Stateline Stories

As North Carolina Weighs Fracking, Questions Loom on Wastewater

Once a well is fracked, where does the waste go? Coastal communities in North Carolina are worried they’ll become dumping grounds.

Obama Administration Poised to Approve Arkansas-style Medicaid Expansions

The Obama Administration is inviting states to apply for Arkansas-style Medicaid expansions in an effort to woo those balking at traditional Medicaid expansion.

Expanding Medicaid with Private Insurance

Arkansas and Ohio are pursuing a “private option” for expanding Medicaid.

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.

Ohio State of the State Address 2013

LIMA, Ohio -- Feb. 19 -- Following is the prepared text of Gov. John Kasich's (R) 2013 State of the State Address:

Ohio Redistricting Overhaul Gains Support

Even if Ohio approves changes to its system for drawing legislative and congressional district lines, it will be a decade before they go into effect. That is one of the major reasons the changes have a chance to pass.

Ohio Governor Backs Medicaid Expansion

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

Gas Tax Loses Favor as Governors Look for New Transportation Money

In the search for more transportation money, governors and state lawmakers are largely avoiding one of the most obvious and straightforward funding sources: state gasoline taxes.

Economic Development Agencies Face New Scrutiny

When Wisconsin partially privatized its Department of Commerce last year, the hope was to create a less bureaucratic job creation organization. Since then, though, the new entity has faced a series of setbacks.

In Massacre’s Wake, Michigan Governor Vetoes Concealed Pistol Bill

Michigan Governor Rick Snyder has vetoed a bill that would have allowed concealed weapons into schools and other places that are off limits under current state law.

Another Mass Shooting Revives Debate on Gun Laws

Another mass shooting is fueling another debate about the nation’s patchwork of gun laws. But this time some new and prominent faces are calling for the stricter gun measures.

Ohio Awaits Turnpike Study

Many Ohioans are eagerly awaiting the results of a yearlong study on the future of the Ohio Turnpike, but almost everybody, it seems, assumes that the study will call for privatization of the 241-mile-long toll road.

In Some States, Election Season Could Linger Long After Tuesday

Here’s a look at several states whose elections may remain undecided long after Tuesday night.

Supreme Court Denies Ohio Plea to Shorten Early Voting

The U.S. Supreme Court has rebuffed Ohio’s last-ditch attempt to shorten its early voting period, confirming victory for the Obama Administration which argued the move would disproportionally affect minority and low-income would-be voters — those more likely to vote Democratic.

Ohio Must Count “Right Place Wrong-Precinct” Ballots, Fed Court Says

Ohio elections officials must count provisional ballots with errors caused by elections officials, a federal appeals court ruled Thursday.

Supreme Court Considers Competency in Death Penalty Cases

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

Federal Court Reinstates Early Voting in Ohio

Ohio counties can keep polls open for early voting the three days before Election Day, a federal appeals court ruled Friday, handing Democrats another victory in their battle to undo new restrictions on voting passed by Republican-led state legislatures.

States Defend Anti-Terrorism Centers After Harsh Senate Report

Law enforcement agencies and state officials defended regional information-sharing offices known as “fusion centers” as a key part of the nation’s homeland security network. A Senate report questioned the value of the fusion centers, which they found had “not produced useful intelligence.”

Michigan Addresses Head Injuries in Youth Sports

Michigan is poised to join the growing list of states addressing head injuries in youth sports.

Feds Slam Wisconsin Public-Private Partnership for Economic Development

Transferring control of Wisconsin’s economic development efforts from a state agency to a new public-private partnership was a focus of Governor Scott Walker’s campaign and one of the first things he accomplished when he took office.

California Scales Back Pension Benefits

A law signed by California Governor Jerry Brown on Wednesday will scale back retirement benefits for public employees in an effort to rein in the costs of the state’s woefully underfunded pension systems.

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.

Farmers, Frackers and Scarce Water

Hydraulic fracturing by energy drillers may not be the heaviest consumer of water on parched land. But environmentalists and some farmers are starting to worry about it.

Best of #StateReads: California Mental Health Money Spent Elsewhere

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

Choices Often Limited in ‘School Choice’ Programs

Many top private schools have chosen not to participate in statewide voucher and scholarship tax credit programs in states such as Ohio, Louisiana and Florida.

Best of #StateReads: California Parks Director Resigns After Budget Revelations

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

States Find Laws Against Sports Head Injuries Tricky to Enact

Everyone wants to reduce the number of head injuries suffered by young athletes. But deciding just how to do that is more complicated than it might seem.

Best of #StateReads: Iowa Felons Struggle for Voting Rights

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

Several U.S. States Deemed Best Global Oil and Gas Investments

Oklahoma is the best place on earth to invest in oil and gas development, according to a survey of energy executives. Six other states joined it in the top 10.

Natural Gas Growth Adds Strain to State Regulators

To keep pace with a surge of natural gas drilling, the Ohio Department of Natural Resources is looking to triple its staff of well inspectors. In many other states, inspection teams remain small while wells go unchecked.

States Scramble to Regulate Fracking

As natural gas drilling expands throughout the country, states are trying to balance economic and environmental interests. Finding agreement isn’t easy.

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.

Ohio Governor Declines Federal Disaster Aid

TODAY'S TAKE: While the governors of Indiana and Kentucky accepted federal disaster relief after devastating tornadoes, Ohio Governor John Kasich declined, saying his state could handle the recovery on its own.

Ohio State of the State Address 2012

STEUBENVILLE, Ohio - Feb. 7 - Following is a transcript of Gov. John Kasich's (R) 2012 state of the state address: Well, thank you, Mr. President, and Mr. Speaker. Thank you members of the General Assembly, my partners in moving Ohio forward. How about that cabinet? Thanks for coming ov

Minimum Wage Set to Rise in Eight States

TODAY'S TAKE: Workers in eight states will see slightly larger paychecks beginning January 1, thanks to laws requiring minimum wages to rise with inflation.

Kasich Discovers Perks and Perils of State Plane Travel

TRANSPORTATION BEAT: Reporters and political opponents love to scrutinize how governors use state planes, but Ohio Governor John Kasich's office says his frequent use of the aircraft helps him do his job more effectively.

Drive to Reverse SB 5 in Ohio Is Labor's Last, Best Hope for 2011 Win

A law enacted by Republicans in Ohio this spring represents one of the most dramatic challenges to organized labor anywhere in the nation in 2011. But it may be repealed by voters next week.

Debate Over 'Fracking' Continues in Shale-Rich States

ENERGY & ENVIRONMENT BEAT: The future of natural gas drilling in New York state may turn on the outcome of an energy company's lawsuit against the small town of Dryden. States across the country are watching as they debate allowing a controversial drilling technique known as hydrofracking.

Report: Six States Changing the Way Health Care is Governed

HEALTH BEAT: Fiscally strapped states are using more managed care, cutting doctors' fees and limiting drugs and medical services to contain rising Medicaid costs. A few are taking a broader approach to health care spending.

Cyber Cafe Gambling Gets Close Scrutiny

SOCIAL POLICY BEAT: Are Internet cafes that offer games with prizes really fronts for illegal gambling? From Ohio to Florida, states are vowing to crack down on what they worry is unlawful gaming activity.

Salary Database Is Big Hit in Ohio

TODAY'S TAKE: A new database of state worker salaries in Ohio drew so much attention when it went live this week that it crashed the server supporting the state treasurer's office.

Ohio Republicans Backtrack on Labor Law

TODAY'S TAKE: Republican leaders in Ohio now say they will compromise on a tough new collective bargaining law that they approved earlier this year - and which labor unions are working to repeal in November. "I hate what is about to happen here," the House speaker says.

Ohio's Kasich Opts for a Health Insurance Exchange

HEALTH BEAT: Republican Governor John Kasich opposes the federal health care overhaul. But he announced last week he wants to move ahead with one of its key components, creating a health insurance exchange, rather than having the federal government do it for Ohio.

Anti-Health Law Measure Moves Toward Ballot in Ohio

HEALTH BEAT: Ohio opponents of health care law want a 2012 referendum on the individual mandate ... a California insurance regulation bill moves in the state Senate… the Obama administration considers Medicaid cuts in deficit talks, and other health care news.

Alternatives to Incarceration Prevail in Some States

PUBLIC SAFETY BEAT: Kentucky, Ohio and Oklahoma all approved bipartisan legislation to address overcrowding in their prison systems this year. But in California - the state with a crowding problem so bad it was deemed unconstitutional by the U.S. Supreme Court- Democrats and Republicans could not agree on what to do.

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.

A Three-Year College Degree in Ohio?

EDUCATION BEAT: Ohio governor wants colleges to offer three-year degrees ... Idaho ends its legislative session after approving three controversial education bills ... Oregon lawmakers want the governor to double as school superintendent and other education news from state governments.

Foreclosure Aid Program Gets Underway in Florida

SOCIAL POLICY BEAT: Florida rolls out a program to help homeowners avoid foreclosure … A GOP plan to turn food stamps into a block grant gets mixed reviews … Texas experiences a child boom, and other social policy news.

Kasich Shows No Desire for Cincinnati Streetcar

First, the Ohio governor rejected taking federal money to pay for high-speed rail. Now, John Kasich's latest target is a streetcar proposed for Cincinnati, which local officials say is key to economic growth.

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.

Ohio is Next in Collective Bargaining Crackdown

TODAY'S TAKE: The fight in the states over collective bargaining shifts this week to Ohio, where the House of Representatives could vote on a Senate-approved measure to limit negotiation powers for public employee unions.

Are 'Charter Universities' the Future of State-Funded Higher Ed?

With more budget cuts on the horizon, many flagship universities are warming to a new bargain with state government: In exchange for less state funding, they would get more say in running day-to-day operations as well as the ability to impose some tuition increases.

Focus on Privatization Seen in Ohio Budget Proposal

MANAGEMENT BEAT: Kasich looks to turnpike lease and sale of prisons for savings … Debate over workers' benefits heats up in New Jersey … A public employee union in Oregon pitches ideas for cutting the cost of government, and more management news.

Ohio State of the State Address 2011

COLUMBUS, Ohio - March 8 - Following is the prepared text of Gov. John Kasich's (R) 2011 state of the state address: Well, first of all, I don't want to screw this up, my wife Karen Kasich is in the gallery. Could you recognize her, please? I know you all wonder how I caught her. I wonder about it sometimes also.

Renewable Energy Industry Shows Surprising Clout

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

Ohio Republicans' Agenda Includes Estate Tax Repeal

TRANSITION WATCH: The new House Speaker in Ohio wants to eliminate the inheritance tax, Colorado's governor stirs controversy by appointing a union leader to a key job, and more news of the historic shift in power in the states.

In New Year, Seven States to Hike Minimum Wage

Nine to twelve cents isn't a lot, but those small, automatically triggered increases in the minimum wage will provide a modest New Year's present for workers in a minority of states that automatically increase their minimum wage levels at the start of every year.

Exemption Debate Looms Over Cuomo's Property Tax Cap

TRANSITION WATCH: New York will consider how far property taxes can rise to pay public employee benefits, Ohio struggles with a tug-of-war over appointments, and more news of the historic shift in power in the states.

Jerry Brown to Abolish California Inspector General Office

TRANSITION WATCH: California's governor-elect kills a watchdog office to save $700,000, Nevada's incoming governor considers budget plans that trouble local governments and more news of the historic shift in power in the states.

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.

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.

Democratic Governors May Join Obama Team

TODAY'S TAKE: An announcement last week by outgoing Michigan Governor Jennifer Granholm that she has a "good idea" of what her next job will be has heightened speculation that she will join the Obama administration in the new year. Other outgoing Democrats, including Ohio's Ted Strickland and Wisconsin's Jim Doyle, also may move to Washington.

Study Finds Details Lacking in Economic Development Deals

TODAY'S TAKE: Governors are placing a premium on economic development, moving aggressively to lure more private-sector jobs to their states. The public, however, often is kept in the dark about the state tax breaks, grants and other incentives that are often at the center of such deals, according to a new study.

States to Try Outsourcing Economic Development

Which works best - a government-run business promotion agency or a private one? We're about to learn some lessons.

Cuomo's Transition Team Heavy With Lobbyists

TRANSITION WATCH: Almost half the members of the New York governor-elect's transition team serve groups that lobby the state, skepticism on corrections privatization in Florida and other news of the historic shift in power in the states.

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.

Ohio Race Drew More GOP Governors' Money Than Any Other

TODAY'S TAKE: The importance of Ohio in the 2012 presidential election is a key reason why the Republican Governors Association spent more money there than in any other state this year, according to the group's executive director.

Massachusetts Speaker Reluctant to Reprise Gambling Debate

TRANSITION WATCH: Democrats in Massachusetts look to get along by turning their attention away from gambling, Florida's new governor faces a choice on high-speed rail and other news of the historic shift in power in the states.

Reform Collides With Power in Remap Process

The minority party in any state tends to complain that political map making is unfair. Until it becomes the majority.

Alaska's Governor Shakes Up Gas Pipeline Team

TRANSITION WATCH: Alaska's Sean Parnell dismisses cabinet members working on a massive infrastructure project, Ohio's incoming House Speaker calls for Medicaid cuts, and other news of the historic shift in power in the states.

High-Speed Rail Faces High-Speed Demise in Midwest

TODAY'S TAKE: Republicans who won the governorships of Ohio and Wisconsin last week are leaving no doubt that they intend to kill high-speed rail projects that have already been pledged billions in federal stimulus dollars.

Ohio, Florida Among 'Dead Heats' in Governor's Races

TODAY'S TAKE: Two of the nation's biggest and most important political battlegrounds have governor's races that could go either way.

Few Incumbent Governors Likely to Fall

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

Big Money Invades Small Legislative Districts

COLUMBUS, Ohio - With political map-making on the agenda next year all over the country, the national parties are taking an unprecedented interest in who controls the state legislative chambers where the maps will be drawn.

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?

A Mixed Track Record for Idea to Lure Jobs

TODAY'S TAKE: Republican candidates for governor in Iowa and Ohio have proposed similar strategies for attracting businesses to their respective states. Both former U.S. Rep John Kasich of Ohio and former Gov. Terry Branstad in Iowa want to replace a state agency tasked with the job with a board of business leaders that reports to the governor, but other states that have tried that tack have encountered problems.

Polls Narrow in Pennsylvania, Ohio

TODAY'S TAKE: Pennsylvania and Ohio are important political battlegrounds, but up until recently, their gubernatorial elections were seen as one-sided affairs.

Some Democrats Running for Governor Embrace Obama, Others Ignore Him

TODAY'S TAKE: President Obama this week headlined events to raise money for the gubernatorial bids of fellow Democrats Ohio Governor Ted Strickland and Milwaukee Mayor Tom Barrett. But the enthusiastic welcome he received in Ohio and Wisconsin stands in contrast to the reception he got in Texas and Georgia, where Democratic gubernatorial nominees stayed far away from the president.

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.

The United Regions of America

President Obama would like to transform the traditional strategy of states battling each other for jobs and replace it with an approach that emphasizes U.S. regions competing against other countries in the global economy.

Seven States Lead in Budget Transparency

TODAY'S TAKE: A report released Tuesday (April 13) finds that seven states - Illinois, Kentucky, Ohio, Minnesota, Missouri, Pennsylvania and Texas - lead the nation in budget transparency, providing the public with comprehensive and easily searchable information about government spending. Eighteen states flunked the scorecard created by U.S. PIRG, a Boston-based research and public-interest advocacy group.

What Medicaid Cuts Look Like

TODAY'S TAKE: The recession is forcing more Americans to turn to Medicaid, the vast state-federal health insurance program for the poor. But as states struggle to meet the rising demand, doctors and other health care providers are being paid less and patients' choices are being restricted - if they are covered at all anymore.

Summary of the Ohio State of the State Address

Ohio Governor Ted Strickland (D) vowed during his Jan. 26 state of the state address to increase the state's green energy production and to beef up job-creation programs.

Ohio State of the State Address 2010

COLUMBUS, Ohio - Jan. 26 - Following is the prepared text of Gov. Ted Strickland's (D) 2010 state of the state address: Speaker Budish, President Harris and Chief Justice Moyer. President Harris and Chief Justice Moyer will both be retiring at the end of this year. This is their last State of the State as public o

Race to the Top Could Be Expanded

TODAY'S TAKE: As states rush to meet Tuesday's (Jan. 19) initial deadline to apply for their share of $4.35 billion in federal education money - known as Race to the Top funds - President Obama is seeking to expand the program by $1.35 billion.

Weekly Wrap: New Year Brings New Laws

New state laws that take effect across the country on New Year's Day range from affecting the way residents drive to whether they can marry or profit from snapping a celebrity's photograph. (See also:US: State lawmakers, lacking money, took up bad-behavior bans in '09 and US: New 2010 laws -- Cooking to texting)

Weekly Wrap: States, Locals Have Spent a Quarter of Stimulus Funds

A new federal report shows states and localities spent a quarter of their federal stimulus dollars. A budget-cutting to release prisoners in Oregon questioned. And credit-rating agencies draw harsh criticism from states but may escape new federal regulations.

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.

Tracking the Recession: Stimulus Police Funds Catch Legislators Off Guard

The influx of more than $4 billion in stimulus funding for state and local law enforcement initiatives has raised concerns among some state lawmakers who want a say in how the money is allocated and worry about what will happen when it runs out.

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.

Ohio State of the State Address 2009

COLUMBUS, Ohio - Jan. 28 - Following is the prepared text of Gov. Ted Strickland's (D) 2009 state of the state address: I'd like to first recognize that one of Ohio's great leaders, Senate President Bill Harris, was not able to be with us today. I know that he is in all of our thoughts and prayers, and we wish him

War Veterans Benefit From New State Laws

New voter-approved laws will make it easier for veterans to make the transition from wartime service to everyday life. Some states now offer help to veterans applying for jobs, paying taxes and buying homes.

Legal Woes Have Hit Other Governors

Illinois Gov. Rod Blagojevich (D) became the latest governor to be in trouble with the law, after federal authorities arrested him and his chief of staff Tuesday (Dec. 9). But not all scandal-tainted governors have been convicted or forced to step down.

Salt Prices Put States in a Pinch

Cold-weather states across the country will need hundreds of thousands of tons of salt to keep roads and highways safe this winter. But prices are running two and three times higher than last year, forcing some states and municipalities to make do with less.

State Laws Pose Hurdles for Student Voters

College students who registered to vote in the state where they attend school have faced sometimes daunting regulations that vary from state to state. And they may confront one more hurdle - showing acceptable identification at the polls.

Report: Voting Glitches Could Disrupt Election

In two weeks, the American voting system will be stressed as never before with record voter registration and expected large turnouts. But the greatest pressure will fall on 11 battleground states whose stars are aligned for an election debacle: tight races coupled with radical changes in their voting systems.

Parties Battle for Control of Statehouses

Montana, Nevada, Ohio, Pennsylvania and Wisconsin are in the national spotlight as states that could swing either Republican or Democrat in November's presidential elections. But they are also among the top 10 battleground states where political control could turn over in at least one chamber of the state legislature, according to a new analysis.

Latest News From State Delegations

If vice presidential nominee Sarah Palin looked at the Florida delegation Wednesday night, she would've seen nothing but women. The male members of the delegation decided to give up their seats to the female delegates, alternates, staffers and guests, reports Bob Dart of The Palm Beach Press .

Ohio SOS Pledges Smoother Election

Ohio Secretary of State Jennifer Brunner, elected two years ago on a promise to fix the state's voting systems, is predicting a smoother election this fall when a record 80 percent of voters are expected to show up to cast ballots.