3/2: New opinion poll highlights AL voters' top concerns

ALABAMA: New opinion poll lists voters' top concerns in state: education, health, highways

The Public Research Council of Alabama has conducted an opinion poll to state voters' top concerns for 2010. They are: education, health care, public safety and highways.

A majority said they were willing to pay higher taxes to avoid substantial cuts in education and health-care services, generally understood to be Medicaid.

The poll, conducted in January by Samford University political science professor Randolph Horn, asked about gambling, a major issue facing the legislators this year. The poll asked if gambling should be taxed and regulated. In response, 72 percent said yes and 26 percent said it should be outlawed.

Also in the South:

ARKANSAS: U of A enters racial controversy over national stepping competition win

FLORIDA: Report says FL is deadliest state for pedestrians and bicyclists

GEORGIA: President Obama to bring "Cash for Caulkers" program to Savannah

KENTUCKY: State House approves pilot project to open some family courts to public

LOUISIANA: State prison officials look for ways to cut recidivism, escapes

MISSISSIPPI: Lawmakers propose soft drink tax to offset high obesity rate

NORTH CAROLINA: Gov. Perdue wants to know value of privatizing state liquor stores

SOUTH CAROLINA: Budget proposal cuts 1,000 state employees

TENNESSEE: Three TN road projects blocked by KY Sen. Bunning

VIRGINIA: Strategy by state Democrats aimed at blocking gun bills

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12/2: States consider permanent cuts following furloughs

Stateline: States consider permanent cuts following furloughs

A look at states with furloughs and layoffs, and how these may be impacted by the development of budgets next year for fiscal 2011.

In preparation of budget development, many states are taking stock of every position in state government to determine what effect job cuts and the possible elimination of whole departments will have on revenues, expenses and the quality of government services.

“I think we’re kind of in a permanent retrenchment,” says Raymond C. Scheppach, long-time director of the National Governors Association. “There are a number of areas where we’ve got to sit back and almost look at new models for delivering services.”

Also in the South:

ALABAMA: Tom Baxter: Bingo bounces back in Bama

ARKANSAS: Old liquor laws thwart sale of alcohol-infused truffles

FLORIDA: Black lawmakers want special session delayed due to national conference

GEORGIA: New group wants to stop tri-state water wars

KENTUCKY: If state budget is cut 6%, layoffs and furloughs likely

LOUISIANA: Panel rejects plan to cut 15,000 government jobs over next three years

MISSISSIPPI: Lt. Gov. Bryant pushes for 'performance budgeting'

NORTH CAROLINA: Progress Energy to shut down 11 coal-burning power plants in state

SOUTH CAROLINA: Employment Security Commission under review

TENNESSEE: State health insurance plans stop enrollment of needy

VIRGINIA: State's congressional delegates react to President Obama's speech

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