4/14: Some states look to soda, candy taxes

Stateline: Some states look to soda, candy taxes

There's a growing trend to levy taxes on unhealthy food much as liquor and tobacco have been treated. And with states facing revenue shortfalls, a new revenue source, such as candy and soda taxes, is looking attractive. Florida, Illinois and New Jersey have extended their sales taxes to cover candy. Colorado will begin applying the state's 2.9% sales tax to candy and soda next month.

The Center for Science in the Public Interest, an advocacy group, figures that states as a whole could generate $10 billion a year by levying a tax of 7 cents per 12-ounce can of soda. The group has created a Liquid Candy Calculator to help states calculate the revenue they could raise from sales or excise taxes on sugary beverages.

Such a tax could help with America's obesity problem, as one-third of all adults are considered obese.

Also in the South:

ALABAMA: Electronic bingo bill moves forward in legislature

ARKANSAS: State launches smart phone application for voters

FLORIDA: Opinion: Education reform and the fall of Charlie Crist

GEORGIA: State joins with 18 other states in health reform lawsuit

KENTUCKY: Kentucky scores best in the nation for transparency of state gov't spending

LOUISIANA: Seat-belt legislation debated by House Transportation Committee

MISSISSIPPI: Judge orders stop to school transfer policy

NORTH CAROLINA: Forecasters expect 2% revenue shortfall in state

SOUTH CAROLINA: Incentive program for retired teachers could be cut from state budget

TENNESSEE: Poorer schools will get most aid from Race to the Top funds

VIRGINIA: State to end free online tax-filing service

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

1/20: States upset over health care reform

Stateline: States upset over health care reform

State leaders are concerned that the health care overhaul will put more costs on already overburdened state budgets. Tennessee Gov. Phil Bredesen said he was “'moderately outraged” at the inconsistent treatment states could receive under the bill, according to the Nashville Business Journal. Bredesen, a former health care executive, estimated the Medicaid expansion could cost his state as much as $1.2 billion over five years at a time when the state is looking at a $1.5-billion budget gap.

Gov. Bob Riley of Alabama said the Nebraska deal “reeks to me of legalized bribery,” according to the Montgomery Advertiser, while attorneys general in more than a dozen states have threatened to sue, arguing the preferential treatment is unconstitutional.

Also in the South:

ALABAMA: House passes ban on texting while driving

ARKANSAS: Legislators react to discrimination claim on lottery distribution

FLORIDA: New standards for tattoo industry to be taken up by legislators

GEORGIA: State's coastal aquifers could provide more water than currently provided

KENTUCKY: Ten Commandments back on wall of Kentucky courthouse

LOUISIANA: Casino revenue down 15.8% in December

MISSISSIPPI: State House wants governor to tap rainy-day and stimulus fund to balance budget

NORTH CAROLINA: State GOP leaders plan to block parts of health care bill

SOUTH CAROLINA: Legislators set to approve commercial property tax relief today

TENNESSEE: Gov. Bredesen wants to tie college funding to graduation rates

VIRGINIA: Gov. McDonnell outlines bold economic plan

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

12/18: Louisiana ranks as the happiest state, says CDC

AP: Louisiana ranks as the happiest state, says CDC

A new study comparing self-described pleasant feelings with objective measures of good living found that those living in sunny, outdoorsy states generally have reason to feel fine.

The happiness ratings were based on a survey of 1.3 million people across the country by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. It used data collected over four years that included a question asking people how satisfied they are with their lives.

Ranking No. 1 in happiness was Louisiana; however, one researcher urged a bit of caution in that ranking, noting that part of the happiness survey occurred before Hurricane Katrina struck the state, and part of it took place later. Nevertheless, he said, "We have no explicit reason to think there is a problem" with the ranking.

Also in the South:

ALABAMA: Cities, towns in Alabama see census as crucial for federal dollars, power

ARKANSAS: Gov. Beebe wants panel to gauge racial profiling problem in Arkansas

FLORIDA: Ausley considers dropping Senate bid and running for state CFO instead

GEORGIA: State to spend $42 million on fiber optic loop for rural Internet

KENTUCKY: State's unemployment rate drops to 10.6%

MISSISSIPPI: Gov. Barbour slams health reform bill

NORTH CAROLINA: Judge rules state's sex offender law unconstitutional

SOUTH CAROLINA: State economists say revenues are meeting expectations

TENNESSEE: Ethnic groups say 'white' isn't descriptive enough on census

VIRGINIA: Gov. Kaine to deliver budget news today

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

11/23: Hidden costs of fossil--and bio--fuels

Christian Science Monitor: Hidden costs of fossil -- and bio -- fuels

The National Research Council has released a new study on the "hidden" costs of energy produced by burning fossil fuels. The report found that, in 2005, the hidden costs of energy production with fossil fuels in the United States amounted to $120 billion. This includes the negative impact of air pollution on health, but doesn’t include the effects of mercury emitted by coal-fired plants on wildlife and people, harm done to ecosystems by air pollution, or the climate-warming effects of carbon emissions.

Damages from ethanol made from corn were usually similar to, or even slightly worse, than damages from gasoline. That’s because of the extra energy needed to convert corn to biofuel.

Also in the South:

ALABAMA: Illiteracy in the state has economic impact

ARKANSAS: Sen. Blanche Lincoln continues to be a 'question mark' on health care vote

FLORIDA: Revenue projections from offshore oil drilling make some question numbers

GEORGIA: State's unemployment fund is depleted

KENTUCKY: Ten nursing homes cited as among worst in the nation

LOUISIANA: Study shows preschoolers spending too much time in front of TV

MISSISSIPPI: Gov. Barbour considers consolidating state agencies

NORTH CAROLINA: State's tax revenue drops by $99 million in October

SOUTH CAROLINA: Jobless rate at 12.1%, an all-time high

TENNESSEE: Federal ban on selling paddlefish hurting state's commercial fishermen

VIRGINIA: State DOE wants to increase Hispanic college enrollment

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