8/20: The new silent majority

Southern Political Report: Opinion: Tom Baxter: The New Silent Majority

"Last month, writing about the first of two health care reform town meetings I’ve attended, I noted that while those who opposed the current version of health care reform from the right were the loudest and rowdiest, the greater number of those lining up at the microphones to complain about the plan opposed it from the left because it didn’t go far enough.

"This turns out not to have been an isolated incident, but an overriding dynamic of the larger debate over health care reform.

"All the red-faced town hall protesters combined have had nothing like the impact of the Obama Administration’s hint over the past weekend that it might be willing to drop the public option alternative to private insurers in order to get the remainder of its health care package passed this fall."

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Also in the South:

ALABAMA: State employees to see increase in insurance rates

ARKANSAS: Head of RNC visits state to talk about health care

FLORIDA: Approval rating on Obama drops below 50% in state

GEORGIA: Most of the state's counties are considered 'economically distressed'

KENTUCKY: Grant will allow prescription drug task force to expand statewide

LOUISIANA: Federal study shows mercury in fish is widespread

MISSISSIPPI: State schools hit with H1N1 virus

NORTH CAROLINA: State cuts mental health care; 75 lose jobs

SOUTH CAROLINA: Fish in S.C. have high mercury content

TENNESSEE: GOP courts three possible candidates to unseat Reps. Gordon, Davis

VIRGINIA: Gov. Kaine says he may have to cut education, health care, and public safety

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

Obama keeps to Bush's strict immigration policy

New York Times: Obama administration continues firm Bush policy on illegal immigrants

Despite early pledges by President Obama to moderate the tough Bush policy on illegal immigrants, the Obama administration is pursuing an aggressive strategy for an illegal immigration crackdown. Many Hispanic Obama supporters are antagonized by this, and ae openly protesting the national campaign.

The administration recently undertook audits of employee paperwork at hundreds of businesses, expanded a program to verify worker immigration status that has been widely criticized as flawed, bolstered a program of cooperation between federal and local law enforcement agencies, and rejected proposals for legally binding rules governing conditions in immigration detention centers.

“We are expanding enforcement, but I think in the right way,” said Homeland Security Secretary Janet Napolitano in an interview.

Also in the South:

ALABAMA: Artur Davis unveils school dropout plan

ARKANSAS: Schools prepare for spread of H1N1 virus

FLORIDA: GOP trying to convince Lou Holtz to run for congress in central part of state

GEORGIA: GOP governors' relationship strained by water wars

KENTUCKY: State's largest e-medical records implementation plan underway

LOUISIANA: Rep. Alexander calls for ban on tax hikes for guns, ammo

MISSISSIPPI: State GOP launches voter ID campaign

NORTH CAROLINA: Six months in, Gov. Bev Perdue ranks as one of most unpopular governors

SOUTH CAROLINA: 20% in the state lack health insurance

TENNESSEE: Poll shows more Tennesseans leaning toward Democratic party

VIRGINIA: Star-Exponent: Editorial: Two ideas for legislators to consider
"Commercializing highway rest areas and privatizing liquor stores (are) worth considering if (they) will generate revenue for the state."

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