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

11/6: U.S. unemployment rate hits 10.2%

New York Times: U.S. unemployment rate hits 10.2%

The unemployment rate is at its highest rate in 26 years. The rate, which measures the number of people actively seeking work, continues to climb, and economists do not foresee relief until well into next year.

“There’s no doubt that the slashing and burning of jobs has abated quite a lot,” said Allen L. Sinai, the founder of Decision Economics, a research firm. “The economy is recovering, but it is a very soft recovery.”

The biggest losses came in the construction, manufacturing and retailing sectors. In anticipation of this report, Congress voted Thursday to extend benefits for jobless workers for up to 20 weeks.

Also in the South:

ALABAMA: State benefits from Kia's Georgia plant as 3,600 jobs go to Alabamans

ARKANSAS: Looking at Arkansas politics for 2010

FLORIDA: State's plan to tear down highway toll plazas comes with alternative pay proposal

GEORGIA: Prescription drug deaths continue to rise in Georgia

KENTUCKY: State gets $350,000 in federal energy grants

LOUISIANA: Senate kills Sen. Vitter's census proposal on way to redraw Congressional maps

MISSISSIPPI: Gov. Barbour wants more authority to make deeper budget cuts

NORTH CAROLINA: Lawmakers consider special session to deal with inmate issue

SOUTH CAROLINA: Simulated photos released of what offshore wind turbines would look like

TENNESSEE: 2009 public schools report card shows mixed bag of 'grades'

VIRGINIA: State Supreme Court upholds multistate power line plan

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

10/29: In FL, public option in healthcare finding favor

Miami Herald: In Florida, public option in healthcare finding favor

At two very different forums on Wednesday, Florida doctors and nurses agreed that healthcare reform is desperately needed -- and they're not opposed to a public option as part of the package.

As a half-dozen speakers made clear on Wednesday, the issue is no longer whether there should be healthcare reform -- but what the details should include.

By Friday, it's expected that the House and the Senate will each have consolidated myriad proposals into a single bill in each chamber -- and each will have the option for government insurance.

Let's see what happens over the next 24 hours.

Also in the South:

ALABAMA: Gov. Riley announces grants to build new schools in state

ARKANSAS: Mass flu shot vaccination clinics begin in state

FLORIDA: State's 'smart power' program gets $200 million federal grant

GEORGIA: State creates new child care agency

KENTUCKY: Gov. Beshear says 'holiday tree' will go up at Capitol; Christian critics upset over nomenclature

LOUISIANA: Former Gov. Treen dies at 81

MISSISSIPPI: Economic special session postponed, says Gov. Barbour

NORTH CAROLINA: Rock-slide closure of I-40 to impact Asheville area's economy

SOUTH CAROLINA: Boeing chooses SC; Impact expected to be big

TENNESSEE: Vandal decides to censor 'dirty' words in library books

VIRGINIA: Voter mass mailing stopped over legal questions
If you have a news story about public policy to suggest, send an email to info@bettersouth.org

10/28: Proposed change in census could alter congressional seats

New York Times: Proposed change in census could alter congressional seats

Sen. David Vitter of Louisiana is proposing to count only United States citizens when reapportioning Congress. This could alter the representation in each state, according to an independent analysis. For instance, North Carolina and South Carolina would each gain a seat under this proposal; if counted the traditional way, Florida and Georgia would gain a seat each.

The Constitution, as amended, requires that Congressional districts be reapportioned on the basis of a count every 10 years of the “whole number of persons” in each state. The 10-question 2010 census form does not ask about citizenship, but the Census Bureau collects information on citizenship on other forms.

Sen. Vitter warned this month that a vote against his proposal would “strip these states of their proper representation in Congress,” while including noncitizens would “artificially increase the population count” in other states.

Also in the South:

ALABAMA: A look at investments made by state employees' pension fund

ARKANSAS: U.S. Chamber of Commerce to run ads against health care plan in Arkansas, Louisiana

FLORIDA: Proposed huge biopower plant to bring jobs and energy to North Florida

GEORGIA: State gets federal funds to upgrade power grid

KENTUCKY: Gov. Beshear announces funding for 911 call centers

LOUISIANA: State officials blast FDA plan on limiting oyster production

MISSISSIPPI: Gulfport to start environmental court

NORTH CAROLINA: 'Memory loss' hits former Gov. Easley's witnesses at Board of Elections hearing

SOUTH CAROLINA: State's farmers fight language of climate change bill

TENNESSEE: Nonpartisan Tax Foundation says state's tax structure needs new look

VIRGINIA: Attorney General candidates face off in Richmond

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