3/19: New report says fewer people in prisons

Washington Post: New report says fewer people in prisons

"Prison Count 2010," a new report from the Pew Center on the States, shows inmate population at state prisons has declined for the first time in 38 years.

In Kentucky, there were 300 fewer prisoners in 2009. The decrease is attributed to programs focused on keeping those at risk out of prison in the first place and systems to help keep inmates from returning. Virginia saw a smaller decline in inmates -- 0.5 % -- to 38,000 total.

There's "a new emphasis on substance abuse diversion and treatment, credits for time served under supervision for non-violent parole violators, and increased credit and paroles for inmates who reduce their risk of re-offense by completing programs behind bars," according to Jake Horowitz, program manager for Pew's Public Safety Performance Project.

Also in the South:

ALABAMA: Opinion: State officials need to consider why AL's prison population went up in 2009

ARKANSAS: State is first in nation to offer mobile payments for gov't services

FLORIDA: Nearly one-quarter of construction jobs lost in South Florida

GEORGIA: Proposed change to open meetings law opposed by Georgia Press Association

LOUISIANA: State's colleges may get $84.4 million cut in mid-year budget, says Gov. Jindal

MISSISSIPPI: Gov. Barbour makes fifth round of budget cuts, trimming another $41 million

NORTH CAROLINA: State community college board votes to allow illegal immigrants

SOUTH CAROLINA: State House passes $5.1 billion budget after all-nighter

TENNESSEE: State may overhaul how it spends money with the private sector

VIRGINIA: State's schools will lose $700 million in two years

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12/29: TN legislators want to expand community colleges' mission

TENNESSEE: State legislators want to expand community colleges' mission

Gov. Phil Bredesen is developing an overhaul of the state's education system that could mean more students will attend four-year community college programs.

Lawmakers will open debate next month on a plan meant to cut costs and bolster Tennessee's graduation rate by realigning how the state's two-year colleges and four-year universities work together.

The plan would shift some course work from public universities to community colleges while also making it easier for students to transfer credits between schools.

Also in the South:

ALABAMA: Gov. Riley publishes book touting life in the state

ARKANSAS: New iPhone application lists state's laws

FLORIDA: State Supreme Court orders statewide managed mediation program for glut of foreclosures

GEORGIA: One analyst's look at health reform costs in Georgia

KENTUCKY: Schools await new state standards

LOUISIANA: State's first-time jobless claims drop

MISSISSIPPI: 'Most religious' state is Mississippi

NORTH CAROLINA: State to compete for high-speed rail funding

SOUTH CAROLINA: Little clarity in race to replace Gov. Sanford

VIRGINIA: Drop in 7% noted in state's manufacturing jobs

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12/22: Survey shows Southerners lead in religious devotion

USA Today: Survey shows Southerners lead in religious devotion

Southerners, and Mississipians in particular, are most active in their religious practices and beliefs according to a new survey from the Pew Forum on Religion & Public Life.

Five other states had at least seven in 10 people stating that religion holds that kind of importance for them: Alabama, Arkansas, Louisiana, Tennessee, and South Carolina.

Also in the South:

ALABAMA: State agencies worried about 2011 General Fund budget

ARKANSAS: Two-year college enrollment booming in Arkansas

FLORIDA: Senate candidates agree one one thing -- Cuba

GEORGIA: Biofuel demonstration plant to be built in Tifton

KENTUCKY: Number of children in foster care rises in state

LOUISIANA: Editorial: Keep ban on drilling in Lake Pontchartrain

MISSISSIPPI: Gov. Barbour names panel to study school district consolidation

NORTH CAROLINA: Foreclosure prevention program helps more than 2,500 in state

SOUTH CAROLINA: Lawmakers consider reassessment cap which could hurt local governments

TENNESSEE: A year later, TVA coal ash spill still unresolved

VIRGINIA: State could see $20 million increase by taking in Pennsylvania convicts

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11/4: Stimulus funds used to give raises in some cases

New York Times: Stimulus funds used to give raises in some cases

Errors in the government's latest effort to track the effectiveness of the $787 billion stimulus plan are showing that funds were used not just to create or save jobs, but to fund raises or benefits for existing employees.

In Georgia, a nonprofit, the Southwest Georgia Community Action Counciil, reported saving 935 jobs -- however, there are only 508 people working there.

The latest stimulus report, released Friday, significantly overstates the number of jobs spared with money from programs serving families and children, mostly the Head Start preschool program. The report shows hundreds of the programs used nearly $323 million to provide pay raises and other benefits to their existing employees.

The raises themselves were appropriate -- the stimulus law set aside money for Head Start salary increases -- but converting that number into jobs proved difficult. The Obama administration told Head Start officials to consider a fraction of each employee as a job saved.

Also in the South:

ALABAMA: Tea Party rally scheduled for today in Huntsville

ARKANSAS: State's tax revenue is again less than expected

FLORIDA: Sex offender restrictions in state may be flawed, says analyst

GEORGIA: Why a white woman may win the Atlanta mayoral race

KENTUCKY: State should budget $64 million more a year for college aid, says study

LOUISIANA: Gov. Jindal says resignation of justice who refused interracial marriage 'long overdue'

MISSISSIPPI: More prison cuts planned for 2010 budget

NORTH CAROLINA: New rules proposed to help homeowners avoid foreclosure

SOUTH CAROLINA: Ten candidates in running for governor's post talk energy, environment

TENNESSEE: State departments face up to 9% cuts

VIRGINIA: Analyst says policies, not parties, key to GOP win in Virginia

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11/3: EPA considers new coal ash rules

The Tennessean: EPA considers new coal ash rules

The Environmental Protection Agency is considering new rules for coal ash disposal: If it's wet, it would be considered hazardous; if it's dry, it would be considered non-hazardous if moved to a dry landfill.

However, some environmentalists viewed the new option included in the General Accountability Office report as a potential loophole that would allow industry to avoid regulation.

Also in the South:

ALABAMA: State ranks seventh in the nation for business climate

ARKANSAS: Per capita income up in Arkansas to 46th in nation

FLORIDA: Symposium experts say offshore drilling poses little risk to coast

GEORGIA: Congressional hearing held on state's bank failures, foreclosures

KENTUCKY: State increases number of children in public health programs

LOUISIANA: Costs of Medicaid now over $300 million in state

MISSISSIPPI: Lawmakers consider ATV safety regulations

NORTH CAROLINA: Golden LEAF foundation criticized in state audit

SOUTH CAROLINA: Rise in college costs could make higher ed unaffordable for SC residents

VIRGINIA: Voters to pick state's next governor today

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10/20: States track stimulus funds

Stateline: States track stimulus funds

The first big test of states’ oversight efforts comes this October when they must file the initial quarterly reports with the federal government on how they have spent those funds.

The federal law doesn’t require states to name point people or spell out their duties. But the Obama administration, which has czars for health care, energy, illegal drugs and even for cities, has asked states to name “implementation czars” to keep an eye on their share of the federal stimulus package. Governors are free to tap whomever they want for the post—if anyone at all. Alaska, Arkansas, Louisiana, Maryland and Texas have opted not to name a person.

An interactive map names the czars and websites for each state.

Also in the South:

ALABAMA: Rep. Artur Davis calls for rewrite of state constitution

ARKANSAS: State lottery repays $2.8 million loan to state

FLORIDA: State's senators talk about high speed rail

GEORGIA: State wants more training for daycare workers

KENTUCKY: Report puts price tag on pollution from coal plants

LOUISIANA: Graduation rates among La. high school students falls most

MISSISSIPPI: Opinion: State dilemma: Tax hike or more cuts?

NORTH CAROLINA: State's residents upset over plan to free inmates

SOUTH CAROLINA: Lawmakers to reconvene to discuss jobless benefits

TENNESSEE: Sen. Lamar Alexander, former secretary of education, pushes for 3-year college degrees

VIRGINIA: Candidates for Lt. Gov. embroiled in heated debate

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10/7: Editorial: Nation should share La.'s coastal burden

LOUISIANA: Editorial: Nation should share Louisiana's coastal burden
"A federal Minerals Management Service study concludes what Louisianians have known for a long time: oil and gas production has taken a significant toll on Gulf Coast wetlands, contributing to this state's land loss crisis.

"The report also points out that destruction caused by pipeline and navigation channel construction could be avoided or reduced by using the least damaging and most easily mitigated construction method."

Also in the South:

ALABAMA: Montgomery considers 'gasifying' waste into reusable materials or energy

ARKANSAS: First week of lottery sales estimated at $9.8 million

FLORIDA: Economists warn Florida officials of another big budget deficit

GEORGIA: U.S. Rep. Deal ends 20-year business deal with state

KENTUCKY: 'Tea party' rally to take place on Saturday

MISSISSIPPI: State tax revenues continue to drop

NORTH CAROLINA: Wind turbines to be placed in Pamlico Sound

SOUTH CAROLINA: State college enrollment shows overall increase in women students

TENNESSEE: Gov. Bredesen says Senate health proposal could cost state $735 million

VIRGINIA: State to use federal stimulus funds to reward energy-conserving consumers

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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

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10/5: Prepaid state college plans may not cover all costs

New York Times: Prepaid state college plans may not cover all costs

In the last year, the slump in the stock market and rising college costs have put all but two of the 18 prepaid college savings plans in the red.

South Carolina’s plan overseers have developed doomsday scenarios, capping how much a family would get if the program shut down completely.

Alabama closed its program to new enrollees because the fund lost almost half of its assets — more than $300 million — in the stock market in the last year, and the state might have to put its own money in to keep it solvent.

Between them, the 18 state funds serve nearly 1.6 million families and hold $23.8 billion in assets, ranging from Tennessee’s small $80 million fund serving 9,700 families to Florida’s massive $8.7 billion fund that serves about 850,000 families.

Also in the South:

ALABAMA: Military retirees stunned by 21% inpatient fee hike

ARKANSAS: Gov. Beebe responds to $55.8 million shortfall in revenue

FLORIDA: Gov. Crist gets bad media coverage lately

GEORGIA: State gets another blow in water wars as drinking water not considered in study

KENTUCKY: Gov. Beshear heads to China, Japan on trade mission

LOUISIANA: Autism numbers more prevalent than previously thought

MISSISSIPPI: Revenues down dramatically in September

NORTH CAROLINA: State asks for $5.3 billion for trains

SOUTH CAROLINA: Water Wars, Part Two: SC, NC battle over Catawba River

VIRGINIA: DNC to pump another $1 million into gubernatorial race

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9/30: States reeling from falling tax revenues

Wall Street Journal: States reel from falling tax revenues

Census Bureau figures show that state tax revenues are down 17% in the second quarter compared with a year ago. Rising unemployment and reduced spending are to blame for the lower sales- and income-tax collections.

bout two-thirds of state revenues are derived from sales and income taxes. The numbers aren't adjusted for inflation or changes in tax rates.

Falling revenues, combined with growing demand for social programs like Medicaid, have forced states to slash spending and scramble to raise revenue through changes including new taxes, legalized slot machines and pricier fishing licenses.

Also in the South:

ALABAMA: New laws go into effect on Thursday

ARKANSAS: More than $1.2 million in scratch-off tickets sold on first day

FLORIDA: Big outcry over Mayors Against Illegal Guns group

GEORGIA: Energy-saving products' sales tax holiday begins Thursday

KENTUCKY: Poverty rate in the state remains at 17.3%

LOUISIANA: Editorial: Louisiana should keep college graduates

MISSISSIPPI: Fee hikes possible for new state budget

NORTH CAROLINA: State budget cuts force closure of seven minimum-security prisons

SOUTH CAROLINA: State borrows $16 million a week to pay unemployment checks

TENNESSEE: State to lose $190 million in federal funds for roads

VIRGINIA: Tax amnesty to begin October 7

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

9/22: Climate conference opens at United Nations

New York Times: Climate conference opens at United Nations

Today, an unprecedented daylong conference on combating climate change is taking place at the United Nations and more than 100 heads of state are in attendance.

President Obama said the world “cannot allow the old divisions that have characterized the climate debate for so many years to block our progress. It is a journey that will require each of us to persevere through setback, and fight for every inch of progress, even when it comes in fits and starts." Mr. Obama said the world had been too slow to recognize the gathering danger from rising temperatures: “It is true of my own country as well; we recognize that.”

Mr. Obama said he was committed to the United States making its largest-ever investment in renewable energy, new standards for reducing pollution from vehicles and making clean energy profitable, among other initiatives.

Also in the South:

ALABAMA: Lawmakers struggle to keep college tuition program afloat

ARKANSAS: RNC chairman says his party must win over black voters

FLORIDA: Pari-mutuels, tracks seek special legislative session to boost revenue

GEORGIA: Gov. Perdue declares state of emergency in 17 counties over flooding

KENTUCKY: State gets a 'D' in financial security report

LOUISIANA: State to toughen stance on truancy

MISSISSIPPI: Gov. Haley Barbour orders state funding cut from ACORN

NORTH CAROLINA: Gov. Perdue forms panel to look at offshore energy -- oil, natural gas, wind

SOUTH CAROLINA: NAACP to boycott South Carolina for ninth year in a row

TENNESSEE: Megasite in West Tennessee plagued with political feuding

VIRGINIA: State's tax amnesty program launched with a smiley face

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