3/16: TN bill on divorce draws national attention

The Tennessean: Bill on divorce would require equal custody of children

National attention is focused on a bill in Tennessee that would evenly split child custody in contentious divorce cases. Groups for and against the bill are divided along gender lines. On the one hand is a powerful alliance of women's groups, the Tennessee Bar Association, and some judges who say the change would make divorces harder to settle. On the other hand, fathers-rights groups say children are being deprived of full relationships with both parents, and this law could help that.

Observers say that, if the bill passes, Tennessee would become home of the most gender-neutral and revolutionary child custody law in the United States.

Also in the South:

ALABAMA: State court system to lay off more than 100 temporary employees

ARKANSAS: Appliance rebate program begins in state

FLORIDA: Legislature seeks property tax cuts, but this could cost local governments

GEORGIA: State lottery announces record profits for first half of 2010 budget year

KENTUCKY: U.S. Senate race includes stab at candidates with Duke degrees

LOUISIANA: Roads in Louisiana are worst in the nation, according to data

MISSISSIPPI: Gov. Barbour vetoes extension of wind pool bill

NORTH CAROLINA: State can't explain a 39% jump in 2008 cases of SIDS

SOUTH CAROLINA: Legislators use federal money to patch South Carolina's budget

VIRGINIA: A look at winners and losers in state budget talks

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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