Stateline Stories

Despite Governors’ Opposition, Strong Southern Support for Medicaid Expansion

New poll shows Deep South politicians are out of step with their constituents on Medicaid expansion.

Tax Breaks for Sale: Transferable Tax Credits Explained

States offer billions of dollars of tax incentives that businesses can sell to other businesses. Here’s why they do it and how it works.

Costly Prison Phone Calls Frustrate Families

Most state prisons impose a surcharge on calls made by inmates. Many of the inmates’ families have trouble paying it.

Safety Net Hospitals Imperiled by High Court Ruling

Hospitals that serve the poor thought they would be helped by the Affordable Care Act. Now it looks as if they will be hurt by it.

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.

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

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

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.

Best of #StateReads: Inside Deals for Louisiana Oil Leases Last Decades

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

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.

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.

Public School Alternatives Gather Steam in States

Louisiana gave advocates of charter schools, vouchers and other publicly funded education alternatives everything they could have asked for, but opposition remained fierce elsewhere.

Southeastern States Struggle with Teacher-Quality Rules

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

Despite Federal Chill, States Keen to Trade with Cuba

In Havana, Cuba, this week, state officials from Louisiana, Maine, Alabama are helping U.S. companies negotiate cash-only contracts for sales of agricultural and health-related goods under the narrow confines of U.S. restrictions. The state effort is in sharp contrast with the federal effort to isolate the communist island nation.

Southern Governors Oppose Federal Plan To Upgrade Grid

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

Southern Governors Talk Conservation

More than a football field lost to the ocean every half-hour. Twenty-one thousand football fields lost each year. Such is the situation along Louisianas gulf coast, where rising seas and ongoing erosion are destroying wetlands and imperiling roads, towns and wildlife, according to the states governor, Mike Foster (R).

Southern Governors to Coordinate Emergency Response

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

South Lags in Industry Research

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

'Choose Life' Car Tags Spark Debate

Legislators in seven states Alabama, Florida, Hawaii, Louisiana, Mississippi, Oklahoma and South Carolina have authorized specialty license plates bearing the slogan "Choose Life," an action that has sparked controversy and several lawsuits. Though supporters say "Choose Life" is not a political message and is intended to promote adoption, the plates have been challenged by abortion rights groups whove gone to court to try to block them.

Emergency! Declarations Help States Cope

If it seems as if the whole country is in a "state of emergency," that's because most of it is. And that's before Hurricane Rita makes landfall.

Winter Heating Prices Scare States

Sticker shock at the gas pump isn't the only energy problem confronting states after Hurricane Katrina. The fear of a natural gas spike is spurring officials to seek more money to help low-income residents pay for heating this winter, while others are encouraging energy efficiency, and in the case of Connecticut, challenging the way that utilities charge customers.

States Curb Carbon as Blueprint for Feds

An effort by Virginia Gov. Tim Kaine (D) to focus Southern governors on reducing greenhouse gas emissions in their states is the latest example of state-led policies that could be used as models for future federal action.

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

Home Insurance Woes Mount in Coastal States

As private home insurers raise rates or pull out completely along the Gulf Coast and in other storm-prone areas of the country, states are scrambling to respond.

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.

Infographic: Southern Strength

Republican dominance in the South started with presidential elections and only later came to statehouses.

Pat Quinn Rehires His Old Chief of Staff as an Adviser

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

Amidst Fat, Happy Neighbors, Four States Tighten Belts

The axiom about rising tides lifting all boats apparently doesnt apply to states. Because while much of the country is awash in budget surpluses, Alaska, Louisiana, Tennessee and Wyoming have struggled to surmount shortfalls.

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.

Report: Women govs get high marks

Women running for governor still have to work harder than men, but once elected, voters think female governors are better at getting things done and solving problems than their male counterparts, new research released Nov. 29 shows.

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.

Term Limits Hit Lawmakers In 11 States

Legislatures in 11 states face fallout from term limits in this year's elections with 330 lawmakers being forced to step down after 12 or fewer years in office. The Michigan state Senate, which will lose 27 of its 38 members, will be hardest hit. The Missouri Legislature will suffer heavily as well -- it bids farewell to 75 of its 163 House members and 12 of its 34 Senators

Students Press For Guns on Campus

A year after a troubled student gunned down 32 people and then killed himself at Virginia Tech, an Internet-based student movement to allow concealed weapons on public college campuses has drawn thousands of students and prompted debate in 15 state capitols.

Weekly Wrap: Streamlining State Government

State leaders warn that the recession may force fundamental changes in state government. Louisiana and Virginia prepare to lay off more than 1,100 state workers. And two months into the current fiscal year, Arizona and Connecticut pass budgets, leaving only Pennsylvania without a 2010 spending plan.

Obama Administration Poised to Approve Arkansas-style Medicaid Expansions

The Obama Administration is inviting states to apply for Arkansas-style Medicaid expansions in an effort to woo those balking at traditional Medicaid expansion.

Report: States Seeking Prison Solutions

State governments, facing leaner budgets this year as the national economy struggles, are exploring strategies to contain surging prison populations without building costly new correctional facilities, according to a report released Wednesday (Jan. 23).

States Go After Smoking in Vehicles With Kids

More than a dozen states are considering following Arkansas, Louisiana and the city of Bangor, Maine, in outlawing smoking in vehicles if children are present. Opponents call it an invasion of privacy, and even anti-smoking groups aren't climbing on the bandwagon.

States test pandemic plans with free flu shots

As flu season nears, some states are offering free immunization programs that double as tests of their emergency response plans for a flu pandemic or bioterrorism attack. Arkansas last month conducted the largest vaccination drive in the country, delivering more than 100,000 shots across the state in a three-day emergency response drill.

Health Care Law is Bigger Challenge for Some States

TODAY'S TAKE: Eight states will face the greatest difficulties in handling the influx of new Medicaid patients expected after the federal Affordable Care Act goes into full effect in 2014, a new study says.

Safety Net Hospitals Won’t Be Docked in States That Don’t Expand Medicaid

Hospitals in non-expansion states feared they would be hit with bigger federal funding cuts than those in expansion states. HHS says that won’t happen – at least for the first two years.

States Scramble to Implement New Education Law

Scores of schools arent making the grade when it comes to complying with the new No Child Left Behind education law. Some states are reworking their policies to make it easier for students to pass muster while some districts are finding excuses not to take students from schools with poor marks.

Southern States Poorest, Census Says

Making ends meet is harder in Louisiana, West Virginia and Mississippi, states with the highest poverty rates in the country. State poverty rates range from 6.1 percent in New Hampshire to 20.3 percent in Louisiana, according to new figures from the U.S. Census Bureau based on a survey of 700,000 households. States with large minority populations tended to have above-average poverty rates including New York (13.5 percent), California (14 percent), and Texas (15.3 percent), according to an analysis of the survey data by the Washington-based Economic Policy Institute.

WORTH NOTING: Partying, Politicking and Parrying at Governors' Pads

Some governors can't get away from prying eyes, even in their own mansions. Colorado Gov. Bill Ritter (D) is embarrassed when word leaks out of his son's birthday beer bash on the premises; California Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger (R) can barely get a GOP sign on his own yard; and Nevada Gov. Jim Gibbons (R) is fighting to get the keys to his mansion from his soon-to-be ex-wife. In case you missed those stories this week, "Worth Noting" fills you in.

Weekly Wrap: Tax Panels Focus on States' Long Term Fiscal Health

States are creating commissions to examine the future financing of government. A new Census report highlights foreclosure rates, median housing values in states.

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)

Blanket Test in California

A reform measure that would reshape California's primaries has been ahead in polls leading up to the June 8 voting. It would scrap the state's current partisan primary system and replace it with one that throws all parties and independents together on the same "blanket" ballot.

What's the Fuss Over Lieutenant Govs?

Naming a new lieutenant governor in California has been no easy task. At one point last month, Republican Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger and the Democratic leaders of the Assembly fought over whether the Assembly had actually approved Schwarzenegger's pick for the post. In California, as in several other states, it's hard to keep in mind that the lieutenant governor's office is primarily designed to be a sort of insurance policy in case something happens to the governor. Instead, in several states like California, the position recently has been a political liability. The intrigue is even more baffling because many of the most hotly contested fights are in states where the lieutenant governor's powers are relatively weak.

States Rewrite Education Rules, With or Without Race to the Top

Six states were near-miss finalists in the first two rounds of a federal competition that rewards changes in state education policy. Most of them are continuing the school reform process with their own money.

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

Tracking the Recession: Buyouts Lure 9,000 State Workers Into Retirement

As layoffs and furloughs undermine the job security traditionally associated with state employment, at least six states are offering buyouts to tighten their belts without fracturing morale. But some worry this payroll-reduction technique may not save as much money as anticipated.

States Buying in Bulk to Stretch Rx Dollars

A growing number of states are using an age-old bargain shopping strategy buying in bulk to save money on prescription drugs. States are looking within and beyond their borders for ways to leverage the combined buying power of consumers, such as state employees, retirees and Medicaid patients, to negotiate better prices from drug makers.

States Warned to Prep for Election Glitches

Eight years after voting irregularities marred the 2000 presidential election, most states still are not as prepared as they should be for Election Day glitches, from machine breakdowns to a shortage of emergency ballots, according to a new report by voter advocacy groups.

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.

New Governors: Deficits Are 'Opportunities'

Even with the economy improving, many states are still struggling to recover from a fiscal hangover induced by two-plus years of program cuts, tax increases and layoffs. The governors-elect of Kentucky, Mississippi and Louisiana soon will lead such states and say they relish this challenge.

Latest News From State Delegations

If vice presidential nominee Sarah Palin looked at the Florida delegation Wednesday night, she would've seen nothing but women. The male members of the delegation decided to give up their seats to the female delegates, alternates, staffers and guests, reports Bob Dart of The Palm Beach Press .

Gustav Draws Attention to Fla. Generator Law

Power outages caused by Hurricane Gustav have shut down gas stations throughout Louisiana this week, but Florida officials are hoping a little-known state law can help them avoid the same complication the next time a major storm reaches their shores - which could be this weekend.

Foreclosure Aid Program Gets Underway in Florida

SOCIAL POLICY BEAT: Florida rolls out a program to help homeowners avoid foreclosure … A GOP plan to turn food stamps into a block grant gets mixed reviews … Texas experiences a child boom, and other social policy news.

Sunshine Overruns: Hawaii’s Solar Tax Credits Carry Soaring Price Tag

The widespread popularity of Hawaii’s solar energy incentive — and mass confusion over how to implement it — have dealt a blow to the state’s treasury and become a major topic in state politics.

WORTH NOTING: Illinois Treasurer Shows His Knowledge of Charges

U.S. Sen. Barack Obama (D-Ill.) endures a bruising charge from Illinois Treasurer Alexi Giannoulias (D). A new Utah law stirs Salt Lake City bartenders to create a new drink. And Louisiana prison guards get outside help to prevent escapes. In case you missed those stories this week, Worth Noting fills you in.

Next Class of Teachers Enters Changing Profession

Indiana is among several states across the country that have changed the way they evaluate, pay and retain teachers. The changes are controversial, but advocates say they will improve student performance and keep better teachers in the profession.

Indiana Gov Squashes VP Speculation

Indiana Governor Mitch Daniels said Sunday that if Mitt Romney asked him to be his running mate that he would “demand reconsideration” and send a list of people who “could suit better.” But he declined to say what names would

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.

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.

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.

Governator has whale of a time

California's governor hugs a giant sea creature. Kansas' governor slams her state's wine industry. And add an asterisk to Louisiana Gov.-elect Bobby Jindal's place in the record books. In case you missed those stories this week, "Worth Noting" fills you in.

Gubernatorial Candidates Face Off in Southern States

With hotly contested races for governor in Kentucky, Louisiana and Mississippi, the South is home to three of this year's biggest political battles. While these races are far from the finish line, some analysts are already predicting that Republicans could be in for a good year.

Southern States' Governors' Races Heat Up

Voters in Kentucky, Louisiana and Mississippi elect new governors this fall. With the races well underway, analysts say the best battle is in Mississippi, where incumbent Gov. Ronnie Musgrove (D) is squaring off against political power broker Haley Barbour (R).

Justices Weigh Lethal Injection

The U.S. Supreme Court, hearing a case that already has halted executions nationwide, on Monday (Jan. 7) delved into the details of the three-chemical cocktail used to put prisoners to death in 36 of the 37 states that allow capital punishment.

Gov Races in Ky., La., Are Wide Open

The 2008 battle for the White House may be grabbing the headlines and bloggers' space, but this fall's three governors' races are starting to garner attention with close races expected in Kentucky and Louisiana.

GOP Eyes Possible Gains in '07 Races

Click here to see the 2007 state elections guide Location, location, location could make all the difference in the three governors' seats in play this year. All three gubernatorial races - in Kentucky, Louisiana and Mississippi - are in the South, the only region where Republicans made gains in state offices as Democrats in 2006 swept into a majority of governors' mansions and more statehouses than at any time since 1994.

Jindal Stays Put as Isaac Swirls Toward Coast

This week was supposed to be Bobby Jindal’s time in the limelight — a chance at complete redemption for the Louisiana governor, whose star in the Republican Party is rising once again. But a hurricane named Isaac thought otherwise.

Louisiana State of the State Address 2011

BATON ROUGE, La. - March 20 - Following is the prepared text of Gov. Bobby Jindal's (R) 2011 state of the state address: Mr. Speaker, Mr. President, fellow state wide elected officials, and the Senators and Representatives. Family and friends fellow residents of the great state of Louisiana. Thank you for the pri

Louisiana State of the State Address 2010

BATON ROUGE, La. - March 29- Following is the prepared text of Gov. Bobby Jindal's (R) 2010 state of the state address: Members of the Legislature … honored guests … statewide elected officials … my fellow Louisianians. Thank you for that warm reception. I hate to do this since you just sat down, I am going to

Louisiana State of the State Address 2009

BATON ROUGE, La. - April 28 - Following is the prepared text of Gov. Bobby Jindal's (R) 2009 state of the state address: Thank you. Thank you Mr. President. Thank you. Thank you very much. Thank you. Mr. President, Speaker, Members of the House, Members of the Senate, fellow residents of this great state of Louisi

Louisiana State of the State Address 2007

BATON ROUGE, La., April 30 - Following is the prepared text of Gov. Kathleen Blanco's (D) 2007 state of the state address: Mr. President, Mr. Speaker, Lieutenant Governor, State officials, members of the legislature, my Cabinet and staff, my family, and special guests: Welcome back. Today, I have the distinct honor of

Louisiana State of the State Address 2006

BATON ROUGE, La., March 27 - Following is the prepared text of Gov. Kathleen Blanco's (D) 2006 state of the state address: Mr. President, Mr. Speaker, distinguished members of the legislature, and special guests, It's nice to stand before you today with signs of normalcy beginning to return to our state. For exa

Louisiana State of the State Address 2005

BATON ROUGE, La. - April 25 - Following is the prepared text of Gov. Kathleen Blanco's (D) 2005 state of the state address: Mr. Speaker, Mr. President, members of the House and Senate, honored guests. Let me extend a special welcome to the five newest members of the Legislature and congratulations to Rep. Dorsey, t

Louisiana State of the State Address 2004

BATON ROUGE, Louisiana - Mar. 29 - Following is the full text of Gov. Kathleen Blanco's (D) 2004 state of the state address: Mr. Speaker, Mr. President, my fellow statewide elected officials, members of the House and Senate, dignitaries, honored guests, members of my family, and citizens of Louisiana. Thank y

Louisiana State of the State Address 2000

BATON ROUGE, Louisiana - April 24 - Following is the text of Gov. Mike Foster's 2000 State of the State Address: During the past special session, you helped to stabilize our budget problems by renewing the three cents. You also helped pass Louisiana, Inc., which will help us attract high paying jobs and compet

Mold-Breaking Rivals Vie in Louisiana Runoff Election

Regardless of the outcome of the Nov. 15 election, Louisiana will make history -- either the first woman or the first non-white male will be elected governor.

State Budget Forecast Calls For Rain

Despite recent indications that the slumping national economy may have turned a corner, state budgets are suffering from a shortage of money and probably will be for some time, state fiscal experts say. More than three-quarters of the states have made budget cuts or implemented spending freezes, and more than half are tapping their rainy day accounts, reserve funds built up during the economy's better days. Even the sacred cow of spending priorities, K-12 education, has come under the budget axe in some states.

Fiscal Gimmickry Gives Louisiana Budget Headache

Unlike their cohorts in 43 other states, Louisiana's legislators came into session this year with a budget that could be balanced simply by staying with the status quo. But a battle that's expected to rage until the Legislature's June 12 adjournment threatens to make Louisiana budget trouble state No. 44.

Gubernatorial Candidates, Louisiana - North Dakota

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

States Seeking Stock Options

With the stock market continuing its trek through bear country, it's not exactly a great time to be selling voters on a plan that would free more state funds for investment in stocks. But that's the task facing some officials in Louisiana, Montana and South Carolina, who are hoping voters will look past the market's recent struggles to see the long-term benefits of playing the market with public funds.

On The Record: Louisiana Gov. Mike Foster

The list of states struggling to maintain their swiftly shrinking water resources is long, but few laymen would put Louisiana on it. With its bayous, its Gulf Coast and its place at the foot of one of the longest rivers in the world, the state practically floats on water. But after two of the driest years in a century and a stack of permit requests for the construction of new, aqua-guzzling power plants, Gov. Murphy J. "Mike" Foster agreed last year with those saying that the time has come to involve the state in managing water. Stateline.org spoke with Foster at a conference in Baton Rouge last week.

Shortage Fears Hit Water-Rich, Policy-Poor Louisiana

Perched on the eastern bank of one of the largest river systems in the world, Louisiana's capitol of Baton Rouge has a potential drinking problem. Drop a well 1500 feet from the middle of a neighborhood south of town into the sands of the states Southeast aquifer system and youre likely to bring up something that tastes more like Gulf Coast brine than a bottle of spring water.

Federal Officials Call For Rx Pricing Reforms

After years of investigations that show physicians can buy pharmaceuticals at a tenth of what the government pays, Congress is considering cutting reimbursement rates for some prescription drugs under Medicare and Medicaid.

Budget Squeeze Snarls Louisiana Gov's Agenda

Louisiana Gov. Mike Foster started his second term Monday after he and seven other statewide elected officials and the new Legislature were sworn in at Baton Rouge ceremonies. The Republican governor has an ambitious agenda for his next four years, but a budget squeeze brought on by smaller than expected tax collections may make it hard to realize.

Gov Foster's Commitment To Education Continues

In his inaugural speech, Gov. Foster called for a continued commitment to education. "As we begin this new era, we must tackle the occurrence of the old riddle: how does a relatively impoverished state like Louisiana educate its children, train its workforce, invest in its infrastructure and do those things only government can do with limited resources? Over the coming days, I will ask our legislative leaders, educational leaders, business leaders, and others to join with me in answering this question and responding to this challenge." he said.

Louisiana's Gov A Man Of Many Parts

He can pilot a 100-ton offshore boat. He's an accomplished airplane pilot and learning to fly a helicopter. He recently began hosting his own statewide radio talk show and enrolled in law school. Some young stud fresh out of college? A Generation Xer with his wannabes in overdrive.Think again.This man for all seasons is Louisiana Gov. Mike Foster, a 70-year-old multi-millionaire re-elected last year in a runaway.

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.

Louisiana, Maine Legislatures Set To Adjourn

Two more states, Maine and Louisiana, are about to wind up their legislative sessions, leaving 13 states still engaged in the business of making laws. Louisiana is on track to adjourn Monday at 6 p.m. as scheduled. The picture is not quite as clear in Maine. Politicians there traditionally call it quits on the third Wednesday of the month, which was June 16. This year however, lawmakers are gathering at the statehouse this morning to hold a so-called "veto day." For more information, click on

Louisiana Election Looks Like No Contest For Governor

Louisiana voters go to the polls on Saturday to begin the process of electing a governor. Incumbent Republican Mike Foster seems a shoo-in for a second term. Until this week, the only question mark was whether Foster would be pushed into a Nov. 20 runoff with his Democratic opponent, U.S. Rep. William Jefferson, because of the crowded field of candidates competing for votes. But the latest polls suggest the race will be a runaway even though Foster has not had a scandal-free first four years in office.

Katrina Alters Vista for Barbour, Blanco

Kathleen Babineaux Blanco and Haley Barbour took their oaths as governors of Louisiana and Mississippi two days apart in January 2004. Twenty months later, Hurricane Katrina ripped through the Gulf states, tearing apart landscapes and lives and severely testing the leadership of both governors. This report is from "State of the States 2006," Stateline.org's annual overview of significant policy trends in the 50 states.

Katrina, Rita Create Unexpected Boom

Despite dire forecasts that Gulf Coast governors would have to slash state budgets in the wake of hurricanes Katrina and Rita one year ago, a new report finds that booming "hurricane economies" have fueled state revenue surpluses across the region.

Voters Set to Judge Property Rights

Voters in 12 states - starting in Louisiana this weekend - will decide this election year whether to curb government's eminent domain powers, while those in four states will consider whether government should pay when one of its regulations lowers property values.

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.

Louisiana Touts Its Offshore Oil Drilling

NEW ORLEANS - While states on the east and west coast debate whether to drill for offshore oil and natural gas, Louisiana and three other Gulf Coast states hold up their offshore drilling operations as proof that they can produce oil and gas without hurting the environment.

Katrina Inspires Bans on Gun Seizures

Hurricane Katrina has left its imprint on gun laws in at least 13 states, where law enforcers now are banned from taking firearms from law-abiding citizens during a state of emergency.

States Urge Hurricane Awareness

The governors of Mississippi, New York, North Carolina, South Carolina, Texas and Virginia have declared official awareness periods to highlight the beginning of what forecasters say could be a dangerous hurricane season.