2/11: Pew Center releases State of the States 2010

Stateline: Pew Center releases State of the States 2010

The State of the States 2010 report looks at the larger trends that have the potential to change state government in lasting ways. The report says that states still are working to find the bottom of a fiscal crisis prolonged by historic revenue drops, eye-popping budget deficits, double-digit unemployment in more than a dozen states and rising demands for social services.

The report could help inform choices made by policy makers and voters in the upcoming year.

Also in the South:

ALABAMA: New report says more black students taking AP exams

ARKANSAS: Gov. Beebe's spending plan for upcoming year stalls in Senate

FLORIDA: Congressman promotes U.S. Senate campaign by sponsoring NASCAR vehicle

GEORGIA: "Suspicious" school test scores widespread across state

KENTUCKY: Gov. Beshear, three others defend Toyota

LOUISIANA: State says State Farm's 19% rate hike is 'unreasonable'

MISSISSIPPI: Legislature gives first OK to guns in parks, restaurants

NORTH CAROLINA: Foreclosures in state rose 32% from a year ago

SOUTH CAROLINA: Bill to give students healthier foods advances in legislature

TENNESSEE: Lawmaker pushes for juvenile sex offender registry

VIRGINIA: Gov. McDonnell wants state to have more charter schools

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

11/11: The Dixie Diet

Like the Dew: The Dixie Diet

A look at prison spending on inmate food -- Some state prisons spend between $1.13 and $1.75 a day. In Tennessee, U.S. District Judge Todd Campbell heard more than five days of testimony, during which inmates stepped on scales in the courtroom to document their weight, with one inmate losing 100 pounds in the 19 months he was incarcerated.

In Alabama, there's a law that allows sheriffs to decide how much of their budgets will go to feed county inmates; they get to pocket the rest. In Georgia, prisoners don't get lunch on the weekends or on Fridays.

What will it take to change this system?

Also in the South:

ALABAMA: Gubernatorial candidates Davis, Sparks split on health care bill

ARKANSAS: Poll shows Southerners worried about job loss and the economy

FLORIDA: Decision on energy-conservation goals delayed by PSC

GEORGIA: Number of homeless veterans in Georgia is down

KENTUCKY: State lags behind in protecting date-violence victims

LOUISIANA: State sets 2010 taxable wage base

MISSISSIPPI: Gov. Barbour says budget could have 'dramatic' restructuring

NORTH CAROLINA: Goldsboro school sells test points for $20 as fundraiser

SOUTH CAROLINA: Judge rules "I Believe" license plates unconstitutional

TENNESSEE: Green energy projects urged by Gov. Bredesen

VIRGINIA: State spent 74% more money in most recent budget due to inflation, population growth

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

9/11: States continue to streamline budgets

Stateline: States continue to streamline budgets

In Louisiana, Gov. Bobby Jindal this year created a new panel to address the question of where the state can find savings.

Virginia Gov. Tim Kaine has announced he would lay off 593 state employees, The Roanoke Times reported. Tens of thousands of other state workers will be forced to take an unpaid furlough day in May. The moves come as Kaine tries to address a $1.5 billion shortfall; it’s the fourth time in the current two-year budget cycle that the governor has had to resort to cuts in spending.

Also in the South:

ALABAMA: State drops high school graduation tests

ARKANSAS: Gov. Beebe says state can be major player in wind energy industry

FLORIDA: State's economic recovery lags behind other states

GEORGIA: Georgia Works program grows, acts as model for other states

KENTUCKY: Marijuana farming rebounds in tough economy

LOUISIANA: More Louisiana students test at the 'basic' level

MISSISSIPPI: Gov. Barbour announces initiative for small businesses

NORTH CAROLINA: Census report shows drop in poverty in state

SOUTH CAROLINA: Constituents comment on Rep. Wilson's outburst

TENNESSEE: State delays approval of megasite, but still supports project

VIRGINIA: Governor's race issues: Taxes, electricity rates

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