3/24: New study shows cost of China trade to states

Atlanta Business Chronicle: New study shows cost of China trade to states

The report from the Economic Policy Institute shows the U.S. is bleeding millions of jobs as a result of the nation's growing trade deficit, primarily with China.

Since China joined the World Trade Organization in 2001, 2.4 million jobs have been lost or displaced in the U.S. as a result of the trade deficit with that nation, the report said. Georgia was among the hardest-hit states, losing 78,100 jobs over the seven-year period (2001-2008) covered by the EPI study.

In North Carolina, 95,100 jobs have been lost over the last decade, making it the second hardest-hit state in the nation.

Also in the South:

ALABAMA: State lawmakers begin working on budget

ARKANSAS: Review of foster care system in state complete

FLORIDA: Senate Bill 6 could hurt teaching profession in state

KENTUCKY: House panel approves superintendent evaluation bill

LOUISIANA: Health care reform could benefit Louisiana more than most states

MISSISSIPPI: State House drops plan for session hiatus

NORTH CAROLINA: State faces $65 billion shortfall for roads over next 20 years

SOUTH CAROLINA: Study shows SC's income tax among the weakest in nation

TENNESSEE: Meth use a big problem across Tennessee

VIRGINIA: Gov. McDonnell to sign legislation outlawing federal government's health care bill

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

9/9: H1N1 flu cases rising in Southeasat

Miami Herald: H1N1 flu cases rising in Southeast

Dr. Anne Schuchat of the CDC says, "It's widespread in Florida, Georgia, Alabama and Mississippi.'' Schuchat said the agency was aware of "24 localities" in Georgia, Indiana, Missouri and Tennessee dismissing elementary and high schools on Friday, affecting 25,000 students.

Asked why the increases are biggest in the Southeast, Schuchat said: "We don't know exactly. One possibility is that schools started earlier there. Another is that the Southeast states were not that heavily hit in the spring, and they're just getting their spring wave now."

Also on Tuesday, the CDC put out new guidelines that say the flu medicines Tamiflu and Relenza should only be used to treat people who are sick with the flu and at high risk for complications.

Also in the South:

ALABAMA: State's tax amnesty program raises more than $8.1 million

ARKANSAS: Could soda pop tax as seen in Arkansas go national?

GEORGIA: The Clean Air Campaign's Diesel Idling Reduction program has 60 companies signed on

KENTUCKY: Bill would cancel $12 million prison food contract

LOUISIANA: ACLU lawsuit filed over single-sex classes in Lafayette

MISSISSIPPI: State has a shortage of school nurses

NORTH CAROLINA: Gov. Perdue ready to sign consumer protection law

SOUTH CAROLINA: Decision is near on off-shore oil and natural gas drilling

TENNESSEE: Rep. Kelsey to resign House seat after Senate primary to keep seat in party

VIRGINIA: Gov. Kaine cuts 929 jobs to make up for budget shortfall

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

9/1: Georgia is first state to impose teacher furloughs

New York Times: Georgia is first state to impose teacher furloughs

Georgia is the first state to put teacher furloughs into effect as a way of saving state budget money. The furloughs for all state employees includes teachers for the first time in more than 25 years. The forced days off will save about $135 million, with the majority of that coming from salaries for 128,000 educators.

Several other states are considering the same action, including Florida.

Also in the South:

ALABAMA: New problem created by moving toxic coal ash from TN to poor town in AL

ARKANSAS: Lt. Gov. Halter signs 'letter of intent' with officials of Henan province

FLORIDA: Jobless rate in Florida could stay high until 2018

KENTUCKY: State employees offer Gov. Beshear ways to cut budget

LOUISIANA: State GOP chairman sounds alarm about census counting illegal immigrants

MISSISSIPPI: State offers job help online and at nine access points

NORTH CAROLINA: Sen. Burr's health forum to include Sen. John McCain, Sen. Mitch McConnell

SOUTH CAROLINA: A look at a legislative poll on impeachment of Gov. Sanford

TENNESSEE: State Democrats target 12 House seats to take over

VIRGINIA: Governor's race ignites over GOP candidate McDonnell's past views

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