2/4: States face challenge of IT improvements

Stateline: A look at how states are dealing with IT improvements

Improving Information Technology systems at the state level is an issue facing most states these days. But many can't afford to update them, due to pressing budget problems. Some states have systems that are more than 30 years old and written in outdated computer code. Then there's the problem of slow computer networks, prone to crashes and agency incompatibility.

In Virginia, officials are a year behind on creating a new multi-agency IT infrastructure. It has suffered repeated network interruptions, adding to the cost of the five-year, $2.4 billion project.

However, in Georgia, revamping the IT structure seems to be on course. So far, the $1.2 billion, eight-year contract with IBM and AT&T has hit all of its deadlines with little difficulty. The vendors have successfully taken over the state’s IT infrastructure and are now in the process of consolidating all agencies into a single statewide system.

Also in the South:

ALABAMA: Editorial: Alabama needs water-saving strategy

ARKANSAS: State under hazardous weather warning today and Friday

FLORIDA: Opinion: Florida, we have a problem

GEORGIA: Gov. Perdue pushes conservation measures for long-term water savings

KENTUCKY: Gov. Beshear urges Pres. Obama to help protect coal states

LOUISIANA: State to privatize prisoner medications

MISSISSIPPI: State House votes to sell the state's private jet

NORTH CAROLINA: Settlement on "road to nowhere" to cost feds $52 million

SOUTH CAROLINA: Senate approves photo ID requirement for voting

TENNESSEE: State law protects elderly and disabled from abuse

VIRGINIA: State AG wants more outpatient treatment for mentally ill

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

12/14: States haunted by scary budget scenarios

Stateline: States haunted by scary budget scenarios

Budgets in most states will be facing service cuts, tax hikes, IOUs, layoffs, furloughs and political gridlock. In Virginia, outgoing Gov. Tim Kaine is putting together a budget that his successor, Bob McDonnell, will have to finalize. Said Kaine, "The things that get put in front of me in terms of cuts are ... tougher and tougher, and somewhere in whittling down that $3.6 billion number, I know I am going to get a cut that I don't want to make."

Arkansas has seen worse budgets over the years, including the hit the state took in 1930 when a third of the state flooded -- it was already reeling from budget problems before the Great Depression. In 1933, Arkansas defaulted on its bonds — the only state to do so during the Great Depression — and its state government essentially functioned on federal money for two years. It started digging itself out only when it passed a sales tax, and even then, the state had to stop building roads for 16 years.

To avoid a repeat, state leaders will have to be strong and offer solid plans to weather the budget problems.

Also in the South:

ALABAMA: Some of the state's schools are still segregated, according to study

ARKANSAS: Crop losses in the state estimated at $309 million by economists

FLORIDA: Judicial Ethics Committee advises judged not to befriend attorneys on Facebook

GEORGIA: Savannah worried about Atlanta's water plans and impact on coast

KENTUCKY: Abuse statistics considered 'alarming' in Kentucky

LOUISIANA: Commission on Streamlining Government works on state expenses

MISSISSIPPI: Some legislators want to change the way the budget is written

NORTH CAROLINA: Asheville councilman's atheism causing a huge stir across nation

SOUTH CAROLINA: Gubernatorial candidates outline jobs programs

TENNESSEE: Opinion: It's time Tennessee slams jail door shut

VIRGINIA: Gov. Kaine prepares Virginia budget

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

10/21: Surge in meth labs may change pharmacy offerings

Wall Street Journal: Surge in meth labs may change pharmacy offerings

State and federal lawmakers are considering copying an Oregon law requiring a prescription for many cold medications, a move opposed by major drug manufacturers.

Oregon's 2005 law requires a doctor's prescription for medicines with pseudoephedrine, a major component in the manufacturing of methamphetamine. Federal laws in place now limit the amount of cold medicines that can be purchased at one time; the Oregon law goes further.

This issue will be interesting to watch, especially as we enter the cold and flu season.

Also in the South:

ALABAMA: State ranks sixth in nation for percentage of adults without health insurance after losing jobs

ARKANSAS: Gov. Beebe to cut $100 million from current fiscal year budget

FLORIDA: State may become first bagless state

GEORGIA: State workers put together class action suit against Georgia for raises

KENTUCKY: Study finds KY leads nation in rate of child abuse and neglect deaths

LOUISIANA: Interracial couple sues judge for refusing to marry them

MISSISSIPPI: Conference set for Friday on impact of public policies on low-to-middle class Mississippi families

NORTH CAROLINA: Solar energy rooftops to be launched by Duke Energy

SOUTH CAROLINA: Lawmakers say changes to unemployment system will have to wait

TENNESSEE: Legislative panel wants to reassert 'state sovereignty' over federal government's reach

VIRGINIA: State Supreme Court's drunk driving ruling blasted by U.S. Chief Justice

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