3/17: TN legislators prepare for a vote to ban an income tax

WDEF: Tennessee legislators prepare for a vote to ban an income tax

A constitutional amendment banning an income tax has now been read twice on the Senate floor. Senators could vote on it as early as Thursday. If it passes, the proposal would then be sent to the House for approval. Then, next year, lawmakers would have to pass it with a two-thirds majority before the public could vote on it in 2014.

State Rep. Eric Watson of Cleveland says Tennessee and an income tax don't mix. "It's very difficult and this is something we don't need. The people are fed up with the government and state agencies wasting money."

The constitutional amendment would allow the state to continue to collect taxes on income from stocks and bonds.

Also in the South:

ALABAMA: State's prepaid tuition plan could be over by fall 2011

ARKANSAS: Lawsuit contests law that bars unmarried couples from adoption/fostering

FLORIDA: FEMA denies Florida's request for Chinese drywall help

GEORGIA: House passes bill to keep crime scene photos sealed

KENTUCKY: Horse racing bill to get revamped before it heads to Senate

LOUISIANA: State a finalist in Race to the Top federal education funds competition

MISSISSIPPI: State Senate boosts education funding by $29 million

NORTH CAROLINA: State Attorney General wants to expand DNA database

SOUTH CAROLINA: State Senate rejects move to ban earmarks

VIRGINIA: Eight state rest-areas to reopen today

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

9/15: Some governors worried about Medicaid growth

Associated Press: Medicaid growth could hurt state budgets, say some governors

Some governors worry their financial burdens could get worse as Congress works on a comprehensive health care bill, especially as states struggle with high rates of poverty and unemployment.

“If the federal government wants to expand health care to everybody in the country, they should not force the states to pay part of the bill. If they want to do that, the federal government should pay for it,” said Mississippi Gov. Haley Barbour, who is chairman of the Republican Governors Association.

Medicaid budgets are already strained in some states. In Georgia, Gov. Sonny Perdue ordered 3 percent funding cuts for Medicaid and public schools and 5 percent cuts for most other state programs because of weak state tax collections in late July, just three weeks into the new fiscal year.

In Mississippi, where 21.1 percent of residents live in poverty and 20 percent are enrolled in Medicaid, paying for health care has long been a struggle. Barbour said a mandate to cover more people could lead to tax increases.

Also in the South:

ALABAMA: Gov. Riley returns from Europe, says state will pursue foreign firms more aggressively

ARKANSAS: Former judge debates Sen. Baker over Employee Free Choice Act

FLORIDA: State DOT considers pay-per-mile motorists' tax

GEORGIA: Tom Baxter: Jody Powell, a true original
"In an age of instant communications and overnight campaigns, it’s hard to convey just what a revolution in political communications Jody Powell was instrumental in pulling off. But I’ll always think of it in terms of two picnics."

KENTUCKY: $10.5 million in federal stimulus funds to help Kentucky go greener

LOUISIANA: Violent crime rate down in state

MISSISSIPPI: Wetlands project approved for Mississippi Delta

NORTH CAROLINA: State's Justice Dept. supports fight against Navy's practice landing field

SOUTH CAROLINA: State Superintendent of Education Jim Rex joins gubernatorial race

TENNESSEE: Rural residents in parts of state lack safe water

VIRGINIA: NRA switches support to McDonnell in governor's race

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