Stateline Headlines

Rural States Struggle to Reduce Road Deaths

Why some states have a lot of traffic deaths is linked to rural roads, seat belts, drunk drivers and speed.

Best of #StateReads: Michigan Term Limits Encourage Politicians To Go Professional

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

Democrats Play Defense in Governors’ Races

The race for New Hampshire governor has the hallmarks of the biggest gubernatorial races this fall: heavy involvement from outside groups, a national contest stealing the spotlight and messages that echo themes from this year’s presidential campaigns.

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.

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.

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.

Federal Spending Plan Slashes Anti-Crime Grants

Law enforcement officials across the country are lambasting the federal spending plan approved by President Bush on Dec. 26, warning that a 67-percent decrease in funding for targeted state and local criminal justice initiatives imperils public safety.

Five States Freeze CHIP Enrollment

Several cash-strapped states are opting to freeze enrollment in their childrens health insurance program (CHIP). Theyve turned to this measure as a way to stretch funds rather than tighten eligibility or cut back services for those who are already enrolled.

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.

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.

States Lead Push for Paid Sick Days

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

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.

States, feds try to keep up with wildfires

With major wildfires burning in more than a dozen states and officials on high alert for more, authorities are scrambling to contain the blazes and keep new ones from igniting, despite unfavorable weather and strained resources.

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.

In a Year of Cuts, Some College Presidents Get a Raise

EDUCATION BEAT: Top higher education officials have gotten raises wthout controversy in Alaska and Montana, but a proposed increase in Utah has incited responses from angry legislators and the governor.

Alaska's Governor Shakes Up Gas Pipeline Team

TRANSITION WATCH: Alaska's Sean Parnell dismisses cabinet members working on a massive infrastructure project, Ohio's incoming House Speaker calls for Medicaid cuts, and other news of the historic shift in power in the states.

Harassment of Muslims Up in Arizona, 9 Other States, Report Says

The Council on American-Islamic Relations, a Washington-based nonprofit organization, reported Monday that discrimination and violence against Muslims increased in 10 states in 2003. Arizona, California and New York saw the largest reported increases.

States Struggle with Death-Penalty Process

Nine months have passed since the U.S. Supreme Court ruled that only juries - not judges- can decide whether somebody deserves to be executed. Lawmakers in Arizona, Colorado, Idaho, Montana and Nebraska, all of which reserved the decision to judges alone, wasted no time passing legislation that brought their sentencing process into line with the ruling. But the fate of nearly 150 inmates on death row in these five states is still uncertain.

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

Voters Send Mixed Signals On Growth, Environment

Voters in 23 states considered ballot measures dealing with growth management and the environment on Nov. 7. Some of the most highly publicized proposals were rejected, but experts dismiss suggestions that the defeat of prominent "smart growth" measures in Arizona and Colorado means that interest in curbing sprawl has cooled.

Register Your Car, Save a State Park

State lawmakers around the country are debating raising vehicle registration fees to save state parks, which have come under threat from budget cuts. The idea has been spreading for the past couple of years, particularly in Western states. Arizona, California, Washington, Idaho and Michigan have either recently increased fees or are considering it this year. Their proposals have picked up support from both parties, despite widespread objections to raising taxes and fees in a recession.

Minimum Wage Set to Rise in Eight States

TODAY'S TAKE: Workers in eight states will see slightly larger paychecks beginning January 1, thanks to laws requiring minimum wages to rise with inflation.

In New Year, Seven States to Hike Minimum Wage

Nine to twelve cents isn't a lot, but those small, automatically triggered increases in the minimum wage will provide a modest New Year's present for workers in a minority of states that automatically increase their minimum wage levels at the start of every year.

Christian Health Co-Ops Cater to 'Obamacare' Opponents

Religious groups that help members pay for medical treatment are exempt from key provisions of the new federal health law. As their popularity grows, some state officials are warning consumers to be wary of these unlicensed operators, while others see them as a welcome alternative to traditional health insurance.

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.

Petition Drives to Ban Gay Marriage Succeeding

A state-by-state push for constitutional bans on same-sex marriage has met with success in Arkansas, Michigan, Montana and Oregon, where ballot initiative groups appear to have collected more than enough signatures to place amendments before voters in November. If validated by state election officials in these states, the number of states that will vote on constitutional gay marriage bans this fall will increase to 11.

New Governors Off to School

Five of the nation's seven newly-elected governors will get introductory lessons this weekend in the fine art of leading a state. Governors-elect will meet for a National Governors Association (NGA) retreat in West Virginia to learn how to prepare the first family for life in the spotlight, deal with the media, shape their political agendas and work with legislatures.

Govs' Speeches Send Grads on Their Way

Like any graduating class, the crop of governors giving commencement addresses in 2007 had its own standouts.

Tribes Follow States In Pursuit of Tobacco Money

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

Sick Leave Tops State Labor Agendas

Now that a majority of states have boosted wages above the federal minimum, lawmakers in at least seven states want to guarantee workers paid sick days. Buoyed by overwhelming approval of a San Francisco ballot initiative that would allow workers at least nine sick days per year, lawmakers in Massachusetts, Wisconsin, Vermont, Maine, Montana, Michigan and Maryland are expected to propose similar measures.

In search of a gentler end

States are planning better ways to support dying and chronically ill children and their families who aren't always well-served by traditional hospice programs. But this specialized kind of care is still rare.

Governors React to Medicaid Block Grant Proposal

HEALTH BEAT: A GOP plan to turn Medicaid into a block grant gets mixed reviews … A new study predicts some big states will pay a huge tab for Medicaid expansion … Raising Medicare's eligibility age would shift costs to state retiree health benefit plans, and other health care news.

Ten states Identified as Legislative Battlegrounds

Political control of legislative bodies in 10 states could change in the November election, the National Conference of State Legislatures said in an analysis that identified the battleground states as Colorado, Georgia, Indiana, Maine, Montana, North Carolina, Oklahoma, Oregon, Vermont and Washington.

Poor to Get Less Help with Heating Bills

State programs that help low-income residents pay their heating bills expect to spread less money among more needy recipients this winter due to higher jobless rates and heating fuel costs.

Death Penalty Rulings Raise Issues For Lawmakers

The Colorado Legislature will convene in special session July 8 in order to bring state law into line with a U.S. Supreme Court ruling striking down the authority of judges to impose sentencing in death penalty cases. At least four other states directly affected by the decision may have to hold special sessions as well.

Western States See Natural Gas Drilling Boom

High prices, rising demand and static domestic supplies of cleaner-burning natural gas are fueling a drilling bonanza across the West and setting up a potential battle between gas companies and a coalition of ranchers and environmentalists.

At Least 26 States Spend Less on Prisons

The recession is taking a dramatic toll on what had been one of the fastest-growing areas of state government spending: prisons. A new survey says corrections budgets are down in at least 26 states, with prison officials laying off workers or reducing their pay, eliminating vocational and other programs for inmates and granting some prisoners early release.

Western States Wary of Federal Fracking Regs

Representatives from several Western states say draft federal rules on hydraulic fracturing on public lands would stymie natural gas development across states that largely depend on the industry for revenue.

Republicans Win Big in North Carolina Governor’s Race But Struggle Elsewhere

Despite heavy spending by outside groups in nearly a dozen races for governor, the partisan mix of Democrats and Republicans leading states appeared to change only slightly as a result of Tuesday’s elections.

2004 Governors' Races

Here is a complete rundown of candidates in the nation's 11 governors' races.

Primaries Settle Slates of Open Governor Seats

Tuesdays primary results filled in the final blanks in the slate of candidates running for governor in 11 states. In five states, the race is wide open because incumbents arent competing in the general election. Here's a complete roster of governors matchups this election year.

'You've Come a Long Way'

This has been a record year for women politicians. Five of the nation's governors are women, the highest percentage in American history and at least 23 female gubernatorial hopefuls are eyeing the 37 gubernatorial seats up for grabs in November 2002. In a number of states, for the first time, female Republicans and Democrats could be squaring off against each other in a bid for executive office.

Economy Trims Some Govs' Inauguration Plans

In a bleak economy that has led even some of the most financially stable states to grow uneasy, some governors who were elected or re-elected in November are skipping the typical inaugural balls and toning down the glitz at their swearing-in ceremonies to cut costs.

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.

Nine Million Kids Still Uninsured

Illinois resident Kendall Watters was eight years old when he was diagnosed with a brain tumor. His family didn't have insurance, so his mother Nora did what any Mom would do. She desperately tried to find someone, anyone who could help her son. Thanks to a federal-state healthcare program that most parents don't even know about, Kendall finally got the care he needed. Today he's a healthy 11-year-old who loves to dance.

Six States To Elect State Schools Chiefs

Election 2000 may be remembered as the education election. The issue has dominated the campaign for Presidency and many races for Congress too, but in six states, campaigns are being waged for an office that will have a lot more impact on schools -- superintendent of education.

Six States Pick Schools Chiefs

The results may not be in for the presidential contenders, whose campaigns focused on education issues, but voters in six states know the superintendents who will be running their schools. The races in Florida and North Carolina were extremely close, a reflection of what was happening in national, state and local contests across the country.

Florida and Michigan: So Much for Punishment

Democratic convention delegates from Florida and Michigan are finding that party leaders do indeed forgive and forget - at least in terms of seating.

Sequester Cuts at Justice Department Threaten Local Drug Investigations

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

Deficit-Plagued States Dole Out Medicaid Cuts

Medicaid isnt a four-letter word, but mention it around state lawmakers these days and youll probably see a cringe, hear a sigh, and perhaps even cause a headache. The 37-year old state-federal program geared to help the poor and needy is the cause of much tension, worry and debate across the country.

Western Governors Wary of Federal Road-Free Forest Plan

A nervous group of Western governors says a Clinton administration proposal to make 54 million acres of national forest road-free would wreak havoc with logging, mining and tourism taking place on adjoining state and private property.

In Northern Rockies, Wolves Raising Howls

A recent decision by the federal government to lift protections for gray wolves living in Idaho, Montana and Wyoming means the three states now are responsible for managing the animals - and inherit a years-old debate between conservationists and ranchers over what should be done with them.

Ill. Campaign Finance Limits Remain Through Election, Court Rules

A federal appeals court refused a request to overturn a lower court’s preliminary injunction against a 2009 law limitng individual donations to $5,000, while allowing $10,000 from unions or corporations and $50,000 from political action committees.

Power Prices Put Utilities in the Hot Seat

Spurred by skyrocketing power bills, lawmakers in at least six states are considering reining in electric utilities that were freed from regulation in the late 1990s.

States Retooling Laws to Bury Coal's CO2

Pumping air pollution into underground caverns may seem far-fetched, but friends of the coal industry, the federal government and some environmentalists are talking about burying coal-fired electric plant emissions to fight global warming. States have lots to do to make the experimental projects attractive.

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.

Kentucky, Montana Move To Protect Welfare Surplus

Many states are drafting plans to increase spending on low-income and welfare families, but Kentucky and Montana have announced their new initiatives are a direct result of recent attempts by Congress to cut the federal contribution to welfare and divert those funds to other programs. In this report, stateline.org looks at how those two states have moved to prevent any Washington budgetary raid.

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.

Trickle of Democratic Legislators Become Republicans

TRANSITION WATCH: Fewer state-level Democrats are becoming Republicans than in 1994, new Speakers of the House are elected in Montana and Tennessee and other news of the historic shift in power in the states

New Year Brings Slew of New State Laws

New laws for 2011 include further state bans on the practice of texting while driving.

Disabled Lawmakers Overcome Barriers

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

Drinking and Driving Legal in Some States

Drunk driving may be a crime in every state, but drinking while driving is still legal in three of them Indiana, Mississippi and Montana -- as long as the driver is sober.

Legislators left work undone

Montana to receive $218K in Medicaid settlement with Indian drug company

Montana officials ask judge to dismiss referendum challenge

Montana oil leasing dispute heads to federal court

Bullock signs new child abuse bills into law

Montana to receive $218K in settlement funds from Medicaid case

Regents to set tuition, fees at meeting this week

Feds lift hold on Montana reservation pipeline project

PSC sides with polluters, not public health

Montana tea party protests IRS targeting

Moody's describes Montana pension fixes as 'credit positive'

Committee raised $315K for Bullock inaugural; remaining $52K to go to charities

Does expensive energy serve the working man, Governor?

Names submitted to Gov. Bullock for judicial appointment

Stop starving Montana care givers: Enact HB12

Bond-rating agency praises Montana pension-fix bills

3 companies to offer insurance in Montana marketplace

Governor picks Helena lawyer Motl as political practices chief

Lawmakers can still help oil-impacted region

Bullock to make political practices pick next week

Bullock says 'absolutely not' to Senate race

School choice advocates -- losers at 2013 session -- vow to return with same bills

Bullock’s health-policy adviser takes new job

Montana unemployment down to 5.5%

What's in SB175

Big to small to in-between, school districts appreciate new funding bill

Bill contains $30 million to protect Missouri, Yellowstone, Columbia river headwaters

Coal concerns are widespread

Report: UM, MSU presidents' compensation in line with region

Tally on final budget shows 11 percent increase

Interior issues new public land fracking rule

Montana argues again for ending tourism director's wrongful discharge case

Supreme Court upholds fines for former PSC Commisioner Molnar

Viewpoint: Vetoes mean more expensive energy

Return $160M from Blue Cross sale to businesses

Montana nonprofits for developmentally disabled want rate increase honored

Good FWP planning can help resolve bison battles