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- Stateline Story
Tuesday's Primary Night is a Nail-Biter
TODAY'S TAKE: Primary elections for governor in four states Tuesday provided plenty of drama. The run-off election between the top two Georgia Republicans still appeared too close to call Wednesday morning, while Minnesota Democrats look to have narrowly avoided a recount. In Colorado and Connecticut, victory went to candidates who, until recently, were largely unknown. more
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- Stateline Story
As Some States Close Highway Rest Stops, Others See Roadside Revenue
In the South and West, providing drivers a sanctuary on the Interstate costs states dollars they don't have. But many Northeastern states make lots of money by commercializing rest areas. The difference is due to an obscure federal law that critics want to change.more -
- Stateline Story
Sales Tax Holidays: Easy to Sell but Hard to Justify
This time of year, politicians love to give shoppers a break on clothes, shoes and back-to-school supplies. The short bursts of tax relief are popular with consumers and retailers, but tax experts say the benefits are oversold. more
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- Stateline Story
Five Ex-Governors on Ballot in November
TODAY'S TAKE: Voters' choice of Roy Barnes in the Democratic primary for Georgia governor on Tuesday (July 20) means that all five former governors who are running for their old jobs this year will be on the ballot in November. What is less certain is how they will fare. more
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- Stateline Story
As Scholarship Programs Strain, Will Students Begin to Lose HOPE?
Georgia's landmark HOPE scholarship program was the first to give college students a free ride in exchange for earning good grades. Now, merit-based scholarships in Georgia and other states that copied the idea are threatened by a convergence of economic factors.more -
- Stateline Story
Ga. Lawmakers Break Transportation Gridlock
After years of debating how to raise funds for unclogging highways and boosting transit, Georgia lawmakers have struck a compromise. The approach relies on officials from regions around the state to cooperate with each other like they never have before. more
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- Stateline Story
The Ever-growing Sex Offender Registry
Under separate state Supreme Court decisions issued days apart in Georgia and Wisconsin last month, two men who did not commit sex crimes must register as sex offenders. Their offense - a crime known as "false imprisonment" - was deemed to warrant inclusion on public registries even if there was nothing sexual about it.The cases reflect a growing debate in the courts and in legislatures. As states crack down on sex offenders, including less serious and even non-sex offenders in online registries, does the value of such registries diminish? more
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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
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
