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2010-04-29T09:11:00.001-04:00

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4/28: Officials consider setting oil spill on fire

2010-04-28T09:00:00.004-04:00

Wall Street Journal: Officials consider setting oil spill off La. coast on fire

Response efforts continued on offshore drilling as an oil spill off Louisiana's coast spread. The oil slick had grown Tuesday to 100 miles by 45 miles—or about the size of Jamaica. The fast-moving slick was about 20 miles off the Louisiana coast Tuesday morning and the state had activated a response plan, the U.S. Coast Guard said Tuesday.

While Coast Guard officials admit a controlled burn of some pockets of the crude sitting on the water's surface isn't an optimal solution, they say it is better than allowing the oil to hit the beaches and marshes that line the Gulf Coast, which will likely happen by this weekend if weather patterns hold.

Also in the South:

ALABAMA: State is second cheapest for home health care

ARKANSAS: Conservative activist group files lawsuit against health care plan

FLORIDA: State's budget deal avoids tax hikes, major cuts

GEORGIA: State roads considered among the best, says U.S. PIRG study

KENTUCKY: State could rekindle debate on illegal immigration following Arizona law passage

MISSISSIPPI: Storm damage in state 'well north of $50 million'

NORTH CAROLINA: Study says state has 15th worst business tax environment

SOUTH CAROLINA: Wetlands to be restored following 2002 oil spill in Charleston Harbor

TENNESSEE: Construction contracts up considerably in March

VIRGINIA: State's universities begin signing off on nearly 10% tuition increases

If you have a news story about public policy to suggest, send an email to info@bettersouth.org

4/27: Florida is No. 1 in mortgage fraud

2010-04-27T09:57:00.004-04:00

St. Petersburg Times: Florida is No. 1 in mortgage fraud

Florida is the No. 1 state in mortgage fraud, a position it has held for four years in a row. An annual ranking by the Mortgage Asset Research Institute showed that the state has close to three times the expected amount of reported loan fraud and misrepresentation.

The failure to stop Florida's epidemic of mortgage fraud imperils the state's already weak economy.

Georgia ranks 8th in mortgage fraud for the second year in a row.

Also in the South:

ALABAMA: Venture capital funding lags in Alabama, South

ARKANSAS: State is at the top in broadband competition

GEORGIA: State environmental groups want bill on new water rules to pass

KENTUCKY: Gov. Beshear vetoes bill giving General Assembly oversight over more gov't contracts

LOUISIANA: Fragile coastal wetlands threatened by oil spill

MISSISSIPPI: CDC says Mississippi needs stronger anti-tobacco regulations

NORTH CAROLINA: State to distribute radiation-fighting pills to 120,000 living near nuclear plant

SOUTH CAROLINA: Editorial: 50 cents is the least we can do

TENNESSEE: Voter registration dispute leads to TBI investigation, legislature battle

VIRGINIA: Moose lodges in Virginia raided for illegal video gambling

If you have a news story about public policy to suggest, send an email to info@bettersouth.org

4/26: NC's war over taxes with Amazon escalates

2010-04-26T09:53:00.003-04:00

Stateline: NC's war over taxes with Amazon escalates

A tax war has been sparked by states, such as North Carolina and Colorado, which are taking steps to collect taxes from online retailers such as Amazon.

Last week, Amazon sued North Carolina after the state's Department of Revenue asked the company to release the names and addresses of its North Carolina customers - information that the state would need to collect unpaid taxes. With as many as 15 other cash-strapped states considering whether to pass Amazon taxes of their own, there's a lot of attention directed toward the NC case.

Also in the South:

ALABAMA: This legislative session, all ethics reform and accountability bills die

ARKANSAS: Soybean crops in the state are now experiencing black root rot

FLORIDA: Budget may include cuts to mental health and drug treatment programs

GEORGIA: Major issues finalized with two days left of legislative session

KENTUCKY: State gets $176 million to boost school budgets

LOUISIANA: Cold weather has meant fewer mosquitoes for Louisiana

MISSISSIPPI: FEMA teams head to Mississippi to help with tornado damage

SOUTH CAROLINA: Senate begins budget debate today

TENNESSEE: Half of Tennessee's youth considered "too fat to fight"

VIRGINIA: Tens of thousands of ash trees in the state at risk of dying due to Asian beetle

If you have a news story about public policy to suggest, send an email to info@bettersouth.org

4/23: Group says MS youth are unfit for military service

2010-04-23T09:23:00.006-04:00

Clarion-Ledger: Nonprofit group says Mississippi youth are unfit for military service

Mission: Readiness, a nonprofit group of retired military officers, said Thursday that 75% of 17-24 year olds are not qualified for military service. In Mississippi, they cite the low graduation rate, high childhood obesity and large numbers of youth in the justice system as problems for the state and for national security.

"We need to support long-term strategies in our state that will help our young people in Mississippi maintain healthy lifestyles, help them to succeed in school and help keep them on the right side of the law," retired Brig. Gen. Augustus Collins said.

"If we can give our kids a good solid foundation, we won't have to deal with these other problems, and that solid foundation comes with early childhood education," Shields said. Mississippi is the only state in the nation without a state-funded pre-kindergarten program.

Also in the South:

ALABAMA: Legislative session ends without passing ethics reform

ARKANSAS: Former Pres. Clinton in Little Rock promoting green energy

FLORIDA: Gov. Crist signs into law a bill that expands use of private-school vouchers

GEORGIA: More state employees seeking retirement as future is uncertain

KENTUCKY: State Supreme Court strikes down aid to private religious school

LOUISIANA: Ecological risk grows as oil rig sinks off Louisiana coast

NORTH CAROLINA: Ten sites chosen by Duke Energy for solar panels

SOUTH CAROLINA: Loophole has allowed SC political caucuses to spend secretly

TENNESSEE: House Speaker threatens to remove two lawmakers over tax quarreling

VIRGINIA: State to end criticized test for special needs students

If you have a news story about public policy to suggest, send an email to info@bettersouth.org

4/22: Forty years after the first Earth Day, new threats arise

2010-04-22T09:53:00.003-04:00

New York Times: Forty years after first Earth Day, new threats arise

When the first Earth Day took place on April 22, 1970, pollution was a tangible, visible problem. Now, forty years later, smog levels nationwide have dropped about 25% and lead levels in the air are down 90%. But threats are still out there -- largely invisible.

Issues such as climate change are less obvious to the naked eye. Since the first Earth Day, carbon dioxide levels in the air have increased by 19 percent, pushing the average annual world temperature up about 1 degree Fahrenheit, according to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration.

''We've cleaned up what you can see and left everything else in limbo,'' said Kathleen Rogers, president of the Earth Day Network.

Let's keep working on it.

Also in the South:

ALABAMA: Voters to decide on $1 billion roads bill in November

ARKANSAS: State NAACP gives most in congressional delegation an "F"

FLORIDA: Pay cuts could be on the horizon for state workers

GEORGIA: Editorial: Georgia governor's race looks to be a wild one

KENTUCKY: State's worst-performing schools get $56 million in federal funds

LOUISIANA: 11 still missing in aftermath of offshore oil rig explosion

MISSISSIPPI: Legislative session dominated by budget bills

NORTH CAROLINA: State extends appliance rebate program through weekend

SOUTH CAROLINA: Legislators talk about trash-to-power legislation

TENNESSEE: Al Gore launches "Inconvenient Youth" program on Earth Day

VIRGINIA: House rebuffs Gov. McDonnell's proposal to cut public broadcasting

If you have a news story about public policy to suggest, send an email to info@bettersouth.org

4/21: In bad home market, buying often now beats renting

2010-04-21T09:57:00.003-04:00

New York Times: In bad home market, buying often now beats renting

For most of the last decade, renting a home has been a better financial move than buying one. An analysis by the New York Times provides a "rent ratio" comparison -- the purchase price of a house divided by the annual cost of renting a similar one. Using the number 20 as a basis point, a number above 20 points to renting; a ratio well below 20 is considered a good indication of when to buy.

In many metro areas, including Atlanta and areas of south Florida, the average ratio is now 16 or lower, compared with 25 a few years ago. Take a look at some of the cities here. (Note that in North Carolina's Charlotte and Raleigh, the basis is over 25, pointing to renting as a better deal, while Atlanta is ranked 14.9)

Also in the South:

ALABAMA: Electronic bingo bill passage still unclear in Alabama

ARKANSAS: Desegregation agreement discussed by attorney general, school leaders

FLORIDA: Gov. Crist to run as independent for Florida Senate

GEORGIA: State Senate preserves arts council funding

KENTUCKY: State launches project to exchange health information electronically

LOUISIANA: State has second-highest auto fatality rate in the nation

MISSISSIPPI: Universities in state to take a $100 million budget cut

NORTH CAROLINA: Gov. Perdue says legislators have to cut another 2% from budget

SOUTH CAROLINA: Legislators to talk about offshore drilling

TENNESSEE: Bill would ban guns in bars, but not in restaurants

VIRGINIA: Gov. McDonnell expects battle over cutting spending for troubled kids

If you have a news story about public policy to suggest, send an email to info@bettersouth.org

4/20: Get your appliance rebates - fast!

2010-04-20T10:01:00.003-04:00

New York Times: Get your appliance rebates -- fast

Consumers across the country are snapping up rebates for energy-efficient appliances. In Florida, the $17.6 million allocated for the program lasted a day and a half, with more than 72,000 claims filed.

Each state has structured its own program, sometimes excluding certain appliances like air-conditioners or requiring proof that old appliances were recycled before paying out the cash.

Kateri Callahan, the president of the Alliance to Save Energy, a nonprofit coalition that promotes efficiency measures, praised the rebates as stimulating the economy while providing “an immediate, point-of-purchase incentive for consumers by ‘buying down’ the price of new, energy-efficient appliances.”

Also in the South:

ALABAMA: Editorial: Find PACT solution that will last

ARKANSAS: Non-married couples in state to be allowed to foster and adopt children

FLORIDA: House passes Medicaid measure, giving large HMOs more power than ever

GEORGIA: Hundreds of artists protest cutting of Georgia Council for the Arts at Capitol

KENTUCKY: State's Cash for Appliances program to begin Thursday

LOUISIANA: House kills bill suspending prisoners' government pension benefits

MISSISSIPPI: Judge's ruling on racial isolation in MS schools points to troubling trend

NORTH CAROLINA: Amazon files lawsuit to block NC's data request

SOUTH CAROLINA: Group says adjusting state's tax structure could return funding to schools

TENNESSEE: Most cuts to state's Medicaid program will likely be delayed for a year

VIRGINIA: Tea party influence could go two ways in Virginia

If you have a news story about public policy to suggest, send an email to info@bettersouth.org

4/19: Simpler, smaller "one pot" meth labs found in LA

2010-04-19T09:50:00.005-04:00

LOUISIANA: Simpler, smaller "one pot" meth labs found in Louisiana

Law enforcement officials say a new "one pot" method of manufacturing methamphetamine is springing up across the U.S. The smaller meth operations are not only reduced in size, these "cooking" facilities also require much less in the way of equipment, chemicals, and source material such as cold medicine.

Louisiana State Police Lt. Doug Cain said, "It can happen just about anywhere. In a hotel room, in an apartment, right in the middle of town, in somebody's car."

Cain said that the new method of cooking meth leaves behind toxic trash in addition to the risk of explosion. "If they're thrown out in the trash in an apartment building, or they're thrown into a neighborhood ditch, that causes problems for citizens in that area," he said.

Also in the South:

ALABAMA: Needs of some disabled persons not met by state programs

ARKANSAS: Unemployment rate continues to rise in state

FLORIDA: Former Governor Jeb Bush's influence seen in this legislative session

GEORGIA: State begins to sell assets, imperiling city, county governments

KENTUCKY: Both sides blame budget impasse on the other

MISSISSIPPI: Gov. Barbour backs VA Gov. McDonnell on 'Confederate History' declaration

NORTH CAROLINA: State AG won't challenge health care reform

SOUTH CAROLINA: WhatWorksSC looks at best ideas for South Carolina's schools

TENNESSEE: TN's coal ash transferred to Alabama site and causes health problems

VIRGINIA: Budget may cut public broadcasting funds

If you have a news story about public policy to suggest, send an email to info@bettersouth.org

4/16: Was the Confederacy really about slavery?

2010-04-16T09:37:00.004-04:00

Southern Political Report: John Tures: Was the Confederacy really about slavery?

"By now, you’ve probably heard all about that fuss over Confederate Heritage Month declarations in Virginia and Mississippi. It may make you wonder why the Southern States seceded. Was it really about slavery, or was that more of a side issue? Virginia Governor Bob McDonnell declared April to be “Confederate History Month.” According to David Paul Kuhn with realclearpolitics.com. “The proclamation recognized the ‘sacrifices of the Confederate leaders, soldiers and citizens during the period of the Civil War.’ It did not mention slavery.” According to “On McDonnell’s Confederate Mistake,” Kuhn’s article, “McDonnell explained the immense omission to The Washington Post: ‘There were any number of aspects to that conflict between the states. Obviously, it involved slavery. It involved other issues. But I focused on the ones I thought were most significant for Virginia.’”

"Mississippi Governor Haley Barbour defended McDonnell, having issued a similar proclamation. And Rev. Cecil Fayard, chaplain in chief for the national Sons of Confederate Veterans said “The War Between the States was fought for the same reasons that the tea party movement today is voicing their opinion. And that is that you have large government that’s not listening to the people, there’s going to be heavy taxation…And the primary cause of the war was not slavery, although slavery was interwoven into the cause, but it was not the cause for the War Between the States.”

"So I ran a hypothesis test to determine if states left the Union to join the Confederacy over slavery, or whether that was more of a side issue. I located the declarations of secession for four different states that were available: South Carolina, Georgia, Mississippi, and Texas." (More)

Also in the South:

ALABAMA: Report says Alabama should stop segregating prisoners with HIV

ARKANSAS: AG says judging constitutionality of health care law is not his job

FLORIDA: Gov. Crist's veto of merit-based pay a victory for teachers

GEORGIA: Thousands attend Tea Party rally in Atlanta

KENTUCKY: Gov. Beshear 'disgusted' - Legislative session ends without a state budget

LOUISIANA: Gov. Jindal to address another budget shortfall

MISSISSIPPI: State College Board votes to increase cost of room and board

NORTH CAROLINA: State's tax revenue projection drops by $788 million

SOUTH CAROLINA: Report card on state's schools shows little improvement

TENNESSEE: Day of Prayer ruled unconstitutional by federal judge

VIRGINIA: Commonwealth Institute says state budget raises taxes on the poor

If you have a news story about public policy to suggest, send an email to info@bettersouth.org

4/15: Tea party leaders worried about extremists at rallies

2010-04-15T10:17:00.006-04:00

AP: Tea Party leaders worried about extremists at rallies

As tax-day tea parties gear up for their biggest day of the year, leaders are concerned their efforts may draw extremists who could disrupt the movement's message.

Some rally organizers have canceled controversial speakers, increased security and have urged participants to bring cameras to snap photos of any disrupters. "We don't want to be misrepresented, whether it's by someone who is not part of the group and has their own agenda, or whether it's by some fringe extremist who may actually be a racist," said Jim Hoft, a political blogger and tea party activist who is one of the speakers for a rally in suburban St. Louis.

The National Tea Party Federation, a newly formed coalition of regional tea party groups, estimates that between 1,700 and 2,000 tax-day rallies are occurring Thursday in communities across the country.

Also in the South:

ALABAMA: Gubernatorial candidate Artur Davis rebuffs black political groups

ARKANSAS: Tea Party leaders worried about today's rally

FLORIDA: School voucher plan makes strides in legislature

GEORGIA: GA may be first state to eliminate state arts council

KENTUCKY: Q&A: What happens if there's no state budget?

LOUISIANA: Legislature to discuss healthcare lawsuits, swine control today

MISSISSIPPI: Gov. Barbour unveils new spending proposal

NORTH CAROLINA: Charlotte school system may lay off 1,000 because of budget problems

SOUTH CAROLINA: Senate approves 50-cent increase in cigarette tax

TENNESSEE: State's environmental regulatory agency hit from both sides

VIRGINIA: No vetoes by Gov. McDonnell on any legislation sent by 2010 General Assembly

If you have a news story about public policy to suggest, send an email to info@bettersouth.org

4/14: Some states look to soda, candy taxes

2010-04-14T10:25:00.002-04:00

Stateline: Some states look to soda, candy taxes

There's a growing trend to levy taxes on unhealthy food much as liquor and tobacco have been treated. And with states facing revenue shortfalls, a new revenue source, such as candy and soda taxes, is looking attractive. Florida, Illinois and New Jersey have extended their sales taxes to cover candy. Colorado will begin applying the state's 2.9% sales tax to candy and soda next month.

The Center for Science in the Public Interest, an advocacy group, figures that states as a whole could generate $10 billion a year by levying a tax of 7 cents per 12-ounce can of soda. The group has created a Liquid Candy Calculator to help states calculate the revenue they could raise from sales or excise taxes on sugary beverages.

Such a tax could help with America's obesity problem, as one-third of all adults are considered obese.

Also in the South:

ALABAMA: Electronic bingo bill moves forward in legislature

ARKANSAS: State launches smart phone application for voters

FLORIDA: Opinion: Education reform and the fall of Charlie Crist

GEORGIA: State joins with 18 other states in health reform lawsuit

KENTUCKY: Kentucky scores best in the nation for transparency of state gov't spending

LOUISIANA: Seat-belt legislation debated by House Transportation Committee

MISSISSIPPI: Judge orders stop to school transfer policy

NORTH CAROLINA: Forecasters expect 2% revenue shortfall in state

SOUTH CAROLINA: Incentive program for retired teachers could be cut from state budget

TENNESSEE: Poorer schools will get most aid from Race to the Top funds

VIRGINIA: State to end free online tax-filing service

If you have a news story about public policy to suggest, send an email to info@bettersouth.org

4/13: New laws could hurt small food producers

2010-04-13T10:38:00.004-04:00

Citizen-Times: New laws could hurt small food producers in Western NC

New federal food safety laws could drive some small food producers out of business due to added costs and inspections required by the laws.

The U.S. Senate could vote this week on the FDA Food Safety Modernization Act, which would require more FDA inspections of farms and processing facilities and more meticulous record-keeping from producers.

Local producers and sellers said the law is written for big food companies and supposes the food supply will be more global in coming decades and not more local.

An amendment has been added to the bill that would exempt small producers.

Also in the South:

ALABAMA: Four hospitals hold up statewide trauma system

ARKANSAS: Officials at University of Arkansas propose tuition increases

FLORIDA: State teachers union battles to defeat education bill that would change pay structure

GEORGIA: Tom Baxter: Georgia legislature running out of time on key issues

KENTUCKY: Senate, House continue talks on budget, but time is running out

LOUISIANA: Proposal would put more money into state's roads and bridges

MISSISSIPPI: New law gives money to schools that participate in HealthierUS Challenge

SOUTH CAROLINA: State panel decides not to eliminate corporate income taxes

TENNESSEE: Energy efficiency plan urged across state to cut power costs

VIRGINIA: Requirement added to process for restoration of voting rights

If you have a news story about public policy to suggest, send an email to info@bettersouth.org

4/12: A look at how states handle the sex offender registry

2010-04-12T09:30:00.006-04:00

Stateline: A look at how states handle the sex offender registry

In Georgia and Wisconsin, the crime of false imprisonment counts as a sex offense under state law, even if nothing sexual happened.

A larger debate is emerging in courts and legislatures around the nation: Have states gone too far in categorizing criminals as sex offenders? Already the number of registered sex offenders is growing quickly, and it will only keep rising as more states comply with the federal Adam Walsh Act. That law requires all states to make false imprisonment a sex offense, as Georgia and Wisconsin already do, by July. The Adam Walsh Act also requires the states to post more information about sex offenders on their registries such as their work addresses.

Some state legislators are thinking twice before they expand sex-offender registries. For example, lawmakers in a growing number of states have sought to reduce the criminal penalty for 'sexting.' Under current state laws, those who do it may be forced to register as sex offenders alongside much more serious criminals, such as rapists and pedophiles. Several states also have passed so-called "Romeo and Juliet" laws so that teens who've engaged in underage but consensual sex don't have to register as sex offenders.

As Kansas State Sen. Tim Owens says, "When you start putting everything on (the registry), it diminishes the impact of it."

Also in the South:

ALABAMA: State Supreme Court keeps rules to discourage judicial complaints

ARKANSAS: State prepares for congressional redistricting

FLORIDA: Lawmakers to now consider Medicaid, corruption, redistricting

GEORGIA: MCG researcher finds troubling developments in childhood obesity

KENTUCKY: Two days left in legislative session to finalize jobless benefits, education

LOUISIANA: Analysis: Balancing act of development, state budgets difficult

MISSISSIPPI: Mississippi Delta -- the land of permanent recession

NORTH CAROLINA: State's first energy chief loses job

SOUTH CAROLINA: Opinion: SC Legislature: Good work in bad times

TENNESSEE: Dying in childbirth is hidden risk in Tennessee

VIRGINIA: State must borrow billions to pay jobless claims

If you have a news story about public policy to suggest, send an email to info@bettersouth.org

4/9: Al Gore speaks at Duke on climate crisis

2010-04-09T09:20:00.006-04:00

News & Observer: Al Gore speaks at Duke on climate crisis

Speaking at the spring Duke Environment and Society Lecture presented by the Nicholas School of the Environment, the Nobel Prize winner said it takes bigger changes "than just light bulbs" to counteract climate change. He argued for changing laws, from those that influence environmental impact to those that regulate lobbying and campaign contributions.

Gore spent less time presenting evidence for global warming, focusing instead on possible solutions and ways to involve communities. In addition to solar energy, he discussed possibilities for wind power, geothermal power and other renewable energy sources.

The largest source of new energy is efficiency, he said, noting only 10 percent of the gasoline used in vehicles is used to power them.

Also in the South:

ALABAMA: House rejects proposal to drop sales tax on groceries

ARKANSAS: Wind turbine plant to be built by Mitsubishi in Arkansas

FLORIDA: Lawmakers approve sweeping school changes

GEORGIA: Gov. Perdue says AG should sue over voting check

KENTUCKY: Impasse over state budget could impact upcoming elections

LOUISIANA: State's two public university systems spent millions on D.C. lobbying

MISSISSIPPI: State nursing home groups file lawsuit over Medicaid cuts

SOUTH CAROLINA: State is 'fine' with accepting out-of-state nuclear waste, temporarily

TENNESSEE: House increases prison time for armed robbery

VIRGINIA: State restructures troubled IT outsourcing contract

If you have a news story about public policy to suggest, send an email to info@bettersouth.org

4/8: New poll released on top states likely to add jobs

2010-04-08T09:44:00.004-04:00

Morris News Service: New poll released on top states likely to add jobs

A report issued by the American Legislative Exchange Council puts four of the South's states in the top ten states most likely to grow jobs. Florida ranked 5th, Virginia ranked 8th, Georgia ranked 9th, and Tennessee ranked 10th.

Economist Arthur Laffer compared each state on 15 factors. Georgia fared in the middle of the pack when it comes to worker's compensation costs, property taxes and the top rate for personal income taxes. Its sales-tax burden as a share of personal income ranked in the bottom third.

One note: South Carolina, which currently is ranked 31st, could catapult toward the top of the list if state legislative efforts to eliminate the state income tax pass.

Also in the South:

ALABAMA: Editorial: An epidemic in Alabama

ARKANSAS: Parents get public school option under state law

FLORIDA: Legislature to take up gambling, education bills

GEORGIA: State sees big jump in number of Medicaid and food stamp applications

KENTUCKY: Mining officials in the state examine safety measures

LOUISIANA: University faculty, students question raising tuition

MISSISSIPPI: Gov. Barbour approves bill requiring quick records response

NORTH CAROLINA: Pollen rate hits 9,632 grains per cubic meter in Winston-Salem

SOUTH CAROLINA: Some S.C. politicians aim to take lead on knocking out health care reform

TENNESSEE: State drops about 100,000 from Medicaid rolls

VIRGINIA: Gov. McDonnell amends Confederate history proclamation to include slavery

If you have a news story about public policy to suggest, send an email to info@bettersouth.org

4/7: GA's public defender system may revert back to county control

2010-04-07T09:35:00.003-04:00

Atlanta Journal-Constitution: Georgia's public defender system may revert back to county control

In 2003, Gov. Perdue signed the Georgia Indigent Defense Act into law, which created a new statewide network of public defender offices to replace an uneven system of county-run indigent defense programs, many of which were found unable to protect the rights of poor people accused of crimes.

But now, key state lawmakers and the governor are considering proposals that would transfer a large chunk of the state system back to county control.

Norman Fletcher, a former chief justice of the Georgia Supreme Court, called any plan to return part of the system back to county control "a terrible idea."

"It would be taking us back to essentially where we were in 2003," Fletcher said. "I think it would be a disastrous step and ultimately lead to litigation in state or federal court to make sure this system is the constitutional duty of the state, not the counties."

Also in the South:

ALABAMA: State's shellfish waters closed over fears of contamination

ARKANSAS: AG McDaniel rejects health care ballot measure for second time

FLORIDA: Legislators consider allowing corporations to contribute to fund for private schools

KENTUCKY: U.S. Senate race heats up in both parties

LOUISIANA: Wildlife refuge in La. suffers spill of thousands of gallons of crude oil

MISSISSIPPI: Federal permission for state to cut Medicaid payments still pending

NORTH CAROLINA: Fight over state road-building funds leaves no one happy

SOUTH CAROLINA: Congressmen take questions from 400 business leaders on health care

TENNESSEE: Opinion: Should teens be on sex registry?

VIRGINIA: State lost 21,200 construction jobs over the last year

If you have a news story about public policy to suggest, send an email to info@bettersouth.org

4/6: Four Southern states considered marijuana legislation

2010-04-06T09:45:00.004-04:00

Stateline: Four Southern states considered marijuana legislation

States across the nation are considering legalization of marijuana as a way of generating tax funds during cash-strapped times.

Eighteen states, including North Carolina, Alabama, Virginia and Tennessee, considered legislation to legalize medical marijuana this year, an unusually high number. California is the state to watch, as this year's ballot will include a question to allow local governments to legalize and tax marijuana.

Also in the South:

ALABAMA: Legislator says cash offered by lobbyist for bingo vote

ARKANSAS: Sexual violence reports up in Arkansas

FLORIDA: State Supreme Court begins using Twitter

GEORGIA: Voter fraud can be reported online now

KENTUCKY: State Attorney General says he won't sue over health care

LOUISIANA: Opinion: Equitable funding will improve all Louisiana public schools

MISSISSIPPI: State to allow guns in parks

NORTH CAROLINA: Western NC hunger report shows 'pandemic of poverty'

SOUTH CAROLINA: Gov. Sanford to sign unemployment agency overhaul law

TENNESSEE: Opinion: Sentencing fix would make Tennessee a safer place

VIRGINIA: State AG to challenge new fuel efficiency standards in court

If you have a news story about public policy to suggest, send an email to info@bettersouth.org

4/5: High school dropout 'epidemic' threatens AL's future

2010-04-05T09:17:00.005-04:00

Montgomery Advertiser: Editorial: High school dropout 'epidemic' threatens state's future

"A health problem affecting 40% of a segment of the population certainly would qualify as an epidemic, so the use of that term is well justified in discussions of Alabama's disturbing high school dropout rate. The state's long-term well-being is decidedly threatened when such a large percentage of its students don't graduate from high school.

"That grim reality makes the recently released findings of the Alabama Select Commission on High School Graduation particularly important. The commission is chaired by state Sen. Arthur Orr, R-Decatur, who also was the sposnor of important legislation -- supported by this editorial page -- that raised the state's legal dropout age from 16 to 17.

"The fiscal cost of such a high dropout rate is staggering -- billions of dollars in lost income potential over the lifetimes of dropouts, with corresponding losses in tax revenue. But more importantly the human cost is incalculable, a terrible toll in stunted human potential, in lives far less productive and satisfying than they might have been." (More)

Also in the South:

ARKANSAS: Clean Energy potential of Arkansas explored at forum

FLORIDA: Debate prompted by legislature's merit-pay plan for teachers

GEORGIA: Study shows state's day care classrooms offer low-quality care

KENTUCKY: Gov. Beshear is expected to sign landmark autism bill

LOUISIANA: Cap-and-trade could unlock new reserves in state

MISSISSIPPI: Shortage of doctors in state about to get worse

NORTH CAROLINA: State's business taxes among lowest in the nation

SOUTH CAROLINA: Opinion: Will S.C. reapply for massive education grant?

TENNESSEE: Alcoa expands aluminum can recycling operation in East Tennessee

VIRGINIA: U.S. Rep. McHenry upset over anti-Census conservatives

If you have a news story about public policy to suggest, send an email to info@bettersouth.org

4/2: MS voters to decide on 2011 ballot when life begins

2010-04-02T09:37:00.005-04:00

Clarion-Ledger: Mississippi's voters to decide on 2011 ballot when life begins

Petitioners gathered 106,325 signatures to get an initiative on the 2011 ballot for voters to define when life begins. Voters will decide whether a 'person' should be defined as any life 'from the point of fertilization, cloning or equivalent thereof.'

The personhood petition is the second voter-led effort that has secured enough signatures to appear on the November 2011 ballot. The other seeks to require voters to show identification at the polls in Mississippi.

Also in the South:

ALABAMA: State Senate votes for health care opt out bill

ARKANSAS: Court says undocumented aliens can't bring lawsuits anonymously

FLORIDA: House approves budget; long negotiations likely between the chambers

GEORGIA: State appeals water rights ruling

KENTUCKY: Senate approves charter schools in attempt to get federal education funds

LOUISIANA: Interior secretary says state will be first to benefit from expansion of oil and gas exploration

NORTH CAROLINA: President Obama to visit state today to talk jobs

SOUTH CAROLINA: New state law could make retrofitting homes easier

TENNESSEE: Political discord prompts hundreds to enter Tennessee's federal and state races

VIRGINIA: Gov. McDonnell quits wind energy coalition

If you have a news story about public policy to suggest, send an email to info@bettersouth.org

4/1: Elusive Mississippians show distrust of census

2010-04-01T10:10:00.003-04:00

New York Times: Elusive Mississippians show distrust of census

As the deadline for returning census forms hits today, the difficulty of getting
census forms returned is highlighted. In Mississippi's Issaquena County, only 21% of residents have returned their forms, compared with 52% nationally.

The county and entire Delta area is plagued by poverty and illiteracy. People misstrust census takers for a variety of reasons, including a belief that the government is trying to catch them doing something illegal like misrepresenting the number of people in their household, which could impact benefits such as food stamps.

In the last census, the numbers showed there was one person per 116-acres in Issaquena County.

Also in the South:

ALABAMA: Bill to end grocery tax hits state legislature

ARKANSAS: Researcher says state's way of identifying grade inflation is flawed

FLORIDA: Offshore oil drilling plan spares South Florida

GEORGIA: Study shows small soda taxes don't impact obesity

KENTUCKY: Gov. Beshear says more jobs are coming to the state

LOUISIANA: Black Caucus to fight lawsuit challenging health care reform law

MISSISSIPPI: Opinion: Budget -- Avoid 'irrational exuberance'

NORTH CAROLINA: Offshore oil drilling will include North Carolina coast

SOUTH CAROLINA: Senate approves 50-cent increase on cigarette tax

TENNESSEE: Tennessee Health Freedom Act passes key vote in legislature

VIRGINIA: State lags behind others in census response

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3/31: Redistricting to result from census

2010-03-31T09:40:00.004-04:00

Stateline: Redistricting to result from census

Texas is expected to pick up three congressional seats when the census is finalized. Other states that are expected to pick up a seat in Congress and play a primary role in redrawing districts include Florida, Georgia, Nevada, South Carolina and Utah. Arizona and Washington are slated to pick up at least one new congressional seat, but these states use commissions to draw new lines.

The Constitution leaves it up to the state to determine the method it wants to use for redistricting. In all but about a dozen states, state legislators and governors play key roles in the process, while commissions are in charge in the other states.

Also in the South:

ALABAMA: House passes Education Trust Fund budget

ARKANSAS: State agency threatened by new student loan law

FLORIDA: Massive protest aimed at education bill under consideration in FL legislature

GEORGIA: State to consider selling property surplus to save $230 million over five years

KENTUCKY: State wants to improve its chances on Race to the Top round two

LOUISIANA: Gov. Jindal tells legislators: "We will not raise taxes"

MISSISSIPPI: State tightens rules on release of mentally ill acquitted of crime

NORTH CAROLINA: State's poultry farms to increase

SOUTH CAROLINA: Debate over cigarette tax to begin today in legislature

TENNESSEE: House committee's surprise move ends attempt to ban mountaintop mining

VIRGINIA: President Obama to allow gas and oil drilling off VA coast

If you have a news story about public policy to suggest, send an email to info@bettersouth.org

3/30: TN wins "Race to the Top" education funds

2010-03-30T09:31:00.006-04:00

Times-Free Press: Tennessee wins "Race to the Top" federal education funds

U.S. Secretary of Education Arne Duncan said that the fact that every district in the state agreed to participate in "Race to the Top" is a big reason why Tennessee was awarded the $500 million for which officials applied.

Race to the Top is a federal competition designed to reward states for education reform. The $4.35 billion fund, which is part of President Barack Obama’s American Recovery and Reinvestment Act, was announced about a year ago.

Georgia ranked third in the competition, but only had 23 of the state's 180 school districts signed on to participate.

Also in the South:

ALABAMA: U.S. Chamber of Commerce survey shows AL ranks 47th for 'legal climate'

ARKANSAS: State stays out of health-care fight, remembering 1957 events

FLORIDA: Appliance rebate program funds expected to run out in one day

GEORGIA: Tom Baxter: Minimalist Ga. governor going out with audacious bang?

KENTUCKY: Bill under consideration would increase income tax by 1%

LOUISIANA: Over 2,500 acres of wetlands restored and protected

MISSISSIPPI: State's meth lab busts for 2010 already surpass all of 2009

NORTH CAROLINA: Jobless rate in NC rises to 11.2%

SOUTH CAROLINA: Senators consider eliminating corporate income tax

VIRGINIA: Gov. McDonnell to launch aggressive campaign to reshape government

If you have a news story about public policy to suggest, send an email to info@bettersouth.org

3/29: VA program to help minority business falls short

2010-03-29T09:30:00.004-04:00

News & Advance: Virginia program to help minority business falls short

The program aimed at helping small, women and minority firms win state business has been deemed largely ineffective at awarding contracts to minority owners. A big part of the problem -- The definition of 'small business' is so broad that it includes 99% of the businesses in the state.

"When you’re looking at minority business and small business, that’s two different issues on two different fronts,” said Darryl Samuels, executive vice president of the National Association of Minority Contractors. “The minority issue gets diluted.”

“It is a program from hell,” said A. Hugo Bowers, president of the 48-member Black Business Alliance of Virginia, formed to press for public and private sector diversity. “(State agencies) can meet their SWaM goals and never hire a minority.”

Also in the South:

ALABAMA: Legislators found way to fund education plan

ARKANSAS: Child maltreatment reports in seven-county area are up

FLORIDA: Editorial: Florida's lawmakers aren't facing up to the state's budget crisis

GEORGIA: State House won't force AG to sue over health reform

KENTUCKY: Impact of health care reform on Kentucky explored

LOUISIANA: State legislature convenes 2010 session today

MISSISSIPPI: Opinion: State's unemployment benefits need work

NORTH CAROLINA: Protesters rally against jail's policy on deporting immigrants

SOUTH CAROLINA: National health care may mightily expand SC's Medicaid, bills

TENNESSEE: State health officials say H1N1 flu has increased slightly

If you have a news story about public policy to suggest, send an email to info@bettersouth.org

3/26: Ga.'s Gov. Perdue to name special AG for lawsuit

2010-03-26T09:37:00.004-04:00

Savannah Morning News: Gov. Perdue to name special AG for health reform lawsuit

Gov. Sonny Perdue says he'll appoint a special attorney general to sue the federal government over the new federal health care reform law. A team of pro bono lawyers will file the lawsuit following the refusal of Attorney General Thurbert Baker to sue.

Baker wrote in a letter to the governor Wednesday that the state doesn't have "a viable legal claim" and that he didn't want to waste state resources in a time of budget crisis.

Following Baker's refusal to sue, the state constitution gives the governor the right to appoint a special attorney general who will have the same power as the state attorney general in this specific matter, Perdue said.

Georgia probably will not join the lawsuit filed by attorneys general in 14 other states who are challenging what they deem an unconstitutional overreach of federal power, but will likely file a separate suit, Perdue said.

Also in the South:

ALABAMA: Alabama is one of three states to allow controversial judicial override

ARKANSAS: Lawmakers concerned over required flood insurance by FEMA

FLORIDA: Senate approves Florida class size amendment

KENTUCKY: State unemployment rate rose to 10.9% in February

LOUISIANA: Higher education in 'precarious situation' as legislative session set to begin

MISSISSIPPI: State's lawmakers to finish budget in late April

NORTH CAROLINA: Gov. Perdue wants to lift film incentives gap

SOUTH CAROLINA: Senate agrees on prison sentencing reform

TENNESSEE: Online map tracks census returns, finds Tennessee is lagging behind

VIRGINIA: Gov. McDonnell says no 'rampant discrimination' against gay employees evident

If you have a news story about public policy to suggest, send an email to info@bettersouth.org