2/23: It's time for state goverment to listen to the people

Anniston Star: Glen Browder: It’s time state government listens to ‘voice of the people’

"Vox populi is a fancy Latin term that means “voice of the people” and stresses the importance of listening to everyday citizens in public affairs. Coincidentally, it also is the motto of the Alabama House of Representatives.

"Unfortunately, public officials often have invoked fuzzy versions of the “voice of the people” to justify questionable causes and foist empty solutions upon their constituents. Maybe these politicians are just confused by the onslaught of ideas from loud activists and powerful special interests, all claiming to speak for the people.

"It’s also unfortunate that many citizens have opted out of civic dialogue and defaulted as responsible participants in the democratic process. Perhaps they’re just disgusted with endless attack ads, robo-calls and sales pitches disguised as public-opinion surveys." (More)

Also in the South:

ALABAMA: Rep. Davis outlines economic plan if elected governor

ARKANSAS: Lottery-funded college scholarship bill advances in House

FLORIDA: Judge rules red-light cameras are illegal

GEORGIA: NE Georgia water departments apply for Homeland Security funds

KENTUCKY: Gov. Beshear announces Kentucky Saves Week

LOUISIANA: State to appeal gay adoption/birth certificate ruling

MISSISSIPPI: Gov. Barbour says governors should have say in health care debate

NORTH CAROLINA: State poll reveals most voters don't want health overhaul

SOUTH CAROLINA: State lawmakers build budget without considering federal money

TENNESSEE: State Senate opposes children's rights plan

VIRGINIA: Senate approves using coast drilling royalties for roads

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

11/13:Southern voters: A snapshot

The Atlantic: Southern voters: A snapshot

"Winthrop has a poll out today of 866 respondents in 11 Southern states--Alabama, Arkansas, Florida, Georgia, Louisiana, Mississippi, North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas, and Virginia--and what we can glean from it is: independents in the South disapprove of President Obama, Southerners as a whole don't like Democratic health care reforms, and they are generally ambivalent about the stimulus package."

Also in the South:

ALABAMA: State education board wants teachers to pay more for benefits

ARKANSAS: Gov. Beebe authorizes release of flood funds

FLORIDA: Gov. Crist faces problems in Florida

GEORGIA: Prison health care costs go up as inmates age and get sicker

KENTUCKY: Gov. Beshear works to simplify enrollment process for children in health care system

LOUISIANA: House speaker challenges governor on amnesty payment plans

MISSISSIPPI: State's economic council ends 12-city tour

NORTH CAROLINA: Study says state's budget is relatively healthy

SOUTH CAROLINA: Gubernatorial candidates take questions about agribusiness, politics

TENNESSEE: TVA challenged over wastewater permits by environmentalists

VIRGINIA: State's lawmakers go after expansion of F-22 fleet

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

9/24: SPR: GOP return to power could be swift

Southern Political Report: Matt Towery: GOP return to power could be swift

"The D.C. pundits think they have it nailed. Sure President Obama and the Democrats have slipped from their mighty post-election high approval ratings. But the Republicans have no message and no candidates, and are a party that has allowed itself to become marginalized because of an overreliance on the support of Southern whites.

"Wrong.

"For starters, no Republican has a prayer of capturing the White House without running the table of some large Southern states. Florida, Virginia and North Carolina all went for George W. Bush in 2004 and then for Barack Obama four years later. Recapture these states, and a Republican nominee is halfway to winning in 2012. So dismissing the importance of Southern support for the GOP is misguided analysis. The region is their base, and no party wins without first holding its base." More

Also in the South:

ALABAMA: State records to be searchable online beginning October 1

ARKANSAS: "F" given to Arkansas for economic opportunity on new CFED scorecard

FLORIDA: New elections controversy in Florida -- monopoly of voting machines

GEORGIA: State's physician-congressmen lead the anti-czar campaign

KENTUCKY: Power plant must be re-evaluated, says EPA

LOUISIANA: Gambling revenue down only by 1.3% in Louisiana

MISSISSIPPI: State leaders battle over Medicaid

NORTH CAROLINA: Top ten list of nanotech states now includes North Carolina

SOUTH CAROLINA: Census shows $1.8 billion is buying power of illegal immigrants in SC

TENNESSEE: ATF tells gun dealers to ignore Tennessee state law

VIRGINIA: Sen. Mark Warner urges action on health care

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