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

1/11: Ga. bills would allow guns in more places, including church

GEORGIA: New House, Senate bills would allow guns in more places, including church

Four bills on guns are up for discussion during the legislative session that begins today in Georgia. One, House Bill 615, would make it a crime to take a firearm, knife or explosive into a building that has a courtroom, jail or prison. However, it would also remove existing restrictions on bringing a gun to a church or political rally, among other locations.

State Rep. Tim Bearden said his bill’s purpose is to clarify the definition of “public gathering” and get a head start on an expected future decision on the Second Amendment by the U.S. Supreme Court.

Also in the South:

ALABAMA: Lawmakers divided over furloughs for state workers

ARKANSAS: Gov. Beebe concerned about lottery's impact on state revenues

FLORIDA: An indepth look at Gov. Charlie Crist and his run for the Senate

KENTUCKY: Cow waste experiment nets power at Western Kentucky University

LOUISIANA: State plans to handle invasive Asian carp by putting them on dinner tables

MISSISSIPPI: Gov. Barbour wants to turn South Mississippi into container ship hub

NORTH CAROLINA: State's first ethanol plant to get first shipment of corn February 1

SOUTH CAROLINA: Commentary: More work needed on Palmetto Priorities

TENNESSEE: Teachers worried about education reform that would tie tenure to test scores

VIRGINIA: A look at the upcoming legislative session's biggest issue -- the budget

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

1/5: States prepare for more belt-tightening

USA Today: States prepare for more belt-tightening

A USA Today survey shows that states across the nation are beginning the year facing tough budget shortfalls -- and this could mean additional service cuts, layoffs, furloughs, and an increase in fees.

In Georgia, legislators will debate cuts of about $1.3 billion, says state Sen. Jack Hill, appropriations committee chairman. "We won't have any money to spend for a long time," he says.

And in Virginia, legislators return Jan. 13 to deal with a shortfall estimated to reach $3.5 billion over two years. "We're hoping 2012 might be ... better in terms of revenue performance," says Betsey Daley, Senate Finance Committee staff director.

Also in the South:

ALABAMA: Commentary on proposed changes to state's paid tuition contracts

ARKANSAS: Medical marijuana proposal rejected by AG in Arkansas

FLORIDA: Freeze could harm state's citrus crop

GEORGIA: New forms of cyber stalking hard to prosecute

KENTUCKY: Legislators convene today; budget to be a top issue

LOUISIANA: Unemployment claims drop in Louisiana

MISSISSIPPI: Gov. Barbour says state will lead the nation in new technology

NORTH CAROLINA: State could soon offer Mega Millions tickets

SOUTH CAROLINA: State Supreme Court refuses to suspend cuts to disabled

TENNESSEE: Gov. Bredesen 'surprised' teachers' union balking at proposals

VIRGINIA: Gov.-elect McDonnell faces transportation quandry

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