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

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9/28: Arkansas finally sells a scratch-off

SPR: Tom Baxter: Arkansas finally sells a scratch-off

"They've waited longer than four of their neighbors, voted on it and argued over how it will be administered. But at 12:01 a.m. Monday at the Murphy USA gas station in West Little Rock, the first scratch-off ticket was purchased a ceremony to begin the Arkansas lottery.

"Arkansas gamblers won't get Powerball until Oct. 31, but as of today they will be able to purchase instant games at 1,500 locations around the state. Arkansas is playing catch-up with four of its neighboring states, but lottery director Ernie Passailaigue -- a former South Carolina state senator who ran that state's lottery before being hired away by Arkansas -- has predicted the state will raise $400,000 million a year for college scholarships."

Also in the South:

ALABAMA: State's GOP, Democratic congressmen cautious about health care reforms

ARKANSAS: Gov. Beebe plans trade mission to Europe

FLORIDA: Weekend crash total at 131 vehicles

GEORGIA: Homeless sex offenders directed to woods as last resort in Marietta

KENTUCKY: EPA sets up plan for surface coal mining study

LOUISIANA: Population shift could alter congressional districts

MISSISSIPPI: Too early to tell if state will raise tuition for universities

NORTH CAROLINA: Gov. Perdue's administration has fewer women in Cabinet than any other governor

SOUTH CAROLINA: State comptroller says stimulus is growing government, not economy

TENNESSEE: State Rep. Kelsey resigns to run for state senate seat

VIRGINIA: Candidates for governor debate tactics for state's economic stimulus

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