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

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9/15: Some governors worried about Medicaid growth

Associated Press: Medicaid growth could hurt state budgets, say some governors

Some governors worry their financial burdens could get worse as Congress works on a comprehensive health care bill, especially as states struggle with high rates of poverty and unemployment.

“If the federal government wants to expand health care to everybody in the country, they should not force the states to pay part of the bill. If they want to do that, the federal government should pay for it,” said Mississippi Gov. Haley Barbour, who is chairman of the Republican Governors Association.

Medicaid budgets are already strained in some states. In Georgia, Gov. Sonny Perdue ordered 3 percent funding cuts for Medicaid and public schools and 5 percent cuts for most other state programs because of weak state tax collections in late July, just three weeks into the new fiscal year.

In Mississippi, where 21.1 percent of residents live in poverty and 20 percent are enrolled in Medicaid, paying for health care has long been a struggle. Barbour said a mandate to cover more people could lead to tax increases.

Also in the South:

ALABAMA: Gov. Riley returns from Europe, says state will pursue foreign firms more aggressively

ARKANSAS: Former judge debates Sen. Baker over Employee Free Choice Act

FLORIDA: State DOT considers pay-per-mile motorists' tax

GEORGIA: Tom Baxter: Jody Powell, a true original
"In an age of instant communications and overnight campaigns, it’s hard to convey just what a revolution in political communications Jody Powell was instrumental in pulling off. But I’ll always think of it in terms of two picnics."

KENTUCKY: $10.5 million in federal stimulus funds to help Kentucky go greener

LOUISIANA: Violent crime rate down in state

MISSISSIPPI: Wetlands project approved for Mississippi Delta

NORTH CAROLINA: State's Justice Dept. supports fight against Navy's practice landing field

SOUTH CAROLINA: State Superintendent of Education Jim Rex joins gubernatorial race

TENNESSEE: Rural residents in parts of state lack safe water

VIRGINIA: NRA switches support to McDonnell in governor's race

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