8/19: A look at 2009 legislative sessions

8/19: Stateline: A look at 2009 state legislative sessions

History was made on the political front and on the social policy front, according to a study by Stateline.org. Along with budget issues, state lawmakers also dealt with a variety of contentious social policy questions, ranging from gay marriage to abortion to the death penalty.

The study gives a state-by-state review detailing how states handled budget deficits and the federal stimulus package, as well as trends developing in key areas such as education and health care, notable new legislation, and a chart of completed sessions and political control.

Also in the South:

ALABAMA: Ag commissioner outlines benefits of gambling as way of bringing jobs to state

ARKANSAS: Rep. Snyder says public option to health care reform won't make it through Congress

FLORIDA: State Supreme Court says mediation needed for enormous number of foreclosures

GEORGIA: PSC member wants to know why solar power isn't selling in state

KENTUCKY: State faces major challenges as ACT scores are low

LOUISIANA: State-backed insurance company faces $95 million bill

MISSISSIPPI: Democratic U.S. Rep. Travis Childers says he won't vote for health reform bill in current form

NORTH CAROLINA: State's community colleges review immigrant policy

SOUTH CAROLINA: State leaders talk of offshore drilling impact today

TENNESSEE: Greenpeace releases list of dangerous chemical plants in state

VIRGINIA: Gov. Kaine expected to seek more than $1 billion in budget cuts

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