2/26: KY gets a 'C' for dental programs

KENTUCKY: State gets a 'C' for dental programs

The Pew Center On The States issued a report on the dental health of children across the nation, and Kentucky got a 'C' for meeting basic benchmarks on dental health.

"One in five U.S. children each year go without dental care, and states vary widely in their use of Medicaid and other programs for pediatric oral health," said researchers at Pew Center on the States. "A 50-state report card shows that just six states earned an A and that 36 states received a C or lower. Much of the problem is in rural areas."

The Pew analysis found four successful strategies states are using: "Preventive strategies such as school sealant programs and water fluoridation; expansion of Medicaid; workforce innovations that can expand the pool of providers; and tracking and analysis of data to measure and drive progress."

Also in the South:

ALABAMA: High school graduation rates are rising, but still low

ARKANSAS: Lawmakers recess state's first-ever fiscal session

FLORIDA: Judge rules red-light camera tickets are illegal

GEORGIA: Spouses seek state's two highest offices

LOUISIANA: Some say Senate jobs bill unfairly favors Louisiana

MISSISSIPPI: Editorial: Mississippi school funding woes

NORTH CAROLINA: Distressed voters in state concerned about economy

SOUTH CAROLINA: Retirees now picking SC over NC, FL

TENNESSEE: University of Tennessee considers raising tuition rates for in-demand majors

VIRGINIA: State House passes budget that eliminates state arts commission

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

2/8: States try to tax more services

Wall Street Journal: States try to tax more services

Faced with the worst budget crisis in a generation, many states are looking to expand sales taxes to services, such as lawn care or accountants' advice. The goal, legislators say, is to broaden the tax base to cover a broader swath of the economy as traditional sources of tax revenue decline.

In Kentucky, representatives have introduced a measure to extend sales taxes to some high-end services like limousines and balloon rides. In North Carolina, the legislature last year considered, but didn't pass, a proposal to tax services such as car repairs and lawn care.

Also in the South:

ALABAMA: Sen. Shelby blocks 70 Obama nominees to get defense contracts for Alabama

ARKANSAS: State begins first-ever fiscal session, as state starts annual budgeting process

FLORIDA: Fewer politicians rely on state to pay for flights

GEORGIA: Both parties upset over Gov. Perdue's plan to appoint four statewide officers

KENTUCKY: State has significant medical care gap

LOUISIANA: Education Secretary Duncan praises LA for reforms on state education

MISSISSIPPI: Gov. Barbour cuts $21 million in fourth round of budget cuts

NORTH CAROLINA: Commentary: Jim Hunt: More creativity in the classroom

SOUTH CAROLINA: Opinion: Andy Brack: Legislature should back off on search, ID bills

TENNESSEE: Mental health care cuts deepen in state

VIRGINIA: Medicaid funding for disabled could be cut in state

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

11/12: Obstacles exist for electric car use

Tennessean: Obstacles exist for electric car use

A few cities in the U.S. will be targeted in an electric vehicle push and a program is being launched to provide a network of recharging stations. Included in these cities is Nashville, and there's concern about consumer hesitance to the vehicles.

"If every one of us had a car or two in the garage that was charging every night, could that be handled?" said Joe Hoagland, TVA's vice president for environmental policy, science and technology. "I'm not sure." If people want to fast-charge vehicles at the same time, it could mean transformers blow.

Efforts to stagger charges or build larger transformers are being pursued, as are ways to improve batteries, figure out the best way to give electric cars a 100-mile range, and establish ways for people to pay if they need to plug in while visiting a friend or shopping.

It'll have to be convenient to get the public's buy-in.

Also in the South:

ALABAMA: State's aversion to charter schools may be over as federal dollars available

ARKANSAS: Agriculture in state could be taking $650 million hit this harvest

FLORIDA: State ranks 7th on Pew Center's list of 'States in Fiscal Peril'

GEORGIA: State may raise fees for public services & licenses instead of raising taxes

KENTUCKY: Q&A with Rand Paul, candidate for U.S. Senate seat

LOUISIANA: Opinion: Senator fails to keep immigrants out of 2010 Census

MISSISSIPPI: Opinion: Justice too slow for death row inmates

NORTH CAROLINA: No more test points for cash in Goldsboro school, say officials

SOUTH CAROLINA: New study shows state could save $5 billion if more energy efficient

TENNESSEE: Gov. Bredesen open to furloughs and contract freezes

VIRGINIA: State to work with Delaware and Maryland on off-shore wind energy

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