3/5: Seven Southern states make finals for education fund

Wall Street Journal: Seven Southern states picked as finalists for education funds

The Obama administration has chosen 16 finalists for extra federal education funds. Included in the $4.35 billion Race to the Top competition are Florida, Georgia, Kentucky, Louisiana, North Carolina, South Carolina and Tennessee.

The administration defended the surprisingly large number of finalists, saying that all states whose applications cleared a pre-set score automatically advanced to the next round.

Independent evaluators have given especially high marks to three states on the list—Florida, Tennessee and Louisiana—for their accountability standards and for implementing systems to track student performance. All three have also pushed to expand the growth of charter schools, which are publicly funded but independently run.

Also in the South:

ALABAMA: Legislature overrides veto on TVA funds

ARKANSAS: Legislative session formally ends in Arkansas

FLORIDA: All state lawmakers to sign letter of objection to new NASA plan

GEORGIA: Gov. Perdue chides legislators over proposed college cuts

KENTUCKY: Jobless rate in state is highest in 26 years

LOUISIANA: Sen. Vitter wants probe into deaths of ten living with toxic Chinese drywall

MISSISSIPPI: Meth's huge toll on state will mean move to prescription pseudoephedrine

NORTH CAROLINA: Editorial: State shows signs of slipping

SOUTH CAROLINA: State has a problem with school dropouts

TENNESSEE: Opinion: Tennessee can't afford to opt out of health-care reform

VIRGINIA: Senate panel kills proposal on gun restrictions

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

2/24: Illegal immigrant numbers rise in the Southeast

AP: Illegal immigrant numbers rise in Southeast

A new federal report shows that Georgia had the greatest percentage increase among the 10 states with the biggest illegal immigrant populations during 2000-2009, with more than 480,000 immigrants noted during that period. In 1990, Georgia had just 35,000 illegal immigrants.

North Carolina is also one of the top 10 states for the sheer size of its illegal immigrant population, estimated at about 370,000 in January 2009 as compared to 260,000 in 2000, according to the report by the Department of Homeland Security's Office of Immigration Statistics.

As recently as the 1980s, Southeastern states with the exception of Florida had very few immigrants, legal or illegal, Jeff Passel of the Pew Hispanic Center said. A recession in California in the early 1990s, and a ready supply of low-skilled jobs in other regions prompted immigrants to look elsewhere, especially the Southeast, Passel said.

Also in the South:

ALABAMA: Lawmakers consider ban on public release of 911 calls

ARKANSAS: International students boost state's economy by more than $23 million

FLORIDA: Supreme Court approves Florida's version of Miranda rights warnings

GEORGIA: Statewide campaign -- Exit 2 Text It -- aimed at teen motorists

KENTUCKY: Group rallies against payday lenders

LOUISIANA: State to get $77 million more in stimulus money for health care

MISSISSIPPI: Gov. Barbour gives President Obama advice -- 'jobs, jobs, jobs' should be priority

NORTH CAROLINA: State lags behind on disclosing hospital infections

SOUTH CAROLINA: State considers early release of 3,000 prisoners as way to save money

TENNESSEE: New biorefinery to convert wood products into diesel or jet fuel

VIRGINIA: Primary victims of state budget: Education and Medicaid

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

12/24: Congressional musical chairs over latest population estimate

Southern Political Report: Latest population estimate signals tense round of Congressional musical chairs

"The last US Census Bureau estimate of population changes before the actual count is taken next year contains some good news and bad news for the South – and a certain amount of suspense.

"With the latest numbers, South Carolina joins Florida and Georgia as Southern states which are expected to gain a new congressional seat in the next round of reapportionment. That’s good news for the Palmetto State, not so good for Florida, which earlier in the decade – before the real estate bust, that is – had been expecting to gain two or three seats in the next decade. Another state with reason to be disappointed in the new data is North Carolina, which in previous population estimates appeared to be on track to gain a seat."

Also in the South:

ALABAMA: Judge dismisses lawsuit by Alabama legislators over no-bid computer contract

ARKANSAS: State troopers crack down on drunk-driving over holidays

FLORIDA: More leaving Florida than moving to the state

GEORGIA: Gov. Perdue, some senators want investigation into health care deal

KENTUCKY: State AG asks Supreme Court to look at sex offender law

LOUISIANA: Gov. Jindal proposes expedited highway project plan

MISSISSIPPI: Jobless benefits extended in state

NORTH CAROLINA: Unemployment rate in state drops

SOUTH CAROLINA: State's senators applaud attorney general's move against health care bill

TENNESSEE: State's senators react to health care bill passage

VIRGINIA: State cuts $42 million more from transportation budget

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

8/24: Southern governors attend climate change symposium

Richmond Times-Dispatch: Climate change symposium attended by Southern governors

Over the next 20 years, global climate change will create intense droughts in the Southwest, floods in the Northeast threatening the coastline and urban areas, and significant storm damage along the Gulf Coast, according to officials.

Climate change could also aggravate poverty, degrade the environment and destabilize fragile government regimes of nations around the world.

Retired Air Force Maj. Gen. Richard Engel, director of the Climate Change and State Stability program of the National Intelligence Council said that although the U.S. will be "less affected and better equipped than the vast majority of nations to deal with climate change," it will still face challenges.

Also in the South:

ALABAMA: Recycler sees benefits of Cash for Clunkers program

ARKANSAS: Former Murphy Oil CEO to speak on energy at Clinton Library

FLORIDA: Several legislators say health debates were useful, despite controversy

GEORGIA: Electricity co-ops say they're owed money for diverted water

KENTUCKY: A look at a state legislator's involvement with millions in water funds

LOUISIANA: Sen. Landrieu could be deciding vote in health care debate

MISSISSIPPI: Statewide emergency radio system moves forward

NORTH CAROLINA: State to increase personal income tax

SOUTH CAROLINA: State moving slowly on creating offshore wind farm

TENNESSEE: Legislature to consider delaying start of school

VIRGINIA: Computer budget for state at overrun for past three years

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

8/21: Older Americans' concerns over health care not irrational

8/21: New York Times: Older Americans' concerns over health care not irrational

Bills in Congress, if passed, would "squeeze savings out of Medicare on the assumption that doctors and hospitals can be more efficient." President Obama has also said Medicare and private insurers could improve care and save money by following advice from a new federal panel of medical experts on “what treatments work best.”

Mr. Obama has repeatedly said, “Nobody is talking about cutting Medicare benefits.” At the same time, he wants to eliminate what he describes as “unwarranted subsidies” and giveaways to private Medicare Advantage plans, which use some of the money to provide extra benefits.

Knowing that Medicare itself faces a financial crisis, many older Americans object to Congress’s tapping the program to help pay for coverage of the uninsured.

This debate will likely continue for some time.

Also in the South:

ALABAMA: Gov. Riley named chairman of Southern Governors' Association

ARKANSAS: Prisoners provide labor for food bank programs

FLORIDA: State leads nation in rate of mortgage problems

GEORGIA: State's only corn ethanol plant faces bankruptcy

KENTUCKY: Jobless rate hits 11% in state

LOUISIANA: State to propose help for hurricane-damaged homes

MISSISSIPPI: Big stimulus grant goes to SmartSynch to help manage energy use at public facilities

NORTH CAROLINA: Labor unions invest in state's Democrats

SOUTH CAROLINA: New deal may end push for planned coal-burning power plant

TENNESSEE: TVA to increase electric rates, borrow billions

VIRGINIA: Creigh Deeds' speech set to brand him as moderate pragmatist

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

8/13: Anger continues at health care town hall meetings

New York Times: Anger continues at health care town hall meetings

Constituents worried about health care changes have peppered their legislators with questions and have emphasized their concern at town hall meetings. In Georgia, Sen. Johnny Isakson said at a meeting in Tifton, “The question is whether the government should make health care an entitlement and a right or should the government establish a level playing field for private providers.”

In South Carolina, U.S. Rep. John Spratt is being urged to hold a town hall meeting, even though he's recuperating from foot surgery. It may be a few weeks before he can host such a meeting, he says. North Carolina's Rep. Heath Shuler plans two tele-town halls, but no in-person town hall meetings this August. Alabama's Rep. John Tanner answered questions at a Rotary Club meeting; today, constituents plan to urge him to hold a town hall meeting.

Expect more meetings during the recess.

Also in the South:

ALABAMA: House passes bill to extend unemployment compensation for 20 weeks

ARKANSAS: Economic competitiveness of state ranked at 12th best

FLORIDA: Opinion: Matt Towery: Vulnerable Crist may be GOP's test case

GEORGIA: State's colleges to furlough employees for six days

KENTUCKY: Cold medicine restriction may continue due to meth lab prevalence

LOUISIANA: Revised price-gouging protection laws go into effect August 15

MISSISSIPPI: State's higher education challenge -- budgets

NORTH CAROLINA: Older population in state to suffer most from budget cuts

SOUTH CAROLINA: State must deal with $200 million in budget cuts

TENNESSEE: State gets $22 million grant for charter schools

VIRGINIA: Democratic gubernatorial candidate Deeds says he'll sign tax increase bill

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

Megaregion talks held in Charlotte

Charlotte Observer: Megaregion talks held in Charlotte

The 'megaregion,' described as stretching from Raleigh, NC to Birmingham, Ala. , is drawing a lot of attention from elected officials, executives, planning officials, and academics. Closed-door sessions, hosted by Charlotte Mayor Pat McCrory and Atlanta Mayor Shirley Franklin, were held on Tuesday to consider the fast-growing urban area.

The megaregion's population is expected to grow by almost 70 percent by 2050, according to estimates presented at the Atlanta forum. Its gross regional product is $1.1 trillion, 10 percent of the U.S. gross domestic product.

A news conference will be held today to allow the mayors to discuss what issues they've identified from the energy, transportation, and environmental sectors.

Also in the South:

ALABAMA: Solution to tri-state water wars is....conservation

ARKANSAS: Chinese ambassador to U.S. says Arkansas is key to trade with China

FLORIDA: State approves plan to build nuclear plant in Levy County

GEORGIA: State's leaders call for immigration reform

KENTUCKY: State's tax revenue receipts show economy is still down

LOUISIANA: Survey shows state's residents vulnerable to swinging oil rates

MISSISSIPPI: Black male enrollment lags at state's colleges

NORTH CAROLINA: Congressman Butterfield faces hecklers at health care forum

SOUTH CAROLINA: Drug addiction running high among S.C.'s health-care workers

TENNESSEE: Editorial: A new role for Tennessee
"If America is headed, however haltingly, toward a more environmentally responsible and energy independent path, Tennessee is well positioned to lead the way."

VIRGINIA: Fairfax Co. schools look at new CDC swine flu strategy

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

Lawmakers defensive over health care reform

New York Times: Lawmakers on the defensive over health care reform debates

Lawmakers are returning home for their August recess and many are facing angry crowds. In Georgia, Rep. Hank Johnson told his constituents not to be deterred by reports of ''town halls gone wild,'' but the Democrat wasn't taking any chances at his first health care forum as three times the normal security detail was in position to thwart any problems. Conflicting reports from a Clarkston forum -- one said the meeting featured angry voters and booing, while another report on the same forum said the nearly 2,000 attendees stayed calm. And Tom Baxter, of Southern Political Report, says there was a little pot-stirring, but not a big rumble as expected.

In North Carolina, Rep. Brad Miller, D-N.C., said he will not host any town halls this month because he received a phone call threatening his life. Instead, he said he will hold one-on-one meetings with constituents.

Also in the South:

ALABAMA: Time ticking on governors in water wars -- all three leave office in 2010

ARKANSAS: Groundbreaking set for wood pellet plant on August 13

FLORIDA: Gov. Crist feeling the pressure over slow movement of stimulus funds

KENTUCKY: State to consider shifting prison funds to other areas

LOUISIANA: Medicaid cuts to cost Central Louisiana $5.3 million

MISSISSIPPI: U.S. Sen. Wicker to talk health care reform with medical students

NORTH CAROLINA: Gov. Perdue to sign significant death penalty law

SOUTH CAROLINA: Democrats seek probe into Sanford's use of state planes

TENNESSEE: TVA to use dry storage for coal ash

VIRGINIA: Congressmen to hold town hall meetings on health care reform

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