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The LATEST from AZ
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- Stateline Story
Arizona Conservatives Flex Their Muscle
TODAY'S TAKE: The Arizona House of Representatives has advanced legislation that would require future presidential candidates to produce a birth certificate before their names can appear on a statewide ballot. The so-called "birther bill" is a reaction to unproven accusations that President Obama is not a U.S. citizen, and is the latest display of conservative power in Arizona following the departure of Democratic former governor Janet Napolitano.more -
- Report
- Election Initiatives
Online Voter Registration
This March 2010 report provided a comprehensive examination of the implementation, operation, public confidence and usage of online voter registration in Arizona and Washington.
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April 1, 2010
Prison Count 2010
For the first time in nearly 40 years, the number of state prisoners in the United States has declined, according to Prison Count 2010, a survey by the Pew Center on the States. more
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- Stateline Story
Jan Brewer's Surprising Tax Fight
PHOENIX - A career-long supporter of low-tax government, Arizona Governor Jan Brewer surprised fellow Republicans last year when, six weeks after assuming office, she called for a tax increase. It took her nearly a year to convince lawmakers to ask voters for approval of a three-year sales tax hike, and the public will finally get to weigh in on May 18. But by championing higher taxes to help plug Arizona's massive budget gap, Brewer risks losing her reputation as a fiscal conservative and perhaps the governorship along with it.more -
- Stateline Story
Register Your Car, Save a State Park
State lawmakers around the country are debating raising vehicle registration fees to save state parks, which have come under threat from budget cuts. The idea has been spreading for the past couple of years, particularly in Western states. Arizona, California, Washington, Idaho and Michigan have either recently increased fees or are considering it this year. Their proposals have picked up support from both parties, despite widespread objections to raising taxes and fees in a recession.more -
- Stateline Story
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.more -
- Stateline Story
Dramatic Budget Cuts in Arizona
TODAY'S TAKE: The details emerging from Arizona's new budget - approved by state lawmakers late Thursday (March 11) - are staggering. More than 310,000 adults and 47,000 low-income children are slated to lose health insurance under the plan, which reduces spending by about $1.1 billion, eliminates full-day kindergarten and, according to The Arizona Republic, slashes funds "that were one of the last best hopes for the state parks system to stay afloat."more -
- Stateline Story
Spinning the Stimulus
Economists credit the federal stimulus package for helping bring an end to the recession. Most governors say the money prevented more drastic spending cuts and tax increases in their states. But a few Republican governors who took the money contend the stimulus was a mistake.more -
- Stateline Story
Is It ‘Raining’ Hard Enough?
Faced with historic revenue drops, states have tapped their rainy day funds in fiscal 2009 and 2010 at levels not seen since the 2001 recession to help close budget gaps totaling some $290 billion. The decision to go to these funds has renewed the debate about how much states should be setting aside in reserves and when to use the money. A few states, meanwhile, have been able to leave their funds intact.more -
- Stateline Story
Worst Is Yet to Come, Governors Say
TODAY'S TAKE: The fiscal year that begins in July for most states will be "the most difficult to date," according to a survey of 45 states released at the winter meeting of the National Governors Association.more
