The LATEST from AK
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- Video
Many States Fail to Measure Performance of Transportation Dollars
States spent an estimated $131 billion on transportation in fiscal year 2010 but many cannot answer critical questions about what returns this investment is generating. more
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April 25, 2011
The Widening Gap
The gap between the promises states have made for public employees’ retirement benefits and the money set aside to pay for them grew to at least $1.26 trillion in fiscal year 2009—a 26 percent increase in one year—according to a Pew report.
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- Data Visualizations
- States' Fiscal Health
A Decade of Pension Reforms
The gap between the promises states have made for public employees’ retirement benefits and the money set aside to pay for them grew to at least $1.26 trillion in fiscal year 2009—a 26 percent increase in one year—according to a Pew report.
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- Opinion
- Election Initiatives
Editorial: Let Voters Opt Out of Sample Ballots Sent by U.S. Mail
Ventura County could save more than $100,000 during every major election if as few as one in five voters would agree to receive the sample-ballot information online instead of by U.S. mail.
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April 11, 2011
State of Recidivism
More than four in ten offenders nationwide return to state prison within three years of their release despite a massive increase in state spending on prisons, according to this 2011 report.
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- State Fact Sheet
- States' Fiscal Health
Measuring Transportation Investments: Alaska
A May 2011 report, Measuring Transportation Investments: The Road to Results, found considerable differences among the 50 states and the District of Columbia.
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- Data Visualizations
- Public Safety Performance Project
The Revolving Door of America's Prisons
The correctional landscape varies dramatically in scale, policy and practice from state to state. Pew's analysis of state level data uncovered interesting findings related to prisoner releases and rates of recidivism in the past decade.
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- Stateline Story
Surging Oil Prices Deliver Huge Surplus to Alaska
TODAY'S TAKE: With more than $11 billion already in its savings accounts, Alaska is projecting a new $3.4 billion surplus because of soaring oil prices. The debate now turns to what to do with all the money. 'Really, how much is enough?' Governor Sean Parnell asks, pushing lawmakers to approve tax cuts. more
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- Opinion
- Election Initiatives
Fixing the Vote
State lawmakers should speed consideration of election reforms that would permit online voter registration, fight fraud, save money and spare Ohio from lawsuits in the 2012 national elections. more
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- Stateline Story
As Unemployment Insurance Debts Mount, Interest Payments Loom
States have borrowed $42 billion from the federal government to continue paying unemployment benefits to people who can't find work. As it stands now, they'll have to begin paying interest on that tab this fall. more
