4/13: New laws could hurt small food producers

Citizen-Times: New laws could hurt small food producers in Western NC

New federal food safety laws could drive some small food producers out of business due to added costs and inspections required by the laws.

The U.S. Senate could vote this week on the FDA Food Safety Modernization Act, which would require more FDA inspections of farms and processing facilities and more meticulous record-keeping from producers.

Local producers and sellers said the law is written for big food companies and supposes the food supply will be more global in coming decades and not more local.

An amendment has been added to the bill that would exempt small producers.

Also in the South:

ALABAMA: Four hospitals hold up statewide trauma system

ARKANSAS: Officials at University of Arkansas propose tuition increases

FLORIDA: State teachers union battles to defeat education bill that would change pay structure

GEORGIA: Tom Baxter: Georgia legislature running out of time on key issues

KENTUCKY: Senate, House continue talks on budget, but time is running out

LOUISIANA: Proposal would put more money into state's roads and bridges

MISSISSIPPI: New law gives money to schools that participate in HealthierUS Challenge

SOUTH CAROLINA: State panel decides not to eliminate corporate income taxes

TENNESSEE: Energy efficiency plan urged across state to cut power costs

VIRGINIA: Requirement added to process for restoration of voting rights

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

4/12: A look at how states handle the sex offender registry

Stateline: A look at how states handle the sex offender registry

In Georgia and Wisconsin, the crime of false imprisonment counts as a sex offense under state law, even if nothing sexual happened.

A larger debate is emerging in courts and legislatures around the nation: Have states gone too far in categorizing criminals as sex offenders? Already the number of registered sex offenders is growing quickly, and it will only keep rising as more states comply with the federal Adam Walsh Act. That law requires all states to make false imprisonment a sex offense, as Georgia and Wisconsin already do, by July. The Adam Walsh Act also requires the states to post more information about sex offenders on their registries such as their work addresses.

Some state legislators are thinking twice before they expand sex-offender registries. For example, lawmakers in a growing number of states have sought to reduce the criminal penalty for 'sexting.' Under current state laws, those who do it may be forced to register as sex offenders alongside much more serious criminals, such as rapists and pedophiles. Several states also have passed so-called "Romeo and Juliet" laws so that teens who've engaged in underage but consensual sex don't have to register as sex offenders.

As Kansas State Sen. Tim Owens says, "When you start putting everything on (the registry), it diminishes the impact of it."

Also in the South:

ALABAMA: State Supreme Court keeps rules to discourage judicial complaints

ARKANSAS: State prepares for congressional redistricting

FLORIDA: Lawmakers to now consider Medicaid, corruption, redistricting

GEORGIA: MCG researcher finds troubling developments in childhood obesity

KENTUCKY: Two days left in legislative session to finalize jobless benefits, education

LOUISIANA: Analysis: Balancing act of development, state budgets difficult

MISSISSIPPI: Mississippi Delta -- the land of permanent recession

NORTH CAROLINA: State's first energy chief loses job

SOUTH CAROLINA: Opinion: SC Legislature: Good work in bad times

TENNESSEE: Dying in childbirth is hidden risk in Tennessee

VIRGINIA: State must borrow billions to pay jobless claims

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

4/5: High school dropout 'epidemic' threatens AL's future

Montgomery Advertiser: Editorial: High school dropout 'epidemic' threatens state's future

"A health problem affecting 40% of a segment of the population certainly would qualify as an epidemic, so the use of that term is well justified in discussions of Alabama's disturbing high school dropout rate. The state's long-term well-being is decidedly threatened when such a large percentage of its students don't graduate from high school.

"That grim reality makes the recently released findings of the Alabama Select Commission on High School Graduation particularly important. The commission is chaired by state Sen. Arthur Orr, R-Decatur, who also was the sposnor of important legislation -- supported by this editorial page -- that raised the state's legal dropout age from 16 to 17.

"The fiscal cost of such a high dropout rate is staggering -- billions of dollars in lost income potential over the lifetimes of dropouts, with corresponding losses in tax revenue. But more importantly the human cost is incalculable, a terrible toll in stunted human potential, in lives far less productive and satisfying than they might have been." (More)

Also in the South:

ARKANSAS: Clean Energy potential of Arkansas explored at forum

FLORIDA: Debate prompted by legislature's merit-pay plan for teachers

GEORGIA: Study shows state's day care classrooms offer low-quality care

KENTUCKY: Gov. Beshear is expected to sign landmark autism bill

LOUISIANA: Cap-and-trade could unlock new reserves in state

MISSISSIPPI: Shortage of doctors in state about to get worse

NORTH CAROLINA: State's business taxes among lowest in the nation

SOUTH CAROLINA: Opinion: Will S.C. reapply for massive education grant?

TENNESSEE: Alcoa expands aluminum can recycling operation in East Tennessee

VIRGINIA: U.S. Rep. McHenry upset over anti-Census conservatives

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

3/9: Census directs federal funds to states

Charlotte Observer: Census directs federal funds to states

A Brookings Institution study was designed to underscore the importance of ensuring an accurate count. "The hope is that it stimulates participation in the census, that people recognize that there's a connection between their participation and the amount of federal money and federally funded goods and services their community receives," said Andrew Reamer, the report's author.

The report found that North Carolina got $11.8 billion and South Carolina $5.5 billion. (See the report here.)

Most of the money - nearly 60 percent in North Carolina - went to health programs such as Medicaid. Housing, highways and education accounted for the next-largest allocations.

Also in the South:

ALABAMA: Editorial: Alabama takes hit in tanker decision

ARKANSAS: State BOE approves merging school districts

FLORIDA: Bill has teacher merit pay provision

GEORGIA: Lawmakers scramble to stop Hustler Magazine from getting slain hiker photos

KENTUCKY: Legislator wants cellphone, landline users to pay equally for 911 service

LOUISIANA: State to cut at-risk youth services

MISSISSIPPI: Voter ID to be on November 2011 ballot

NORTH CAROLINA: State hospital inspection data kept from the public

SOUTH CAROLINA: Three groups to get federal funds for renewable energy projects

TENNESSEE: State has huge financial stake in getting accurate Census count

VIRGINIA: Bills would increase financial incentives to companies moving into state

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

3/8: NC's Gov. Perdue wants census count change

NORTH CAROLINA: Gov. Perdue wants a census change on how deployed troops are counted

Gov. Beverly Perdue is focusing on changing the way deployed troops are counted. Currently, military personnel in the United States are counted as living in their barracks or off-base residence where they spend most of their time. But deployed soldiers are counted by either their home state, their legal residence or the last base they were assigned to before deploying.

Gov. Perdue wants deployed soldiers counted by their base assignments, which could mean more federal money coming to the state (up to $641.5 million over the next ten years).

While it's not likely to change for this census count, it could be considered for the 2020 census.

Also in the South:

ALABAMA: Experts say alternative energy could boost Alabama's revenue

ARKANSAS: Gov. Beebe: Making Arkansas count

FLORIDA: South Florida tourism aims to appeal to Chinese tourists

GEORGIA: State's use of medical reprieves for inmates on the rise

KENTUCKY: General Assembly enters tenth week of 2010 session

LOUISIANA: Civil Service Commission backs pay-raise plan for 61,000 state workers

MISSISSIPPI: Education and prisons at the top of budget discussions at Capitol

SOUTH CAROLINA: State's budget more dependent on fines, fees than one would think

TENNESSEE: State proposes tax on free hotel breakfasts

VIRGINIA: State AG tells colleges to end gay protections

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

1/21: Pres. Obama may scale back health care overhaul

New York Times: President Obama may scale back health care overhaul

President Obama signaled Wednesday that he may be open to scaling back his proposed health care overhaul to a version that could attract bipartisan support. The election of Scott Brown to the Senate seat in Massachusetts has changed the climate in Congress, as Democrats no longer have enough votes to stop filibusters.

In an interview with ABC, President Obama cited two specific goals for the health care plan: cracking down on insurance industry practices that hurt consumers and reining in health costs.

This issue continues to be one to watch.

Also in the South:

ALABAMA: State gets $6 million in stimulus funds for energy job training

ARKANSAS: Sen. Teague considers business tax hike to cover borrowed unemployment funds

FLORIDA: 5,000 cold-stunned sea turtles rescued by state & federal wildlife workers

GEORGIA: World's largest wood pellet plant to be built in Waycross

KENTUCKY: Bake sales promoted as way to plug state's budget hole

LOUISIANA: Opinion: Forgiveness of federal loan lifts a heavy burden from Louisiana

MISSISSIPPI: A dozen libraries in south Mississippi close due to budget woes

NORTH CAROLINA: Nonprofit to get $28 million in stimulus funds to expand Internet access

SOUTH CAROLINA: Gov. Sanford gives final State of the State address, gives three goals

TENNESSEE: Senate approves restructuring of higher education funding

VIRGINIA: State to re-open 19 rest areas

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

11/11: The Dixie Diet

Like the Dew: The Dixie Diet

A look at prison spending on inmate food -- Some state prisons spend between $1.13 and $1.75 a day. In Tennessee, U.S. District Judge Todd Campbell heard more than five days of testimony, during which inmates stepped on scales in the courtroom to document their weight, with one inmate losing 100 pounds in the 19 months he was incarcerated.

In Alabama, there's a law that allows sheriffs to decide how much of their budgets will go to feed county inmates; they get to pocket the rest. In Georgia, prisoners don't get lunch on the weekends or on Fridays.

What will it take to change this system?

Also in the South:

ALABAMA: Gubernatorial candidates Davis, Sparks split on health care bill

ARKANSAS: Poll shows Southerners worried about job loss and the economy

FLORIDA: Decision on energy-conservation goals delayed by PSC

GEORGIA: Number of homeless veterans in Georgia is down

KENTUCKY: State lags behind in protecting date-violence victims

LOUISIANA: State sets 2010 taxable wage base

MISSISSIPPI: Gov. Barbour says budget could have 'dramatic' restructuring

NORTH CAROLINA: Goldsboro school sells test points for $20 as fundraiser

SOUTH CAROLINA: Judge rules "I Believe" license plates unconstitutional

TENNESSEE: Green energy projects urged by Gov. Bredesen

VIRGINIA: State spent 74% more money in most recent budget due to inflation, population growth

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

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

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

11/2: Turnout crucial in VA governor's race

Christian Science Monitor: Turnout crucial in Virginia governor's race

The Nov. 3 governors’ races in Virginia and New Jersey are being closely watched for clues as to how Republicans and Democrats might fare in midterm elections a year from now.

The number of voters will likely be down, as midterm elections don't attract the crowds of a presidential election. In Virginia, there's concern that fewer African American voters and young voters will turn out on Tuesday, as a Washington Post poll shows lower numbers of likely voters on November 3.

And, if the weather is bad, turnout could be even lower.

Also in the South:

ALABAMA: Gov. Riley heads to Colombia for economic development trip

ARKANSAS: Prison board to talk about budget cuts

FLORIDA: Poll shows Floridians oppose public option for healthcare

GEORGIA: Georgians may not be able to take public option for healthcare

KENTUCKY: State has longest waiting list for low-cost drugs for AIDS patients

LOUISIANA: State's shale could change fate of U.S. energy supply

MISSISSIPPI: Obstacles to higher education include child care, transportation

NORTH CAROLINA: NC Chamber of Commerce holds conference on environmental issues

SOUTH CAROLINA: Legislators consider reforming prison sentences

TENNESSEE: Some lawmakers work to put TN at forefront of national sovereignty movement

VIRGINIA: Candidates' efforts increased as voting nears

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

10/26: GA, TN senators not thrilled about new climate bill

Times Free-Press: GA, TN senators not thrilled about new climate bill

The bill calls for a 20% cut in greenhouse gases by 2020, a rule that senators from Georgia and Tennessee say could increase the cost of energy. Electric utilities, especially ones that use coal-powered plants that produce greenhouse gases, are expected to have to buy more allowances. That cost would be passed on to customers.

“I am concerned that some in Congress and the administration are rushing to judgment on a cap-and-trade system to regulate carbon,” said Sen. Johnny Isakson, R-Ga. “Cap-and-trade will raise the cost of energy to all Georgians, especially those who rely on electric energy.”

Said U.S. Sen. Bob Corker: "If we would focus solely on climate change, and people wouldn't view this as a mechanism to expand government and line the pockets of interest groups, this whole process would probably be much different."

Also in the South:

ALABAMA: Gov. Riley, Gov. Barbour to announce multi-state aerospace alliance today

ARKANSAS: Democratic Sen. Blanche Lincoln considered vulnerable for next election

FLORIDA: Largest solar power plant in U.S. to go online in Florida

GEORGIA: State is third in the nation for total number of meth users between 12 and 17

KENTUCKY: Coal still important to Kentucky, nation

LOUISIANA: School superintendents complain about forced charter school funding

MISSISSIPPI: Opinion: School consolidation can work in Mississippi

NORTH CAROLINA: State blocks release of dangerous inmates

SOUTH CAROLINA: SC to participate in Appalachian Regional conference on alternative energy

TENNESSEE: State's schools rank high in cutting junk food

VIRGINIA: State considers returning elk to mountains

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

10/13: Mississippi last on health scorecard

The Commonwealth Fund: Mississippi has worst health care

The Commonwealth Fund has issued its second State Scorecard on Health System Performance to compare states in terms of access, affordability and care.

None of the 11 Southern states we cover are in the top tier of the 2009 rankings.

However, five of the ten lowest ranking states are in the South: Mississippi (#51 of 51), Louisiana (#49) , Arkansas (#48), Kentucky (#45) , and Florida (#44). Of the six other states in the South, the rankings are as follows:

• North Carolina - #41
• Alabama - #40
• Tennessee - #39
• Georgia - #38
• South Carolina - #33
• Virginia - #22

Also in the South:

ALABAMA: Candidate Artur Davis says next governor can save more than $500 million

ARKANSAS: Eight school districts removed from 'fiscally distressed' list

FLORIDA: Gov. Crist outlines his conservative credits in campaign for Senate

GEORGIA: State seeks more alternative energy projects

KENTUCKY: Mortality rate unusually high at VA hospital in Lexington

LOUISIANA: State's juvenile justice system still troubled, say activists

NORTH CAROLINA: U.S. Supreme Court to hear NC-SC water lawsuit today

SOUTH CAROLINA: State Ports Authority works to reduce air pollution

TENNESSEE: State tax collections down again in September

VIRGINIA: Democrat and former GOP governor want public-private approach to school renovation

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