Stateline Stories

Wisconsin Lawmakers Battle Over Union Contracts

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

Western State Reporters Say Taxes, Education Top 2000 Agenda

Reporters from eight Western states identified tax policy, education funding, health care reforms and apportionment of the states' tobacco settlement funds as the most pressing issues likely to be addressed by their states in the next legislative year. Over 50 journalists from Arizona, Idaho, Montana, Nevada, Oregon, Utah, Washington and Wyoming repeatedly mentioned those topics during a recent statehouse reporters' conference in Boise, Idaho.

States May Boost Salaries, With a Catch

Long-awaited salary increases or bonuses will be tied to “ifs” and “buts” for state employees in Arizona and possibly Virginia.

Weekly Wrap: Officials Hope to Dodge Pay Backlash

Top officials in several states took steps to show the public that they, too, are making do with less take-home pay. Meanwhile, state revenues decline for a fourth straight quarter, Oklahoma erects wind turbines among the oil derricks on its capitol grounds and Illinois halts all state lobbyist registration.

Few Governors Tout Bold Initiatives

In his state of the state address last month, Vermont Gov. James H. Douglas said that the state should track convicted drug dealers the same way it does sexual predators, by publicizing their names and addresses. This proposal is one of only a handful of truly innovative programs proposed by governors in their state of the state addresses this year.

Utah Governor Fumes as Arizona Considers New Highway Tolls

TRANSPORTATION BEAT: Arizona would like to make a toll road out of a remote 29-mile stretch of interstate highway between Las Vegas and Salt Lake City. Utah Governor Gary Herbert has blasted the scheme.

Bush Most 'State Friendly', NGA Official Says

How do the presidential candidates stack up in terms of sensitivity to state issues? Texas Gov. George W. Bush, the only state official in the race for the White House, leads the field, a top official of the National Governors' Association says. NGA executive director Ray Scheppach offered his assessment at a state issues conference sponsored by Governing magazine. To read more about the conference, click on

Conservatives Battle for Tennessee House Speakership

TRANSITION WATCH: The Tea Party becomes involved in the race for Tennessee House speaker, Arizona contemplates a flat tax and other news of the historic shift in power in the states.

Tax-Hike Plan Fuels Pa. Budget Standoff

California this week closed a staggering $24 billion budget deficit. But in a handful of other state capitals, like this one two hours west of Philadelphia, deeply unpopular fiscal choices still loom for lawmakers who have failed to pass long-overdue spending plans.

Rendell Proposal: Allow Prisoners to Care for Dogs

PUBLIC SAFETY BEAT: Pennsylvania's former governor plans a statewide initiative to pair stray dogs with prisoners … Arizona weighs upping corrections spending even as it dramatically slashes funding elsewhere … Michigan considers allowing guns in hospitals, casinos and stadiums, and other public safety news.

Oklahoma Among States Limiting Property Taxes

Lowering property taxes is always popular, and results from the November 6 elections show this year was no exemption

Ohio Governor Backs Medicaid Expansion

Governor John Kasich will press lawmakers to expand Ohio’s Medicaid system, becoming the fifth Republican governor to endorse that key component of President Obama’s controversial health law.

Supreme Court Considers Competency in Death Penalty Cases

The U.S. Supreme Court on Tuesday heard arguments from Ohio and Arizona that federal judges should not be allowed to indefinitely stay a death sentence even if there are questions about an inmate’s mental competency.

Renewable Energy Industry Shows Surprising Clout

Many incoming Republican governors expressed skepticism during their campaigns about reining in greenhouse-gas emissions. But facing a newly influential alternative-fuel business constituency, some are softening their positions.

E-Voting: States Better Get Ready, Experts Say

When it comes to Internet voting, Gov. George Pataki of New York and Gray Davis of California have a similar message: Proceed with caution. "We want to accelerate the pace of Internet voting," Davis said. But he stipulated that "we need to develop a secure, reliable system" before offering voters online ballots. Davis predicted that Californians would be voting via Internet within five to seven years, though some Internet executives expect it to happen a lot sooner.

Lawmakers Act to Preserve Endangered Night Sky

For decades, astronomers have warned that the intrusion of artificial light is threatening to wipe out a dwindling natural resource - the starry night sky. Now a growing number of city and state governments are taking up the fight to reclaim the night. For lawmakers, the issue is about energy efficiency and safety, as well as good stargazing.

As Some States Close Highway Rest Stops, Others See Roadside Revenue

In the South and West, providing drivers a sanctuary on the Interstate costs states dollars they don't have. But many Northeastern states make lots of money by commercializing rest areas. The difference is due to an obscure federal law that critics want to change.

Democrats Struggle to Generate Hispanic Participation

A lower Latino vote would signal trouble for the Democratic Party in November. So far, there are few signs of the confidence and hope that prevailed at the polls in the high-turnout year of 2008.

Christie Proposes to Slash Medicaid in New Jersey

HEALTH BEAT: Governor's plan would drop 23,000 adults who are currently receiving coverage. The federal government would have to approve the change in eligibility rules.

Higher Health Care Fees for New Jersey's Public Employees

HEALTH BEAT: New Jersey Governor Chris Christie slashes state worker health benefits ... Massachusetts Attorney General Martha Coakley reports that a cost-cutting experiment is not holding down medical costs ... The Arizona Supreme Court refuses to block Medicaid cutbacks, and other health care news.

Labor Offer Keeps New Jersey Tolls From Going Private

MANAGEMENT BEAT: Toll collectors will keep jobs but see pay cut by 24 percent … Massachusetts looks to take health care off the bargaining table … Missouri may auction more than 1,000 acres of state property near prisons, and other management news.

Pay Boost on the Horizon for Some State Workers

Far fewer people are working for state governments than before the recession began, but those who remain may get modest salary increases this year.

States Still Resisting National Sex Offender Law

A 2006 federal law calls on states to create a national sex offender registry. But most have not complied, and some have stopped trying.

New Anti-Abortion Strategy Pays Off

The past few months have seen a flurry of new state laws restricting abortion, most of them based on the concept of “fetal pain.”

States Promote Nursing, Protect Moms

Mississippi, the state with the lowest breastfeeding rate in the country, has passed a broad new law allowing mothers to nurse at work and in public. In addition, five other states - Arizona, Kentucky, Kansas, South Carolina and Alabama - passed laws protecting mothers from charges of indecent exposure when they nurse in public places.

States Aim to Cut Energy Bills

The federal economic stimulus law gave states $3.2 billion to spend on energy efficiency. States are finding creative ways to leverage those dollars to retrofit universities, hospitals, schools and prisons for energy savings.

Few Incumbent Governors Likely to Fall

With high unemployment and pervasive bad news about state budgets, it seems incumbent governors would be in jeopardy of losing their jobs this year. But outside the Midwest, most sitting governors have the edge in their races Tuesday.

States Slow To Tackle Campaign Finance Reform

When it comes to curbing the influence of special interest money in politics, state lawmakers are sometimes credited with doing more to end questionable practices than the U.S. Congress, which has voted to ban so-called soft money. But reform advocates say campaign fundraising is as open to mischief at the state level as the federal level and that change is unlikely anytime soon.

Two Govs Seek Inquiry Into Women in Military

Two of the country's most powerful Democratic female governors - and commanders-in-chief of their states' National Guard units - have called on the Pentagon to investigate the extent of sexual abuse of women in combat by fellow soldiers.

Can Politics Be Removed From Redistricting?

As state legislatures look ahead to next year's redistricting process, several states, including California and Florida, are discussing how to limit partisan tinkering with the maps. Iowa provides a good example of how to do that. But the experience of other states shows that removing politics from redistricting is harder to do than it sounds.

Illinois Moratorium Puts Fresh Focus On Death Penalty

Seven weeks have gone by since Illinois Gov. George Ryan halted executions in his state pending reforms that assure him "that no innocent person will be executed." No other state has followed suit yet, and executions continue at a record pace. But the fact that other states havent fallen in line behind Illinois since the pro-death penalty governors decision doesn't faze moratorium supporters, who cheer the new scrutiny it is bringing to the nations system of capital punishment.

Primary Season Starts, and Governors Could Fall

Although primary season is typically safe for sitting governors, six of the 15 governors running for re-election in 2010 could face strong competition from within the ranks of their own party.

State School Superintendent Hopefuls Hit Campaign Trail

Voters in eight states will be electing a new state school superintendent this November. Although the job entails sparing public education from the sharp blade of the budget scythe and being responsible for revamping schools to meet new federal demands, the field is full of hopefuls from major and minor political parties.

Georgia Has Infrastructure Money in the Bank

TRANSPORTATION BEAT: Georgia's transportation fund has made only one loan in three years … Ohio moves again to shift money from mass transit … Washington State debates how much money to give ferries and other transportation news.

Love Was in the Air

The music blasting over the Democratic National Convention hall last Tuesday afternoon urged delegates to "start a love train," and it seems some people took that to heart. On Wednesday, a Florida county Democratic chairman, Rick Minor, landed a speaking spot at the delegation's morning caucus and used it to pop the question to girlfriend Jessica Lowe , the Tallahassee Democrat reports.

Conservation Cutbacks Force States to Pass on Buyers' Market

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

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.

Four States Share Bonus For Curbing Out-of-Wedlock Births

Four states and the District of Columbia have bucked the national trend and are reporting dips in their rates of births to unmarried mothers, the Department of Health and Human Services reported Friday. While the percentage of out-of-wedlock births in the nation as a whole climbed slightly over the two years from 1997 to 1998, it fell in Alabama, Arizona, Illinois, Michigan and the District of Columbia.

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.

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.

Governor Candidates Bow Out

TODAY'S TAKE: Gubernatorial hopefuls in Arizona and Rhode Island have ended their campaigns, delivering fresh momentum to the front-runners in their respective party primaries. In Colorado, the presumptive Republican nominee for governor is facing calls to drop out amid damaging allegations of plagiarism.

States in Recovery: Housing

The housing crisis that threw states into economic free fall is helping them climb back out.

Best of #StateReads: Ex-Parks Official Had Criminal Past

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

Mega-Stores Hitting Political Flak In Several States

Preventing mega-stores such as Wal-Mart and Costco from chewing up competitors is on the agenda of more than just anti-growth groups and environmentalists these days. Policy makers in states and communities are considering restricting so-called "big-box" stores. California Gov. Gray Davis last week vetoed a bill aimed at limiting the growth of these stores. The issue has also been joined in Arizona, Colorado, Nevada, Vermont and Wisconsin.

California's Brown Shifts Gears in Debate Over Prisons

PUBLIC SAFETY BEAT: Governor Jerry Brown says tax extensions are necessary in California for public safety ... Crime labs close because of Alabama budget cuts ... Michigan reconsiders its sex offender rules, and other public safety news.

Cash-Strapped State Parks Struggle to Stay Open

ENERGY & ENVIRONMENT BEAT: States are turning increasingly to private money to keep their parks going, but the dollars they take in fall far short of replacing the public funding they have lost.

Attorneys General Prepare to Defend Controversial Laws

State attorneys general are about to head to court to defend controversial state laws. Are they required to defend laws that might not survive legal scrutiny?

States That Skip Medicaid Expansion May Favor New Immigrants Over U.S. Citizens

The law of unintended consequences will strike states that decline to expand Medicaid.

Arizona’s Border Fence Still Faces Obstacles

After nearly two years of preparation and with more than a quarter million dollars of private donations in hand, Arizona officials still have not unveiled a plan to build a border fence. But a state lawmaker who is leading the effort said that will soon change.

Higher Ed Cuts Mean Major Tuition Hikes

Tuition at public colleges in Arizona and California has spiked more than 70 percent over the past five years, the result of massive cuts to state higher education funding in those states and most others.

Supreme Court Probes Arizona Voter Registration Law

The Supreme Court justices dissected Arizona’s challenge to a federal voter registration law during arguments Monday, even as they seemed to avoid the broader issues of states’ rights versus federal authority underlying the case.

Arizona State of the State Address 2013

PHOENIX, Arizona --Following is the prepared text of Arizona Gov. Jan Brewer's (R) 2013 State of the State Address

Issue To Watch: Gun Regulation

Gun legislation moved to the top of the list for many state lawmakers after the shooting at Sandy Hook Elementary School in Newtown, Connecticut in December.

Issue To Watch: Immigration

Long-bottled-up bills that address state policies on whether to offer in-state tuition to undocumented students could become law this year, because of changes in party control of legislative chambers and changes in federal policy.

Brewer Endorses Medicaid Expansion Under Health Overhaul

Governor Jan Brewer will push to expand Arizona’s Medicaid program after all, she has announced, surprising many who have watched her crusade against that and other key components of President Obama’s health care overhaul.

U.S. Supreme Court To Hear Arizona Voter Registration Case

The U.S. Supreme Court will decide whether states may require a would-be voter to first prove their citizenship — a case likely to answer larger questions about the sometimes conflicting roles of state and federal governments in regulating elections.

Arizona Ballot Measure Challenges the Federal Government Over Public Lands

Most western states remain uncomfortable with federal stewardship of their land. A group of activists wants to rewrite the Arizona constitution to change the rules.

Arizona Conservatives Face Triple Threat

Two ballot initiatives and new district maps for legislative elections will together test conservative Republicans’ hold on the Arizona state legislature in November.

Judge Backs Heart of Arizona Immigration Law

The heart of Arizona’s law cracking down on undocumented immigrants is poised to take effect following a federal judge’s ruling. But the split decision blocked criminalizing knowingly transporting or harboring undocumented immigrants.

Federal Court Blocks Arizona Anti-Abortion Law

A federal appeals court on Wednesday blocked the state from enforcing a new Arizona law, which prohibits most abortions from taking place after 20 weeks of pregnancy.

Do Gay Rights Affect Tourism?

Arizona’s push for U.S. Supreme Court approval of a plan to rescind same-sex benefits for state employees has some worried that tourism will take a hit.

Key Parts of Arizona Immigration Law Struck Down

A majority of Supreme Court Justices ruled that three sections of the Arizona law were in conflict with federal authority.

Arizona State of the State Address 2011

PHOENIX, Arizona. - Jan. 10 - Following is the prepared text of Gov. Jan Brewer's (R) 2011 state of the state address: Good afternoon. Speaker Adams, President Pearce, Honorable Senators and Representatives of the Centennial Legislature, Chief Justice Berch and Justices of the Supreme Court, constitutional o

Arizona State of the State Address 2010

TUSCON, Ariz. - Jan. 11 - Following is the prepared text of Governor Janice K. Brewer 's (R) 2010 state of the state address. Speaker Adams, President Burns, Honorable Senators and Representatives, Chief Justice Berch and Justices of the Supreme Court, Secretary of State Bennett, and all other constitutional offic

Arizona State of the State Address 2009

PHOENIX, Ariz. - Jan. 12 - Following is the prepared text of Gov. Janet Napolitano's (D) 2009 state of the state address. Speaker Adams, President Burns, Honorable Senators and Representatives, Chief Justice McGregor and justices of the Supreme Court, Secretary of State Brewer and other constitutional officers, t

Arizona State of the State Address 2008

PHOENIX, Ariz. - Jan 14. - The following is the prepared text of Gov. Janet Napolitano's (D) 2008 state of the state address: President Bee, Speaker Weiers, Honorable Senators and Representatives, Chief Justice McGregor and members of the Supreme Court, tribal leaders, honored guests and my fellow Arizonans: My

Arizona State of the State Address 2007

PHOENIX, Jan. 8 - Following is the prepared text of Arizona Gov. Janet Napolitano's (D) 2007 state of the state address. President Bee, Speaker Weiers, Honorable Senators and Representatives, Chief Justice McGregor and members of the Supreme Court, members of Congress, tribal leaders, honored guests and my fellow Ari

Arizona State of the State Address 2006

PHOENIX, Ariz., Jan. 9 - Following is the prepared text of Gov. Janet Napolitano's 2006 state of the state address: Click here to access the governor's Web page and hear the address. President Bennett, Speaker Weiers, Honorable Senators and Representatives, Chief Justice McGregor and members of the Supreme Court

Arizona State of the State address 2005

PHOENIX, Ariz. - Jan. 10 - Following is the full text of Gov. Janet Napolitano's (D) 2005 state of the state address: President Bennett, Speaker Weiers, Honorable Senators and Representatives, Chief Justice Jones and members of the Supreme Court, members of our Congressional delegation, honored guests, and my fell

Arizona State of the State Address 2004

PHOENIX, Arizona - Jan. 12 - Following is the full text of Gov. Janet Napolitano's (D) 2004 state of the state address: President Bennett, Speaker Flake, Honorable Senators and Representatives, Chief Justice Jones and members of the Supreme Court, members of our Congressional delegation, honored guests, and my fellow

Arizona State of the State Address 2003

PHOENIX, Arizona - Jan. 14 - Following is the text of Gov. Janet Napolitano's State of the State Address: President Bennett, Speaker Flake, Honorable Senators and Representatives, Chief Justice Jones and members of the Supreme Court, members of our Congressional delegation, honored guests, and my fellow Arizonans.

Arizona State of the State Address 2002

PHEONIX, Arizona - Jan. 14 - Following is the full text of Arizona Gov. Jane Hull's annual State of the State Address: President Randall Gnant, Speaker James Weiers, honorable Senators and Representatives, Chief Justice Thomas Zlaket and members of the Supreme Court, distinguished guests, friends, and most importantl

Arizona State of the State Address 2001

PHOENIX, Arizona - Jan. 8 - Following is the full text of Gov. Jane Dee Hull's 2001 State of the State Address: Thank you and good afternoon. It's good to be before the 45th Legislature. President Gnant, Speaker Weiers, Senate Floor Leader Brown, House Minority Leader Cheuvront, honorable members of the House and Sen

Arizona State of the State Address 2000

PHOENIX, Arizona - Jan. 10 - Following is the full text of Gov. Jane Hull's 2000 State of the State Address: Thank you President Burns, Speaker Groscost, Minority Leaders Brown and McLendon, Honorable Senators and Representatives, distinguished guests and all Arizonans. Good afternoon and thank you for your war

Governors Stress School Spending

Governors in Arizona and Kansas both recommendend new education spending in their 2004 state of the state speeches

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.

Technology Helps States Boost Efficiency

More and more states are using electronic tools ranging from web portals to interagency data sharing to make delivery of government services all a taxpayer could hope for, according to two recent studies on the use of digital technologies.

Cigarette Taxes, Public Health Show Little Correlation

Twenty-one states are mulling cigarette tax increases to help ease the pain of massive budget shortages. New York and Connecticut governors have already okayed such taxes, with increases of 39 and 61 cents per pack respectively. Proponents of higher tobacco taxes say upping the rates will improve the health of citizens. But health experts say the tax must be coupled with prevention programs that help people quit smoking and make sure young people don't start.

State Officials Challenge Rx Study

Headlines in major newspapers across the country last week revealed grim news about state Medicaid programs. One in Four Medicaid Beneficiaries Unable to Fill Prescriptions, papers reported. But some state officials question the claim.

Arizona Wildfires Trigger Heated Rhetoric

The only thing that may be hotter than Arizona's Rodeo-Chediski wildfire that has burned more than 400,000 acres of forest is the political rhetoric over how it might have been prevented or, at least, kept from becoming so destructive. For an in-depth report courtesy of the Arizona Capitol Times, click on

State Lawmakers Urged to Stress Civics

After last September 11, a wave of patriotism washed over the country, inspiring state legislation to promote national pride among U.S. public school students. But a national legislative task force says more is needed specifically, a return of civics to public school curriculums.

Arizona Officials Plan For Changing Economy

Arizona officials are mapping a new long-range economic strategy based in part on a study warning that the driving industries of the past -- cotton, copper, cattle, citrus and climate -- may not sustain the states economic health in the future.

Manners Still Matter In Statehouses

Legislative customs vary from state to state, but when it comes to decorum on the statehouse floor, blazers are in, and cell phones are out.

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

State Health Programs Largely Spared In Budget-Cutting

State budgets are tight this year, but most health programs have escaped cutbacks. Arizona has agreed to hefty increases for the mentally ill, Oregon is considering a new voluntary screening program for newborns and Maine just okayed a small cigarette tax increase to expand health insurance for adults without kids.

Tracking Election Reform: NAACP To Issue Report Cards

Civil rights leaders impatient with the pace and scope of election reform legislation in state capitals and in Washington have announced they will begin issuing "report cards" to hold officials accountable. NAACP Chairman Julian Bond announced the campaign Monday (7/9) at the organizations annual convention in New Orleans. "It will help you hold accountability sessions with your governor, legislators and other elected officials to find out what they have done to guarantee every vote is counted in the future," Bond said. "And in the fall, were going to issue a report card on their progress. Well see who gets As and who gets Fs."

Western Cities Most Efficient With Land, Sprawl Report Says

Metropolitan population trends documented by the 2000 Census confirmed what land use analysts have known for a long time: most of the nations cities are eating up land for new development much faster than theyre gaining new residents.

Health Care Data Website Unveiled

Did you know Arizona, New Mexico and Texas have the largest percentages of people without health insurance or that Connecticut, New Hampshire and New York spend the most Medicaid money per person of all the states? If you didn't know those bits of trivia, the Kaiser Family Foundation can help you track that information and more. Check out the group's new website known as State Health Facts Online.

Tobacco Settlement Pits Health Advocates Against States

State lawmakers are spending tobacco settlement dollars wisely and health programs are raking in a hearty amount of the money, says a new analysis from the National Conference of State Legislatures (NCSL). Legislatures have dedicated a full 46 percent of tobacco money for programs that aim to stop people from smoking and to shore up Medicaid, prescription drug programs for older Americans, children's health insurance plans and biomedical research. But if you look a little closer at the numbers, the percent of money being spent to stop smoking is measly and has dropped significantly from last year, anti-tobacco advocates say.

Fear of Terror, Fraud Dogs Vote-By-Mail

Holding elections through the post office rather than the polling place is becoming popular in Western states. But fears of violations of privacy, widespread voter fraud, a failure to follow instructions and even terrorism are appearing to grow just as quickly, casting doubt on the future of vote-by-mail.

Census Data Shows Immigration Shift

New Census data shows that increases in the nations population since 1990 were caused by higher-than-expected immigration levels.Parts of Arizona and North Carolina are the new magnets for immigrants.

State Health Experts Cite Budget Woes As Major Concern

Prescription drugs, tobacco prevention, rising health care costs and Medicaid are high priority areas for health officials across the country. But revenue shortfalls remain the over-arching concern, policymakers from five states said Sunday (11/18) at a forum in Seattle, Washington. The forum, sponsored by the National Conference of State Legislatures, featured health-related officials from Arizona, Connecticut, Maryland, Oregon and Washington State.

Border Issues Thrust to Fore: Security vs. Trade

In an effort to reduce the threat of terrorists slipping into the country, Immigration and Customs officials have tightened the nation's northern and southern borders, prompting local and state officials to call for increased border staffing to ease the flow of goods and people. At stake is the economic health of states, regions and industries dependent on open borders for survival.

Realtors Poll Suggests Voters Prefer Local Growth Control

As Arizona Gov. Jane Dee Hull and Maryland Gov. Parris N. Glendening prepared to host a governors policy workshop on statewide anti-sprawl strategies in Phoenix at the end of last week, a new poll indicated a majority of voters may oppose greater state involvement in growth management decisions.

Education On The Ballot In Several States

November 7 isn't just about electing the next President, Congress, governors or state legislature. It is also the day Americans vote on ballot initiatives that often show what issues have priority among citizens. In at least seven states, education is on the ballot.

Sprawl Spurs Tucson Search For Urban Cowboy

Looking to corral development, Tucson, Ariz., took over a 41,000-acre ranch 10 miles outside city limits. In the meantime, Tucson needs one tough son of a gun to tend to 84 head of cattle.

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.

Education Measures Get Pass or Fail Grades

Ballot measures dealing with education got a mixed reception from U.S. voters on Nov. 7. In some of the most closely-watched contests, far-reaching school voucher initiatives were defeated in California and Michigan, while a ban on bilingual education was approved in Arizona.

Anatomy of A Debacle: Arizona's Alt-Fuels Program

Arizona lawmakers have gutted the states disastrous alternative-fuel vehicle program, ending a costly debacle that outraged taxpayers, sparked a criminal investigation and brought down one of the state's most powerful politicians. On Thursday, Dec. 14, Gov. Jane Hull signed a bill into law that will shrink what was a potentially devastating $600 million budget liability to a more manageable $200 million. Still, that is more than $190 million more than the state wanted to spend on the program, which gave Arizonans generous incentives to buy vehicles converted to run on propane or compressed natural gas.