Stateline Stories

Primaries Set Gov Races in Wisc., N.C.

Voters Tuesday (May 8) formally picked candidates for governors' races in four states while North Carolina voters approved a ballot measure to ban same-sex marriage in the state.

West Virginia State of the State Address 2013

CHARLESTON, West Virginia Feb. 13 Following is the text of Gov. Earl Ray Tomblin's (D) 2013 State of the State Address:

Deposed West Virginia Schools Chief Fights Back

Jorea Marple wasn’t the only state school superintendent to get dismissed last year, but she’s the only one planning to take her state to court.

West Virginia State of the State Address 2011

CHARLESTON, W. Va. - Jan. 12 - Following is the prepared text of Gov. Earl Ray Tomblin's (D) 2011 state of the state address: Click here to access the governor's Web page and view or hear the address. Mr. President, Mr. Speaker, Members of the Board of Public Works, Justices of the Supreme Court of Appeals, Me

West Virginia State of the State Address 2010

HARLESTON, W.Va. - Jan. 13 -- Following is the prepared text of Gov. Joe Manchin III's (D) 2010 state of the state address: Click here to access the governor's Web page and view or hear the address. Mr. President, Mr. Speaker, Members of the Board of Public Works, Justices of the Supreme Court of Appeals, Mem

West Virginia State of the State Address 2009

CHARLESTON, W.Va. -- Feb. 11 -- Following is the prepared text of Gov. Joe Manchin III's (D) 2009 state of the state address: Mr. President, Mr. Speaker, Members of the Board of Public Works, Justices of the Supreme Court of Appeals, Members of the Legislature, Distinguished Guests and my fellow West Virginians: I a

West Virginia State of the State Address 2008

CHARLESTON, W. Va. -- Jan 9. -- The following is the prepared text of Gov. Joe Manchin's (D) 2008 state of the state address: Click here to access the governor's web page to view the address. Mr. President, Mr. Speaker, Members of the Legislature, Distinguished Guests and my fellow West Virginians : Standin

West Virginia State of the State Address 2007

CHARLESTON , W.Va. , Jan. 10 - Following is the prepared text of Gov. Joe Manchin's (D) 2007 state of the state address: Click here to access the governor's Web page and view the address. Mr. President, Mr. Speaker, Members of the Board of Public Works, Justices of the Supreme Court of Appeals, Members of the

West Virginia State of the State Address 2006

CHARLESTON, W.Va., Jan. 11 -- Following is the prepared text of Gov. Joe Manchin's (D) 2006 state of the state address: Mr. President, Mr. Speaker, Members of the Board of Public Works, Justices of the Supreme Court of Appeals, Members of the Legislature, Distinguished Guests, the members of my administration and sen

West Virginia State of the State Address 2005

CHARLESTON, West Virginia - Feb. 10 - Following is the text of Gov. Joe Manchin III's (D) 2005 state of the state address: Mr. President, Mr. Speaker, Members of the Board of Public Works, Justices of the Supreme Court of Appeals, Members of the Legislature, Distinguished Guests and My Fellow West Virginians: W

West Virginia State of the State Address 2004

CHARLESTON, West Virginia - Jan 14 - Following is the text of Gov. Robert E. Wise's 2004 state of the state address: Mr. President, Mr. Speaker, Members of the Board of Public Works, Justices of the Supreme Court of Appeals, Members of the Legislature, Senator Jay Rockefeller, Congressman Mollohan, Distinguish

West Virginia State of the State Address 2003

CHARLESTON, West Virginia - Jan. 9 - Following is the texr of Gov.Bob Wise's 2003 State of the State Address: Mr. Speaker--Before I begin, I want to take a moment to recognize a man who sat where you are sitting tonight. Former House Speaker Lew McManus committed his life and dedicated his energies to promote all t

West Virginia State of the State Address 2002

CHARLESTON, West Virginia - Jan. 9 - Following is the full text of Gov. Bob Wise's 2002 State of the State Address: Mr. President, Mr. Speaker, Members of the Board of Public Works, Justices of the Supreme Court of Appeals, Members of the Legislature, Distinguished Guests, and My Fellow West Virginians: Before I be

West Virginia State of the State Address 2001

CHARLESTON, West Virginia - Jan 14 - Following is the partial text of Gov. Bob Wise's 2001 State of the State Address: Mr. President, Mr. Speaker, Members of the Board of Public Works, Justices of the Supreme Court of Appeals, Members of the Legislature, Senator Rockefeller, Congressman Mollohan, Distinguished Gues

West Virginia State of the State Address 2000

CHARLESTON, West Virginia - Jan. 12 - Following is the text of Gov. Cecil Underwood's 2000 State of the State Address: Twelve days ago, January 1, 2000 -- the first day of the new millennium -- came and went. The lights did not go out, nor did the heat go off. Planes did not fall from the sky. Except for a pa

States in Forefront of Fight for Cheaper Drugs

West Virginia is breaking new ground in bargaining for lower drug prices for Medicaid patients, state workers and residents, an effort expected to intensify in state legislatures in 2005.

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).

West Virginia Gov-Elect Leading Low-Key Transition

By all indications, West Virginia Gov-elect Bob Wise's transition is getting off to as slow a start as his campaign did. Wise unseated Republican Gov. Cecil Underwood by a margin of less than 3 percentage points. Democrats and Republicans alike credited a last-minute campaign blitz by the venerable U.S. Sen. Robert C. Byrd, D-W.Va., for putting him over the top. Since election night, Wise has been nearly invisible, holding a very limited number of public appearances and press conferences.

Legislative Scorecard: West Virginia Set For Special Session

West Virginia legislators return to Charleston Tuesday for a special session that will consider measures to help the state's drought-stricken farmers. California lawmakers resume deliberations Monday after a brief summer recess.

Schools Embrace Fingerprint Scanning

Schools across the country are scanning students' fingerprints so that they can pay for meals or check out books at the touch of a finger. But a growing backlash from parents and civil libertarians has led some states to outlaw or limit the technology.

States Save The Date

(Updated 5:45 p.m. EDT, June 20, 2008)Don't try to renew your driver's license Friday (June 20) in West Virginia. State agencies' doors are closed for West Virginia Day. Lawmakers in 41 states have added at least 37 state holidays to the annual calendar, celebrating the likes of King Kamehameha I in Hawaii, Casimir Pulaski in Illinois and Cesar Chavez in California and Colorado.

W.Va. projects a split personality

CHARLESTON, W.Va. - The 2008 presidential election will test whether Republican George Bush's victories were a fluke in the Mountain State, where Democrats continue to dominate in state and local contests.

Coal States Fear for Future of the Industry

This is an unsettling time for states whose economies revolve around coal. But the future may not be as bleak as doomsayers predict.

West Virginia State of the State Address 2012

CHARLESTON, W. Va. - Jan. 11 - Following is the prepared text of Gov. Earl Ray Tomblin's (D) 2012 state of the state address: Mr. President, Mr. Speaker, Members of the Board of Public Works, Justices of the Supreme Court of Appeals, Members of the State Board of Education, Members of the Legislature, D

Another Appointee Could Reach the Senate

TODAY'S TAKE: West Virginia Governor Joe Manchin on Wednesday (July 7) said he is interested in running for the seat of longtime U.S. Senator Robert Byrd, who died last week at 92. Until an election can be set, however, Manchin may appoint someone else to the job, which could bring the number of U.S. senators appointed by governors - rather than elected by voters - to six.

New Governor Takes Office in West Virginia

TODAY'S TAKE: Earl Ray Tomblin, the president of the West Virginia Senate and a fixture at the Legislature for 35 years, will become the state's 35th governor today (November 15), when outgoing Democrat Joe Manchin is sworn in as a U.S. senator.

One More Governor's Race on Tap in 2011

TODAY'S TAKE: Voters in four states will choose governors in 2011, one more than is usual for an off-year. The West Virginia Supreme Court issued a ruling on Tuesday (January 18) that the state's acting chief executive, Earl Ray Tomblin, cannot serve on a temporary basis for longer than a year. The other states holding gubernatorial elections are Kentucky, Louisiana and Mississippi.

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.

Earl Ray Tomblin Has Inside Track in Race for Governor of West Virginia

West Virginia's oddly-timed gubernatorial election has brought out a host of big-name candidates for this Saturday's Democratic primary. But the low-profile incumbent seems likely to end up a winner.

Republicans Push for Upset in West Virginia

Earl Ray Tomblin, the Democratic governor of West Virginia, has spent years wheeling and dealing in state politics. Republicans are trying to use that against him.

West Virginia Tackles Retiree Health Costs

The state makes an unusual down payment on its massive health benefit debt to retired public employees.

Summary of the West Virginia State of the State Address

West Virginia Gov. Joe Manchin III (D) told the Democrat-controlled Legislature Jan.13 that the state's new budget will be "slender," but that West Virginia has weathered the Great Recession better than dozens of other states that suffered deep budget deficits.

Governors Talk Energy with Obama

TODAY'S TAKE: President Obama on Wednesday (Feb. 3) told a group of 11 governors - including those from coal-friendly states - that the United States must move aggressively toward a clean energy economy.

In Graying West Virginia, a Mountain of Retiree Health Bills

A rule change in West Virginia means that new state employees and teachers will have to pay for their own health care when they retire. But that doesn't begin to address staggering health costs for existing employees and retirees.

Penny Pinching at the Polling Place

State and local governments are hosting a big election season in a terrible budget year. As elections officials get creative about finding new ways to save even the smallest amounts of money, they're also going to great lengths to minimize the impact on voters.

Women on Death Row Are a Rarity

TODAY'S TAKE: Virginia executed a female prisoner for the first time in nearly 100 years on Thursday (September 23). Nationwide, less than 2 percent of the inmates on death row are women.

Food Tax on Chopping Block

Shoppers in four states -- Mississippi, Utah, West Virginia and Wyoming -- soon may be paying less at the supermarket checkout counter, thanks to reduced taxes on groceries.

States Scrutinize For-Profit Colleges

Rhode Island is considering whether to approve a for-profit osteopathic medical school, as Kentucky leads 22 other states in investigating the for-profit education industry.

Gubernatorial Candidates, Ohio - Wyoming

For a comprehensive list of gubernatorial candidates in Ohio through Wyoming.

New Jersey E-ZPass System A Financial Debacle

New Jerseys electronic toll collection system may save motorists time, money and fuel, but lawmakers and transportation authorities are learning that the E-ZPass system will not pay for itself.

Easter egg flap fries Wyoming artists

A White House Easter tradition leaves Wyoming out, West Virginia Gov. Joe Manchin III (D) disses New Jersey and "The Donald" provokes a fight over Old Glory in the Florida Legislature. In case you missed those stories this week, "Worth Noting" fills you in.

States Expand Fetal Homicide Laws

A wave of new state fetal homicide laws recognizing a fetus "of any gestational age" as a person and potential crime victim has abortion rights advocates worried the statutes could undermine a woman's right to end her pregnancy. Among the 37 states with laws making death of a fetus a separate crime, language giving legal status to a fetus at the earliest stages of pregnancy is proliferating.

Several AG Contests Still Tight

As their campaigns wind down to the wire candidates for attorney general in 11 states vie for attention in the flurry of higher-profile contests for president, Congress and governor. "Out There" once more rates how vulnerable the parties in control are.

States Use Red Tape To Shrink Food Stamp Program

To determine how much in food stamps a family can receive, some states want to know what a child earns from a paper route or part-time job. A handful go so far as to demand information on the sale of personal items, including blood, from food stamp applicants. By using unnecessarily long applications and intrusive questions, states are preventing needy families from obtaining food assistance, a study released Monday by the national anti-hunger organization, America's Second Harvest, found.

Minnesota, West Virginia, Washington Adjourn; Alaska In Special Session

While Minnesota's governor and lawmakers celebrate the end of a legislative session that gave citizens the largest tax cut in state history, Alaska Gov. Tony Knowles has ordered his legislature to continue work in a special session until they forge a long-term budget plan. West Virginia and Washington lawmakers wrapped up special sessions this week by passing compromise bills on nagging issues, bringing to 27 the number of legislatures which have completed work for the year. For more information, click on

Mega-Donors Get Mixed Election Results

The power of personal fortunes to sway political outcomes was put to the test in state races across the country last year. With help from billionaire activist Jon Stryker, an heir to a medical products fortune, Democrats captured control of the Michigan state House for the first time in 12 years. But other super-rich donors got less bang for their buck.

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.

Deval Patrick Asks His Cabinet for Resignation Letters

TRANSITION WATCH: The request of Massachusetts' governor that cabinet members reapply for their jobs, West Virginia's shy new chief executive, and other news of the historic shift in power in the states.

States Continue Rx Onslaught

Vermont is poised to enact a landmark prescription drug law within the next few weeks, a move that adds fuel to state battles against rising prescription drug costs. Lawmakers borrowed parts of at least five different programsincluding Maine, Florida, Michigan, West Virginia and Illinois to come up with a plan that is sweeping and controversial.

State Lawmakers Bag Online Hunting

Lawmakers in 11 states jumped on the bandwagon to outlaw online hunting this year, and California may soon do the same. Why all the fuss? It's over a single website that briefly offered Internet users a chance this spring to shoot live animals on a Texas ranch and that netted a single customer.

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.

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.

WORTH NOTING: Lawmaker Loses to a Cockroach

A Kansas lawmaker settles a lawsuit for accosting a cockroach-costumed protester. An Oklahoma official tries to stop Christmas gifts for juveniles in state custody. And the South Dakota Legislature schedules a more work-friendly session. In case you missed any of those stories this week, "Worth Noting" fills you in.

States Scramble for Gambling Jackpot

States are aggressively tapping into one of the easiest ways to bring cash to their coffers: Let gamblers lose on slots, poker and roulette - and carve out a big take for state treasuries. Kansas is taking that approach one step further with a plan to own and operate its commercial casinos.

WORTH NOTING: Ex-State Senator Leaves Phone Greeting - From Jail

A former Maryland senator won't be answering his phone for a few years. A Michigan ballot reform group needs a better proofreader. And South Carolina's new license plates won't be heading off into the sunset. In case you missed those stories this week, "Worth Noting" fills you in.

Rx Cost-Cutting Puts Governors at Odds with Federal Government

Several governors are sparring with the federal government over their cutting-edge tactics to lower prescription drug costs. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration has branded efforts by Minnesota and other northern tier states to help their residents buy less expensive medicines from Canada illegal and unsafe. And in a separate case, Michigan Gov. Jennifer Granholm (D) is complaining about a bureaucratic delay of federal approval of a multi-state prescription drug purchasing pool.

Seven States Woo Clean-Coal Power Plant

Seven states are competing with dollars and regulatory breaks to be the host for a $1 billion federal and private energy initiative being billed as the world's cleanest coal-burning power plant. The project is expected to provide 1,300 construction jobs and 150 facility positions and to generate 275 megawatts of electricity through a process that would eliminate nearly all air pollutants.

WORTH NOTING: Epic battle rages in Mass. House

A Massachusetts proposal to name "Moby Dick" the state's official book nearly sinks. West Virginia Gov. Joe Manchin (D) says a football movie plays fast and loose with facts. And New Jersey Gov. Jon Corzine (D) gets an unexpected phone call. In case you missed those stories this week, "Worth Noting" fills you in.

Ill. treasurer tosses stinky furniture

The new Illinois treasurer gets fed up with furniture that reeks of cigarettes and dogs. New York Gov. Eliot Spitzer (D) gets sassy with a pesky reporter. And West Virginia Gov. Joe Manchin III (D) could get a football honor no one's had since World War I. In case you missed those stories this week, "Worth Noting" fills you in.

AAA Criticizes Higher Fees for Out-of-State E-ZPass Drivers

The national drivers’ group wants tolling agencies to treat E-ZPass users the same, regardless of where they bought their transponders.

Lawmakers Chew on Weighty Issues: ‘Whose shad fry is the best?’

Photo Slideshow: Lawmakers call time out to weigh delicious legislation.

Georgia's Nathan Deal Hands Off Personal Finances

TRANSITION WATCH: Georgia's incoming governor creates a blind trust, Ohio's new governor tries to keep Race to the Top money and other news of the historic shift in power in the states.

Battle Against Stalking Escalates

Concerns over in-person and online stalking have led lawmakers to create new orders of protection. But enforcement is often up to the victims and most don’t pursue it.

Workers' Comp: A Brewing Crisis for States?

Double-digit hikes in what employers pay for workers compensation have state lawmakers scrambling to figure out ways to cut costs. The governors of Florida, Washington and West Virginia all called special sessions this year to look at the system that pays for medical care and provides cash benefits for workers injured on the job. Florida and West Virginia approved significant changes while Washingtons were more limited.

States Struggle to Slow Prescription Drug Abuse

While more than half of the states have set up systems to monitor the public's use of drug prescriptions, regulators continue to see a record amount of abuse.

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.

Elections Will Bring Five Freshmen Governors

A Navy reserve officer who shipped out to Afghanistan weeks after the Sept. 11 attacks and a millionaire businessman whose family invented the clamshell container for McDonalds Big Mac are among the newcomers competing to join the nations corps of governors on Election Day. At least five freshmen governors will be elected this November in 11 gubernatorial races across the country.

States See Fourth Quarter Tax Revenue Slowdown

States had a prosperous year overall in 2000 with record surpluses and tax revenue growth. But there were signs of weakening economies in many states as the year drew to a close, and a new report suggests a major slowdown in tax collections could just be the tip of the iceberg.

Drought Worsens, States Take Emergency Measures

The governors of New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Maryland and Delaware have ordered water rationing and other mesaures to deal with the drought. U.S. Agriculture Secretary Dan Glickman this week designated West Virginia and other parts of the eastern seaboard disaster areas due to excessive heat and lack of rain, making farmers in those areas eligible to apply for emergency loans when drought-related losses are calculated at season's end. For more information, click on

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.

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.

New Governors Spell Change - Road Sign by Road Sign

The transition to a new governor is about more than handing over the reins of power or even the keys to the executive mansion. Sometimes its about pesky issues, such as what to do with 4,000 boxes of salt-water taffy that carry the name of New Jersey Gov. James McGreevey, who left office unexpectedly this year. Nine states face such delicate dilemmas as they adjust to new governors taking office.

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

Oh Say, Is That Banner Made in the U.S.A.?

Lawmakers in 10 states have taken steps to require that American flags bought with state funds be manufactured in this country. While not all the legislation has passed, one state's new law even bans the sale of foreign-made American flags in that state.

States Mull Borrowing to Bolster Pension Plans

A handful of cash-strapped states plan to borrow to put money into their state employee pension systems, an idea that analysts say is a gamble that might not pay off. New Jersey first tried the approach in 1997, but California, Illinois, Kansas, Wisconsin and West Virginia might be next.

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.

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.

Governors' Inaugurations Take on Frugal Airs

President George W. Bush's inauguration took center stage in the nation's political arena, drawing most of the 28 Republican governors to Washington, D.C. But 11 recently elected governors threw inaugural parties of their own this month, each bringing his or her own style to the occasion, from collecting aid for tsunami survivors to a gala that garnered a visit from Elvis.

D.C. Hacking Raises Questions About Future of Online Voting

Security remains an obstacle to voting over the Internet. But more states may be tempted to experiment in order to comply with a new law concerning the rights of military and overseas voters.

Three States Buck Tide by Eyeing Tax Hikes

At a time when governors and legislators across the nation are swimming in surplus revenue and striving to outdo each other in fashioning politically attractive tax cuts, Alaska, West Virginia and Maryland are going against the tide by considering significant tax hikes. In the most noteworthy case, Alaska Governor Tony Knowles, a Democrat, is mulling over a plan to enact both a personal income tax and a statewide sales tax to address the state's projected $900 million Fiscal Year 2000 budget shortfall.

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.

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.

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.

Nasty Judicial Races Renew Complaints

Another bruising campaign season in judicial elections has spurred calls for reform from advocacy groups, lawyers and others in the legal community, but fierce debate persists over how exactly state judges should be chosen.

Infographic: Southern Strength

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

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.

Govs' e-mail purges raise hackles

E-mail has become the communications tool of choice in the past decade, but imbroglios involving the governors of Missouri and Texas show that the rules of paperless messaging are still evolving and can create problems for state government.

With Crisis as Catalyst, Govs Push Big Changes

Governors are using the economic crisis to sell big changes in how state and local jurisdictions operate, promising overhauls that could alter the face of government around the country. Their proposals range from sharing state helicopters between Minnesota and Wisconsin to shrinking Pennsylvania's system of 500 school districts to just 100.