Stateline Stories

After Expanding Coverage, Health Care Pioneer Seeks to Tame Costs

The Affordable Care Act will extend health care coverage to almost everybody. Now states are moving on to the next frontier in health care reform: containing costs. Once again, Massachusetts is taking the lead by putting its health care industry on an annual budget and requiring all insurers and medical providers to make detailed price lists available to the public.

Tanning-Bed Bills Burn With Controversy

Republican governors take different sides on teen tanning.

Northeastern States To Drastically Cut Emissions Cap

Nine Northeastern states will drastically cut the region’s carbon cap under proposed changes to the region’s cap-and- trade program, they announced Thursday.

Maine State of the State Address 2013

AUGUSTA, Maine Feb 5 Following is the prepared text for Gov. Paul LePage's 2013 State of the State Address

America’s Capital of Divided Government

As most states turn redder or bluer, Maine goes bright purple.

College Enrollment Expected to Slip

Maine has struggled to maintain enrollment for years. It could soon have company.

Maine Tax Cuts May Outlive Republican Rule

Democrats won legislative victories campaigning against tax cuts, but may not have the power or inclination to repeal them.

Best of #StateReads: Why New Jersey’s Trains Flooded but New York’s Stayed Dry

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

States Challenge ‘Secret’ Campaign Money

With the rise in undisclosed political spending by non-profit groups, officials in several states are trying to figure where the money is coming from.

Unions Make Strong Showing at the Polls

Labor won big contests in Indiana, California and New Hampshire, while results were mixed in Michigan.

As Funds Dwindle, Governors Ask for Heating Help

Rising heating costs coupled with increased austerity in Congress could leave many low-income Americans out in the cold this winter, 13 state governors warned this week.

Democrats Seeking Comeback in State Legislatures

Republicans won landslide victories in legislative chambers two years ago. Democrats hope to reverse some of the results in November. In many states, though, it won’t be easy.

As States Debate Medicaid Expansion, Maine Governor Looks to Cut Rolls

Maine Governor Paul LePage appears poised for a head-on collision with the Obama Administration over the issue of Medicaid eligibility. In the wake of the U.S. Supreme Court’s health care ruling last month — the federal government cannot take away existing Medicaid funds to penalize states that refuse to expan

States Loosen Up on Fireworks Laws

In amateur hands, fireworks are as dangerous as ever. But states have a hard time passing up the revenue they bring in.

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.

Public School Alternatives Gather Steam in States

Louisiana gave advocates of charter schools, vouchers and other publicly funded education alternatives everything they could have asked for, but opposition remained fierce elsewhere.

Governor Battles Unions in Maine

Governor Paul LePage recently called Maine’s state workers “about as corrupt as you can be.” They’re not pleased with him, either.

Infographic: A Turning Point for Gay Marriage?

Gay marriage supporters have won big victories in state courts and state capitals in recent years. Now, they’re hoping to extend that success to the ballot box.

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.

Maine Governor LePage Backs Nation's Toughest Medicaid Cuts

AUGUSTA, Maine - The Medicaid program in Maine is short of money, and conservative Governor Paul LePage has a blunt proposal for solving the problem - drop people from the rolls.

Maine State of the State Address 2012

AUGUSTA, Maine - Jan. 24 - Following is the prepared text of Gov. Paul LePage's (R) 2012 state of the state and budget address: President Raye, Speaker Nutting, Chief Justice Saufley, members of the 125th Legislature, distinguished guests, and my fellow citizens. I am here t

Proposed Medicaid Cuts Draw Big Protests in Maine

TODAY'S TAKE: Hundreds of protesters packed the State House in Augusta, Maine, to voice their disapproval of a plan by Governor Paul LePage to eliminate Medicaid coverage for 65,000 residents. LePage says the program has grown so much that it has "cannibalized" money meant for other state priorities.

Motorists Face an 'Avalanche' of Higher Tolls

Toll rates are climbing on highways, bridges and tunnels across the country, but it is not just because of the economy. Many big toll hikes are helping to pay for new construction.

As Michigan Passes Pension Tax, Maine Considers Repealing One

Does a pension tax harm a state's economy? It depends on which governor you ask.

Maine Redistricting Could Sway Presidential Race

TODAY'S TAKE: When Maine redraws the line between its two congressional districts this fall, it might help determine whether President Obama is reelected.

Conservative Budget Becomes Law in All-GOP Maine

TODAY'S TAKE: Maine Governor Paul LePage signed a budget on Monday (June 20) that includes tax cuts, the phasing out of a statewide health care plan and spending cuts in pensions and welfare.

Maine Moves to Loosen Teen Labor Laws

TODAY'S TAKE: The Maine House of Representatives voted largely along party lines to loosen the state's laws governing how much teens can work, which are currently the strictest in New England.

LePage Sparks a Child Labor Debate in Maine

Governor Paul LePage thinks letting young people ages 16 and over work longer hours is a good idea. Critics accuse him of seeking to undo labor regulations that have been widely accepted for decades.

When a Pension Overhaul Comes Without Social Security

Every state has at least some public employees who are not allowed to receive Social Security benefits. As states ask workers to contribute more toward their pensions, making workers eligible for Social Security would come with pros and cons.

Connecticut Governor Seeks to Avoid Public Employee Layoffs

MANAGEMENT BEAT: The struggle over public employee concessions in Connecticut ... the prospect of salary cuts in Pennsylvania ... arguments about a pro-worker mural in Maine, and other government management news.

Missouri is Toughest on Crack Cocaine

PUBLIC SAFETY BEAT: Missouri punishes crack dealers more severely than those who sell the powder version of the same drug… Police are stretched thin in one of the nation's most dangerous cities… The Colorado probation agency comes under scrutiny, and other public safety news.

Labor Union Discord Reaches New England

TODAY'S TAKE: Maine's Republican Governor Paul LePage wants public employees to work longer and pay more for their retirement benefits, igniting protests in Augusta resembling those recently seen in the Midwest.

Governors Target Rules at Businesses' Behest

Newly elected Republicans - and some Democrats - have made rethinking regulations a top priority. That has environmentalists and consumer advocates nervous.

Maine State of the State Address 2011

AUGUSTA, Maine - Feb. 10 - Following is the prepared text of Gov. Paul LePage's (R) 2011 state of the state and budget address: President Raye, Speaker Nutting, members of the 125th Legislature, and citizens of Maine, thank you for the invitation to discuss our budget submission for the 2012 / 2013 Biennium. It ta

LePage's Regulatory Reversals Stir Debate

ENERGY AND ENVIRONMENT BEAT: Maine's governor seeks to relax environmental rules ... New Mexico's Supreme Court rebuffs that state's governor in a climate dispute ... New Jersey approves power plant subsidies, and other energy and environment news.

Two New Governors Cause Early Political Stirs

TODAY'S TAKE: New governors in Alabama and Maine have found themselves at the center of controversy days after taking office as a result of widely publicized comments that offended minority groups.

Christian Health Co-Ops Cater to 'Obamacare' Opponents

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

LePage Struggles to Fill Maine Cabinet Due to Salary Concerns

TRANSITION WATCH: Maine's governor-elect says top choices for key roles have turned him down, Alaska Governor Sean Parnell promises a fight with the feds over Medicaid funding, and more news of the historic shift in power in the states.

Maine Republican Legislators Contemplate End to Labor Committee

TRANSITION WATCH: Maine Republicans seek to fold historic panel, Connecticut's pension gap gets bigger, and more news of the historic shift in power in the states.

GOP Takes the Reins in Maine

TODAY'S TAKE: Maine is one of two states - along with Wisconsin - that flipped from all-Democratic to all-Republican rule on Election Day. On Wednesday (December 1), the state's new GOP-dominant Legislature begins work.

Pat Quinn Rehires His Old Chief of Staff as an Adviser

TRANSITION WATCH: Jerry Stermer returns three months after he resigned in Illinois, charges of nepotism in South Dakota and other news of the historic shift in power in the states.

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

Maine Republicans Say They Will End 'Dirigo' Health Care Experiment

Governor-elect Paul LePage campaigned on doing away with Maine's first-in-the-nation attempt at creating universal health coverage. With Republicans in charge of the state Legislature, too, there's a good chance he'll get his way.

Despite Debt Fears, Voters OK Most State Bond Measures

Where borrowing was on the ballot Tuesday, voters usually said yes. Meanwhile, Colorado affirmed its ability to issue debt.

Tea Party Could Sway Key Governors' Races

In the Republican gubernatorial primaries, Tea Party supporters played an outsized role in defeating establishment candidates. Can they pull off an upset twice?

Maine Law Set Foreclosure Crisis in Motion

The court case that has exposed a national foreclosure problem came out of a state with one of the toughest foreclosure-control laws.

Maine, R.I. Diverge on Income Taxes

TODAY'S TAKE: New Englanders have been talking taxes this week, and coming to different conclusions. In Rhode Island, Governor Don Carcieri on Wednesday (June 9) signed into law an overhaul that reduces income taxes for most residents, but changes deductions and tax breaks to keep revenues stable. Contrast that with Maine, where a legislatively approved plan that also would have reduced income taxes fell flat at the polls on Tuesday (June 8).

Five More Governor's Races Set for Fall

TODAY'S TAKE: Voters in five states chose their major-party candidates for governor on Tuesday (June 8), while the Republican contenders in a sixth - South Carolina - are headed for a runoff. Among the prominent headlines: Nevada's Jim Gibbons became the first sitting governor in state history to be rejected in a primary, and former Iowa governor Terry Branstad is one step closer to a return.

Tuesday's Primaries: What to Watch

TODAY'S TAKE: In the busiest primary election day of the year, voters in 10 states will go to the polls Tuesday (June 8) to decide a wide range of questions from whether Maine will reform its tax code to which Republican will face off against Jerry Brown in the California governor's race. Stateline outlines key themes to watch in the state-level contests.

A Tax Reform Test in Maine

In Tuesday's primary election, Maine voters will decide the fate of the state's most comprehensive tax reform plan since 1969. Other states will be watching as Maine attempts to expand its sales tax base to pay for lowering income taxes.

Still Too Many Schools?

As states become determined to keep more school money inside the classroom, rather than in an administrative office, they are beginning to turn to the thorny issue of consolidation as a way to save on administrative costs. But consolidation of anything related to schools is notoriously difficult, and doesn't always turn out to provide the fiscal windfall states hope for. Implementation is fraught with complexities. Communities worry about the possibility of local schools closing even when it's promised that proposed changes would be largely administrative.

Do You Want a Tax With That?

The funeral home director in Pennsylvania and hair dresser in Michigan may soon have something in common with the yoga instructor in Missouri and limo driver in New York. Their customers may have to pay a state sales tax. With tax revenues at a historic low and federal stimulus dollars drying up, states are eying adding a sales tax to some of the 180 services that states could be taxing but most don't, ranging from pet grooming and dating services to dental and legal services. The change would be a fundamental shift in states' tax systems, but the proposals are running into stiff opposition from the business community.

Anthem Rate Hikes Felt Beyond California

TODAY'S TAKE: Sharp rate hikes by health insurer Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield are causing ripples in many states amid a well-publicized plan by the company to increase premiums by as much as 39 percent in California. The firm insures hundreds of thousands of people across the country with individual plans that could see double-digit increases in their monthly premiums.

Summary of the Maine State of the State Address

In his last state of the state address, Gov. John Baldacci (D) called on the Democratic-led Legislature to help him close a $438 million budget gap by consolidating natural resource agencies, streamlining government administration, eliminating redundancies between state and local government and cutting social services.

Maine State of the State Address 2010

AUGUSTA, Maine - Jan. 21 - Following is the prepared text of Gov. John Baldacci's (D) 2010 state of the state address: Madam President, Madam Speaker, Madam Chief Justice, members of the Legislature, members of the Cabinet, distinguished guests and my fellow citizens: I cannot remember a time that has presente

Will States Budget for a Second Stimulus?

TODAY'S TAKE: Maine Gov. John Baldacci (D) this week will submit a budget proposal that assumes Congress will pass additional stimulus measures, according to Maine's Capitol News Service.

'Maine Miracle' Faces Challenge

TODAY'S TAKE: Even as other hard-hit states hiked personal income taxes this year to generate revenue, Maine drew national attention for doing the opposite. But the 'Maine Miracle' may face a challenge at the polls next year.

GOP Wins Build Momentum for 2010

TODAY'S TAKE: Republicans regained the governorships of New Jersey and Virginia on Election Day (Nov. 3). Tax caps failed in Maine and Washington and Ohio voters approved casino gambling. Stateline.org this morning rounded up these results and more for yesterday's elections and for a variety of ballot measures decided by voters.

States Draw Down Rainy Day Funds

Faced with historic revenue drops, lawmakers in states across the country tapped rainy day funds in fiscal years 2009 and 2010 at levels not seen since the recession following the 2001 terrorist attacks. And more seem poised to join them.

Tracking the Recession: Buyouts Lure 9,000 State Workers Into Retirement

As layoffs and furloughs undermine the job security traditionally associated with state employment, at least six states are offering buyouts to tighten their belts without fracturing morale. But some worry this payroll-reduction technique may not save as much money as anticipated.

Maine State of the State Address 2009

AUGUSTA, Maine - March 10 - Following is the prepared text of Gov. John Baldacci's (D) 2009 state of the state address: Madam President, Madam Speaker, Madam Chief Justice, members of the Legislature, members of the Cabinet, distinguished guests and my fellow citizens: Thank you for joining me tonight as we co

Delegates Speak: Issues Facing the States

Aug. 27, 2008, 4:00 p.m. EDT Q. What serious issue in your state would you like the next president to address? Wisconsin on jobsKeeping jobs in America. It is so important. We are losing jobs in Wisconsin. We have a GM plant (in Janesville) that is going to close down. And those are thousands of jobs. We also have a paper factory who has left us. We have another one that planning on closing. We also have small cheese factories that have closed. We don't have jobs for these people to go to. You can retrain them on jobs … skills and things. But where do they go for jobs? The jobs are not there. They are going to either overseas, or just gone... That is the biggest concern. Because if you don't have a job, you have nothing. You can't go the store and buy the bread and milk that we need to survive, or the food. And you can't, of course, afford mortgages. ... You can't even rent if you don't have a job. ... You have to have a job to survive in life. -Wisconsin delegate Mary Goulding of Greenbay, 57, secretary with the public school district interviewed by Barbara Rosewicz, Stateline.org Maine on energy Energy costs are a strong issue for me because obviously we have cold winters and not a lot of people. There's the whole discussion about being on the energy grid and how we can leverage that and get our money's worth, but the good side is that we are uniquely positioned for wind energy and tidal energy, and I really believe Barack Obama is committed to renewable energy and not just drilling and trying to find more oil in our oceans.-Maine delegate Jennifer DeChant, 35, of Bath interviewed by Pamela M. Prah, Stateline.org New Mexico on health careI have four children and six grandsons.Seniors need help. If they don't get it, they are burdens to their families. In New Mexico, jobs aren't good enough for employers to pay employees adequate health insurance. -New Mexico delegate Mary Gail Gwaltney of Las Cruces, 73, retired interviewed by Stephen C. Fehr, Stateline.org AFTER THE JUMP: Audio and photos from the interviews Comments

States Act to Stem Foreclosure Scams

The rise of home foreclosures has spawned an increase in scams that prey on people's desperation to save their homes. At least 18 states have enacted laws to target such schemes.

Maine Gets 2 More Days For Real ID

(Updated 10:30 a.m. EDT, Tuesday, April 1)Maine gets two more days to reach an agreement with federal officials on rules to make driver's licenses more secure and avoid extensive security screenings for its residents at airports and federal buildings beginning May 11.

States Get Help Expanding Telemedicine

For more than a decade, states have urged health care providers to use telemedicine to boost the quality of medical care in rural communities. Maine and other states just got federal grants to build the health information highway to make that possible.

States Lead Push for Paid Sick Days

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

Report: States Seeking Prison Solutions

State governments, facing leaner budgets this year as the national economy struggles, are exploring strategies to contain surging prison populations without building costly new correctional facilities, according to a report released Wednesday (Jan. 23).

Maine State of the State Address 2008

AUGUSTA, Maine -- Jan. 9 -- The Following is the prepared text of Gov. John Baldacci's (D) 2008 state of the state address: Madam President, Mr. Speaker, Madam Chief Justice, members of the Legislature, members of the Cabinet, distinguished guests and my fellow citizens: We come together tonight as Maine stands on

New Year ushers in new laws

At least 31 states will enforce new laws that take effect New Year's Day. So as you ring in the New Year, expect some facet of life to change, ranging from where you can smoke in Illinois to how much it costs to enter a strip club in Texas.

Tobacco case could limit state powers

Forty state laws regulating Internet sales of tobacco products - and many more governing the sale and shipment of dangerous products from explosives to wild animals - are at stake in a challenge to a Maine law that the U.S. Supreme Court heard Wednesday (Nov. 28).

Maine and South Carolina Try Different Tacks with Big-Box Stores

For years, local governments have either tried to lure big box stores for jobs and cheap goods -- or discouraged them to preserve local businesses and small-town character. Maine and South Carolina have just weighed in on the issue, taking widely divergent approaches.

Sex Ed Landscape Shifting in States

While most states still stress abstinence in sex education, lately there has been a movement toward a comprehensive approach that also teaches about contraception.

States Go After Smoking in Vehicles With Kids

More than a dozen states are considering following Arkansas, Louisiana and the city of Bangor, Maine, in outlawing smoking in vehicles if children are present. Opponents call it an invasion of privacy, and even anti-smoking groups aren't climbing on the bandwagon.

Legislators Barring Electronic Distractions

Since 1997, when North Dakota state senators pioneered a ban on the use of electronic devices when their august body was open for business, the parliamentary rules of more and more legislatures require cell phones, computers and other high-tech distractions to be turned off or left at the door. Maine's House of Representatives is the latest to join the legislative rebellion against the myriad intrusions of the Digital Age.

Maine State of the State Address 2007

AUGUSTA, Maine, Jan. 5 - Following is the prepared text of Gov. John Baldacci (D) 2007 state of the state address and budget message: Hello. I am Governor John Baldacci. Thank you for joining me tonight. Thank you to the tv and radio stations for carrying this live. Today I delivered to the Legislature my proposed

Violence in Sudan Pushes States to Act

Sudan's bloody crackdown on African tribesmen in the Darfur region has inspired six states to enact laws they hope will stem the attacks by cutting off financial backing for the Sudanese government. And lawmakers in at least 15 more states plan to propose similar bills when their legislatures convene in January.

Democrats Have Edge in Statehouse Races

NASHVILLE, Tenn. - Democrats are likely to make gains in state legislative races this year, but it's a toss-up whether the seats they win will be enough to overtake control of a handful of narrowly divided statehouses, a panel of election experts said at the National Conference of State Legislatures annual conference here.

Results of June 13 Primary

Maine Gov. John E. Baldacci (D) and South Carolina Gov. Mark Sanford (R) easily won their nominations in the June 13 primary. Sanford will face state Sen. Thomas I. Moore (D) this November while in Maine, state Sen. Chandler Woodcock is leading the GOP field in the race to square off against Baldacci. North Dakota voters approved two constitutional measures, including one that removes language limiting membership to the state's National Guard to men aged 18 to 45. Here is a sampling of local news coverage of the results in races for state offices in the June 13 primaries. Check out Stateline.org's Election issue page for a state-by-state round: AR: Halter wins nomination for No. 2 spotME: Woodcock eyes GOP victory in primaryND: Constitutional changes approvedSC: Sanford will face Moore in November

States Suing Feds Over Seniors' Rx Costs

Fifteen states want the U.S. Supreme Court to block the federal government's plan to bill them for a portion of costs for the new Medicare prescription drug benefit passed by Congress. The states call the law "an unprecedented intrusion into each state's sovereignty."

Bright Ideas Compete for Cash

Six state programs, ranging from Maine's comprehensive health care reform to Wisconsin's environmental program for businesses, are competing for $100,000 grants in one of the nation's premiere good government competitions.

States chart their own foreign policy

From boycotting companies that trade with Sudan to buying oil from Venezuela, the nation's state lawmakers are becoming more assertive on the international stage. While a boon to economies from California to Maine, statehouse diplomacy could undermine federal power abroad and expose states to international lawsuits, foreign policy experts warn.

Maine State of the State Address 2006

Madam President, Mr. Speaker, Madam Chief Justice, members of the Legislature and distinguished guests. Good evening my fellow citizens. Tonight, I am proud to report that the state of this State is strong, secure and healthy. More people are working than ever before. More of our children are going to c

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.

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.

Maine Closing Technology Gap for Students

The former governor of Maine who created the nation's only statewide program to give laptop computers to public school students is continuing his personal crusade to close Maine's digital divide by offering free home Internet access to low-income students.

Maine State of the State Address 2005

AUGUSTA, Maine - Jan. 25 - Following is the text of Gov. John Baldacci's 2005 state of the state address: Madam president, Mr. speaker, madam chief justice, members of the legislature, distinguished guests, my fellow citizens, I would also like to recognize the first lady of Maine, Karen Baldacci, an

Despite Federal Chill, States Keen to Trade with Cuba

In Havana, Cuba, this week, state officials from Louisiana, Maine, Alabama are helping U.S. companies negotiate cash-only contracts for sales of agricultural and health-related goods under the narrow confines of U.S. restrictions. The state effort is in sharp contrast with the federal effort to isolate the communist island nation.

Rising Property Taxes Reverberate Politically

Homeowners appear poised to revolt over rising property taxes in a way not seen since the late 1970s. At least six states acted earlier this year to ease the tax burden of homeowners while voters in Indiana, Maine and Washington go the polls this November to consider measures to curb skyrocketing increases in their property tax bills.

Governors

What would a Kerry administration mean for states? Heres a sampling of responses collected by Stateline.org from governors attending the Democratic National Convention in Boston.

Ten states Identified as Legislative Battlegrounds

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

Ten States Lose Federal Education Money for Poor Children

Federal money to educate poor children is increasing, but 10 states and more than half of the nation's school districts will see a drop in their share of the dollars in the next school year, according to a report released June 15. Overall, nearly 56 percent of school districts will get less federal money, despite a $647 million increase in the Title I program that allocates money for low-income students.

Maine Laptop Program Bugged by Budget Concerns

Maine's cutting-edge program to provide laptop computers to public middle school students has exceeded the expectations of proponents, converted many critics and sparked a nationwide trend toward personal computing in the classroom. But the states high-tech triumphs havent convinced the Legislature to expand the program to high school as originally planned.

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.

Maine State of the State Address 2004

AUGUSTA, Maine - Jan. 20 - Following is the text of Gov. John Baldacci's 2004 state of the state address: Madam President, Mr. Speaker, Madam Chief Justice, members of the Legislature, distinguished guests, my fellow Maine citizens: Twelve months ago, I had the privilege of taking the oath of office. It's been

Republicans Elect Governors in Kentucky, Mississippi

Republican candidates won the governors races in Kentucky and Mississippi Tuesday, continuing a decades-long trend toward Republican domination of the South.

States Set Ballot Fights: Maine to Vote on Casino

Maine's Nov. 4 referendum on building a casino will influence the future of the Pine Tree States struggling economy, said pro- and anti-gambling groups. Ballot questions in other states will decide issues ranging from starting a video lottery program in Colorado to allowing childrens videotaped testimony in criminal proceedings in Pennsylvania.

On the Record: Baldacci Talks Universal Health Care

Maine, a trailblazer in controlling prescription drug costs, is now poised to provide universal health care for its residents. Leading the charge is Democrat freshman Gov. John Baldacci. At the National Governors' Association meeting in Indianapolis last week, Gov. Baldacci sat down with Stateline.org and talked about his health care initiative.

Northeastern States Seek Terrorist-Intelligence Sharing

Homeland security officials in 10 northeastern states want to establish intelligence-sharing centers that would better disseminate terrorist-related information between federal law enforcement and local police officers. Mark Cohen, who heads the New York State Office of Public Security, said the ability to share intelligence in real time is the most critical component for homeland security in the states.

Maine Laptop Program Shows Strong Results

Just over three years ago, when then-Gov. Angus S. King, Jr., proposed an unprecedented program to provide laptop computers to every seventh and eighth grade student in Maines public schools, supporters and critics wasted no time debating whether the plan would work. Now, with 17,000 seventh graders about to complete their first full school year using the laptops, both sides agree that the program does, indeed, work. But the debate about funding continues.

Supreme Court Gives Maine Rx Green Light

In a decision closely watched by dozens of states, the U.S. Supreme Court Monday cleared the way for Maine to implement Maine Rx, a trail-blazing program that enables the state to offer discounted prescription drugs to the working poor and elderly people.