Stateline Headlines

'Sovereign Citizens' Make Noise in Wyoming

PUBLIC SAFETY BEAT: A fringe political group that considers the U.S. government illegitimate is something the FBI would rather not talk about ... Michigan's governor asks for major concessions from a correctional officers' union ... Democrats see a chance to gain Pennsylvania's top law enforcement job for the first time in decades, and other public safety news.

Should Public Workers Have to Live Where They Work?

Municipal residency requirements have gradually become less common. State efforts to ban them can get ugly as cities fight to maintain their middle class population base.

Michigan, Wisconsin Return, Alaska Tackles Native Rights

Summer has officially come to an end for Michigan and Wisconsin lawmakers who began their fall legislative sessions this week. Also, Alaska started a special session on Wednesday so Gov. Tony Knowles could give lawmakers one last chance to pass a rural subsistence constitutional amendment and prevent a federal takeover of fish and game management in the state.

Wisconsin Teachers Seek Last-Minute Contracts

EDUCATION BEAT: Wisconsin teachers want to lock in new contracts before anti-union legislation takes effect ... Pennsylvania governor calls for $1.5 billion in education cuts ... Michigan grants emergency financial managers broad powers, and other education news.

States Share Latest On Rx Programs

Officials from Florida, Maine, Michigan, Pennsylvania and West Virginia will provide updates on their Medicaid and state employee prescription drug programs at a forum in Pittsburgh Friday (1/11).

Troubled Times at the State Fair

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

Utah Legislators Skeptical of Governor's Tax Proposal

TRANSITION WATCH: Utah Republicans grapple over the budget, Michigan's incoming governor mulls a new bridge to Canada, and more news of the historic shift in power in the states.

Three More Governor's Races Set

TODAY'S TAKE: It was a busy week on the gubernatorial campaign circuit, as voters in three more states chose their major-party nominees for November. Tennesseans on Thursday (Aug. 5) selected Republican Knoxville Mayor Bill Haslam to face Democrat Mike McWherter, the son of a former governor.

South Carolina's Haley Pushes Tax Cuts Despite Budget Shortfall

South Carolina's incoming governor wants to eliminate income taxes, Iowa public workers ratify new contracts against the wishes of the governor-elect, and more news of the historic shift in power in the states.

A Few Candidates Buck Conventional Wisdom on Taxes

Taxes are a hot subject in this year's gubernatorial campaigns, with many calling for tax cuts. But candidates willing to talk about higher taxes are a rare breed. Still, there are a few of them.

As Their Terms End, Governors Show Mercy to Lawbreakers

TODAY'S TAKE: Jennifer Granholm of Michigan and Ed Rendell of Pennsylvania both will leave office next month having granted clemency to hundreds of prisoners.

Two Former Governors to Embark on New Jobs

TODAY'S TAKE: Former Democratic governors Jennifer Granholm of Michigan and Ed Rendell of Pennsylvania have settled on new jobs. Granholm will write a book and teach. Rendell will be an MSNBC pundit and join a law firm.

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.

A Crack in the Prison Door

The recession is forcing lawmakers in some states to search for savings in places that might have been unthinkable a few years ago, including in their prison systems. One of those states is Oregon, where lawmakers last year approved a measure that will result in about 3,500 inmates being released from prison earlier than scheduled.But a recent backlash over the law serves as a reminder of the political sensitivity surrounding "early releases" as a money-saving effort. California, Colorado, Illinois, Kentucky, Michigan and Wisconsin are among the other states that have recently accelerated prisoner releases or are considering doing so.

North Dakota Up, North Carolina Down in Growth Index

TODAY'S TAKE: A Bloomberg evaluation of how states are faring in the aftermath of the Great Recession shows North Dakota powering forward and North Carolina lagging behind, in part because of Bank of America's woes.

The Bank of North Dakota: Banking's 'Public Option'

Originally intended to help farmers by increasing access to farm loans, the nation's only state-run bank now does a healthy business lending to businesses, students and private-sector banks. Some see the model as a beacon of economic stability and financial independence.

Cities, Counties Hurt By Budget Cuts

Starved for cash due to slumping sales tax revenues and rising Medicaid costs, North Carolinas Mecklenburg County needs another revenue hit like a fish needs a bicycle. But thats exactly what it got in February. Through April of this year, 10 states Iowa, Michigan, Minnesota, Mississippi, New Jersey, North Carolina, Rhode Island, Utah, Vermont and Washington have cut local revenue sharing dollars to balance fiscal year 2002 budgets.

When Jobs Go Away for Good

The federal economic stimulus law greatly expanded a program for re-training workers whose jobs have gone overseas. As states encourage workers to take advantage of what is considered the Cadillac of unemployment insurance, applications for aid have begun piling up.

Cities, States Face Off on Mandatory Paid Sick Leave

Stateline - NYC and Portland will require businesses to provide paid sick leave. But many states are less than enthusiastic.

New York Sales Tax Holidays Prove Popular Idea

With New York planning to make its temporary clothing sales tax holidays permanent on March 1, other states are considering copying the limited-time tax breaks popularized by New York, Texas and Florida. Lawmakers in Michigan and South Carolina are studying proposals to give tax holidays to consumers, while the Wisconsin legislature rejected Governor Tommy Thompsons plan to give holiday shoppers a break.

Budget Deal Means Prison Closures in New York

PUBLIC SAFETY BEAT: The governor of New York follows through on a pledge to close prisons, even if they provide employment in rural communities…California's governor orders thousands of state inmates transferred to local facilities, despite a lack of funding for the plan…Michigan is proving more reluctant than other states to grant parole, and other public safety news.

States Racing for Education Money

TODAY'S TAKE: States are facing a Jan. 19 deadline to apply for their share of $4.35 billion in federal education grants. Some - such as Kentucky, Michigan, New York and Tennessee - are cutting it awfully close.

All Public Sector Employees in New Jersey Will Have to Live In-State

MANAGEMENT BEAT: No more commuting from New York and Philadelphia for New Jersey workers … Governments are spending more time collecting and organizing data than using it … A collective bargaining showdown in Nevada, and other management news.

States Tackling Public Employee Retirement Benefits in 2010

Since legislatures convened last month, at least 16 states are weighing changes to their worker pension plans. Employees, retirees and unions say they will contest some of the proposals.

Republican AGs Probe Health Care Deal

TODAY'S TAKE: The Republican attorneys general of Alabama, Colorado, Michigan, North Dakota, South Carolina, Texas and Washington State are threatening to challenge as unconstitutional a provision written into the U.S. Senate's national health care bill that cuts a special deal for Nebraska.

Best of #StateReads: When a State Runs Out of Psychiatric Beds

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

Four States to Weigh Calls for Constitutional Conventions

Every so often, voters in some states get to decide whether to write a new constitution. With Iowa, Maryland, Michigan and Montana set to take their turn next month, some worry that calling a convention amidst an angry political environment could do more harm than good.

Budget surpluses spur tension in some GOP states

Missouri Next to Cut Jobless Benefits

TODAY'S TAKE: Michigan this week became the first state to reduce state-level unemployment benefits. Now, Missouri is the first to opt out of a program that provides more federal money for the jobless. About 10,000 workers will be affected, starting next week.

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.”

Gov. Rick Snyder discusses Medicaid expansion, other topics during Washington trip

State legislative chambers to get new carpets, technology upgrades

Lawmaker seeks to make state office to help small businesses

Michigan lawmaker accused of sexual harassment

Senate honors last year's fallen service members

Gov's staff emails have scent of 'skunk works'

Activists consider second Mich. wolf referendum to target game animal designation

Early budget deal good for state

Michigan's next abortion battle could be over health insurance coverage

Michigan Gov. Rick Snyder: If you made list of what made America great, 'immigration would be on it'

With state Rep. Rudy Hobbs running for Congress, Michigan House Democrats name new floor leader

Teacher 'pay for performance' bill approved by House panel over opposition from educators

Gov. Rick Snyder discusses Medicaid expansion, other topics during Washington trip

Michigan abortion opponents' petition drive could bypass statewide vote, potential governor veto

Court rules for union in Michigan child-care dues dispute

Panel backs bill allowing Michigan corrections retirees to work indefinitely

Common Core the wrong plan for Michigan

GOP's agenda sells Michiganians short

Lower fuel taxes make for friendly skies

Lawmakers push state to make sure pet coke piles are safe

New law limiting fireworks use may be in effect by July 4th

Michigan reveals program to prevent school violence

Snyder, GOP lawmakers reach deal on surplus cash

Commission recommending raises for Michigan judges

Freedom of Information bills go before Michigan House panel

Sales tax hike to fund roads has conservative lawmaker conflicted

GOP to open permanent regional offices across Michigan in effort to connect with voters

Panel to recommend pay for governor, top state officials

Supreme Court to weigh in on legislative prayers

Michigan Republicans seek new limits on welfare aid

Detroit state reps unveil no-fault auto insurance reform plan

Michigan vets with disabilities could see tax relief

Michigan cancer survivors, patients to back Medicaid expansion at Capitol

Michigan military members get free hunting, fishing licenses

What Michigan's charter schools can teach the country

Re-do of fireworks law should solve those 3 a.m. explosions

Woman lieutenant governor candidate might make a difference in a tight race

Emails show Snyder aides aware of 'skunk works' group

Michigan Republicans seek new limits on welfare aid

Use surplus to fix Michigan’s crumbling roads

Possible Dem challengers Mark Schauer, Vicki Barnett target governor's tax, education policies

Michigan lawmaker backs anti-cyber-bullying bill

Proposal would change Michigan fireworks law after confusion, complaints, safety concerns

Michigan law requires universal form for meds authorization

Most Michigan state employee salaries outpace peers' despite concessions

Michigan vets with disabilities could see tax relief

Former Michigan Gov. Jennifer Granholm 'rarin' to get going' for Hillary Clinton in 2016

Snow days: Michigan Gov. Rick Snyder signs law allowing longer school days rather than makeups

Medicaid expansion left out of Michigan Senate budget, leaving proposal in doubt

Lt. Gov. Brian Calley returns to Brazil - his father's birth country - to promote Michigan exports

Petition drive backed by Right to Life could affect abortion insurance coverage in Michigan

Gov. Engler's 'nickel' argument may help kill auto insurance reform

There should be a law: Congress, read the bills

Medicaid expansion takes another hit with vote in state Senate

Michigan improperly recruited Detroit emergency manager, activist claims

Michigan rep proposes ban on late-night fireworks

Some felons could get records erased under bill heading to Michigan House

Michigan Senate budget has no Medicaid expansion

Lansing takes wrong path on no-fault auto insurance reform

The outsider: Kevyn Orr vs. everybody

Gov. Rick Snyder responds to Detroit mayor's criticism, says restructuring must be faster

Marijuana decriminalization in Michigan? Democratic House Leader just says no

Governor says Detroit schools making strides as Emergency Manager Roy Roberts changes mind on stepping down

Spending debate begins as Michigan weighs $483M in unexpected tax revenue

Monkey trouble: Michigan lawmaker brings back bill to ban primate pet ownership

Michigan to recoup 44% of jobs lost in recession by 2015, U-M economist says

Michigan politicians applaud release of state funds to reopen Buena Vista School District

Southfield State Rep. Rudy Hobbs to run for Peters' congressional seat

$483 million tax windfall brightens Michigan's budget picture