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

12/24: Congressional musical chairs over latest population estimate

Southern Political Report: Latest population estimate signals tense round of Congressional musical chairs

"The last US Census Bureau estimate of population changes before the actual count is taken next year contains some good news and bad news for the South – and a certain amount of suspense.

"With the latest numbers, South Carolina joins Florida and Georgia as Southern states which are expected to gain a new congressional seat in the next round of reapportionment. That’s good news for the Palmetto State, not so good for Florida, which earlier in the decade – before the real estate bust, that is – had been expecting to gain two or three seats in the next decade. Another state with reason to be disappointed in the new data is North Carolina, which in previous population estimates appeared to be on track to gain a seat."

Also in the South:

ALABAMA: Judge dismisses lawsuit by Alabama legislators over no-bid computer contract

ARKANSAS: State troopers crack down on drunk-driving over holidays

FLORIDA: More leaving Florida than moving to the state

GEORGIA: Gov. Perdue, some senators want investigation into health care deal

KENTUCKY: State AG asks Supreme Court to look at sex offender law

LOUISIANA: Gov. Jindal proposes expedited highway project plan

MISSISSIPPI: Jobless benefits extended in state

NORTH CAROLINA: Unemployment rate in state drops

SOUTH CAROLINA: State's senators applaud attorney general's move against health care bill

TENNESSEE: State's senators react to health care bill passage

VIRGINIA: State cuts $42 million more from transportation budget

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

11/10: SPR: 21st Century agenda in works for South

Southern Political Report: Tom Baxter: Group attempts to forge 21st Century agenda for region

"What kind of place do you want the South to be in 2020? That thought-provoking question was the subject which brought together more than 30 planners, politicians, academics and journalists – your humble scribe included – for a conference at Davidson College this past weekend by the Center for a Better South.

"The Center for a Better South is the grandchild of the LQC Lamar Society, which was founded in 1969 by a group of young Southern leaders, including former Mississippi Gov. William Winter, former North Carolina Sen. Terry Sanford, Alabama publisher H. Brandt Ayers and Mississippi writer Willie Morris, to forge a vision for a post-segregation South that would, as Sanford once put it, 'avoid making Northern mistakes in a Southern setting.'

"Proposing an agenda for the region took more courage 40 years ago took more courage than it does today, but arguably it has never been harder, in what the center’s president, Andy Brack, described as 'increasingly partisan and media-saturated world of small soundbites for big problems.'"

(Read more.)

Also in the South:

ALABAMA: Editorial: Alabama needs a tougher ethics law and it needs to be enforced

ARKANSAS: Pedestrians in state face more danger than many

FLORIDA: Gov. Crist moves away from previous support of stimulus package

GEORGIA: Smoking ban in state extended to prisons

KENTUCKY: State Chamber says state workers should pay more for health insurance

LOUISIANA: State turns to 'career diplomas' to cut high school dropout rate

MISSISSIPPI: State considers textbook rental system at public universities

NORTH CAROLINA: State pays millions to for state vehicles to sit parked

SOUTH CAROLINA: Wind turbines could be 8 miles offshore in SC

TENNESSEE: Nashville the site of today's Tennessee Solar Symposium

VIRGINIA: Rep. Perriello defends 'yes' vote on health bill

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