May 16, 2008
State & Policy News
Housing woes lure back bold buyers
The depressed housing market is now attracting buyers who look at boarded-up homes, rising foreclosures, and falling values and see, not disaster, but a rich opportunity. Christian Science Monitor Read the article.
Clean-air rules protecting parks set to be eased
The Bush administration is on the verge of implementing new air quality rules that will make it easier to build power plants near national parks and wilderness areas. Washington Post Read the article.
Farm bill, facing veto, goes to Bush
The Senate on Thursday approved a five-year, $307 billion farm bill with wide bipartisan support, virtually sealing President Bush’s defeat in a battle over agriculture policy. New York Times Read the article.
California gay marriage ruling sparks new debate
The California Supreme Court reignited a political wildfire with its ruling legalizing same-sex marriage in the most populous state in the union, but the issue already has burned out in more than half the states. Stateline.org Read the article.
Airline fuel cuts concern pilots
Airlines have reduced the amount of spare fuel on airplanes in a money-saving effort that is raising concerns among some pilots and a government watchdog. USA Today Read the article.
Cold comfort for polar bears
For the past few years, polar bears off the Alaskan coast were observed drowning many miles out at sea. Wall Street Journal Read the article.
New law in NY outlaws using noose to intimidate
New York isn't the first state to consider making it a crime to threaten with a noose, according to the National Conference of State Legislatures. Connecticut passed a bill this year making it a misdemeanor unless property is damage, which would be a felony. At least two other states, Louisiana and Maryland, have considered similar legislation. The Associated Press in the Boston Globe Read the article.
Suffolk County lawmakers move to nix texting while driving
New Jersey and Washington State have banned text-messaging while driving. The National Conference of State Legislatures says lawmakers in at least 23 other states are considering doing so. Augusta Chronicle Read the article.
Panel backs DNA sampling in minor offenses
As of January, Pennsylvania and New Jersey were among 44 states to require convicted felons to provide DNA samples to a state database, according to the National Conference of State Legislatures. Philadelphia Inquirer Read the article.
Few fixes for full prisons
Texas and other states in recent years have expanded community monitoring programs and provided more help for inmates making the transition back to society, according to a recent report by the National Conference of State Legislatures and the Public Safety Performance Project of the Pew Charitable Trusts. News and Observer Read the article.
Utahn protests overriding of states' laws
"NCSL is troubled by the growing trend in Congress, the federal agencies and now the United States Supreme Court to pass legislation, promulgate rules and render decisions that have a substantial, detrimental impact on states because of their intrusively preemptive nature," Clark said. Deseret News Read the article.
New York outlaws displaying nooses as a threat
The National Conference of State Legislatures says Louisiana and Maryland, have considered similar legislation. The Associated Press in WGRZ-TV New York Read the article.
Legislators predict eventual passage of smoking ban
The National Conference of State Legislatures says at least 22 states require all public places to be smoke-free. Nine others impose restrictions that exempt restaurants or bars in varying degrees. The Associated Press in the Topeka Capitol Journal Read the article.
New York outlaws displaying nooses as a threat
At least two other states, Louisiana and Maryland, have considered similar rules, according to the National Conference of State Legislatures. The Associated Press Read the article.
Many state lawmakers hold multiple public jobs
According to the National Conference of State Legislatures, 30 states restrict legislators from holding other government jobs, though laws vary. Newsday Read the article.
Schwarzenegger hints at raising taxes
Last month, a report by the National Conference of State Legislatures found at least 22 other states are facing budget gaps next year because of slowing revenue. All of those shortfalls combined add up to just over $15 billion. "California's budget gap is larger than most states' overall budgets," says Corina Eckl, director of fiscal affairs at NCSL. US News and World Report Read the article.
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