Stateline Headlines

The Ever-growing Sex Offender Registry

Under separate state Supreme Court decisions issued days apart in Georgia and Wisconsin last month, two men who did not commit sex crimes must register as sex offenders. Their offense - a crime known as "false imprisonment" - was deemed to warrant inclusion on public registries even if there was nothing sexual about it.The cases reflect a growing debate in the courts and in legislatures. As states crack down on sex offenders, including less serious and even non-sex offenders in online registries, does the value of such registries diminish?

Road Funding a Big Issue in Contest for Governor of West Virginia

TRANSPORTATION BEAT: Highways emerge as a crucial topic in West Virginia's Democratic gubernatorial primary … Atlanta area officials have a long wish list of transit projects … Kansas and Texas move forward with plans for higher speed limits, and other transportation news.

Troubled Times at the State Fair

State Fairs are facing a budget crunch, and one solution is to turn them over to private ownership.

Texas Again Leads Nation in Executions; Ohio a Distant Second

TODAY'S TAKE: Texas executed more than twice as many inmates in 2010 as the next-closest state, Ohio, according to a new report. Nationally, states executed 46 prisoners this year, a 12-percent decline from last year.

Movement to Shrink Class Size Falters Amid Budget Austerity

A decade ago, it was an article of faith around the country that pupils learn better in less crowded classrooms. That idea is proving to be a casualty of the recession.

Party Switch Gives Texas House Republicans Supermajority

TRANSITION WATCH: Two-thirds control of the House means Texas Republicans can overcome Democratic delaying tactics, outgoing governors issue their final pardons, and more news of the historic shift in power in the states.

AGs Aim to Make MySpace a Safe Space

Under pressure from state attorneys general, the popular social-networking Web site MySpace agreed Monday to turn over information on thousands of sex offenders it kicked off its site in early May.

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.

Coming This Fall: Big Tuition Hikes

More than half the states cut funding for higher education this year, in some cases by more than 20 percent. The result will be double-digit tuition increases for hundreds of thousands of students and their families.

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.

New 'Human Transporter' Getting Green Light

With a national lobbying effort clearing its path, a much-ballyhooed new "human transporter" called Segway is scooting through state legislatures, winning regulatory changes that allow it to be used on sidewalks and other pathways frequented by pedestrians.

State, Local Governments Receive Kudos for Web Sites

Since 1995, Government Technology has singled out state and local governments that host particularly innovative Web sites. North Carolina and Georgia were winners, as was a tiny county in Nevada.

Early and Absentee Voting Erode Election Day Tradition

Polling day at the court house may be a revered institution of American democracy, but it's one that is steadily fading away.

Weekly Wrap: Bullet Point Dramatizes Crisis

Mississippi's "down budget times" have led to the rationing of highway patrol ammo. Fallout from the recession is likely to mean higher fees for would-be Cal State students. It's delaying tax refunds in several states. Vermont had some good news - it ended the budget year that ended June 30 in the black. For a quick update on how the economic crisis is affecting states, read Stateline.org's "Weekly wrap."

Rick Snyder Picks a Democrat

TRANSITION WATCH: Michigan's Republican governor-elect reaches across the aisle for a top appointment, Georgia's governor-elect picks a controversial chief of staff, and other news of the historic shift in power in the states.

Governor Debates Heat Up

TODAY'S TAKE: With less than three weeks to go until Election Day, hostility is on the rise in campaigns for governor. The sharper edge has been on display in several debates this week.

How Many Ex-Governors Will Win?

TODAY'S TAKE: In a campaign season marked by an anti-establishment mood, five former governors with a combined 40 years in office will be on the ballot next week, potentially bucking the trend. But at least one, Maryland Republican Robert Ehrlich, has substantial ground to make up. The others appear to be ahead or are locked in close contests.

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

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.

Push For Ten Commandments To Return To Schools

The Ten Commandments are experiencing a renaissance in states debating bills that would display the Big 10 in schools alongside historical documents. Emphasizing history, not religion, is a strategy that Commandments backers hope will skirt court challenges.

Indiana Legislature Approves Sweeping School Voucher Bill

EDUCATION BEAT: Pupil vouchers on the way in Indiana ... Georgia cuts pre-kindergarten programs ... Oregon House considers new high school graduation requirements, and other state education news.

Budget Deficits Inflame Debates

Governors throughout the country are rolling out their budget proposals for the upcoming fiscal year. They are doing so amid warnings this will be the toughest budget season in a decade and perhaps since World War II. In most states, painful spending choices are the order of the day, thanks to the U.S. economic showdown and resulting budget squeezes. This is causing heated debates as an Illinois example illustrates.

Illinois Debates School Consolidation

EDUCATION BEAT: School consolidation plan earns mixed reviews in Illinois ... Georgia's first-of-its-kind HOPE scholarships are in danger of running out of money ... Budget cuts could force some Michigan colleges and universities to close, and more education news from the states.

Sales Tax Holidays: Easy to Sell but Hard to Justify

This time of year, politicians love to give shoppers a break on clothes, shoes and back-to-school supplies. The short bursts of tax relief are popular with consumers and retailers, but tax experts say the benefits are oversold.

Governors-Elect Plan Low-Budget Inaugural Celebrations

TRANSITION WATCH: New governors arrange no-frills inaugurations as acts of symbolism, redistricting roles are reversed in Ohio, and more news of the historic shift in power in the states.

Barnes says Rep. Brooks broke no laws

Civil rights firebrand's fraud case in Georgia has others treading softly

Georgia studying Medicaid expansion options

Ga. Rep. Brooks pleads not guilty to fraud charges

State psychiatric hospital in Thomasville to close

Ga.'s grad rate increases to 69.7 percent for 2012

Gov. Deal weighs in on bible belt dispute

Poll -- Georgians oppose campus guns

Law enforcement changes coming to Georgia state parks

Georgia studying Medicaid expansion options

Gay Georgia lawmaker to be honored by White House

Georgia looking to lower cyclist fatalities

Record amount of cargo passes through Georgia ports

Atheists promise a book for every state park cabin in Georgia

Atheist group sending books to Georgia state parks

Foreclosures too easy, Georgia Supreme Court says

Ga. 400/I-285 interchange may get funding

Georgia DOT identifies 9,000 surplus parcels

Georgia depends heavily on federal money

Nathan Deal escapes GOP rebuke over Common Core

Bill rises for shuttles at Atlanta airport’s new terminal

Ga. Rep. Brooks of Atlanta indicted for wire fraud

Brady Campaign sues Nelson, Ga. over mandatory gun law

Deal -- State is serious about boating safety

Georgia's jobless rate drops to 8.2 percent

Gov. Deal signs order addressing Common Core standards

Regents working to clarify colleges’ missions

Georgia Tech will offer master’s degree online

Georgia number two for identity theft

After voting for ban, legislators take free tickets

Georgia GOP to convene on Athens

Sequester Cuts at Justice Department Threaten Local Drug Investigations

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

Georgia State of the State Address 2013

ATLANTA, Georgia -- Jan. 17 -- Following is the prepared text of Gov. Nathan Deal's (R) 2013 State of the State Address:

Best of #StateReads: “State Faces Major Doctor Shortage”

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

Transportation Tax Fails in Atlanta, Much of Georgia

Metro Atlanta voters soundly rejected a $7.2 billion plan that supporters said was needed to “untie” the region’s gridlocked transportation system and attract a wealth of young talent. Voters in most other Georgia districts followed suit.

Campus Mergers Bring Big Changes but Questionable Savings

Georgia and New Jersey are hoping to build major public research universities through mergers. Will they work?

Georgia Ponders Spending Billions on Roads and Rails

Voters will decide July 31 whether to pay more sales taxes to pay for dozens of road and rail improvements aimed at reducing congestion.

Georgia State of the State Address 2011

ATLANTA, Georgia - Jan. 12 - Following is the prepared text of Gov. Nathan Deal's (R) 2011 state of the state address: Lt. Governor, Mr. Speaker, President Pro Tem Williams, Speaker Pro Tem Jones, Members of the General Assembly, Constitutional Officers, Members of the Judiciary, my fellow Georgians: The addre

Georgia State of the State Address 2010

ATLANTA, Ga. - Jan. 13 - Following is the prepared text of Gov. Sonny Perdue's (R) 2010 state of the state address: Mr. President, Mr. Speaker, President Pro Tem Williams, Speaker Pro Tem Jones … Members of the General Assembly. Constitutional officers and members of the judiciary. The Consular Corps and other dis

Georgia State of the State Address 2009

ATLANTA, Ga. - Jan. 14 - Following is the prepared text of Gov. Sonny Perdue's (R) 2009 state of the state address: Click here to access the governor's Web page and view or hear the address. Mr. President, Mr. Speaker, President Pro Tem Williams, Speaker Pro Tem Burkhalter … Members of the General Assembly.

Georgia State of the State Address 2008

ATLANTA, Ga. -- Jan. 15 -- Following is the prepared text of Gov. Sonny Perdue's (R) 2008 state of the state address: Click here to visit the governor's website to view the address. Mr. President, Mr. Speaker, President Pro Tem Johnson, Speaker Pro Tem Burkhalter and members of the General Assembly… My fellow co

Georgia State of the State Address 2007

ATLANTA, Jan. 10 - Following is the prepared text of Gov. Sonny Perdue's (R) 2007 state of the state address: Mr. President, Mr. Speaker, President Pro Tem Johnson, Speaker Pro Tem Burkhalter … Members of the General Assembly. Constitutional officers and members of the judiciary. The Consular Corps and other distin

Georgia State of the State Address 2006

ATLANTA, Jan. 11 - Following is the prepared text of Georgia Gov. Sonny Perdue's (R) 2006 state of the state address: Mr. President, Mr. Speaker, Senator Johnson, Representative Burkhalter … Members of the General Assembly. Constitutional officers and members of the judiciary. The Consular Corps and other distin

Georgia State of the State Address 2005

ATLANTA, Georgia, Jan. 12, 2005 -Following is the text of Gov. Sonny Perdue's 2005 state of the state address: Mr. President, Mr. Speaker, President Pro Tem Johnson, Speaker Pro Tem Burkhalter and members of the General Assembly... My fellow constitutional officers...Justices of the Supre

Georgia State of the State Address 2004

ATLANTA, Georgia - Jan. 14 - Following is the text of Gov. Sonny Perdue's 2004 state of the state address: Mr. President, Mr. Speaker, members of the General Assembly, and my fellow Georgians. I come before you tonight to report on the state of our great state. And before I give you that report, I want you to kno

Georgia State of the State Address 2003

ATLANTA, Georgia - Jan. 27 - Following is the text of Gov. Sonny Perdue's 2003 State of the State Address: Lieutenant Governor Taylor, Speaker Coleman, Members of the General Assembly and especially my wonderful wife Mary, without whose love and support I would not be here today. My fellow Georgians, tonight I

Georgia State of the State Address 2002

ATLANTA, Georgia - Feb. 6 - Following is the text of Gov. Roy Barnes' 2002 State of the State Address: This is the fourth year that I have had the responsibility of standing before you to report on the state of our great state. For the last three years, it was a pretty easy thing to do, because most of the

Georgia State of the State Address 2001

ATLANTA, Georgia - Feb. 9 - Following is the full text of Georgia Gov. Roy Barnes' 2001 State of the State Address: Lieutenant Governor Taylor, Speaker Murphy, Members of the General Assembly, Justices of the Supreme Court, Judges of the Court of Appeals, Members of the Consular Corps, Ladies and Gentlemen: Today,

Three States Lead in Pre-School Programs

Georgia, New Jersey and Oklahoma outpace the nation in providing high-quality preschool for 3- and 4-year- olds. But most states lag in early education efforts needed to ensure that all students are ready to learn when they arrive in kindergarten, according to a new national study.

Truant Teens Lose Licenses in Georgia and Other States

For teenagers, few freedoms are as precious as being able to drive. So Georgia high school students will want to think twice about skipping school this year: 10 unexcused absences could cost them their drivers license.

Governors Kick-Off Discussion of Long-Term Care

Under the glare of television lights, four governors recently kicked off what they hope will be at least a year-long national conversation about long-term health care for the elderly. In 2008, nearly 77 million World War II Baby Boomers will start to retire and state public health safety-net programs will not be able to keep up, the governors said.

Longest-Serving Legislator Takes Upbeat View

When Hugh Gillis first got himself elected to the Georgia legislature, stump speaking was a political art form, Franklin Roosevelt was in the White House and the attack on Pearl Harbor was nearly a year away. Sixty-one years later, Gillis, 83, is still helping to make laws for his state -- and his status as the nation's longest-serving state legislator gives him a certain perspective.

Enron's Troubles Include State Probes

Hoping to spearhead the fight to recoup billions of dollars of retirement fund losses, representatives of five states are asking to lead a nationwide class-action lawsuit against bankrupt energy giant Enron Corp.

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.

What's Behind the Medicaid Cost Explosion?

As budget talks get going in state capitols across the country, cash-strapped officials are pinpointing Medicaid spending as one of the biggest causes of budget problems cropping up in state after state. Skyrocketing prescription drug prices, increased costs for home and community-based healthcare and coverage of more disabled people are the main factors in the explosion of Medicaid spending, experts say.

States, Health Plans Address Anthrax-Related Rx Issues

In the wake of October's anthrax attacks in Florida, New York and Washington, D.C., states and insurers have seen an increased request for antibiotics like Ciprofloxacin or Cipro, as it's known. Maine and Virginia have now stepped up education for doctors on antibiotic use, while Georgia officials are asking doctors to justify why they are prescribing the drug.

On the Record: Georgia Gov. Roy Barnes

Among the 43 states that revealed how much they spent for Y2K computer fixes, Georgia's $322 million budget was the largest. Last weekend, while attending the National Governors' Association winter meeting in Washington, D.C., Georgia Gov. Roy Barnes told Stateline.org Senior Writer Blair S. Walker that Georgia received a lot more than Millennium Bug protection for its money.

Texas, California and Georgia Lead In High-Tech Job Growth, Report Says

The booming United States high-tech industry has created more than one million jobs since 1993 and provides a total annual payroll of more than $240 billion, according to Cyberstates 3.0, a report issued earlier this month by the American Electronics Association. The report shows that the U.S. high-tech industry employed 4.8 million workers in 1998, with Texas, California, Georgia, Colorado and Washington leading the way.

Lawmakers Set New Ages for Marriage

Legislators in Georgia and Kansas changed their marriage laws this spring to prevent teens from marrying so young. But raising the legal age for marriage for teens too young to vote or even drive proved challenging as lawmakers wrestled with possible effects on abortion rates, welfare rolls, citizens' privacy and the nature of marriage itself.

States Press Congress for S-CHIP Fix

At least six states - Georgia, Illinois, Maryland, Massachusetts, New Jersey and Rhode Island - are projected to run out of federal money for the State Children's Health Insurance Program by May, and they're looking to Congress to fix the problem quickly. But they're also asking for a long-term solution so states won't have to ask Congress to retool S-CHIP's funding formulas every year.

GOP Rules Amid Bickering in Georgia Statehouse

Republicans who control Georgia state government reverted to name-calling and charges of temper tantrums during the 2007 legislative session, one of the longest in state history and noted more for its failures than its accomplishments.

Tracking the Recession: A Chat With Two State Leaders

Two prominent state legislative leaders, a North Carolina Democrat and a Georgia Republican, offer an early take on whether the stimulus is working in their states.

States Roll Out Plans for 'Smarter' Roads

Nearly half the states plan to use some of their federal stimulus funds to pay for high-tech gadgets that will reduce congestion, help the environment and create jobs quickly.

Ga. Hotline Aims to Cut Mental Health Costs

Even as the recession chips away at mental health services across the country, Georgia's around-the-clock psychiatric hotline is finding a way to weather the storm - and other states are watching closely.

Ga. Work Program Grows, Attracts Followers

As states struggle to help legions of jobless workers find employment, some are seeking advice from Georgia, where a growing number of people are landing jobs as a result of free tryouts sponsored by the state unemployment system. Georgia plans to expand the proven program in hopes of spurring private-sector hiring.

Two States, Two Different Paths on Charter Schools

Legislators in Georgia want to the state to be able to create new charter schools without local approval, while legislators in New Jersey would like to slow down the process by requiring local consent.

Georgia State of the State Address 2012

ATLANTA, Georgia - January 10 - Following is the prepared text of Gov. Nathan Deal's (R) 2012 state of the state address: Lt. Governor, Mr. Speaker, President Pro Tem Williams, Speaker Pro Tem Jones, Members of the General Assembly, Constitutional Officers, Members of the Judiciary,

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.

Fatal Accident Rattles Georgia Governor Race

TODAY'S TAKE: A car collision that killed a teenage driver and injured the daughter and two granddaughters of Georgia gubernatorial candidate Roy Barnes has temporarily placed his campaign on hold.

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.

Georgia Set to Pass Arizona-Style Immigration Law

TODAY'S TAKE: Georgia concludes its 40-day legislative session today (April 14), but not before lawmakers debate an Arizona-style immigration crackdown. Supporters and critics of the proposal agree that some form of the measure will pass.

Georgia Senate Approves Limits on Protests

MANAGEMENT BEAT: A new measure would ban mass pickets at private residences and near businesses and impose penalties.

As Scholarship Programs Strain, Will Students Begin to Lose HOPE?

Georgia's landmark HOPE scholarship program was the first to give college students a free ride in exchange for earning good grades. Now, merit-based scholarships in Georgia and other states that copied the idea are threatened by a convergence of economic factors.

This State Park Brought to You By...

Faced with the prospect of closing parks or facilities, some states are turning to a funding opportunity long considered taboo: sponsorship agreements with corporations.

Roy Barnes' Campaign of Contrition

ATLANTA -- In the 2002 governor's race, incumbent Roy Barnes lost to Sonny Perdue in one of the biggest upsets in Georgia political history. Now, as Barnes campaigns to win back his old office, can he pull off an upset of his own?