12/1: Weakened Sanford pushes ahead despite cloud

Statehouse Report: Brack: Weakened Sanford pushes ahead despite cloud

"On the day newspaper headlines screamed that the state Ethics Commission accused Gov. Mark Sanford of 37 violations, the governor's sense of humor remained intact. When asked how he would like his terms as governor to be remembered, he said, “Better than today.”

"Then during another of his Rotary Club apology tours across the state, Sanford paused 9 seconds to consider the question."

Also in the South:

ALABAMA: Despite court ruling, casinos plan to reopen

ARKANSAS: Study shows Southern-born people have higher risk of dying of stroke

FLORIDA: Editorial: Shifting sands (on private property owners and beach rights)

GEORGIA: State homebuyer tax credit expires

KENTUCKY: Charities struggling more than ever in Kentucky

LOUISIANA: State's delegates to support 30,000 more troops to Afghanistan

MISSISSIPPI: Lawmakers from Mississippi to work on efficiencies in next legislative session

NORTH CAROLINA: 50 new state laws include ban on texting while driving

TENNESSEE: GOP leadership tries to block House Speaker from rejoining party

VIRGINIA: Editorial: I-81 in Virginia a great road to avoid

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

10/14: SPR: South's Senate Finance members split along party lines on healthcare bill

Southern Political Report: South's Senate Finance members split along party lines on healthcare bill

"Whether or not health care reform passes has important political implications, not only for President Obama, but for lawmakers in both parties who will be facing the voters next year. For Obama and his fellow Democrats, passage of health care reform would fulfill one of his key campaign promises and give his party a major talking point for the 2010 elections.

"For the GOP, defeat of the bill would show the party’s grass roots activists that their strenuous -- at times raucous -- opposition to Obama’s health care proposals had some effect, and would demonstrate that their party still has clout in congress. And it would add energy to Republican efforts to retake control of congress, or at least increase the party’s strength in both the senate and house."

Repercussions of the vote could hit some senators hard, such as Sen. Lincoln of Arkansas, whose decision to support the measure could provide ammunition for the strong GOP effort to defeat her next year.

Also in the South:

ALABAMA: Democratic Party mistakenly appoints dead man to panel

ARKANSAS: State prison officials consider allowing some inmates to have e-mail

FLORIDA: Seven-term U.S. Rep. Robert Wexler is resigning

GEORGIA: Consumer advocate group says state lags in health care affordability

KENTUCKY: Hearing held to debate mountaintop mining

LOUISIANA: National ACORN embroiled with Louisiana branch

MISSISSIPPI: State now requires civil rights classes in schools

NORTH CAROLINA: "Ask Anything" with Gov. Beverly Perdue

SOUTH CAROLINA: Jobless benefits to be lost by 6,900 South Carolinians

TENNESSEE: GOP's Marsh wins special election to fill 62nd District House seat

VIRGINIA: Five of six delegate seats in Central Virginia open

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10/6: Coverage vs. cost in debate on health care

New York Times: Coverage vs. cost in debate on health care

Democrats face tough choices when they take up health care legislation in Washington -- affordable prices for health insurance policies vs. policies that offer comprehensive health benefits.

The different versions of the legislation would all require insurance companies to provide coverage more generous than many policies sold in the individual market today. That is good for consumers, Democrats say.

But Republicans say the new requirements would mean added costs for some consumers and for the government, which would help pay premiums for millions of low- and middle-income people.

Also in the South:

ALABAMA: State's financial problems likely to persist into 2011 budget

ARKANSAS: Despite ban, predatory lenders still operating in state -- on Internet

FLORIDA: Policy group assessing offshore drilling in Florida

GEORGIA: Federal judge reiterates ruling against Georgia in tri-state water war

KENTUCKY: Gov. Beshear wants new psychiatric facilities for youth

LOUISIANA: Some state agencies to opt-out of Gov. Jindal's 'outcome based budgeting'

MISSISSIPPI: Commission on Colleges of SACS says state should consolidate, eliminate college programs

NORTH CAROLINA: Hospitals in state begin information campaign on SIDS

SOUTH CAROLINA: State Supreme Court to hear Sanford ethics case

TENNESSEE: High school dropouts in 2009 could cost state $6.5 billion in lost income

VIRGINIA: Voters to decide which party controls House of Delegates

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