4/20: Get your appliance rebates - fast!

New York Times: Get your appliance rebates -- fast

Consumers across the country are snapping up rebates for energy-efficient appliances. In Florida, the $17.6 million allocated for the program lasted a day and a half, with more than 72,000 claims filed.

Each state has structured its own program, sometimes excluding certain appliances like air-conditioners or requiring proof that old appliances were recycled before paying out the cash.

Kateri Callahan, the president of the Alliance to Save Energy, a nonprofit coalition that promotes efficiency measures, praised the rebates as stimulating the economy while providing “an immediate, point-of-purchase incentive for consumers by ‘buying down’ the price of new, energy-efficient appliances.”

Also in the South:

ALABAMA: Editorial: Find PACT solution that will last

ARKANSAS: Non-married couples in state to be allowed to foster and adopt children

FLORIDA: House passes Medicaid measure, giving large HMOs more power than ever

GEORGIA: Hundreds of artists protest cutting of Georgia Council for the Arts at Capitol

KENTUCKY: State's Cash for Appliances program to begin Thursday

LOUISIANA: House kills bill suspending prisoners' government pension benefits

MISSISSIPPI: Judge's ruling on racial isolation in MS schools points to troubling trend

NORTH CAROLINA: Amazon files lawsuit to block NC's data request

SOUTH CAROLINA: Group says adjusting state's tax structure could return funding to schools

TENNESSEE: Most cuts to state's Medicaid program will likely be delayed for a year

VIRGINIA: Tea party influence could go two ways in Virginia

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

4/9: Al Gore speaks at Duke on climate crisis

News & Observer: Al Gore speaks at Duke on climate crisis

Speaking at the spring Duke Environment and Society Lecture presented by the Nicholas School of the Environment, the Nobel Prize winner said it takes bigger changes "than just light bulbs" to counteract climate change. He argued for changing laws, from those that influence environmental impact to those that regulate lobbying and campaign contributions.

Gore spent less time presenting evidence for global warming, focusing instead on possible solutions and ways to involve communities. In addition to solar energy, he discussed possibilities for wind power, geothermal power and other renewable energy sources.

The largest source of new energy is efficiency, he said, noting only 10 percent of the gasoline used in vehicles is used to power them.

Also in the South:

ALABAMA: House rejects proposal to drop sales tax on groceries

ARKANSAS: Wind turbine plant to be built by Mitsubishi in Arkansas

FLORIDA: Lawmakers approve sweeping school changes

GEORGIA: Gov. Perdue says AG should sue over voting check

KENTUCKY: Impasse over state budget could impact upcoming elections

LOUISIANA: State's two public university systems spent millions on D.C. lobbying

MISSISSIPPI: State nursing home groups file lawsuit over Medicaid cuts

SOUTH CAROLINA: State is 'fine' with accepting out-of-state nuclear waste, temporarily

TENNESSEE: House increases prison time for armed robbery

VIRGINIA: State restructures troubled IT outsourcing contract

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

4/8: New poll released on top states likely to add jobs

Morris News Service: New poll released on top states likely to add jobs

A report issued by the American Legislative Exchange Council puts four of the South's states in the top ten states most likely to grow jobs. Florida ranked 5th, Virginia ranked 8th, Georgia ranked 9th, and Tennessee ranked 10th.

Economist Arthur Laffer compared each state on 15 factors. Georgia fared in the middle of the pack when it comes to worker's compensation costs, property taxes and the top rate for personal income taxes. Its sales-tax burden as a share of personal income ranked in the bottom third.

One note: South Carolina, which currently is ranked 31st, could catapult toward the top of the list if state legislative efforts to eliminate the state income tax pass.

Also in the South:

ALABAMA: Editorial: An epidemic in Alabama

ARKANSAS: Parents get public school option under state law

FLORIDA: Legislature to take up gambling, education bills

GEORGIA: State sees big jump in number of Medicaid and food stamp applications

KENTUCKY: Mining officials in the state examine safety measures

LOUISIANA: University faculty, students question raising tuition

MISSISSIPPI: Gov. Barbour approves bill requiring quick records response

NORTH CAROLINA: Pollen rate hits 9,632 grains per cubic meter in Winston-Salem

SOUTH CAROLINA: Some S.C. politicians aim to take lead on knocking out health care reform

TENNESSEE: State drops about 100,000 from Medicaid rolls

VIRGINIA: Gov. McDonnell amends Confederate history proclamation to include slavery

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

4/7: GA's public defender system may revert back to county control

Atlanta Journal-Constitution: Georgia's public defender system may revert back to county control

In 2003, Gov. Perdue signed the Georgia Indigent Defense Act into law, which created a new statewide network of public defender offices to replace an uneven system of county-run indigent defense programs, many of which were found unable to protect the rights of poor people accused of crimes.

But now, key state lawmakers and the governor are considering proposals that would transfer a large chunk of the state system back to county control.

Norman Fletcher, a former chief justice of the Georgia Supreme Court, called any plan to return part of the system back to county control "a terrible idea."

"It would be taking us back to essentially where we were in 2003," Fletcher said. "I think it would be a disastrous step and ultimately lead to litigation in state or federal court to make sure this system is the constitutional duty of the state, not the counties."

Also in the South:

ALABAMA: State's shellfish waters closed over fears of contamination

ARKANSAS: AG McDaniel rejects health care ballot measure for second time

FLORIDA: Legislators consider allowing corporations to contribute to fund for private schools

KENTUCKY: U.S. Senate race heats up in both parties

LOUISIANA: Wildlife refuge in La. suffers spill of thousands of gallons of crude oil

MISSISSIPPI: Federal permission for state to cut Medicaid payments still pending

NORTH CAROLINA: Fight over state road-building funds leaves no one happy

SOUTH CAROLINA: Congressmen take questions from 400 business leaders on health care

TENNESSEE: Opinion: Should teens be on sex registry?

VIRGINIA: State lost 21,200 construction jobs over the last year

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

3/29: VA program to help minority business falls short

News & Advance: Virginia program to help minority business falls short

The program aimed at helping small, women and minority firms win state business has been deemed largely ineffective at awarding contracts to minority owners. A big part of the problem -- The definition of 'small business' is so broad that it includes 99% of the businesses in the state.

"When you’re looking at minority business and small business, that’s two different issues on two different fronts,” said Darryl Samuels, executive vice president of the National Association of Minority Contractors. “The minority issue gets diluted.”

“It is a program from hell,” said A. Hugo Bowers, president of the 48-member Black Business Alliance of Virginia, formed to press for public and private sector diversity. “(State agencies) can meet their SWaM goals and never hire a minority.”

Also in the South:

ALABAMA: Legislators found way to fund education plan

ARKANSAS: Child maltreatment reports in seven-county area are up

FLORIDA: Editorial: Florida's lawmakers aren't facing up to the state's budget crisis

GEORGIA: State House won't force AG to sue over health reform

KENTUCKY: Impact of health care reform on Kentucky explored

LOUISIANA: State legislature convenes 2010 session today

MISSISSIPPI: Opinion: State's unemployment benefits need work

NORTH CAROLINA: Protesters rally against jail's policy on deporting immigrants

SOUTH CAROLINA: National health care may mightily expand SC's Medicaid, bills

TENNESSEE: State health officials say H1N1 flu has increased slightly

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

3/1: Analysis of NC voters shows allegiances are shifting

Washington Daily News: Analysis of NC voters shows allegiances are shifting

According to the nonpartisan Democracy North Carolina, a county-by-county analysis of North Carolina voters points to dramatic shifts in the past decade that will likely influence campaign strategy for elections this year.

Statewide, unaffiliated numbers advanced by 627,547, showing 83-percent growth from 2000 through the first month of 2010. During the same decade, Democratic ranks expanded by 11 percent, while Republicans grew their party by 16 percent.

These major shifts in registration have unsettled some key figures in the two major parties. The state Democratic and Republican parties allow unaffiliated registrants to vote in their primaries.

Also in the South:

ALABAMA: 2010 session at midpoint; legislators have yet to work on budget

ARKANSAS: Opinion: Hard to judge merits of Legislature's fiscal session

FLORIDA: Few dentists in state are willing to deal with Medicaid

GEORGIA: U.S. Rep. Linder will not seek re-election

KENTUCKY: Legislative committee stalls prison food bill

LOUISIANA: Gov. Jindal says he'll take second stimulus package, even as he speaks against it

MISSISSIPPI: First Lady Michelle Obama to visit state this week to work against childhood obesity

SOUTH CAROLINA: Opinion: Jailhouse rocked? Legislators facing a tough funding choice

TENNESSEE: SBI report finds gang activity in schools across the state

VIRGINIA: Officials say rail is state's transportation future

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

2/24: Illegal immigrant numbers rise in the Southeast

AP: Illegal immigrant numbers rise in Southeast

A new federal report shows that Georgia had the greatest percentage increase among the 10 states with the biggest illegal immigrant populations during 2000-2009, with more than 480,000 immigrants noted during that period. In 1990, Georgia had just 35,000 illegal immigrants.

North Carolina is also one of the top 10 states for the sheer size of its illegal immigrant population, estimated at about 370,000 in January 2009 as compared to 260,000 in 2000, according to the report by the Department of Homeland Security's Office of Immigration Statistics.

As recently as the 1980s, Southeastern states with the exception of Florida had very few immigrants, legal or illegal, Jeff Passel of the Pew Hispanic Center said. A recession in California in the early 1990s, and a ready supply of low-skilled jobs in other regions prompted immigrants to look elsewhere, especially the Southeast, Passel said.

Also in the South:

ALABAMA: Lawmakers consider ban on public release of 911 calls

ARKANSAS: International students boost state's economy by more than $23 million

FLORIDA: Supreme Court approves Florida's version of Miranda rights warnings

GEORGIA: Statewide campaign -- Exit 2 Text It -- aimed at teen motorists

KENTUCKY: Group rallies against payday lenders

LOUISIANA: State to get $77 million more in stimulus money for health care

MISSISSIPPI: Gov. Barbour gives President Obama advice -- 'jobs, jobs, jobs' should be priority

NORTH CAROLINA: State lags behind on disclosing hospital infections

SOUTH CAROLINA: State considers early release of 3,000 prisoners as way to save money

TENNESSEE: New biorefinery to convert wood products into diesel or jet fuel

VIRGINIA: Primary victims of state budget: Education and Medicaid

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

2/17: States withhold funds from municipal gov'ts

Stateline: States withhold funds to cities, counties across nation

As budget shortfalls continue to make headlines, some states are withholding funds owed to municipal governments as a way to balance state books.

In North Carolina, about 7% of the proceeds from the state's corporate income tax had routinely been transferred to local governments for school capital costs, but starting this year, legislatorss decided to put that money -- about $125 million over two years -- towards the state's budget
deficit.

The withholding of funds is not without protest -- in some states, including Florida, lawsuits have been filed to get the funds reinstated.

It's an interesting situation to watch.

Also in the South:

ALABAMA: State Senate committee to vote on Gov. Riley's charter school plan

ARKANSAS: State lawmakers want more control over Medicaid program cuts

FLORIDA: State panel debates plastic bag ban, but offers no answer

GEORGIA: Nuclear reactors in Georgia to get $8.3 billon federal loan guarantee

KENTUCKY: State's economy could get boost from underused Earned Income Tax Credit

LOUISIANA: State prison system sues death row inmates to stall lethal injection lawsuit

MISSISSIPPI: 'Personhood' initiative filed to get abortion issue on statewide ballot

NORTH CAROLINA: State education officials change minds about altering history curriculum

SOUTH CAROLINA: Landfill in S.C. to store dangerous chemicals from Pickens County river

TENNESSEE: White Nose Syndrome blamed for deaths of Tennessee bats

VIRGINIA: In private, Gov. McDonnell pushes for deeper budget cuts of more than $1 billion

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

2/8: States try to tax more services

Wall Street Journal: States try to tax more services

Faced with the worst budget crisis in a generation, many states are looking to expand sales taxes to services, such as lawn care or accountants' advice. The goal, legislators say, is to broaden the tax base to cover a broader swath of the economy as traditional sources of tax revenue decline.

In Kentucky, representatives have introduced a measure to extend sales taxes to some high-end services like limousines and balloon rides. In North Carolina, the legislature last year considered, but didn't pass, a proposal to tax services such as car repairs and lawn care.

Also in the South:

ALABAMA: Sen. Shelby blocks 70 Obama nominees to get defense contracts for Alabama

ARKANSAS: State begins first-ever fiscal session, as state starts annual budgeting process

FLORIDA: Fewer politicians rely on state to pay for flights

GEORGIA: Both parties upset over Gov. Perdue's plan to appoint four statewide officers

KENTUCKY: State has significant medical care gap

LOUISIANA: Education Secretary Duncan praises LA for reforms on state education

MISSISSIPPI: Gov. Barbour cuts $21 million in fourth round of budget cuts

NORTH CAROLINA: Commentary: Jim Hunt: More creativity in the classroom

SOUTH CAROLINA: Opinion: Andy Brack: Legislature should back off on search, ID bills

TENNESSEE: Mental health care cuts deepen in state

VIRGINIA: Medicaid funding for disabled could be cut in state

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

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

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

1/15: NC, VA consider privatizing liquor sales

Stateline: North Carolina, Virginia consider privatizing liquor stores

North Carolina and Virginia (and Washington) are considering eliminating state-run liquor stores, turning over the sale of booze to the private sector. Currrently, nineteen states control their liquor sales.

Virginia's Gov.-elect McDonnell, who will be sworn in as the state's governor on Saturday (Jan. 16), made privatization of the state’s 300 liquor stores a central theme of his winning campaign last fall. He said it would raise about $500 million in one-time money for transportation, but critics say it will never pass the General Assembly because the state would have to give up about $100 million a year in revenue that helps pay for public schools, human services, prisons and other services.

Also in the South:

ALABAMA: Legislature rejects plan to furlough state workers

ARKANSAS: State official says Medicaid could face big deficit in 2012

FLORIDA: State sets new foreclosure record in 2009

GEORGIA: Gov. Perdue wants regional sales tax to pay for transportation

KENTUCKY: House Speaker Stumbo favors rollback of sales tax

LOUISIANA: State's education system gets a C grade from Quality Counts

MISSISSIPPI: Recovery in Mississippi to be slower, harder says Economic Outlook 2010

NORTH CAROLINA: State law doesn't address freed sex offenders

SOUTH CAROLINA: State Dept. of Natural Resources faces budget crisis, plans layoffs

TENNESSEE: House may act today on teacher tenure legislation

VIRGINIA: Opinion: For Virginia politicians, is a Southern accent a bad thing?

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

12/7: Rendering a more balanced state tax structure

Statehouse Report: Andy Brack: Rendering a more balanced state tax structure

"With a quarter of the state’s population jobless, underemployed or fed up looking for work, a pretty good case can be made that if the state of South Carolina wants to move past the recession, it needs to seriously rethink its priorities.

"Instead of continuing to do things the same ways they’ve always been done, now might be the best time to shake things up a little. Perhaps it is time to focus more on underfunded areas that, if funded better, could generate real rewards."

Also in the South:

ALABAMA: Jobless hotline in state swamped with calls

ARKANSAS: State to get lottery vending machines in Spring 2010

FLORIDA: House lawmakers to vote on commuter rail today

GEORGIA: Spread of hemlock woolly adelgid worries Georgia foresters

KENTUCKY: State to adopt protocol for death row executions

LOUISIANA: Analysis: Gov. Jindal quiet on Medicaid fix he sought

MISSISSIPPI: Three cities legalize Sunday alcohol sales

NORTH CAROLINA: State Chamber of Commerce talks taxes with state policy makers

SOUTH CAROLINA: Five reasons why Sanford may remain state's governor

TENNESSEE: State improves on ranking of healthy states, moving from 48th to 44th

VIRGINIA: Gov. Kaine proposes expanding health benefits to partners

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

11/18: Analysis of tax systems in U.S. released

ITEP: Distributional analysis of tax systems in the 50 states

A state-by-state look at how fair each state's tax systems are, considering both state and local taxes paid by different income groups in 2007. The study shows which states have done the best and worst job of providing fairness in their tax systems overall.

One overall conclusion: Nearly every state and local tax system takes more proportionally from middle and low income families than from the wealthy -- "most tax systems are regressive."

Of the eleven Southern states we cover, Tennessee, Florida, and Alabama are among the ten most regressive tax states among the 50.

Also in the South:

ALABAMA: Black Belt's future projected to be in biofuels, some say

ARKANSAS: 2010 governor's race to be impacted by economy

FLORIDA: Top senators say state should drop out of federal Medicaid system

GEORGIA: On population count, South Georgia could lose legislative seats

KENTUCKY: State considers how to repay federal jobless funds loans

LOUISIANA: Poll finds race relations mostly unchanged in last year

MISSISSIPPI: 79 of state's 82 counties declared a disaster by heavy rain, drought

NORTH CAROLINA: Human trafficking seen as a problem in NC due to highways, agriculture

SOUTH CAROLINA: State's onshore winds may not be enough for power generation

TENNESSEE: State parks may cut jobs, close amenities to save money

VIRGINIA: New economic engine for N. VA could come from Ignite Institute

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

11/5: LA, MS emerging from recession

Stateline: Louisiana, Mississippi among states emerging from recession

Eleven states and the District of Columbia seem to be emerging from the recession according to a new report. Moody's Economy also reported that the states, while still in recession, have seen the pace of their decline slow down, or moderate.

Energy production revenues helped states such as Alaska, Louisiana, Montana and North Dakota to stay afloat. Louisiana also boasts low business costs, ports that connect it to foreign markets, health care centers and military installations, all of which were well-positioned to weather the downturn.

Mississippi is in a similar position to Louisiana, according to Moody’s. That has allowed it to lure major investment, such as a Toyota plant in the northeastern part of the state.

Also in the South:

ALABAMA: State agencies laying off employees

ARKANSAS: House members reject proposed out-of-state travel rule

FLORIDA: NRA wants adoption agencies to ban questions about gun ownership of prospective parents

GEORGIA: New study shows rareness of Georgia floods

KENTUCKY: Gov. Beshear wants passage of slots bill by winter

LOUISIANA: State's delegation is a tough sell on health care overhaul

MISSISSIPPI: State's budget to receive "facelift" next year

NORTH CAROLINA: State's pork producers see effect of swine flu

SOUTH CAROLINA: New Medicaid pharmacy program saves state money

TENNESSEE: State legislators may dump $70 million biofuels project

VIRGINIA: Five state house seats gained by GOP

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

11/3: EPA considers new coal ash rules

The Tennessean: EPA considers new coal ash rules

The Environmental Protection Agency is considering new rules for coal ash disposal: If it's wet, it would be considered hazardous; if it's dry, it would be considered non-hazardous if moved to a dry landfill.

However, some environmentalists viewed the new option included in the General Accountability Office report as a potential loophole that would allow industry to avoid regulation.

Also in the South:

ALABAMA: State ranks seventh in the nation for business climate

ARKANSAS: Per capita income up in Arkansas to 46th in nation

FLORIDA: Symposium experts say offshore drilling poses little risk to coast

GEORGIA: Congressional hearing held on state's bank failures, foreclosures

KENTUCKY: State increases number of children in public health programs

LOUISIANA: Costs of Medicaid now over $300 million in state

MISSISSIPPI: Lawmakers consider ATV safety regulations

NORTH CAROLINA: Golden LEAF foundation criticized in state audit

SOUTH CAROLINA: Rise in college costs could make higher ed unaffordable for SC residents

VIRGINIA: Voters to pick state's next governor today

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

10/30: Study shows states lower testing standards to make NCLB

New York Times: Study shows states lower testing standards to make NCLB

Nearly a third of the states lowered their standards so that they could stay ahead of sanctions under the No Child Left Behind law, according to a new study by the federal Department of Education. However, lowering standards also confuses parents about how children’s achievement compares with those in other states and countries.

The study found wide variation among states, with standards highest in Massachusetts and South Carolina. Georgia, Oklahoma and Tennessee had standards that were among the lowest.

Also in the South:

ALABAMA: State's lawmakers say Pentagon's tanker rules are unfair

ARKANSAS: Crops in state take a $600 million hit due to rains

FLORIDA: Five signs that will signal end of state's recession

GEORGIA: Lawmakers to look at flaws in property tax system

KENTUCKY: State's largest drug roundup pulls 318 people from 34 counties

LOUISIANA: State puts forth new effort to fight Medicaid fraud

MISSISSIPPI: Sen. Wicker says census "could cost Mississippi"

NORTH CAROLINA: Sea level rise along state's cost is accelerating

SOUTH CAROLINA: USC tops 'sexual health' rankings

TENNESSEE: Campaign pushes for more adoptions in state

VIRGINIA: State to close pharmacy for the mentally ill

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

9/25: WIC nutrition program to be overhauled

The Tennessean: WIC nutrition program to be overhauled

The federal nutrition program for women, infants and children (WIC) will get its first overhaul in thirty years. With the changes, participants will be able to get fresh produce and whole grains for the first time.

The goal is to get people to eat a healthier diet by reducing saturated fat while increasing fiber and protein. That means participants will get reduced-fat milk instead of whole, fewer juices, fresh or frozen fruits and vegetables, and whole-grain cereals and breads. Also, the program supports breastfeeding mothers by giving them more items.

In 2008, the WIC program had more than 8.7 million participants each month. The changes go into effect Thursday.

Also in the South:

ALABAMA: Judge strikes down a portion of sex offender law in Alabama

ARKANSAS: Gov. Beebe says he won't play lottery, but Lt. Gov. Halter will

FLORIDA: CFO Alex Sink tries to rescind civil rights of ex-cons

GEORGIA: North Georgia under flash flood watch as more heavy rain expected

KENTUCKY: Jobless rate up in all Kentucky counties

LOUISIANA: More than 400 fugitives rounded up in 'Operation Big Easy'

MISSISSIPPI: Fight continues over Medicaid's coverage of speech therapy

NORTH CAROLINA: Residents asked to recycle by state

SOUTH CAROLINA: DHEC chief says putting governor in charge of agency would be a mistake

VIRGINIA: Former governor Douglas Wilder refuses to endorse anyone for governor

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

Lawmakers defensive over health care reform

New York Times: Lawmakers on the defensive over health care reform debates

Lawmakers are returning home for their August recess and many are facing angry crowds. In Georgia, Rep. Hank Johnson told his constituents not to be deterred by reports of ''town halls gone wild,'' but the Democrat wasn't taking any chances at his first health care forum as three times the normal security detail was in position to thwart any problems. Conflicting reports from a Clarkston forum -- one said the meeting featured angry voters and booing, while another report on the same forum said the nearly 2,000 attendees stayed calm. And Tom Baxter, of Southern Political Report, says there was a little pot-stirring, but not a big rumble as expected.

In North Carolina, Rep. Brad Miller, D-N.C., said he will not host any town halls this month because he received a phone call threatening his life. Instead, he said he will hold one-on-one meetings with constituents.

Also in the South:

ALABAMA: Time ticking on governors in water wars -- all three leave office in 2010

ARKANSAS: Groundbreaking set for wood pellet plant on August 13

FLORIDA: Gov. Crist feeling the pressure over slow movement of stimulus funds

KENTUCKY: State to consider shifting prison funds to other areas

LOUISIANA: Medicaid cuts to cost Central Louisiana $5.3 million

MISSISSIPPI: U.S. Sen. Wicker to talk health care reform with medical students

NORTH CAROLINA: Gov. Perdue to sign significant death penalty law

SOUTH CAROLINA: Democrats seek probe into Sanford's use of state planes

TENNESSEE: TVA to use dry storage for coal ash

VIRGINIA: Congressmen to hold town hall meetings on health care reform

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