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

3/30: TN wins "Race to the Top" education funds

Times-Free Press: Tennessee wins "Race to the Top" federal education funds

U.S. Secretary of Education Arne Duncan said that the fact that every district in the state agreed to participate in "Race to the Top" is a big reason why Tennessee was awarded the $500 million for which officials applied.

Race to the Top is a federal competition designed to reward states for education reform. The $4.35 billion fund, which is part of President Barack Obama’s American Recovery and Reinvestment Act, was announced about a year ago.

Georgia ranked third in the competition, but only had 23 of the state's 180 school districts signed on to participate.

Also in the South:

ALABAMA: U.S. Chamber of Commerce survey shows AL ranks 47th for 'legal climate'

ARKANSAS: State stays out of health-care fight, remembering 1957 events

FLORIDA: Appliance rebate program funds expected to run out in one day

GEORGIA: Tom Baxter: Minimalist Ga. governor going out with audacious bang?

KENTUCKY: Bill under consideration would increase income tax by 1%

LOUISIANA: Over 2,500 acres of wetlands restored and protected

MISSISSIPPI: State's meth lab busts for 2010 already surpass all of 2009

NORTH CAROLINA: Jobless rate in NC rises to 11.2%

SOUTH CAROLINA: Senators consider eliminating corporate income tax

VIRGINIA: Gov. McDonnell to launch aggressive campaign to reshape government

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

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

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2/12: Home heating aid shifts to the South

ABC News: Home heating aid shifts to the South

The recent cold snap in the Deep South has sucked federal emergency home heating dollars away from traditional cold-weather states, causing heating aid to dry up faster than usual in many northern states.

Last month, $490 million in emergency heating funds were released by the Obama administration once a formula that took into account colder-than-normal temperatures and, for the first time, unemployment levels. Both of these factors favored the South.

Emergency funding more than tripled for Florida and Georgia, and more than doubled in North Carolina, South Carolina, Alabama, Mississippi, Tennessee and Texas.

Also in the South:

ALABAMA: Bill to create charter schools in state is tabled indefinitely

ARKANSAS: Fiscal session's first week ends with no-raise expense bill in place

FLORIDA: State sees decline in illegal immigrants

GEORGIA: Details on CRCT cheating at public schools released

KENTUCKY: Hundreds take part in rRally against mountaintop removal held in Frankfort

LOUISIANA: Gov. Jindal's $24 billion budget spares higher education

MISSISSIPPI: Gov. Barbour signs bill to restrict over-the-counter medicines used in meth making

NORTH CAROLINA: Editorial: Pressing for justice

SOUTH CAROLINA: Report shows state needs tougher jobless laws

TENNESSEE: State to resume enrollment in CoverKids, the uninsured children's program

VIRGINIA: State budget continues to be a mystery

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

12/29: TN legislators want to expand community colleges' mission

TENNESSEE: State legislators want to expand community colleges' mission

Gov. Phil Bredesen is developing an overhaul of the state's education system that could mean more students will attend four-year community college programs.

Lawmakers will open debate next month on a plan meant to cut costs and bolster Tennessee's graduation rate by realigning how the state's two-year colleges and four-year universities work together.

The plan would shift some course work from public universities to community colleges while also making it easier for students to transfer credits between schools.

Also in the South:

ALABAMA: Gov. Riley publishes book touting life in the state

ARKANSAS: New iPhone application lists state's laws

FLORIDA: State Supreme Court orders statewide managed mediation program for glut of foreclosures

GEORGIA: One analyst's look at health reform costs in Georgia

KENTUCKY: Schools await new state standards

LOUISIANA: State's first-time jobless claims drop

MISSISSIPPI: 'Most religious' state is Mississippi

NORTH CAROLINA: State to compete for high-speed rail funding

SOUTH CAROLINA: Little clarity in race to replace Gov. Sanford

VIRGINIA: Drop in 7% noted in state's manufacturing jobs

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

12/21: EPA pushes farmers to use coal waste on fields

New York Times: EPA pushes farmers to use coal waste on fields

A synthetic gypsum created as a waste product from coal-fired power plants is being pushed by the EPA as a field enhancer - as a fertilizer and soil loosener. The EPA says the synthetic gypsum, which contains mercury, arsenic, lead and other heavy metals, has levels of toxins too low to cause any threat to crops, surface water or humans.

However, some environmentalists say not enough is known about how the material, called flue gas desulfurization gypsum (FGD gypsum), affects crops and human health.

Currently, FGD gypsum is widely used in the South as a less expensive alternative to mined gypsum, said Glen Harris, a soil scientist at the University of Georgia's Tifton campus. Farmers in states such as Georgia, Alabama and the Carolinas have long spread mined gypsum on their fields, where its calcium spurs the growth of peanuts.

Also in the South:

ALABAMA: Alabama Education Association opposes State BOE's charter school push

ARKANSAS: Sen. Lincoln says health care reform bill would cover more than 400,000 uninsured residents

FLORIDA: South Florida seniors concerned about proposed cuts to Medicare Advantage

GEORGIA: New state mental health agency now must cut budget, programs

KENTUCKY: Many in Eastern Kentucky without power following winter storm

LOUISIANA: Health care debate shows Louisiana politicians have much at stake

MISSISSIPPI: Opinion: Task force: Best way of improving state's quality of life is education

NORTH CAROLINA: New landfill gas-to-energy plant opens in Durham

SOUTH CAROLINA: Jobless rate in S.C. reaches new high of 12.3%

TENNESSEE: Control of Congress may be in Tennessee's hands

VIRGINIA: Rep. Scott's Prison Reform Act aims to change cruel prison conditions

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12/7: Rendering a more balanced state tax structure

Statehouse Report: Andy Brack: Rendering a more balanced state tax structure

"With a quarter of the state’s population jobless, underemployed or fed up looking for work, a pretty good case can be made that if the state of South Carolina wants to move past the recession, it needs to seriously rethink its priorities.

"Instead of continuing to do things the same ways they’ve always been done, now might be the best time to shake things up a little. Perhaps it is time to focus more on underfunded areas that, if funded better, could generate real rewards."

Also in the South:

ALABAMA: Jobless hotline in state swamped with calls

ARKANSAS: State to get lottery vending machines in Spring 2010

FLORIDA: House lawmakers to vote on commuter rail today

GEORGIA: Spread of hemlock woolly adelgid worries Georgia foresters

KENTUCKY: State to adopt protocol for death row executions

LOUISIANA: Analysis: Gov. Jindal quiet on Medicaid fix he sought

MISSISSIPPI: Three cities legalize Sunday alcohol sales

NORTH CAROLINA: State Chamber of Commerce talks taxes with state policy makers

SOUTH CAROLINA: Five reasons why Sanford may remain state's governor

TENNESSEE: State improves on ranking of healthy states, moving from 48th to 44th

VIRGINIA: Gov. Kaine proposes expanding health benefits to partners

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

11/23: Hidden costs of fossil--and bio--fuels

Christian Science Monitor: Hidden costs of fossil -- and bio -- fuels

The National Research Council has released a new study on the "hidden" costs of energy produced by burning fossil fuels. The report found that, in 2005, the hidden costs of energy production with fossil fuels in the United States amounted to $120 billion. This includes the negative impact of air pollution on health, but doesn’t include the effects of mercury emitted by coal-fired plants on wildlife and people, harm done to ecosystems by air pollution, or the climate-warming effects of carbon emissions.

Damages from ethanol made from corn were usually similar to, or even slightly worse, than damages from gasoline. That’s because of the extra energy needed to convert corn to biofuel.

Also in the South:

ALABAMA: Illiteracy in the state has economic impact

ARKANSAS: Sen. Blanche Lincoln continues to be a 'question mark' on health care vote

FLORIDA: Revenue projections from offshore oil drilling make some question numbers

GEORGIA: State's unemployment fund is depleted

KENTUCKY: Ten nursing homes cited as among worst in the nation

LOUISIANA: Study shows preschoolers spending too much time in front of TV

MISSISSIPPI: Gov. Barbour considers consolidating state agencies

NORTH CAROLINA: State's tax revenue drops by $99 million in October

SOUTH CAROLINA: Jobless rate at 12.1%, an all-time high

TENNESSEE: Federal ban on selling paddlefish hurting state's commercial fishermen

VIRGINIA: State DOE wants to increase Hispanic college enrollment

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

11/20: CDC survey points out Southern counties most obese

AP: CDC survey points out Southern counties most obese

The first county-by-county survey of obesity reflects past studies that show the rate of obesity is highest in the Southeast and Appalachia, with two Alabama counties -- Greene and Dallas -- having adult obesity rates that are among the highest in the nation.

New research from the Center for Disease Control and Prevention shows that more than 80% of counties in the Appalachian region (Kentucky, Tennessee, and West Virginia) show high rates of obesity and diabetes. The same high rates of obesity and diabetes were found in about 75% of counties in Alabama, Mississippi, Louisiana, Georgia and South Carolina.

Also in the South:

ARKANSAS: Power costs likely to go down in state now that multi-state agreement can be broken

FLORIDA: New cigarette tax increases state budget, despite drop in sales

GEORGIA: Tom Baxter: Clock ticks on Georgia in water wars dispute

KENTUCKY: Jobless rate in state is now at 11.2%

LOUISIANA: Protesters say Hispanic residents are getting citizenship questions from police

MISSISSIPPI: University leaders worry about impact of merger talk

NORTH CAROLINA: Gov. Perdue says group of violent inmates won't be released from prison

SOUTH CAROLINA: Foreclosures up slightly in South Carolina

TENNESSEE: Lawsuit over guns-in-bars statute to be heard today

VIRGINIA: State faces $3.5 billion hole in next two-year budget cycle

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

11/18: Analysis of tax systems in U.S. released

ITEP: Distributional analysis of tax systems in the 50 states

A state-by-state look at how fair each state's tax systems are, considering both state and local taxes paid by different income groups in 2007. The study shows which states have done the best and worst job of providing fairness in their tax systems overall.

One overall conclusion: Nearly every state and local tax system takes more proportionally from middle and low income families than from the wealthy -- "most tax systems are regressive."

Of the eleven Southern states we cover, Tennessee, Florida, and Alabama are among the ten most regressive tax states among the 50.

Also in the South:

ALABAMA: Black Belt's future projected to be in biofuels, some say

ARKANSAS: 2010 governor's race to be impacted by economy

FLORIDA: Top senators say state should drop out of federal Medicaid system

GEORGIA: On population count, South Georgia could lose legislative seats

KENTUCKY: State considers how to repay federal jobless funds loans

LOUISIANA: Poll finds race relations mostly unchanged in last year

MISSISSIPPI: 79 of state's 82 counties declared a disaster by heavy rain, drought

NORTH CAROLINA: Human trafficking seen as a problem in NC due to highways, agriculture

SOUTH CAROLINA: State's onshore winds may not be enough for power generation

TENNESSEE: State parks may cut jobs, close amenities to save money

VIRGINIA: New economic engine for N. VA could come from Ignite Institute

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

10/20: States track stimulus funds

Stateline: States track stimulus funds

The first big test of states’ oversight efforts comes this October when they must file the initial quarterly reports with the federal government on how they have spent those funds.

The federal law doesn’t require states to name point people or spell out their duties. But the Obama administration, which has czars for health care, energy, illegal drugs and even for cities, has asked states to name “implementation czars” to keep an eye on their share of the federal stimulus package. Governors are free to tap whomever they want for the post—if anyone at all. Alaska, Arkansas, Louisiana, Maryland and Texas have opted not to name a person.

An interactive map names the czars and websites for each state.

Also in the South:

ALABAMA: Rep. Artur Davis calls for rewrite of state constitution

ARKANSAS: State lottery repays $2.8 million loan to state

FLORIDA: State's senators talk about high speed rail

GEORGIA: State wants more training for daycare workers

KENTUCKY: Report puts price tag on pollution from coal plants

LOUISIANA: Graduation rates among La. high school students falls most

MISSISSIPPI: Opinion: State dilemma: Tax hike or more cuts?

NORTH CAROLINA: State's residents upset over plan to free inmates

SOUTH CAROLINA: Lawmakers to reconvene to discuss jobless benefits

TENNESSEE: Sen. Lamar Alexander, former secretary of education, pushes for 3-year college degrees

VIRGINIA: Candidates for Lt. Gov. embroiled in heated debate

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

10/16: GA street gangs going after cartel cash, drugs

GEORGIA: Street gangs go after cartel cash and drugs, increasing risk for law enforcement

Gang investigators in the state say that Mexican drug trafficking organizations are becoming targets of criminal street gangs.

The danger has increased for law enforcement officers, as cartels are arming themselves more heavily to deter the thefts. A small number of reporters were allowed to attend this month's Georgia Gang Investigators Association meeting – which is usually private – on the condition that they not identify the gang behind a string of recent drug rip-offs or disclose its country of origin.

Investigators said the Latino street gang that has been targeting Mexican cartels in the metro Atlanta area is violent, brash and increasing in numbers.

Also in the South:

ALABAMA: Foreclosures up 22% in September

ARKANSAS: No change on math scores for fourth, eighth graders

FLORIDA: State may ban both paper and plastic bags

KENTUCKY: State gets a 'D' on protecting children's legal rights

LOUISIANA: Interracial couple denied marriage license in state

MISSISSIPPI: State plans more budget cuts for 2010

NORTH CAROLINA: Baptist preacher plans to burn Bibles on Halloween

SOUTH CAROLINA: State's jobless fund is running out of money

TENNESSEE: Jobless rate in state drops to 10.5%

VIRGINIA: State's infrastructure gets poor rating

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

10/14: SPR: South's Senate Finance members split along party lines on healthcare bill

Southern Political Report: South's Senate Finance members split along party lines on healthcare bill

"Whether or not health care reform passes has important political implications, not only for President Obama, but for lawmakers in both parties who will be facing the voters next year. For Obama and his fellow Democrats, passage of health care reform would fulfill one of his key campaign promises and give his party a major talking point for the 2010 elections.

"For the GOP, defeat of the bill would show the party’s grass roots activists that their strenuous -- at times raucous -- opposition to Obama’s health care proposals had some effect, and would demonstrate that their party still has clout in congress. And it would add energy to Republican efforts to retake control of congress, or at least increase the party’s strength in both the senate and house."

Repercussions of the vote could hit some senators hard, such as Sen. Lincoln of Arkansas, whose decision to support the measure could provide ammunition for the strong GOP effort to defeat her next year.

Also in the South:

ALABAMA: Democratic Party mistakenly appoints dead man to panel

ARKANSAS: State prison officials consider allowing some inmates to have e-mail

FLORIDA: Seven-term U.S. Rep. Robert Wexler is resigning

GEORGIA: Consumer advocate group says state lags in health care affordability

KENTUCKY: Hearing held to debate mountaintop mining

LOUISIANA: National ACORN embroiled with Louisiana branch

MISSISSIPPI: State now requires civil rights classes in schools

NORTH CAROLINA: "Ask Anything" with Gov. Beverly Perdue

SOUTH CAROLINA: Jobless benefits to be lost by 6,900 South Carolinians

TENNESSEE: GOP's Marsh wins special election to fill 62nd District House seat

VIRGINIA: Five of six delegate seats in Central Virginia open

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

9/21: Europeans fear U.S. lacks political will on climate change

New York Times: Europeans fear U.S. lacks political will on climate change

Climate talks are to begin this week at the United Nations, and Europeans are expressing little hope that the U.S. Senate will act on a climate bill before the Copenhagen talks begin in December.

European leaders say the American reluctance to accept any agreement that would require legally binding and internationally enforceable targets for reductions in greenhouse gas emissions could doom the Copenhagen session.

And, inaction in the Senate limits the flexibility of the U.S.'s chief climate negotiator, Todd Stern.

The Copenhagen meeting is in three months.

Also in the South:

ALABAMA: New 911 technology could be tested in Alabama

ARKANSAS: Jobless rate falls to 7.1% in state

FLORIDA: Offshore drilling to be pushed again by Florida Energy Associates

GEORGIA: Brutal attack could result in renewed call for hate crime law in Georgia

KENTUCKY: Student test results to be released Wednesday

LOUISIANA: River Bend nuclear power reactor is shut down

MISSISSIPPI: Work begins on state budget

NORTH CAROLINA: State tries new public health insurance program

SOUTH CAROLINA: Immigrants make up 4% of state's population

TENNESSEE: State lawmakers want resolution on highway bill

VIRGINIA: State announces sales tax holiday for appliances

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

9/1: Georgia is first state to impose teacher furloughs

New York Times: Georgia is first state to impose teacher furloughs

Georgia is the first state to put teacher furloughs into effect as a way of saving state budget money. The furloughs for all state employees includes teachers for the first time in more than 25 years. The forced days off will save about $135 million, with the majority of that coming from salaries for 128,000 educators.

Several other states are considering the same action, including Florida.

Also in the South:

ALABAMA: New problem created by moving toxic coal ash from TN to poor town in AL

ARKANSAS: Lt. Gov. Halter signs 'letter of intent' with officials of Henan province

FLORIDA: Jobless rate in Florida could stay high until 2018

KENTUCKY: State employees offer Gov. Beshear ways to cut budget

LOUISIANA: State GOP chairman sounds alarm about census counting illegal immigrants

MISSISSIPPI: State offers job help online and at nine access points

NORTH CAROLINA: Sen. Burr's health forum to include Sen. John McCain, Sen. Mitch McConnell

SOUTH CAROLINA: A look at a legislative poll on impeachment of Gov. Sanford

TENNESSEE: State Democrats target 12 House seats to take over

VIRGINIA: Governor's race ignites over GOP candidate McDonnell's past views

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