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

3/22: Health care overhaul approved by Congress

New York Times: Health care overhaul approved by Congress

Democrats hailed the votes as a historic advance in social justice, comparable to the establishment of Medicare and Social Security. They said the bill would also put pressure on rising health care costs and rein in federal budget deficits.

“This is the Civil Rights Act of the 21st century,” said Rep. James E. Clyburn of South Carolina, the No. 3 Democrat in the House.

However, Rep. Lincoln Diaz-Balart, Republican of Florida, called it “a decisive step in the weakening of the United States.” Rep. Virginia Foxx, Republican of North Carolina, said it was “one of the most offensive pieces of social engineering legislation in the history of the United States.”

Also in the South:

ALABAMA: State's congressmen vote 'no' on healthcare reform

ARKANSAS: Arkansas is more likely to institutionalize disabled than most states

FLORIDA: State's AG says health care reform violates the Constitution

GEORGIA: State hospitals could suffer severe financial crisis

KENTUCKY: Reading gap between boys and girls is larger in KY than other states

LOUISIANA: Lawmakers consider ban on high-caffeine drinks for kids

MISSISSIPPI: State's next 'cash crop' could be its musical heritage

NORTH CAROLINA: Opinion: NC Senate should ignore flawed House annexation bill

SOUTH CAROLINA: Meeting in the middle on the environment

TENNESSEE: Sen. Alexander says health plan could cripple education in state

VIRGINIA: State to file lawsuit over healthcare reform

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

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

10/1: La., Miss. to get grants to add uninsured children to health plans

AP: More uninsured children to be added to La., Miss. health plans

Nearly $2.2 million will go to Louisiana and Mississippi agencies to help find uninsured children who are eligible for either of two programs and enroll them. The aim is to get the children into Medicaid or the Children's Health Insurance Program.

The grant money will cover a two year period, ending December 31, 2011.

Also in the South:

ALABAMA: Advocates for the poor say state's census figures are wrong

ARKANSAS: Police prepare to enforce new texting, cellphone-while-driving laws

FLORIDA: Home insurance rates could go up in Florida

GEORGIA: Federal judge rejects state's plan to fix mental hospitals

KENTUCKY: State gets grant to help create jobs

NORTH CAROLINA: Beginning today, it's illegal in NC not to recycle plastic bottles

SOUTH CAROLINA: Gov. Sanford doesn't want ethics report released

TENNESSEE: Number of uninsured could soar in state if health system not changed

VIRGINIA: Study shows high return on state's investment in higher education

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