12/17: Tainted, toxic -- but legal -- tap water

New York Times: Tainted, toxic -- but legal -- tap water

A 35-year old federal law regulating tap water is very out-of-date -- and scientists say that what Americans are drinking from the tap can pose serious health risks, but still be legal in the eyes of the government. Only 91 contaminants are regulated by the Safe Drinking Water Act, yet there are more than 60,000 chemicals used in the U.S. which can find their way into the drinking water.

A study found that various contaminants were often associated with increased incidents of disease. However, that research — like all large-scale studies of human illnesses — sometimes cannot definitively say that chemicals in drinking water were the sole cause of disease.

Take a look at water quality, state-by-state. This may drive filter sales.

Also in the South:

ALABAMA: State's 2011 education funding request considered 'unrealistic'

ARKANSAS: State enacts tougher penalties for animal abusers

FLORIDA: Rail bill signed by Gov. Crist

GEORGIA: V. P. Biden to announce funds for high-speed internet to rural areas

KENTUCKY: Gov. Beshear bans text messaging by workers driving state-owned vehicles

LOUISIANA: Gov. Jindal's office to push legislation to give board of ethics appeal power

MISSISSIPPI: Lawmakers say fees may spike, not taxes

NORTH CAROLINA: State is #1 in number of certified teachers for 14th year in a row

SOUTH CAROLINA: House panel votes down Sanford impeachment plan

TENNESSEE: State leaders and advocacy groups participate in Copenhagen climate conference

VIRGINIA: Gov. Kaine may renew car tax debate

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

12/9: Climate change in Ky. could bring poverty or growth

KENTUCKY: Experts say climate change could bring poverty or growth to Kentucky

A group of state and national experts met at the Kentucky Science & Technology Corp.'s climate change conference and said that the state could move toward increased poverty or see an opportunity for growth depending on the speed and direction of climate change.

If the weather changes, the energy costs could rise and coal industry could dry up. Or, if there's limited climate change, the state could benefit by gaining businesses that other states lose if the state beefs up education and infrastructure.

Also in the South:

ALABAMA: Bipartisan group wants further study of state's 2-year college system

ARKANSAS: In 71 days, lottery generates $25 million for scholarships

FLORIDA: Senate approves Tri-Rail funding plan by 27-10

GEORGIA: Green-building measure for Atlanta on hold for now

LOUISIANA: Editorial: Teamwork on coastal restoration

MISSISSIPPI: Next state health officer to face Ky. challenges: Obesity, heart disease, cancer

NORTH CAROLINA: Medical malpractice reports now available online

SOUTH CAROLINA: Public meeting on racial profiling to be held in Columbia

TENNESSEE: Obesity and diabetes rates go up in Tennessee counties

VIRGINIA: Governor-elect McDonnell doesn't want any tax hikes

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

11/9: Health care plan passes House

New York Times: Health care plan passes House

Saturday night, the House narrowly passed a sweeping overhaul of the health care system in the U.S. The approved plan will cost $1.1 trillion over 10 years.

The new plan would end insurance company practices like not covering pre-existing conditions or dropping people when they become ill. It would also extend coverage to 36 million people not currently covered by insurance.

The Senate will look at the bill next.

Also in the South:

ALABAMA: H. Brandt Ayers: South's cultural barriers

ARKANSAS: Cecil Cogburn: Spent fuel a valuable resource

FLORIDA: State may be next to consider medical marijuana

GEORGIA: State bans smoking in mental hospitals

KENTUCKY: One Kentucky vote helps pass health care bill

LOUISIANA: Research paper says 10% of Louisiana to be submerged by 2100

MISSISSIPPI: Gov. Barbour to wait until elections of 2010 to answer 2012 queries

NORTH CAROLINA: State begins Web site to help guide 'no smoking' transition

SOUTH CAROLINA: Sen. Lindsey Graham to work on climate change bill

TENNESSEE: Climate fight taken to Green Hills by Al Gore

VIRGINIA: State's transportation board to scale back projects

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

10/28: Proposed change in census could alter congressional seats

New York Times: Proposed change in census could alter congressional seats

Sen. David Vitter of Louisiana is proposing to count only United States citizens when reapportioning Congress. This could alter the representation in each state, according to an independent analysis. For instance, North Carolina and South Carolina would each gain a seat under this proposal; if counted the traditional way, Florida and Georgia would gain a seat each.

The Constitution, as amended, requires that Congressional districts be reapportioned on the basis of a count every 10 years of the “whole number of persons” in each state. The 10-question 2010 census form does not ask about citizenship, but the Census Bureau collects information on citizenship on other forms.

Sen. Vitter warned this month that a vote against his proposal would “strip these states of their proper representation in Congress,” while including noncitizens would “artificially increase the population count” in other states.

Also in the South:

ALABAMA: A look at investments made by state employees' pension fund

ARKANSAS: U.S. Chamber of Commerce to run ads against health care plan in Arkansas, Louisiana

FLORIDA: Proposed huge biopower plant to bring jobs and energy to North Florida

GEORGIA: State gets federal funds to upgrade power grid

KENTUCKY: Gov. Beshear announces funding for 911 call centers

LOUISIANA: State officials blast FDA plan on limiting oyster production

MISSISSIPPI: Gulfport to start environmental court

NORTH CAROLINA: 'Memory loss' hits former Gov. Easley's witnesses at Board of Elections hearing

SOUTH CAROLINA: State's farmers fight language of climate change bill

TENNESSEE: Nonpartisan Tax Foundation says state's tax structure needs new look

VIRGINIA: Attorney General candidates face off in Richmond

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

10/27: Survey shows where those without health insurance live

New York Times: Survey shows where those without health insurance live

The Census Bureau conducted a survey last year to find out where those without health insurance live. It was the first survey of its kind.

Red state residents (especially low-income Democrats) are less likely to have health insurance, and more likely to have legislators unwilling to provide it. A chart details coverage by state, showing red states -- like Georgia, Alabama, Mississippi, Tennessee, Kentucky, and South Carolina -- have low rates of health coverage for all age groups. This chart considers a "red state" one that voted for John McCain for president and with representation by two Republican senators; a "blue state" is one that voted predominantly for Barack Obama with representation by two Democratic senators.

Also in the South:

ALABAMA: State delays H1N1 vaccines given by school clinics to after Thanksgiving

ARKANSAS: Broadband access across state to be mapped by Connect Arkansas

FLORIDA: State House split over offshore drilling

GEORGIA: Georgia delegation to talk water with Florida, Alabama leaders

KENTUCKY: Opinion: Brad Luttrell: Coal issues need balanced debate

LOUISIANA: This is final week for state's 'tax amnesty' program

MISSISSIPPI: Chevron reports molten sulfur leak into Bayou Casotte

NORTH CAROLINA: Federal investigation of former Gov. Easley begins

SOUTH CAROLINA: State's graduation rate is near bottom in new report

TENNESSEE: Sen. Alexander calls climate change bill a 'job killer'

VIRGINIA: Serious gang crime down, but a rise in middle school offenses has officials concerned

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