3/29: VA program to help minority business falls short

News & Advance: Virginia program to help minority business falls short

The program aimed at helping small, women and minority firms win state business has been deemed largely ineffective at awarding contracts to minority owners. A big part of the problem -- The definition of 'small business' is so broad that it includes 99% of the businesses in the state.

"When you’re looking at minority business and small business, that’s two different issues on two different fronts,” said Darryl Samuels, executive vice president of the National Association of Minority Contractors. “The minority issue gets diluted.”

“It is a program from hell,” said A. Hugo Bowers, president of the 48-member Black Business Alliance of Virginia, formed to press for public and private sector diversity. “(State agencies) can meet their SWaM goals and never hire a minority.”

Also in the South:

ALABAMA: Legislators found way to fund education plan

ARKANSAS: Child maltreatment reports in seven-county area are up

FLORIDA: Editorial: Florida's lawmakers aren't facing up to the state's budget crisis

GEORGIA: State House won't force AG to sue over health reform

KENTUCKY: Impact of health care reform on Kentucky explored

LOUISIANA: State legislature convenes 2010 session today

MISSISSIPPI: Opinion: State's unemployment benefits need work

NORTH CAROLINA: Protesters rally against jail's policy on deporting immigrants

SOUTH CAROLINA: National health care may mightily expand SC's Medicaid, bills

TENNESSEE: State health officials say H1N1 flu has increased slightly

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

1/19: The state of King's dream across the South

Southern Political Report: The state of King's dream across the South on MLK Day

"What was the “State of the Dream” on Martin Luther King Day 2010? With an African American in the White House, an especially celebratory mood might have been expected as the national holiday was celebrated across the South. Yet mixed with the joy and pride, there seemed to be a cautionary or even admonitory tone in some of the messages commemorating what would have been King’s 81^st birthday.

"In King’s own Atlanta, Dr. Cornel West of Princeton University, a celebrated author, glazed his social and political message with evangelical passion as he urged the congregation at Ebenezer Baptist Church not to molder MLK’s memory and legacy by relegating the slain civil rights leader to the status of a museum piece. He cited the continuing presence of social oppression as a reason to “correct” President Obama when and if he strays from the mission of helping blacks and disadvantaged people.

"--Several thousand marched at the South Carolina State House in Columbia. Speakers and marchers called for removal of the Confederate battle flag from the capitol grounds, and called for more help for Haitian earthquake victims. " (More)

Also in the South:

ALABAMA: State senate considers $1 billion for roads

ARKANSAS: Four, soon maybe five, cities hold urban deer hunts

FLORIDA: Freeze results in at least a 30% crop loss in Florida

GEORGIA: Nearly 600,000 without jobs in Georgia

KENTUCKY: Kentucky Center for African-American Heritage set to open in 2011

LOUISIANA: Number of swine flu cases drops in state

MISSISSIPPI: Gov. Barbour wants more authority to make discretionary spending cuts

NORTH CAROLINA: State law requires taxes on illegal substances

SOUTH CAROLINA: Realtors launch media campaign for state tax change

TENNESSEE: Hospital in state to stop hiring employees who smoke

VIRGINIA: Pro- and anti-gun rallies held at State Capitol draw crowds

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

11/5: LA, MS emerging from recession

Stateline: Louisiana, Mississippi among states emerging from recession

Eleven states and the District of Columbia seem to be emerging from the recession according to a new report. Moody's Economy also reported that the states, while still in recession, have seen the pace of their decline slow down, or moderate.

Energy production revenues helped states such as Alaska, Louisiana, Montana and North Dakota to stay afloat. Louisiana also boasts low business costs, ports that connect it to foreign markets, health care centers and military installations, all of which were well-positioned to weather the downturn.

Mississippi is in a similar position to Louisiana, according to Moody’s. That has allowed it to lure major investment, such as a Toyota plant in the northeastern part of the state.

Also in the South:

ALABAMA: State agencies laying off employees

ARKANSAS: House members reject proposed out-of-state travel rule

FLORIDA: NRA wants adoption agencies to ban questions about gun ownership of prospective parents

GEORGIA: New study shows rareness of Georgia floods

KENTUCKY: Gov. Beshear wants passage of slots bill by winter

LOUISIANA: State's delegation is a tough sell on health care overhaul

MISSISSIPPI: State's budget to receive "facelift" next year

NORTH CAROLINA: State's pork producers see effect of swine flu

SOUTH CAROLINA: New Medicaid pharmacy program saves state money

TENNESSEE: State legislators may dump $70 million biofuels project

VIRGINIA: Five state house seats gained by GOP

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

10/9: Nobel Peace Prize goes to President Obama

New York Times: Nobel Peace Prize goes to President Obama

President Obama won the Nobel Peace Prize for Diplomacy just nine months into his presidency. The award committee noted "his extraordinary efforts to strengthen international diplomacy and cooperation between peoples.”

In particular, Obama's effort to reduce the world's nuclear arsenal was noted. However, the announcement still stunned everyone. "There has been no discussion, nothing at all,” said Rahm Emanuel, the president’s chief of staff, in a brief telephone interview.

And in the South:

ALABAMA: Vaccine for swine flu arrives in Alabama

ARKANSAS: State's lethal injection rules considered by Supreme Court

FLORIDA: Gov. Crist draws in millions for Senate race

GEORGIA: SBA disaster loans to be key to flood recovery

KENTUCKY: Anti-price gouging law upheld in Kentucky

LOUISIANA: Big-chain restaurant commits to sell Louisiana shrimp

MISSISSIPPI: State hospitals reject swine flu nasal spray

NORTH CAROLINA: Gov. Perdue says state will keep offering incentive packages

SOUTH CAROLINA: Smart growth conference set for October 20-21 in Columbia

TENNESSEE: State ranks 48th for childhood health

VIRGINIA: Prison magazine sues state

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

10/2: State resources could be depleted by flu cases

Stateline: State resources could be depleted by H1N1 flu cases

The Trust for America's Health, a nonprofit health advocacy group, has released a report that says 15 states could run out of hospital beds if a flu epidemic hits 35% of the population. The report underscores the need for more public health funding, better cooperation between governments and more outreach to those most at risk from the flu.

“We need to really address the nation’s ability to provide mass care during disasters,” said Jeffrey Levi, executive director of the trust. “We cannot continue to take a band-aid approach to disaster response.”

Also in the South:

ALABAMA: Education budget to take another hit, hurting proven literacy programs

ARKANSAS: Lawmaker says guns in church proposal isn't dead

FLORIDA: Nearly 25% of Floridians have no health insurance

GEORGIA: SE drought blamed on population growth rather than global warming

KENTUCKY: State Supreme Court strikes down sex offender law

LOUISIANA: Editorial: Louisiana lawmakers should know that open sessions are always the right choice

MISSISSIPPI: Deeper cuts likely to hit budget, says Gov. Barbour

NORTH CAROLINA: Chris Fitzsimon: Final budget numbers, same misleading rhetoric

SOUTH CAROLINA: Lieutenant governor's race heats up

TENNESSEE: Middle Tennessee hit hard with flu

VIRGINIA: Gov. Kaine wants those interested in education to get involved in transportation issues

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

9/14: House prepares to vote on rebuking Sen. Wilson of S.C.

New York Times: House prepares to vote on rebuking Sen. Wilson

The House is planning to vote on admonishing Rep. Joe Wilson of South Carolina for his commentary during President Obama's speech last week. On Sunday, Rep. Wilson said he would not apologize for heckling the president during his speech, which prompted Democrats to introduce a resolution formally holding Mr. Wilson in violation of House rules. Despite not wanting to give Mr. Wilson more attention, Democrats feel it's important to hold Mr. Wilson accountable for his remarks.

Republicans will be asked to rebuke Mr. Wilson, who has become a hero in conservative circles and among angry anti-Obama voters that the GOP is now aggressively courting. Voting with Democrats to rebuke their colleague could turn off those conservatives. However, most Republicans have also agreed that Mr. Wilson went beyond the bounds of acceptable behavior on the House floor and balking at the resolution could put them in the position of condoning his behavior.

Also in the South:

ALABAMA: New state budgets likely to be cut from 4.5% to 10%

ARKANSAS: Lottery machines being installed statewide

FLORIDA: Taxpayers are funding security tab for politicians who visit Florida

GEORGIA: State sets up swine flu vaccine plan

KENTUCKY: Travel expenditures by legislature under scrutiny

LOUISIANA: Sen. Landrieu holds key position in health care reform

MISSISSIPPI: State GOP needs more signatures for voter ID ballot initiative

NORTH CAROLINA: A look at where the stimulus funds are going in the state

SOUTH CAROLINA: Sen. Graham says public option on health care is dead

TENNESSEE: Federal stimulus funds fuel weatherization projects

VIRGINIA: Gov. Kaine says state's largest conservation easement is complete

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

9/2: Blue Dog Democrats expect health care deal

New York Times: Blue Dog Democrats expect health care deal

Interviews with more than a dozen Blue Dogs and their top aides indicate that many of the lawmakers still believe approval of some form of health care plan is achievable and far preferable to not acting at all.

In Georgia, Rep. David Scott said his determination to enact a health care overhaul had been increased over the recess because of what he called the spread of misinformation and other unfair tactics engaged in by the opposition.

“I think now more than ever we must get strong in our resolve to pass health care insurance reform legislation,” Mr. Scott said.

Congress is back in session next week.

Also in the South:

ALABAMA: Chrysanthemum derivative effective and safe as insecticide

ARKANSAS: State Sen. Sharon Trusty resigns seat unexpectedly

FLORIDA: Gov. Crist says casino deal will help schools

GEORGIA: State DNR to push ecotourism to new demographic groups

KENTUCKY: State regulators find dangerous levels of selenium in water and fish near coal mines

LOUISIANA: State prison system to cut an additional 300 guards

MISSISSIPPI: Catfish industry struggles in Mississippi

NORTH CAROLINA: State increase in sales and 'sin' taxes now in effect

SOUTH CAROLINA: Attorney General to discuss Internet predator task force

TENNESSEE: Sen. Alexander calls for 'do over' on health care reform bill

VIRGINIA: State officials unveil swine flu plans

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