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The LATEST from WV
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- Stateline Story
Penny Pinching at the Polling Place
State and local governments are hosting a big election season in a terrible budget year. As elections officials get creative about finding new ways to save even the smallest amounts of money, they're also going to great lengths to minimize the impact on voters. more
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- Stateline Story
States Struggle to Slow Prescription Drug Abuse
While more than half of the states have set up systems to monitor the public's use of drug prescriptions, regulators continue to see a record amount of abuse. more
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- Stateline Story
In Graying West Virginia, a Mountain of Retiree Health Bills
A rule change in West Virginia means that new state employees and teachers will have to pay for their own health care when they retire. But that doesn't begin to address staggering health costs for existing employees and retirees. more
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- Stateline Story
Another Appointee Could Reach the Senate
TODAY'S TAKE: West Virginia Governor Joe Manchin on Wednesday (July 7) said he is interested in running for the seat of longtime U.S. Senator Robert Byrd, who died last week at 92. Until an election can be set, however, Manchin may appoint someone else to the job, which could bring the number of U.S. senators appointed by governors - rather than elected by voters - to six. 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 -
- 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 -
- Featured Collection
- States' Fiscal Health
Fact Sheets: The Trillion Dollar Gap
This 2010 report on funding state employee retirement benefits examined the roots of states' significant shortfall and how the economic crisis spurred states into action.
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- State Fact Sheet
The Trillion Dollar Gap: West Virginia
West Virginia's management of its long-term pension liability is cause for serious concern and needs to improve how it handles its retiree health care and other benefit obligations.
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