1/22: Lobbyists get strong weapon in campaign finance ruling

New York Times: Lobbyists get strong weapon in campaign finance ruling

A lobbyist can now tell any elected official: if you vote wrong, my company, labor union or interest group will spend unlimited sums explicitly advertising against your re-election.

The decision seeks to let voters choose for themselves among a multitude of voices and ideas when they go to the polls, but it will also increase the power of organized interest groups at the expense of candidates and political parties. It could also have a big impact on state and local governments, where a few million dollars can have more influence on elections.

In North Carolina, a state law similar to a federal law that had barred corporations and unions from using money from their general funds to produce and run campaign ads to endorse or oppose a candidate now appears unenforceable. This could impact future elections.

Also in the South:

ALABAMA: American Indian remains found at construction site of Oxford sports complex

ARKANSAS: Housing market in state shows signs of improvement

FLORIDA: Cost of fruits and vegetables skyrockets due to Florida freeze

GEORGIA: State faces $506 million Medicaid gap

KENTUCKY: Senate defeats amendment that would expand gambling

LOUISIANA: Sen. Landrieu works to block EPA's greenhouse gas decision

MISSISSIPPI: State lawmakers consider making cold medications prescription-only

SOUTH CAROLINA: Businesses in state want to keep DHEC out of governor's control

TENNESSEE: Lawmakers pass higher-education bill, easing transfer requirements

VIRGINIA: House rejects former Gov. Kaine's proposed tax increase plan

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1/8: New smog limits could be challenging for NC, US

News & Observer: New smog limits could be challenging for NC, US

Much of North Carolina would flunk the federal pollution standards in a nationwide proposal Thursday to require tougher limits on smog. The federal Environmental Protection Agency's new limits are the strictest so far.

The new standards will put hundreds of counties across the nation out of compliance and force local officials to find creative new ways to squeeze more pollution reductions from transportation, heavy industry and residents.

Also in the South:

ALABAMA: Opinion: How Alabama can meet justice needs

ARKANSAS: Schools in state scramble for federal money

FLORIDA: South Florida schools face mid-year budget crisis

GEORGIA: Homeowners in state could lose $13 billion in property values in next two years

KENTUCKY: New mining procedures to cut down on dumping of coal waste

LOUISIANA: Much of New Orleans area to be out of compliance with new EPA ozone standards

MISSISSIPPI: State denies Allstate's bid to raise insurance rates by 65%

SOUTH CAROLINA: State legislature says cigarette tax is likely this year

TENNESSEE: Legislative agenda's top issues: budget cuts, education

VIRGINIA: State tightens rules on car-title lending

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

9/24: SPR: GOP return to power could be swift

Southern Political Report: Matt Towery: GOP return to power could be swift

"The D.C. pundits think they have it nailed. Sure President Obama and the Democrats have slipped from their mighty post-election high approval ratings. But the Republicans have no message and no candidates, and are a party that has allowed itself to become marginalized because of an overreliance on the support of Southern whites.

"Wrong.

"For starters, no Republican has a prayer of capturing the White House without running the table of some large Southern states. Florida, Virginia and North Carolina all went for George W. Bush in 2004 and then for Barack Obama four years later. Recapture these states, and a Republican nominee is halfway to winning in 2012. So dismissing the importance of Southern support for the GOP is misguided analysis. The region is their base, and no party wins without first holding its base." More

Also in the South:

ALABAMA: State records to be searchable online beginning October 1

ARKANSAS: "F" given to Arkansas for economic opportunity on new CFED scorecard

FLORIDA: New elections controversy in Florida -- monopoly of voting machines

GEORGIA: State's physician-congressmen lead the anti-czar campaign

KENTUCKY: Power plant must be re-evaluated, says EPA

LOUISIANA: Gambling revenue down only by 1.3% in Louisiana

MISSISSIPPI: State leaders battle over Medicaid

NORTH CAROLINA: Top ten list of nanotech states now includes North Carolina

SOUTH CAROLINA: Census shows $1.8 billion is buying power of illegal immigrants in SC

TENNESSEE: ATF tells gun dealers to ignore Tennessee state law

VIRGINIA: Sen. Mark Warner urges action on health care

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

9/18: Big win for huge coral reefs along Atlantic Coast

PR Newswire: Big win for huge coral reefs along Atlantic Coast

The South Atlantic Fisheries Management Council voted today to protect what could be the Earth's largest deepwater coral ecosystem off the coasts of North Carolina, South Carolina, Georgia and Florida.

The 25,000 square mile area is among the most important in the world for marine species and for exploration for biopharmaceuticals.

The protection, a first for fishery councils in the US, will provide balance between protecting the reefs while allowing fishermen continued access to traditional fishing grounds using gear that will minimally damage reefs.

Also in the South:

ALABAMA: Jobless rate climbs to 10.4% in Alabama

ARKANSAS: State medical examiner lets national accreditation lapse

FLORIDA: AARP and state agree on plan that could help thousands of poor elderly

GEORGIA: Gov. Perdue blocks agencies from working with ACORN

KENTUCKY: 2009 No Child Left Behind scores to be released 9/23

LOUISIANA: State Health Secretary expresses concern about proposed Medicaid changes

MISSISSIPPI: Gov. Barbour says it's about policy, not race, on Obama opposition

NORTH CAROLINA: Community colleges agree to admit illegal immigrants

SOUTH CAROLINA: Tougher EPA smog regulations possible for South Carolina

TENNESSEE: State's cities spend millions on lobbying

VIRGINIA: Second debate between Deeds and McConnell turns contentious

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