A tax revolt is quietly brewing in some states
"Many states have reduced their revenue forecasts, some many times," said a recent report by the National Conference of State Legislatures, a Denver-based group. "In a number of states, collections are even below the lowered expectations." Since that report was issued last month, "the news has gotten even worse" in several states, says Arturo Perez, fiscal analyst at the National Conference of State Legislatures. The Wall Street Journal in the Washington Times Read the article.

Prescription tracking creates privacy threat
Studies cited by the National Conference of State Legislatures suggest that the monitoring programs dramatically reduce prescription forgery and doctor shopping, but they also push abusers to states lacking a program and to the internet. Opinion in the Concord Monitor Read the article.

State's better off than most
A recent report by the National Conference of State Legislatures shows that, collectively, states are facing $40.3 billion in budget shortfalls for the current 2008-2009 fiscal year — far more than the total $13 billion gap in the budget year that ended June 30. Hartford Courant Read the article.

Should the votes of dead people be counted at elections?
"In Montana, there have been several legislative seats decided by one, two, three votes," said Tim Storey of the National Conference of State Legislatures, an organization that recently looked at 12 mostly Western states and found that half have no rules governing ballots of the deceased. The Associated Press in the Daily Democrat Read the article.

Official: Reduce legislature
Pennsylvania has the largest full-time legislature in the nation and the costliest, according to the National Conference of State Legislatures. York Daily Record Read the article.

IT budget woes: CIOs plug fiscal gap with consolidation, innovation
Overall, 23 states have reported a collective total of more than $26 billion in shortfalls for their 2009 budgets, according to a survey by the National Conference of State Legislatures. California, Arizona, Nevada and Florida have been hit especially hard. Government Technology Read the article.

Extra pounds means insurance fees for Alabama workers
According to the National Conference of State Legislatures, a few states offer one-time financial incentives for pursuing healthy lifestyles. Ohio workers, for instance, get $50 for having health assessments and another $50 for following through with the advice. Associated Press Read the article.

Steele co-chairs house task force
The task force will next meet Tuesday, Aug. 26, when it will hear from health care policy analysts with the National Conference of State Legislatures and the American Legislative Exchange Council. Pottawatomie Online Read the article.

Real ID is rejected
A report from the National Conference of State Legislatures, the National Governors Association, and the American Association of Motor Vehicle Administrators estimates that the requirements of the REAL ID Act of 2005 will cost states at least 11 billion dollars over the first five years of the program. Opinion in the Gather.com Read the article.

A tax revolt is quietly brewing in some states
"Many states have reduced their revenue forecasts, some many times," said a recent report by the National Conference of State Legislatures, a Denver-based group. "In a number of states, collections are even below the lowered expectations." Since that report was issued last month, "the news has gotten even worse" in several states, says Arturo Pérez, fiscal analyst at the National Conference of State Legislatures. Wall Street Journal Read the article.

Ballot measures a distraction in election – this time
“There's quite a few social issues, and generally conservative-leaning social issues, though there's no dominating issue,” said Jennie Drage Bowser, a policy analyst at the National Conference of State Legislatures in Denver. Reuters in the San Diego Tribune Read the article.

Bill would reduce size of Legislature, save millions
The hearing is expected to include testimony from officials of the Commonwealth Foundation, the National Conference of State Legislatures, the League of Women Voters and Common Cause. Pittsburgh Tribune Review Read the article.

Senate passes spending cap
According to a 2007 report by the National Conference of State Legislatures, 30 states have put in place statutory or constitutional tax or spending limits.  North Country Gazette, NY Read the article.

Senate OK's allowing breathalyzers to be imposed on 'extreme' drunken drivers
The current level of .20 is the most lenient in the nation, according to the National Conference of State Legislatures. California Chronicle Read the article.

Drug makers’ push leads to cancer vaccines’ fast rise
In the United States, 41 states have passed or begun considering legislation on cervical cancer, according to the National Conference of State Legislatures, and 24 have considered proposals to mandate the vaccine for girls, generally in middle school. New York Times in BlueRidgeNow.com Read the article.

Bill would eliminate 20 percent of Pennsylvania Legislature
Pennsylvania has the largest full-time legislature in the nation and the costliest, according to the National Conference of State Legislatures. Only New Hampshire's part-time, 424-member legislature is bigger, and no state spent more than the $312 million that it cost to operate Pennsylvania's Legislature in 2006. Chambersburg Public Opinion Read the article.

Thieves loot cemeteries for metal
This year, 25 states introduced bills to regulate or increase penalties for violations related to scrap metal reprocessing and theft, the National Conference of State Legislatures says. USA Today Read the article.

Kaine warns: Taxes not bringing in enough, major cuts ahead 
A spring survey by the National Conference of State Legislatures found 31 states had to close budget gaps for the fiscal year that ended June 30. The Associated Press in the Virginian Pilot Read the article.

Ballot measures are merely distractions in Nov election
“There’s quite a few social issues, and generally conservative-leaning social issues, though there’s no dominating issue,” said Jennie Drage Bowser, a policy analyst at the National Conference of State Legislatures in Denver. Gulf Times Read the article.

Norelli and Eaton named to national legislative panels
Two of New Hampshire's leading Democrats in the state House of Representatives have been named to committees of the National Conference of State Legislatures. Foster's Daily Democrat Read the article.

Most state legislatures aren't 'full time'
The National Conference of State Legislatures sorts the 50 state legislatures into categories based on the average proportion of time lawmakers spend in session and in committees, and on constituent service and election campaigns. The Associated Press in the Chicago Tribune Read the article.

Ballot measures seen a distraction in election
"There's quite a few social issues, and generally conservative-leaning social issues, though there's no dominating issue," said Jennie Drage Bowser, a policy analyst at the National Conference of State Legislatures in Denver. U.S. Daily, CA Read the article.

State workers retiring early because of health-insurance costs
Until recently, Rhode Island was 1 of 11 states that paid 100 percent of the medical benefits for state employees who retire with the required years of service before age 65, according to the National Conference of State Legislatures. The other states were Alaska, California, Illinois, Kentucky; Maine, New Hampshire, North Carolina, Ohio, Pennsylvania and Texas, according to a survey conducted in December 2006. Red Orbit Read the article.

An energizing appointment
On Thursday, McDowell, D-Wilmington North, was named co-chairman of the National Conference of State Legislatures' agriculture and energy committee. News Journal Read the article.

Codey receives leadership award
“These two men demonstrate a deep loyalty to the legislative institution and exemplify the varieties of legislative leadership that we have in this country,” said NCSL Executive Director William T. Pound. Caldwell Progress Read the article.

Norelli appointed to National Conference of State Legislatures leadership spot
Speaker of the New Hampshire House, Terie Norelli, D-Portsmouth, as been named to a leadership role with the National Conference of State Legislatures. Portsmith Herald News Read the article.

Measures could bring youth to state races
Hawaii is one of 14 states to permit 18-year-olds in both houses of the state legislature, according the National Conference of State Legislatures. Stateline.org Read the article.

Cheney casts absentee ballot in Jackson
According to the National Conference of State Legislatures, Wyoming is not among the 23 states that permit early voting, although Wyoming residents are permitted to turn in absentee ballots in person ahead of an election. Jackson Hole Star Read the article.

California embroiled in a battle over the budget
California is among many states with budget troubles caused by the economic slowdown. In June, as most states ended their fiscal years, 20 states reported budget gaps, according to the National Conference of State Legislatures. New York Times Read the article.

Nixon could deplete current surplus with more welfare spending
The National Conference of State Legislatures (NCSL) recently reported that 30 states face significant budget problems including deficits and shortfalls. Opinion in the News Leader Read the article.

Two New Hampshire legislators get national posts
The National Conference of State Legislatures has named House Speaker Terie Norelli of Portsmouth chair of the group's Standing Committees. She will oversee the work of the group's 12 standing committees for the next year. New Hampshire House Floor Leader Daniel Eaton of Stoddard has been named vice chair of one of those committees, the Communications, Financial Services and Interstate Commerce Committee. WCAX-TV Read the article.

Lawmakers get an earful from small-town officials over ethics law
But Karl Kurtz of the National Conference of State Legislatures says Oregon goes further than most by requiring volunteer members of local city councils and planning commissions to cough up the same info as say, a State Senator. " “The purpose of this is understandable, in that when you take on a public responsibility whether it’s actually elected or appointed, you do have to give up some of your anonymity and your privacy.  The question that’s a hard one to judge is when does it go too far and get into peoples’ private lives.” OPB News Read the article.

Assembly OK´s allowing breathalyzers to be imposed on ´extreme´ drunken drivers
The current level of .20 is the most lenient in the nation, according to the National Conference of State Legislatures. California Chronicle Read the article.

Preserving DNA evidence
According to the National Conference of State Legislatures (NCSL), 35 states currently have a set of procedural rules for post-conviction relief. Editorial in the Las Vegas Sun Read the article.

Social initiatives on state ballots could draw attention to Presidential race
“Tax and spending issues are typically one of the main focuses of these measures, but this time that’s less true,” said Jennie Drage Bowser, a policy analyst at the National Conference of State Legislatures. New York Times Read the article.

Minnesota not alone with serious budget problems
Consider this: According to estimates compiled by the National Conference of State Legislatures (NCSL), Nevada faces the largest budget gap, percentage-wise, in fiscal 2009: $790.8 million, which amounts to a whopping 21 percent of the general fund budget for the state. Twin Cities Finance and Commerce Read the article.

State should ban texting while driving
The National Conference of State Legislatures reports that "driver inattention is a factor in 80 percent of motor-vehicle crashes and 65 percent of near crashes." Opinion in the Arizona Republic Read the article.

Local action is needed to solve illegal immigration issues
"We're witnessing a trend of states willing to take the lead in responding to immigration challenges when Congress will not," said William T. Pound, executive director of the conference. "States are looking at creative solutions to law enforcement and work site enforcement as well as considering the needs and contributions of legal immigrants to the United States." Oakland Press Read the article.

California lawmakers weight chemical ban in baby items
None of the bills considered in 11 other states has passed so far, said Scott Hendrick, a policy associate at the National Conference of State Legislatures who is tracking the legislation. Associated Press Read the article.

Gas tax revenue up, sparks talk of hike
"You see cross-border traffic in cigarette purchases and alcohol purchases. There's no reason to think it wouldn't happen for gas," said Arturo Perez, a fiscal analyst with the National Conference of State Legislatures. Cherry Hill Post and Courier Read the article.

A cheap ride
Twenty-six states, from Maine to Oregon and Wisconsin to Georgia, allow the use of low-speed electric vehicles on local streets, or give towns the power to make that decision, according to Jim Reed of the National Conference of State Legislatures. The Associated Press in the Nwitimes, Indiana Read the article.

Blunt tangles with P-D over budget
In many states, the budget is in shambles. In Missouri the opposite is true. The National Conference of State Legislatures (NCSL) reported that 30 states face significant budget problems. Opinion in the St. Louis Dispatch Read the article.

On RNC-GPS, a veep among us, Rep. Joe's latest and more
We send a big shout-out to Steve Sviggum, longtime Minnesota legislator and Speaker of the House and currently state commissioner of Labor and Industry. The National Conference of State Legislatures gave him the Excellence in State Legislative Leadership Award, which is their highest legislative honor. He was honored along with Richard Codey, President of the New Jersey Senate. St. Paul Pioneer Press Read the article.

States adopt bold anti-poverty measures
"It's striking how many states have taken on poverty as a top policy priority," Jack Tweedy, poverty director at the National Conference of State Legislatures, told Stateline.org. "No one even used the word 'poverty' in the past. It was all about helping working families." Stateline.org in the Kansas City Info Zone Read the article.

America’s future coalition
At the recent national meeting of the National Conference of State Legislatures (NCSL) I joined with Pennsylvania Gov. Edward G. Rendell and New York City Mayor Mike Bloomberg and state legislators from around the country in calling for the federal government to play a larger role in the funding of America’s infrastructure. Opinion in the Reston Connection Read the article.

More towns let golf carts putter about
Twenty-six states, from Maine to Oregon and Wisconsin to Georgia, allow the use of low-speed electric vehicles on local streets, or give towns the power to make that decision, according to Jim Reed of the National Conference of State Legislatures. The Associated Press in the San Francisco Chronicle Read the article.

Crowded ballot: Initiative inflation could set record
Coloradans have considered 186 ballot initiatives since 1962, an average of eight per even-numbered election year, an analysis of data from the National Conference of State Legislatures shows. Denver Post Read the article.

Budget trouble
The National Conference of State Legislatures said that more than 30 states are facing deficits totaling $40 billion this fiscal year. Watertown Daily Times Read the article.

Political Notebook: Sviggum honored
The National Conference of State Legislatures handed Minnesota Labor and Industry Commissioner Steve Sviggum its “Excellence in State Legislative Leadership Award.” Grand Forks Herald Read the article.

Lawmakers lobby to boost gas tax...
But the Web site of the National Conference of State Legislatures confirms this nuttiness, which will be the policy for the conference as it lobbies Congress over the next year. Opinion in the Boston Herald Read the article.

M.T.A. shortfall renews talk of congestion pricing
Mayor Bloomberg has said that he sees no alternative. “Congestion pricing will come, in New York and lots of other cities, because it is the only way where you were going to do the two things that you need to do: reduce people driving and find money for mass transit,” the mayor told reporters at the National Conference of State Legislatures in New Orleans last week. New York Times Read the article.

Carcieri taps pay accounts of agencies served by his staff
On another matter, Berman belatedly filled in the blanks on this question: which legislators went to New Orleans at state expense for the National Conference of State Legislatures’ big summer event. Only one was previously disclosed and he coincidentally is among those not running for reelection: Rep. Peter Lewiss, D-Westerly. Providence Journal Read the article.

Both sides frustrated over broken immigration system
Meanwhile, state legislatures have begun to step in. The National Conference of State Legislatures released a report late last month showing that state legislators in 2007 introduced a record 1,562 bills dealing with immigration. Of them, 240 became law. This year, 1,267 bills relating to immigrants and immigration have been introduced so far, with at least 175 becoming law in 39 states. Middletown Journal Read the article.

Our opinion: Texas two-step
The National Conference of State Legislatures says nine states have implemented hiring freezes. Opinion in the Times Record News Read the article.

Taxpayers must choose 
That’s the obvious story line that emerges from a recent report from the National Conference of State Legislatures, which notes more than 30 other states face current-year budget deficits totaling a projected $40 billion. Opinion in the St. Joseph News Read the article.

Pushing for more transportation funding
State House Speaker Joe Hackney is the newly installed president of the National Conference of State Legislatures. North Carolina News Network Read the article.

Relatively Good
The National Conference of State Legislatures says state governments face a $40 billion shortfall for the fiscal year that began July 1. Opinion in NewsOK.com Read the article.

Law couldn't have halted botched abortion
Texas is one of only nine states that recognize common-law marriages, according to the National Conference of State Legislatures. San Diego Tribune Read the article.

New Hampshire news briefs: N.H. has youngest, oldest legislators
The National Conference of State Legislatures — which researched the ages — says in its latest magazine that 21-year-old Jeff Fontas and 92-year-old Angeline Kopka hold the distinction. York Weekly Read the article.

Balfour to lead National Conference of State Legislators
State Sen. Don Balfour (R-Snellville) took office as president-elect of the National Conference of State Legislators (NCSL) at the organization's recent annual meeting in New Orleans and will serve as president of the organization for 2009. Atlanta Journal Constitution Read the article.

Congestion pricing drumbeat continues
The mayor himself has said as much, most recently while speaking about the importance of investing in infrastructure at the National Conference of State Legislatures in New Orleans. New York Daily News Read the article.

What's it Mean to Be Trans Fat Free?
Still the trend is catching on around the country. The National Conference of State Legislatures reports last year at least 23 states proposed some type of trans fat legislation.  California Public Radio Read and Listen to the Story.

Schwarzenegger orders cuts amid fiscal crisis
As of June, more than 30 states faced deficits totaling a projected $40 billion, or more than triple the gap of the previous year,according to the National Conference of State Legislatures. Mercury News Read the article.

As we see it
As of June, more than 30 states faced deficits totaling a projected $40 billion, or more than triple the gap of the previous year, the National Conference of State Legislatures reports. It’s times like these that we all hope to avoid. The key is to remember that we all have to work together to find ways out. Opinion in the Yankton Press and Dakotan Read the article.

O'Malley calls Md. budget a model of 'responsibility'
The National Conference of State Legislatures said last week that state governments are slashing spending in the face of a collective budget shortfall of $40 billion. Washington Times Read the article.

Congress passes college-oversight bill
Total state appropriations for higher education have dropped to 11% for fiscal 2008, down from 15% 20 years ago, according to the National Conference of State Legislatures. Wall Street Journal Read the article.

Delisi resigns House seat
At the time of her retirement, Delisi was a member of the Executive Committee of the Council for The Forum for State Health Policy Leadership for the National Conference of State Legislatures. Killeen Daily News Read the article.

Kentuckian wins national award for legislative staffers
"Staff members who receive this award have shown excellence in supporting the work of their state legislature and in strengthening the legislative institution," said NCSL Staff Chair Gary VanLandingham in a press release. "Winners of the Legislative Staff Achievement Awards represent the best of state legislative staff in America today." News source Read the article.

Schwarzenegger orders cuts amid fiscal crisis
As of June, more than 30 states faced deficits totaling a projected $40 billion, or more than triple the gap of the previous year, according to the National Conference of State Legislatures. Associated Press Read the article.

States face tough choices as budget crisis deepens
"The big question is when will states hit the bottom? We don't know," said Arturo Perez, a fiscal analyst with the National Conference of State Legislatures in Colorado. Associated Press Read the article.

Jazz and razz
New York Mayor Michael Bloomberg, in town for the National Conference of State Legislatures, praised the courage of Louisiana residents in sharing his impressions of our recovery. "The rest of the country should look at this and say, if something like this happens to us, we hope we can rebound the same way, " he said. Opinion in the Times Picayune Read the article.

The immigration fight gets ugly
"States are left to do the best they can with the tools available." Steisel says states trying to meet the health-care, education, and law enforcement needs presented by years of a rising immigrant population, are feeling especially strapped with tight budgets in a tough economy. KOAM-TV Read the article.

Real ID may cost Alabama $16.3 million
State Sen. Wendell Mitchell, a member of the executive committee of the Southern Legislative Conference, said Real ID was a hot topic at a recent National Conference of State Legislatures summit he attended.The more than $130 million that the federal government has appropriated since Real ID was passed "is only a drop in the bucket for what it will cost all 50 states to comply," said Mitchell, a Democrat from Luverne. "I think the figure to comply is so unrealistic for most states, particularly Alabama, with the crisis we're in." Montgomery Advertiser Read the article.

Nunnelee named to national health committee
Senate Appropriations Committee Chairman Alan Nunnelee has been appointed vice chairman of the National Conference of State Legislatures’ Health Committee. Clarion Ledger Read the article.