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

3/2: New opinion poll highlights AL voters' top concerns

ALABAMA: New opinion poll lists voters' top concerns in state: education, health, highways

The Public Research Council of Alabama has conducted an opinion poll to state voters' top concerns for 2010. They are: education, health care, public safety and highways.

A majority said they were willing to pay higher taxes to avoid substantial cuts in education and health-care services, generally understood to be Medicaid.

The poll, conducted in January by Samford University political science professor Randolph Horn, asked about gambling, a major issue facing the legislators this year. The poll asked if gambling should be taxed and regulated. In response, 72 percent said yes and 26 percent said it should be outlawed.

Also in the South:

ARKANSAS: U of A enters racial controversy over national stepping competition win

FLORIDA: Report says FL is deadliest state for pedestrians and bicyclists

GEORGIA: President Obama to bring "Cash for Caulkers" program to Savannah

KENTUCKY: State House approves pilot project to open some family courts to public

LOUISIANA: State prison officials look for ways to cut recidivism, escapes

MISSISSIPPI: Lawmakers propose soft drink tax to offset high obesity rate

NORTH CAROLINA: Gov. Perdue wants to know value of privatizing state liquor stores

SOUTH CAROLINA: Budget proposal cuts 1,000 state employees

TENNESSEE: Three TN road projects blocked by KY Sen. Bunning

VIRGINIA: Strategy by state Democrats aimed at blocking gun bills

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

2/26: KY gets a 'C' for dental programs

KENTUCKY: State gets a 'C' for dental programs

The Pew Center On The States issued a report on the dental health of children across the nation, and Kentucky got a 'C' for meeting basic benchmarks on dental health.

"One in five U.S. children each year go without dental care, and states vary widely in their use of Medicaid and other programs for pediatric oral health," said researchers at Pew Center on the States. "A 50-state report card shows that just six states earned an A and that 36 states received a C or lower. Much of the problem is in rural areas."

The Pew analysis found four successful strategies states are using: "Preventive strategies such as school sealant programs and water fluoridation; expansion of Medicaid; workforce innovations that can expand the pool of providers; and tracking and analysis of data to measure and drive progress."

Also in the South:

ALABAMA: High school graduation rates are rising, but still low

ARKANSAS: Lawmakers recess state's first-ever fiscal session

FLORIDA: Judge rules red-light camera tickets are illegal

GEORGIA: Spouses seek state's two highest offices

LOUISIANA: Some say Senate jobs bill unfairly favors Louisiana

MISSISSIPPI: Editorial: Mississippi school funding woes

NORTH CAROLINA: Distressed voters in state concerned about economy

SOUTH CAROLINA: Retirees now picking SC over NC, FL

TENNESSEE: University of Tennessee considers raising tuition rates for in-demand majors

VIRGINIA: State House passes budget that eliminates state arts commission

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