Southern states see benefits of census

Census gains in importance for Southern states

Many states, including those in the South, are facing huge obstacles in the upcoming census count due to threadbare budgets and fast-changing demographics. Depending on how the Census count goes, the South could gain anywhere from seven to nine Congressional seats and Electoral College votes. Stateline.org predicts eight seats added:

Florida +1

Georgia +1

North Carolina +1

South Carolina +1

Texas +4

An obstacle for states to overcome: Many Southern states have a disproportionate share of the populations that are historically undercounted in the Census: African-Americans, new immigrants, low-income residents and military families.

Also in the South:

ALABAMA: Senate committee stalls bill on texting while driving

ARKANSAS: State Hispanic group won't endorse boycott of census

FLORIDA: Budget standoff to cost state $40,000 per day

GEORGIA: State's pre-K program ranked third in the nation

KENTUCKY: Sen. Bunning says less money needed for his re-election campaign

LOUISIANA: Teachers upset with cuts planned by Gov. Jindal

MISSISSIPPI: Lawmakers give reasons for stalemate on cigarette tax

NORTH CAROLINA: Feds say state's coast is "prime stretch" for offshore wind energy

SOUTH CAROLINA: New power plant to be built inside Sunoco facility

TENNESSEE: Gov. Bredesen says state should keep Tennessee Ethics Commission

VIRGINIA: State's governor's race now has Bill Clinton impact

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