3/11: Record unemployment rates in the South

New York Times: Four Southern states posted record unemployment rates in January

Unemployment rose in 30 states in January according to the Labor Department, and of the top five states, four are in the South: South Carolina, 12.6 percent; Florida, 11.9 percent; North Carolina, 11.1 percent; and Georgia, 10.4 percent.

In South Carolina, the unemployment rate is expected to pass 13% this year. "The worst is not over," said Sam McClary, a labor analyst for the South Carolina employment commission.

Also in the South:

ALABAMA: State's infant mortality rate, out-of-wedlock births are up

ARKANSAS: Gov. Beebe responds to Justice Department's action on mass institution

FLORIDA: Bill to ban texting while driving moves forward in legislature

GEORGIA: RehydrateUS.org launched by Savannah man

KENTUCKY: Political signs banned from state highways

LOUISIANA: State would benefit from cap-and-trade proposal

MISSISSIPPI: State faces federal lawsuit over children's mental health

NORTH CAROLINA: Foreclosure filings up 54% from February 2009

SOUTH CAROLINA: Payback of $2.5 billion in federal loans could take state 5-9 years

TENNESSEE: Racist e-mail from Nashville hospitality CEO could hurt state's tourism industry

VIRGINIA: State is first to ban mandatory health insurance

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2/8: States try to tax more services

Wall Street Journal: States try to tax more services

Faced with the worst budget crisis in a generation, many states are looking to expand sales taxes to services, such as lawn care or accountants' advice. The goal, legislators say, is to broaden the tax base to cover a broader swath of the economy as traditional sources of tax revenue decline.

In Kentucky, representatives have introduced a measure to extend sales taxes to some high-end services like limousines and balloon rides. In North Carolina, the legislature last year considered, but didn't pass, a proposal to tax services such as car repairs and lawn care.

Also in the South:

ALABAMA: Sen. Shelby blocks 70 Obama nominees to get defense contracts for Alabama

ARKANSAS: State begins first-ever fiscal session, as state starts annual budgeting process

FLORIDA: Fewer politicians rely on state to pay for flights

GEORGIA: Both parties upset over Gov. Perdue's plan to appoint four statewide officers

KENTUCKY: State has significant medical care gap

LOUISIANA: Education Secretary Duncan praises LA for reforms on state education

MISSISSIPPI: Gov. Barbour cuts $21 million in fourth round of budget cuts

NORTH CAROLINA: Commentary: Jim Hunt: More creativity in the classroom

SOUTH CAROLINA: Opinion: Andy Brack: Legislature should back off on search, ID bills

TENNESSEE: Mental health care cuts deepen in state

VIRGINIA: Medicaid funding for disabled could be cut in state

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