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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3/1: Analysis of NC voters shows allegiances are shifting

Washington Daily News: Analysis of NC voters shows allegiances are shifting

According to the nonpartisan Democracy North Carolina, a county-by-county analysis of North Carolina voters points to dramatic shifts in the past decade that will likely influence campaign strategy for elections this year.

Statewide, unaffiliated numbers advanced by 627,547, showing 83-percent growth from 2000 through the first month of 2010. During the same decade, Democratic ranks expanded by 11 percent, while Republicans grew their party by 16 percent.

These major shifts in registration have unsettled some key figures in the two major parties. The state Democratic and Republican parties allow unaffiliated registrants to vote in their primaries.

Also in the South:

ALABAMA: 2010 session at midpoint; legislators have yet to work on budget

ARKANSAS: Opinion: Hard to judge merits of Legislature's fiscal session

FLORIDA: Few dentists in state are willing to deal with Medicaid

GEORGIA: U.S. Rep. Linder will not seek re-election

KENTUCKY: Legislative committee stalls prison food bill

LOUISIANA: Gov. Jindal says he'll take second stimulus package, even as he speaks against it

MISSISSIPPI: First Lady Michelle Obama to visit state this week to work against childhood obesity

SOUTH CAROLINA: Opinion: Jailhouse rocked? Legislators facing a tough funding choice

TENNESSEE: SBI report finds gang activity in schools across the state

VIRGINIA: Officials say rail is state's transportation future

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2/17: States withhold funds from municipal gov'ts

Stateline: States withhold funds to cities, counties across nation

As budget shortfalls continue to make headlines, some states are withholding funds owed to municipal governments as a way to balance state books.

In North Carolina, about 7% of the proceeds from the state's corporate income tax had routinely been transferred to local governments for school capital costs, but starting this year, legislatorss decided to put that money -- about $125 million over two years -- towards the state's budget
deficit.

The withholding of funds is not without protest -- in some states, including Florida, lawsuits have been filed to get the funds reinstated.

It's an interesting situation to watch.

Also in the South:

ALABAMA: State Senate committee to vote on Gov. Riley's charter school plan

ARKANSAS: State lawmakers want more control over Medicaid program cuts

FLORIDA: State panel debates plastic bag ban, but offers no answer

GEORGIA: Nuclear reactors in Georgia to get $8.3 billon federal loan guarantee

KENTUCKY: State's economy could get boost from underused Earned Income Tax Credit

LOUISIANA: State prison system sues death row inmates to stall lethal injection lawsuit

MISSISSIPPI: 'Personhood' initiative filed to get abortion issue on statewide ballot

NORTH CAROLINA: State education officials change minds about altering history curriculum

SOUTH CAROLINA: Landfill in S.C. to store dangerous chemicals from Pickens County river

TENNESSEE: White Nose Syndrome blamed for deaths of Tennessee bats

VIRGINIA: In private, Gov. McDonnell pushes for deeper budget cuts of more than $1 billion

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2/16: Urban, rural areas battle over prison population count

NPR: Urban, rural areas battle over who gets to count prison population in census

Prison inmates are counted as residents of the prisons where they are locked up, which can inflate the population of mostly white, rural towns with prisons. Activists say counting the prisoners in the census unfairly shifts political and economic power away from the poor, innercity areas where most inmates came from.

As reported last week in The New York Times, a number of states, including Florida, are considering legislation requiring that prisoners be counted at their last known address — for purposes of reapportionment, a change that would likely favor larger and mostly Democratic cities.

However, Rep. William Lacy Clay (D-Missouri), who is chairman of the census subcommittee, said the 2010 census “will again be counting incarcerated people as residents of the rural, predominantly white communities that contain prisons.”

Also in the South:

ALABAMA: State Senate enters bingo battle -- to legalize or not

ARKANSAS: Gov. Beebe reports more than $1 million raised in January for campaign

FLORIDA: Editorial: Oil drilling could change Florida for the worse

GEORGIA: Gov. Perdue's plan to use lottery funds may be unconstitutional

KENTUCKY: New report shows Kentucky, Tennessee rank low in quality of life

LOUISIANA: Mardi Gras 2010 kicks off

MISSISSIPPI: State sees transition in farming from crops to tree farms

NORTH CAROLINA: Analysts say it'll be a tough election year for state Democrats

SOUTH CAROLINA: Naturalists worried about boom in feral hog population

TENNESSEE: Stimulus funds to pay for health information technology improvements

VIRGINIA: Lawmakers look to loosen firearm restrictions in state

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2/5: Senate likely to be less diverse after elections

Washington Post: Senate likely to be less diverse after elections

In contests in Florida, Texas and North Carolina, black candidates face daunting challenges to joining the Senate, from difficulty raising cash to lack of name recognition to formidable rivals.\\

By next year, the number of black Senators could be zero, despite the fact that 12.2% of the population is black. David Bositis, a senior political analyst with the Joint Center for Political and Economic Studies, noted that blacks don't make up the majority population in any state and in states where there are large numbers of blacks, as in the South, there are racial divisions that make getting elected difficult.

Florida is more likely to produce the next Hispanic senator than it is the next black senator.

Also in the South:

ALABAMA: Legislation on using Alabama Trust Fund for roads and bridges is withdrawn

ARKANSAS: FEMA to provide federal funding to state for flood damage

FLORIDA: 7.5% drop in property taxes over three years hurts state's budget

GEORGIA: State gets a "D" from voter rights group

KENTUCKY: House approves ban on texting while driving

LOUISIANA: Sen. Landrieu defends $400 million Medicaid deal

MISSISSIPPI: State stops prison growth by releasing more nonviolent offenders

NORTH CAROLINA: Sen. Larry Shaw says he won't seek re-election

SOUTH CAROLINA: Conference to draw 200 to discuss future of state's land use

TENNESSEE: Sen. Alexander introduces bill to reduce mercury emissions

VIRGINIA: Bill to end ban on radar detectors advances

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12/21: EPA pushes farmers to use coal waste on fields

New York Times: EPA pushes farmers to use coal waste on fields

A synthetic gypsum created as a waste product from coal-fired power plants is being pushed by the EPA as a field enhancer - as a fertilizer and soil loosener. The EPA says the synthetic gypsum, which contains mercury, arsenic, lead and other heavy metals, has levels of toxins too low to cause any threat to crops, surface water or humans.

However, some environmentalists say not enough is known about how the material, called flue gas desulfurization gypsum (FGD gypsum), affects crops and human health.

Currently, FGD gypsum is widely used in the South as a less expensive alternative to mined gypsum, said Glen Harris, a soil scientist at the University of Georgia's Tifton campus. Farmers in states such as Georgia, Alabama and the Carolinas have long spread mined gypsum on their fields, where its calcium spurs the growth of peanuts.

Also in the South:

ALABAMA: Alabama Education Association opposes State BOE's charter school push

ARKANSAS: Sen. Lincoln says health care reform bill would cover more than 400,000 uninsured residents

FLORIDA: South Florida seniors concerned about proposed cuts to Medicare Advantage

GEORGIA: New state mental health agency now must cut budget, programs

KENTUCKY: Many in Eastern Kentucky without power following winter storm

LOUISIANA: Health care debate shows Louisiana politicians have much at stake

MISSISSIPPI: Opinion: Task force: Best way of improving state's quality of life is education

NORTH CAROLINA: New landfill gas-to-energy plant opens in Durham

SOUTH CAROLINA: Jobless rate in S.C. reaches new high of 12.3%

TENNESSEE: Control of Congress may be in Tennessee's hands

VIRGINIA: Rep. Scott's Prison Reform Act aims to change cruel prison conditions

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11/4: Stimulus funds used to give raises in some cases

New York Times: Stimulus funds used to give raises in some cases

Errors in the government's latest effort to track the effectiveness of the $787 billion stimulus plan are showing that funds were used not just to create or save jobs, but to fund raises or benefits for existing employees.

In Georgia, a nonprofit, the Southwest Georgia Community Action Counciil, reported saving 935 jobs -- however, there are only 508 people working there.

The latest stimulus report, released Friday, significantly overstates the number of jobs spared with money from programs serving families and children, mostly the Head Start preschool program. The report shows hundreds of the programs used nearly $323 million to provide pay raises and other benefits to their existing employees.

The raises themselves were appropriate -- the stimulus law set aside money for Head Start salary increases -- but converting that number into jobs proved difficult. The Obama administration told Head Start officials to consider a fraction of each employee as a job saved.

Also in the South:

ALABAMA: Tea Party rally scheduled for today in Huntsville

ARKANSAS: State's tax revenue is again less than expected

FLORIDA: Sex offender restrictions in state may be flawed, says analyst

GEORGIA: Why a white woman may win the Atlanta mayoral race

KENTUCKY: State should budget $64 million more a year for college aid, says study

LOUISIANA: Gov. Jindal says resignation of justice who refused interracial marriage 'long overdue'

MISSISSIPPI: More prison cuts planned for 2010 budget

NORTH CAROLINA: New rules proposed to help homeowners avoid foreclosure

SOUTH CAROLINA: Ten candidates in running for governor's post talk energy, environment

TENNESSEE: State departments face up to 9% cuts

VIRGINIA: Analyst says policies, not parties, key to GOP win in Virginia

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11/2: Turnout crucial in VA governor's race

Christian Science Monitor: Turnout crucial in Virginia governor's race

The Nov. 3 governors’ races in Virginia and New Jersey are being closely watched for clues as to how Republicans and Democrats might fare in midterm elections a year from now.

The number of voters will likely be down, as midterm elections don't attract the crowds of a presidential election. In Virginia, there's concern that fewer African American voters and young voters will turn out on Tuesday, as a Washington Post poll shows lower numbers of likely voters on November 3.

And, if the weather is bad, turnout could be even lower.

Also in the South:

ALABAMA: Gov. Riley heads to Colombia for economic development trip

ARKANSAS: Prison board to talk about budget cuts

FLORIDA: Poll shows Floridians oppose public option for healthcare

GEORGIA: Georgians may not be able to take public option for healthcare

KENTUCKY: State has longest waiting list for low-cost drugs for AIDS patients

LOUISIANA: State's shale could change fate of U.S. energy supply

MISSISSIPPI: Obstacles to higher education include child care, transportation

NORTH CAROLINA: NC Chamber of Commerce holds conference on environmental issues

SOUTH CAROLINA: Legislators consider reforming prison sentences

TENNESSEE: Some lawmakers work to put TN at forefront of national sovereignty movement

VIRGINIA: Candidates' efforts increased as voting nears

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10/14: SPR: South's Senate Finance members split along party lines on healthcare bill

Southern Political Report: South's Senate Finance members split along party lines on healthcare bill

"Whether or not health care reform passes has important political implications, not only for President Obama, but for lawmakers in both parties who will be facing the voters next year. For Obama and his fellow Democrats, passage of health care reform would fulfill one of his key campaign promises and give his party a major talking point for the 2010 elections.

"For the GOP, defeat of the bill would show the party’s grass roots activists that their strenuous -- at times raucous -- opposition to Obama’s health care proposals had some effect, and would demonstrate that their party still has clout in congress. And it would add energy to Republican efforts to retake control of congress, or at least increase the party’s strength in both the senate and house."

Repercussions of the vote could hit some senators hard, such as Sen. Lincoln of Arkansas, whose decision to support the measure could provide ammunition for the strong GOP effort to defeat her next year.

Also in the South:

ALABAMA: Democratic Party mistakenly appoints dead man to panel

ARKANSAS: State prison officials consider allowing some inmates to have e-mail

FLORIDA: Seven-term U.S. Rep. Robert Wexler is resigning

GEORGIA: Consumer advocate group says state lags in health care affordability

KENTUCKY: Hearing held to debate mountaintop mining

LOUISIANA: National ACORN embroiled with Louisiana branch

MISSISSIPPI: State now requires civil rights classes in schools

NORTH CAROLINA: "Ask Anything" with Gov. Beverly Perdue

SOUTH CAROLINA: Jobless benefits to be lost by 6,900 South Carolinians

TENNESSEE: GOP's Marsh wins special election to fill 62nd District House seat

VIRGINIA: Five of six delegate seats in Central Virginia open

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9/30: States reeling from falling tax revenues

Wall Street Journal: States reel from falling tax revenues

Census Bureau figures show that state tax revenues are down 17% in the second quarter compared with a year ago. Rising unemployment and reduced spending are to blame for the lower sales- and income-tax collections.

bout two-thirds of state revenues are derived from sales and income taxes. The numbers aren't adjusted for inflation or changes in tax rates.

Falling revenues, combined with growing demand for social programs like Medicaid, have forced states to slash spending and scramble to raise revenue through changes including new taxes, legalized slot machines and pricier fishing licenses.

Also in the South:

ALABAMA: New laws go into effect on Thursday

ARKANSAS: More than $1.2 million in scratch-off tickets sold on first day

FLORIDA: Big outcry over Mayors Against Illegal Guns group

GEORGIA: Energy-saving products' sales tax holiday begins Thursday

KENTUCKY: Poverty rate in the state remains at 17.3%

LOUISIANA: Editorial: Louisiana should keep college graduates

MISSISSIPPI: Fee hikes possible for new state budget

NORTH CAROLINA: State budget cuts force closure of seven minimum-security prisons

SOUTH CAROLINA: State borrows $16 million a week to pay unemployment checks

TENNESSEE: State to lose $190 million in federal funds for roads

VIRGINIA: Tax amnesty to begin October 7

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9/9: H1N1 flu cases rising in Southeasat

Miami Herald: H1N1 flu cases rising in Southeast

Dr. Anne Schuchat of the CDC says, "It's widespread in Florida, Georgia, Alabama and Mississippi.'' Schuchat said the agency was aware of "24 localities" in Georgia, Indiana, Missouri and Tennessee dismissing elementary and high schools on Friday, affecting 25,000 students.

Asked why the increases are biggest in the Southeast, Schuchat said: "We don't know exactly. One possibility is that schools started earlier there. Another is that the Southeast states were not that heavily hit in the spring, and they're just getting their spring wave now."

Also on Tuesday, the CDC put out new guidelines that say the flu medicines Tamiflu and Relenza should only be used to treat people who are sick with the flu and at high risk for complications.

Also in the South:

ALABAMA: State's tax amnesty program raises more than $8.1 million

ARKANSAS: Could soda pop tax as seen in Arkansas go national?

GEORGIA: The Clean Air Campaign's Diesel Idling Reduction program has 60 companies signed on

KENTUCKY: Bill would cancel $12 million prison food contract

LOUISIANA: ACLU lawsuit filed over single-sex classes in Lafayette

MISSISSIPPI: State has a shortage of school nurses

NORTH CAROLINA: Gov. Perdue ready to sign consumer protection law

SOUTH CAROLINA: Decision is near on off-shore oil and natural gas drilling

TENNESSEE: Rep. Kelsey to resign House seat after Senate primary to keep seat in party

VIRGINIA: Gov. Kaine cuts 929 jobs to make up for budget shortfall

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9/2: Blue Dog Democrats expect health care deal

New York Times: Blue Dog Democrats expect health care deal

Interviews with more than a dozen Blue Dogs and their top aides indicate that many of the lawmakers still believe approval of some form of health care plan is achievable and far preferable to not acting at all.

In Georgia, Rep. David Scott said his determination to enact a health care overhaul had been increased over the recess because of what he called the spread of misinformation and other unfair tactics engaged in by the opposition.

“I think now more than ever we must get strong in our resolve to pass health care insurance reform legislation,” Mr. Scott said.

Congress is back in session next week.

Also in the South:

ALABAMA: Chrysanthemum derivative effective and safe as insecticide

ARKANSAS: State Sen. Sharon Trusty resigns seat unexpectedly

FLORIDA: Gov. Crist says casino deal will help schools

GEORGIA: State DNR to push ecotourism to new demographic groups

KENTUCKY: State regulators find dangerous levels of selenium in water and fish near coal mines

LOUISIANA: State prison system to cut an additional 300 guards

MISSISSIPPI: Catfish industry struggles in Mississippi

NORTH CAROLINA: State increase in sales and 'sin' taxes now in effect

SOUTH CAROLINA: Attorney General to discuss Internet predator task force

TENNESSEE: Sen. Alexander calls for 'do over' on health care reform bill

VIRGINIA: State officials unveil swine flu plans

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Lawmakers defensive over health care reform

New York Times: Lawmakers on the defensive over health care reform debates

Lawmakers are returning home for their August recess and many are facing angry crowds. In Georgia, Rep. Hank Johnson told his constituents not to be deterred by reports of ''town halls gone wild,'' but the Democrat wasn't taking any chances at his first health care forum as three times the normal security detail was in position to thwart any problems. Conflicting reports from a Clarkston forum -- one said the meeting featured angry voters and booing, while another report on the same forum said the nearly 2,000 attendees stayed calm. And Tom Baxter, of Southern Political Report, says there was a little pot-stirring, but not a big rumble as expected.

In North Carolina, Rep. Brad Miller, D-N.C., said he will not host any town halls this month because he received a phone call threatening his life. Instead, he said he will hold one-on-one meetings with constituents.

Also in the South:

ALABAMA: Time ticking on governors in water wars -- all three leave office in 2010

ARKANSAS: Groundbreaking set for wood pellet plant on August 13

FLORIDA: Gov. Crist feeling the pressure over slow movement of stimulus funds

KENTUCKY: State to consider shifting prison funds to other areas

LOUISIANA: Medicaid cuts to cost Central Louisiana $5.3 million

MISSISSIPPI: U.S. Sen. Wicker to talk health care reform with medical students

NORTH CAROLINA: Gov. Perdue to sign significant death penalty law

SOUTH CAROLINA: Democrats seek probe into Sanford's use of state planes

TENNESSEE: TVA to use dry storage for coal ash

VIRGINIA: Congressmen to hold town hall meetings on health care reform

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