and Nebraska, and a proposal taking shape in Utah aim to reduce people’s exposure to radon, which kills about 21,000 people each year, according to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency.

Iowa State of the State Address 2013

DES MOINES, Iowa -- Jan. 15 -- Following is the prepared text of Gov. Terry Branstad's (R) 2013 State of the State Address:

Bucking Trend, Iowa Senator Seeks Death Penalty’s Return

Following the kidnapping and murder of two young girls, an Iowa lawmaker wants to bring back the state’s long-abolished death penalty.

As Layoffs Mount, Governors Seek Support on Wind Tax Credit

With election season politics behind them, several governors are reapplying pressure on Congress to extend a tax credit whose looming expiration is stirring angst within the wind industry.

In Iowa and Florida, Judges Survive Expensive Ouster Attempts

Three justices in Florida and one in Iowa held off conservative efforts to remove them from office. In Michigan and North Carolina, conservatives retained power on the Supreme Court following expensive campaigns.

Dam Inspectors Fear the Deluge

Each year, more dams in the United States show signs of disrepair. Meanwhile, the money to fix them grows harder to find.

Best of #StateReads: Iowa Felons Struggle for Voting Rights

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

Iowa Budget Address 2011

DES MOINES, Iowa - Jan. 27 - Following is Gov. Terry Brandstad's (R) 2011 budget address: Madam Lt. Governor, Mr. President, Mr. Speaker, Leaders, justices, judges, legislators, elected officials, distinguished guests, family, friends and fellow Iowans: I am humbled to stand before you once again as your Gover

Iowa State of the State Address 2010

DES MOINES, Iowa - Jan. 12 - Following is Gov. Chet Culver's (D) 2010 state of the state address: A special welcome to Chief Justice Ternus, Members of The Court, fellow statewide elected officials, especially my capable and talented partner, Lt. Governor Judge. Speaker Murphy, Leader McCarthy; President Kibbi

Iowa State of the State Address 2009

DES MOINES, Iowa - Jan. 13 - Following is the prepared text of Gov. Chet Culver's (D) 2009 state of the state address: I want to begin by welcoming all of you, especially the newly elected members of the general assembly, to your state capitol. 2008 was a year we will never forget! May 25th began like any othe

Iowa Condition of the State Address 2008

DES MOINES, Iowa - Jan. 15 - The following is the prepared text of Gov. Chet Culver's (D) 2008 condition of the state address: Click here to visit the governor's website to view the address. My Fellow Iowans, Lt. Gov. Judge, Members of the General Assembly, President Kibbie and Speaker Murphy; Leaders Gronstal,

Iowa Condition of the State Address 2007

DES MOINES, Iowa, Jan. 9 - Following is the transcript of Gov. Tom Vilsack's (D) 2007 Condition of the State address. Click here to access the governor's web page and view or hear the address. Mr. President, thank you very much and Mr. Speaker, thanks to you as well. And I want to thank all the members of the

Iowa Condition of the State Address 2006

DES MOINES, Iowa, Jan. 10 - Following is the full text of Iowa Gov. Tom Vilsack's (D) 2006 Condition of the State address. Click here to access the governor's Web page and access video and audio links of the address. Thank you very much. Thank you very much. Thank you. Thank you very much. During the last holida

Iowa Condition of the State Address 2005

DES MOINES, Iowa - Jan. 11 - Following is the full text of Iowa Gov. Tom Vilsack's (D) 2005 Condition of the State address. Thank you Mr. President. Thank you Mr. Speaker. Thank you members of the General Assembly for your kind invitation to speak to you about the condition of our great state. Before I do let me al

Iowa Condition of the State Address 2004

DES MOINES, Iowa - Jan. 13 - Following is the full text of Iowa Gov. Tom Vilsack's (D) 2004 Condition of the State address: Thank you Madame President. Thank you Mr. Speaker and members of the General Assembly for your kind invitation to share my thoughts about the condition of our great state. I should, also, ex

Iowa Condition of the State Address 2003

DES MOINES, Iowa - Jan. 14 - Following is the full text of Iowa Democratic Gov. Tom Vilsack's Condition of the State Address: Thank you Madam President. Thank you Mr. Speaker, members of the General Assembly, and our Supreme Court, distinguished guests, and my fellow Iowans. We are blessed, in troubled times i

Iowa Condition of the State Address 2002

DES MOINES, Iowa - Jan. 15 - Following is the text of Gov. Thomas J. Vilsack's 2002 Condition of the State Address: Thank you, Madame President. Thank you, Mr. Speaker, members of the General Assembly and our Supreme Court, and distinguished guests and ladies and gentlemen. We are assembled on this crisp winter mor

Iowa Condition of the State Address 2001

DES MOINES, Iowa - Jan. 9 - Following is the text of Gov. Tom Vilsack's 2001 Condition of the State address: Iowa always has been a land of great opportunity. The earliest Iowans, the Sacs and Fox tribes among them, lived well and prosperously from our soil's great bounty. Pioneering Americans were drawn to our gre

Iowa Condition of the State Address 2000

DES MOINES, Iowa - Jan. 11 - Following is the partial text of Gov. Thomas Vilsack's 2000 Condition of the State Address: Thank you, Madame president, Mr. Speaker, thank you members of the general assembly, thank you distinguished guests and ladies and gentlemen. After a welcome like that from both sides of

Iowa's Vilsack Casts Large Shadow from Small State

Iowa's Tom Vilsack is relatively anonymous now as the governor of a small Midwestern state. But political experts and Republican foes alike say you may be hearing a lot more about the two-term Democrat in the future.

Governors

What would a Kerry administration mean for states? Heres a sampling of responses collected by Stateline.org from governors attending the Democratic National Convention in Boston.

Businesses Outdo States in Multi-Lingual Outreach

Businesses are hungrily eyeing the fast-growing market of Spanish-speaking consumers. But some states are slow to realize the value of communicating with non-English speakers. The contrast underscores two competing national trends: On the one hand, 27 states have passed laws making English their official language. On the other, businesses have recognized the growing immigrant population as a huge marketing opportunity.

State Governments Grow Despite Recession

Despite the worst revenue shortfalls in a decade, most state governments continued to grow this year, and many are approving even larger budgets for next year. The tendency is all up in most states, says fiscal analyst Nick Jenny of the Rockefeller Institute of Government, a university-affiliated think tank in Albany, NY.

Democratic Governors Push Agenda

Seeking to play a larger role in the national political arena, Democratic governors met in Washington, DC, Monday to weigh in on the debate over economic stimulus, saying the economy needs greater public investment in roads and schools and not just more tax cuts.

State School Chiefs Concerned About Details of Education Bill

State school officials generally praised the US Senate for recognizing the importance of education with passage earlier this month (6/14) of their version of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act (ESEA), the lions share of Federal K-12 funding. But many remain concerned about details such as cash for mandatory exams, the definition of a failing school and the implementation of sanctions against states and districts.

States Wary of New Federal Education Plan

Des Moines, Iowa is a thousand miles from Washington, D.C., but the Elementary and Secondary Education Act (ESEA) now pending in Congress would have an enormous impact there. Iowa is the only state that hasn't mandated what students should know by the end of each grade, nor has it forced districts to administer state-wide tests. Critics of the legislation, including the National Association of State Boards of Education and the nation's two biggest teachers' unions, say the bill sets goals that are unrealistic and point to Iowa as an example of how it would trample on state prerogatives.

Iowa Official Puts $11.4M Price Tag on Preparedness

The cost of an official assessment of Iowas anti-terrorism needs? At least $750,000. The estimated cost per resident of fully equipping Iowas public health system to deal with a terrorist attack using biological or chemical weapons? $3.91. The peace of mind that would come to state residents from knowing that Iowa's health system is ready to help them in a crisis? Priceless. State epidemiologist Dr. Patricia Quinlisk estimated the costs of preparing her state to counter a chemical or biological attack in testimony before a U.S. Senate panel last week.

State Hiring Freezes Underscore Budget Woes

Iowa state workers will see smaller paychecks because of a budget squeeze that worsened after the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks, but state hiring freezes - not pay cuts -- are a more common budget fix elsewhere.

Iowa Welfare Study Shows Mixed Results

Most Iowans who left the welfare rolls in 1999 were able to remain off public assistance for at least a year, says a new report from Mathematica Policy Research, Inc., a nonpartisan research firm that conducts surveys for federal and state governments. On the flip side, a substantial number of the 400 families surveyed did not stay off welfare, known as Temporary Assistance to Needy Families or TANF. When someone cycles on and off TANF over a number of years, it leaves him or her at greater risk of hitting the state's time limit before finding steady employment.

Genetic Technology Powerful New Anti-Crime Weapon

DNA profiling, using biological evidence left at the scene of a crime scene to find the perpetrator, is enabling law enforcement to solve more cases -- and clear innocent people. Because of the new genetic technology, a growing number of states are moving to revise their criminal laws. Iowa is a case in point.

Tourism Incentives Get Tri-State Tryout

Maryland hopes to reel in visitors with a million-dollar fish. Iowa and South Dakota hope free gas vouchers will attract more tourists. It's all part of the annual summer scramble to pump travel dollars into state economies.

Iowa squashes tax

Iowa Gov. Chet Culver (D) smashes the state's pumpkin sales tax. An Ohio police officer busts a sex offender in the Statehouse. And South Dakota's high court rules personal liability insurance does not cover wife-stealing. In case you missed those stories this week, "Worth Noting" fills you in.

Iowa and New Hampshire Same Old, Same Old

One definition of crazy is to keep doing diligently the same thing over and over when it's not working. By that definition America's presidential primary system is seriously loony, for with respect to developing a democratic process to nominate candidates for president, we have been doing the same thing over and over again for more than 60 years and it's not working.

WORTH NOTING: Missouri Sets Sights on Kansas Rivals

A Missouri legislator proposes hunting down Kansas' mythological Jayhawk. New Jersey Gov. Jon Corzine (D) catches flak for arrests outside a toll hike hearing. And New Mexico Gov. Bill Richardson (D) sprouts a new beard. In case you missed those stories this week, "Worth Noting" fills you in.

WORTH NOTING: Ex-State Senator Leaves Phone Greeting - From Jail

A former Maryland senator won't be answering his phone for a few years. A Michigan ballot reform group needs a better proofreader. And South Carolina's new license plates won't be heading off into the sunset. In case you missed those stories this week, "Worth Noting" fills you in.

WORTH NOTING: What Can You Do With a Knife?

Iowa Lt. Gov. Patty Judge (D) says Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin (R) isn't the only one who knows how to use a knife. It's union vs. union on the Oregon picket lines. And Oklahomans are looking for a new tune. In case you missed those stories this week, "Worth Noting" fills you in.

Air Force Propels Clean Energy Plan

In a sci-fi approach to providing clean energy, a consortium of Iowa power companies is planning to fill a big underground hole with pressurized air that would then be released to generate electricity.

Kids catch Iowa lawmakers goofing off

Iowa senators are caught playing computer games while their colleagues speak. YouTube spreads a Montana Republican's barrage against Gov. Brian Schweitzer (D). And budget suggestions bury an Ohio lawmaker's office in paper. In case you missed those stories this week, "Worth Noting" fills you in.

Virginia Democrats aim for Senate win

RICHMOND, Va. - In what could be a swing state in the 2008 presidential elections, Virginia Democrats have a shot at winning control of at least one house in the General Assembly on Election Day, Nov. 6.

Tracking the Recession: Iowa, N.D. Victims of Investment Fraud

State employee pension funds, already losing billions of dollars in investment value, could be at increased risk of financial schemes during the recession.

Iowa Governor Touts 4-Day Workweek

TODAY'S TAKE: Iowa Gov. Chet Culver (D) is touting Utah's first-in-the-nation move to a four-day workweek for most executive-branch state workers, and he is pushing the proposal as a way to cut costs in his own state. Hawaii and Washington State have also tried the idea.

Iowa State of the State Address 2012

DES MOINES, Iowa - Jan. 10 - Following is Gov. Terry Branstad (R) 2012 state of the state address: Madam Lt. Governor, Mr. President, Mr. Speaker, Leaders, justices, judges, legislators, elected officials, distinguished guests, family, friends and fellow Iowans. Today it is my honor to stand

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.

Iowa Still First in Presidential Pecking Order

TODAY'S TAKE: Iowans will remain among the most valued voters in the nation - at least when it comes to choosing presidential nominees - under a plan approved by the Republican National Committee on Friday (Aug. 6). Democrats also are likely to keep Iowa in its traditional bellwether role.

Gubernatorial Debate Season Gets Under Way

TODAY'S TAKE: While voters in seven states to go the polls today (Sept. 14), gubernatorial debates also are scheduled in several of the states that have already chosen their nominees. The debates are seen as pivotal for some candidates.

A Mixed Track Record for Idea to Lure Jobs

TODAY'S TAKE: Republican candidates for governor in Iowa and Ohio have proposed similar strategies for attracting businesses to their respective states. Both former U.S. Rep John Kasich of Ohio and former Gov. Terry Branstad in Iowa want to replace a state agency tasked with the job with a board of business leaders that reports to the governor, but other states that have tried that tack have encountered problems.

Not All Tax Increases Are Off the Table for Republicans

TODAY'S TAKE: At least a dozen new governors, almost all of them Republicans, have vowed not to raise taxes. But not all revenue-raising ideas are anathema to the GOP.

Branstad Disputes Claim That He Backs Pawlenty in 2012

TODAY'S TAKE: As the 2012 presidential campaign heats up, Republican contenders are jostling for the endorsement of Terry Branstad, the Iowa governor whose support is key to the state's first-in-the-nation caucuses.

Shutdowns Loom in Iowa, Minnesota

TODAY'S TAKE: This week could see the first state government shutdown since 2007, when Pennsylvania Governor Ed Rendell ordered a partial closure that lasted nine days.