ThinkSouth -- a blog of the Center for a Better South

1.25.2010

1/25: 24 states' laws could be moot with campaign finance change

New York Times: 24 states' laws could be moot with proposed campaign finance change

Laws in 24 states will be directly or indirectly called into question after the U.S. Supreme Court's ruling that the federal government may not ban political spending by corporations or unions in candidate elections.

Richard Hasen, an election law specialist at Loyola Law School in Los Angeles, said he expected state judicial races to be especially affected by the Supreme Court decision. States like Florida and Ohio can expect to see the biggest and quickest influx of money, as it is relatively expensive to run campaigns and most are competitive.

However, David Primo, a political science professor at the University of Rochester, counseled caution about predicting the impact of the Supreme Court decision. While it grants corporations and unions new access, it is also likely to spur state officials and campaign reform groups to push for new types of restrictions.

Also in the South:

ALABAMA: Unemployment in state hits 11%

ARKANSAS: U.S. Rep. Marion Berry to announce retirement today

FLORIDA: Some expect President Obama to announce billions for high speed rail in Florida

GEORGIA: Report says state's foster care system has problems of abuse and neglect

KENTUCKY: Census officials having a hard time filling jobs in Kentucky

LOUISIANA: Gov. Jindal gets boost with anti-tax stance

MISSISSIPPI: Doctors turn to Iran to find out how to reduce MS's high infant mortality rate

NORTH CAROLINA: N.C. Attorney General suggests way to resolve water issue with S.C.

SOUTH CAROLINA: Lawmakers put off tax evaluation report

TENNESSEE: Regular legislative session opens today with dire budget situation

VIRGINIA: Coalition wants to create offshore wind industry

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

Labels: Berry, budget, Jindal, mortality, rail, tax, unemployment, water, wind

The Commonwealth Fund: Mississippi has worst health care

The Commonwealth Fund has issued its second State Scorecard on Health System Performance to compare states in terms of access, affordability and care.

None of the 11 Southern states we cover are in the top tier of the 2009 rankings.

However, five of the ten lowest ranking states are in the South: Mississippi (#51 of 51), Louisiana (#49) , Arkansas (#48), Kentucky (#45) , and Florida (#44). Of the six other states in the South, the rankings are as follows: