2/9: States face big costs from winter snow

Wall Street Journal: States face big costs from winter snow

State and local governments along the East Coast are struggling to figure out how to pay the bills for snow cleanup. More snow is predicted today and tomorrow for Eastern U.S. states.

In Virginia, the state DOT had budgeted $79 million for snow removal in the fiscal year that ends in June, with a $25 million emergency fund on top of that. Officials estimated that both pools of money had already been spent even before this past weekend's storm.

Also in the South:

ALABAMA: Sen. Shelby releases holds on 70 Obama nominees

ARKANSAS: Senate, House split over campaign fundraising

FLORIDA: State's top economist says unemployment will peak this summer

GEORGIA: Gov. Perdue says teachers support merit pay

KENTUCKY: Gov. Beshear announces expansion of energy efficiency program

LOUISIANA: Opinion: Plan could kill jobs in Louisiana

MISSISSIPPI: Lawmakers consider allowing advertising in and on school buses

NORTH CAROLINA: Legislature to redraw district maps based on this year's census

SOUTH CAROLINA: Segregation prompted state's school building spree in the 1950s

TENNESSEE: Hospitals push for temporary tax to cover cuts to TennCare

VIRGINIA: Senate passes anti-discrimination bill for state workers

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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