NCSL in the News February Archive

This archive of news articles that cite the National Conference of State Legislatures should serve as a record only. Links to the actual articles may not work several weeks after they have been posted. If you are interested in a story with a non-working link, please visit the Web site of the newspaper in which it was printed. These links are provided for information only. NCSL does not endorse the views in any articles linked to from this page.

February 29 GrassCatcher:

Shut up or pay up: drivers face start of tougher New Jersey phone ban
For New Jersey drivers, the message is clear: Keep your thumbs on the wheel and off the keypad.  The Associated Press in Newsday Read the article.

Los Angeles Democrat becomes first black woman to lead Assembly
Karen Bass, the first black woman to lead either house of the state Legislature, promises to bring a cooperative spirit to meetings with Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger and the other legislative leaders.  The Associated Press in the Press-Enterprise Read the article.

Kindergarten: half full or half empty?
America’s school districts are at odds over what seems a simple decision: whether to keep kindergarteners in school all day long or just for half-days.  Miller-McCune Read the article.

Kansas Senate committee considers immigration legislation
Unless Kansas enacts tougher laws against illegal immigrants, the state will become a refuge for those leaving surrounding states that already are cracking down on them, a Senate committee was told Wednesday.  Kansas City Star Read the article.

February 28 GrassCatcher:

Kansas Senate committee considers immigration legislation
Unless Kansas enacts tougher laws against illegal immigrants, the state will become a refuge for those leaving surrounding states that already are cracking down on them, a Senate committee was told Wednesday.  Associated Press in the Kansas City Star Read the article.

Bill targets frequent test-takers at DMV
On Thursday, the Virginia Senate is scheduled to take up a House-passed measure cracking down on the frequent test-takers, who clog the already-long lines at DMV offices.  The Washington Post Read the article.

Bill to ban texting while driving stalls in Legislature
A bill to limit text-messaging while driving is going nowhere in the Arizona Legislature.  Tucson Citizen Read the article.

Students learn government first hand
Students researched issues or problems in the community, looked at all sides of the problem and proposed a public policy for how to deal with it for Civic Education Day at the State Capitol in Pierre this week. Rapid City Journal Read the article.

Tuition shortfall may be costly
Michigan and other states with budget problems might have to think twice before spending less on colleges and universities.  Lansing State Journal Read the article.

Women gain ground in Congress, struggle in states
Female lawmakers have made great strides in Washington, D.C.: Their number in Congress is at an all-time high. But the gains have failed to trickle down to the state level.  The Desert Sun Read the article.

Bill would limit sex offenders living near campus
Alabama could be the first state in the nation to ban sexual offenders from living near college campuses under a bill passed Wednesday by the House Judiciary Committee. Press Register Read the article.

The Forum for Youth Investment Issues Ready by 21(TM) challenge to change odds for youth by changing the way we do business
Former Congressman Dick Gephardt and former Governor Tom Ridge join the Forum and national partners to move the Ready by 21 Challenge across the country reaching communities in all 50 states over the next 5 years. Fox Business Read the article.

February 27 GrassCatcher:

Lawmakers look at expanding the use of hound dogs in cougar hunts
For Rep. Joel Kretz and many hunters, using tracking dogs in cougar hunts is an ethical, effective way to control the state's mountain lion population. To animal-rights activists, it's a cruel and unfair practice. Seattle Post Intelligencer Read the article.

Senate passes bill requiring insurers to cover autism
Insurance companies would be required to cover autism under a bill that passed the state Senate but probably will not go further.  Chippewa Herald Read the article.

Teachers strike back at students' online pranks
Tech-savvy teenagers are increasingly paying a heavy price -- including criminal arrest -- for parodying their teachers on the Internet.  WFIE-TV Read the article.

State laws governing stem cell research
A bill given first-round approval today by the Nebraska Legislature would prohibit the use of state money or facilities for creating or destroying human embryos for stem cell research.  NTV (ABC), Nebraska Read the article.

In first, New York judge allows gay divorce
In what appears to be the first ruling of its kind, a New York judge will allow a lesbian couple who married in Canada to sue for divorce.  ABC News Read the article.

Iowans favor state immigration fix
Most Iowans say state officials can do a better job of addressing illegal immigration than the federal government can, according to The Des Moines Register's Iowa Poll. Des Moines Register Read the article.

States redefine family health policies
Thomas Mahoney came out of a seizure last December surrounded by paramedics ready to take him to the hospital by ambulance. Mindful of the cost, he asked his mom and girlfriend to drive him instead, slipping in and out of consciousness along the way. The Associated Press in the Wilkes Barre Times Read the article.

February 26 GrassCatcher:

Iowans favor state solution for immigration
Most Iowans say state officials can do a better job of addressing illegal immigration than the federal government can, according to The Des Moines Register's Iowa Poll. The Des Moines Register Read the article.

Panel endorses bill to let some bring guns to Arizona colleges
Promoted as a way to reduce the carnage of school shootings, a proposal to let concealed-weapons permit-holders bring guns to community colleges and universities in Arizona received its first endorsement at the Legislature on Monday.  The Associated Press in the Mohave Valley News Read the article.

State funding fortunes start falling
In fiscal years 1996 and 1997 — 1997 being the year that Kentucky’s Legislature approved the landmark Postsecondary Education Improvement Act — the state ranked 24th nationally in terms of per capita state higher education appropriations. InsideHigherEd.com Read the article.

'OMG -- IM BNG PLLED OVR!'
Let it go, people. Your cell phone that is, while driving. RedBankGreen.com Read the article.

Colorado Supreme Court ruling may reinstate ethics rules
Colorado’s tough ethics rules for public officials may soon be back in force after the state Supreme Court ruled Monday that a lower court did not have the authority to delay them.  The Pueblo Chieftain Read the article.

Traffic flow changes debated
State officials are looking at whether alternating the direction of certain traffic lanes during morning and evening rush hours would ease congestion in Baton Rouge and elsewhere.  WBRZ News Read the article.

Maryland bills to clear left lanes, move traffic over for emergency personnel
A Maryland House panel is reviewing a bill that would limit the use of traffic lanes for cars and trucks on certain roadways in the state. Another bill would mandate a practice followed by professional truck drivers for decades. Opinion in Land Line Magazine Read the article.

State Supreme Court ruling may reinstate ethics rules
The Colorado Supreme Court ruled Monday that Amendment 41, which limits the value of gifts elected officials can accept, can be enforced as law.  KUSA-TV Read the article.

Governors oppose new Medicaid regulations that reduce federal funding
The rules are scheduled to take effect over the next several months. Federal officials estimate that the rules will save $15 billion over five years.  SeniorJournal.com Read the article.

HEA proposal on college costs riles states
State policymakers are vehemently opposing a proposal in Congress that would require states to at least level-fund postsecondary education or risk losing federal aid for scholarships for low-income students.  Education Week Read the article.

Legislature may enter immigration debate
Two-thirds of Florida voters say they want tougher government action against illegal immigration. Printed in the Gainesville Sun Read the article.

February 25 GrassCatcher:

Governors from across country join building America's future coalition
Thirteen governors from across the country today declared their support for increasing federal funding to rebuild America's aging infrastructure by joining the Building America's Future coalition.  FOX News Read the article.

It's no Facebook or MySpace, but Utah lawmakers log a lot of miles on a crucial Web site
When the Utah State Legislature first whispered onto the Web in the early 1990s, no one had a clue that its Internet site would become so inexorably essential to the lawmaking process.  Salt Lake Tribune Read the article.

Fewer youths jump behind the wheel at 16
For generations, driver’s licenses have been tickets to freedom for America’s 16-year-olds, prompting many to line up at motor vehicle offices the day they were eligible to apply.  New York Times Read the article.

Florida people, officials differ on immigration
Two-thirds of Florida voters say they want tougher government action against illegal immigration. The Ledger, Florida Read the article.

Governors of both parties oppose Medicaid rules
Governors of both parties strongly objected on Saturday to a half-dozen new federal Medicaid regulations that they said would shift billions of dollars in costs to the states, forcing them to consider cutbacks in services.  New York Times Read the article.

Here's one way to cut health care costs, improve quality
Health care: Do we have too much government or too little? Should we have regulated markets or open markets? Anchorage Daily News Read the article.

Teachers strike back at students' online pranks
Tech-savvy teenagers are increasingly paying a heavy price - including criminal arrest - for parodying their teachers on the Internet.  Axcess News Read the article.

This ID is less than a Real-ity show
If you type "Real ID Pennsylvania" into Google, all you see is bad-bad-bad, negative-negative-negative, horrible-horrible-horrible. Philadelphia Daily News Read the article.

A deadly combination
He was 16 years old. He wasn't speeding. He wasn't driving erratically. He wasn't drinking.  Pensacola News Journal Read the article.

Virginia considers leaving education act behind
The General Assembly is flirting with abandoning a landmark federal law that governs schools in the United States.  The Virginian Pilot Read the article.

Driver's test at center of language debate
You can take the Alabama driver's test in Spanish, and a dozen other languages, but you can't study for it using the handbook put out by the Department of Public Safety. Montgomery Advertiser Read the article.

Calling all doctors, any doctors ... please
In secluded corners of upstate New York and impoverished neighborhoods around New York City, the sick are less likely to see a doctor. San Francisco Chronicle Read the article.

Barnett's lobbying tally rare
Sen. Jim Barnett, R-Emporia, takes handouts from lobbyists about as often as "CSI: Miami" star David Caruso makes you forget he's acting.  Opinion in the Topeka Capitol Journal Read the article.

Immigration laws send Hispanics elsewhere
Thousands of illegal immigrants have fled the two states that have enacted tough new immigration laws similar to the one before the Indiana General Assembly.  Indianapolis Star Read the article.

Lobbyists, good benefits and per diem pad Legislators' salaries
At the dawn of each year, Idaho legislators meet in Boise to pass laws, debate policy and decided how to spend the state budget. Twin Falls Times Read the article.

Paying loans, finding doctors
In secluded corners of upstate New York and impoverished neighborhoods around New York City, the sick are less likely to see a doctor. The Associated Press in the Glens Falls Post-Star Read the article.

Can armed students stop campus gun tragedies?
Nathaniel Sheetz knows he and other Penn State University students are protected by armed campus police.  Pittsburgh Post Gazette Read the article.

Donation to help wills house project
Steven Wiley and the Lincoln Leadership Institute of Gettysburg - formally the Wiley Group - have donated $15,000 towards the renovation of the David Wills House and Main Street Gettysburg's "Finishing Touch" project.  Evening Sun Read the article.

Kansas panel put limits on smoking ban
When the Senate Judiciary Committee finished adding exemptions Friday to a proposed statewide smoking ban, including ones for bars and casinos, some senators saw it as a tarnished shell of a bill that is less likely to pass.  Forbes Read the article.

Lobbying ramps up as override vote nears
A handful of Minnesota lawmakers are being lobbied intensely in advance of arguably the most-watched legislative action in recent years.  Bemidji Pioneer Press Read the article.

Rep's drug overdose law poised for debate
Lynn's legislators are spearheading a law change requiring emergency room doctors to report drug and alcohol overdoses to state health officials.  The Daily Item Read the article.

English-only rule on bus relaxed
State and national civil liberties advocates have compelled a rural Nevada school district to roll back a policy prohibiting high school students from speaking Spanish on the bus.  Las Vegas Sun Read the article.

February 22 GrassCatcher:

States look to increase number of insured young adults
Some states looking to reduce the number of uninsured residents have passed laws that allow young adults to stay on their parents' coverage longer.  Medical News Today Read the article.

More Proof the NY State Legislature is Bloated
The NY State Legislature has long been considered the most dysfunctional state government in the country.  Gothamist Read the article.

Veterans try again on pensions
Maryland's military retirees appealed to lawmakers yesterday to stop taxing their pensions.  Baltimore Sun Read the article.

Political opposites join in REAL ID fight
One of the General Assembly's most conservative members and one of its most liberal have teamed up in a bid to block a federal program they say would put the personal privacy of millions of Americans at risk by creating a national identity card.  The Morning Call Read the article.

Albany tops in staff size
In a New York state Senate long dominated by a Republican majority, the Democratic conference has traditionally wielded little power. But while they often complain about a lack of influence in legislation and the budget, Democratic lawmakers have equal access to at least one standby of political office: the camera.  New York Sun Read the article.

Tennessee bill would limit left-lane use
A bill introduced in the Tennessee Senate is intended to keep most traffic out of the left lane on the state’s multi-lane highways.  Land Line Read the article.

Stable prekindergarten funding proves challenging for states
Even though state spending on prekindergarten has grown $1 billion nationwide over the past two years, a report says, state policymakers looking to sustain and expand their programs—especially in tough budget times—are still scrounging for more money. Education Week Read the article.

Ariz. House OKs state hiring freeze
Citing continued advertising for hundreds of jobs, Arizona legislators moved to impose a hiring freeze on state government to help erase a big projected revenue shortfall. Houston Chronicle Read the article.

Legislator proposes crackdown on illegal immigration in New Jersey
A top state Democrat said he will introduce legislation to penalize New Jersey businesses that knowingly hire illegal immigrants.  Lawn & Landscape Read the article.

States redefine family health policies
Almost all states, when regulating insurance plans for small- and medium-sized employers, set a maximum age for coverage of dependent children. The limit is usually 19 for non-students and 23 for full-time college students.  Associated Press Read the article.

February 21 GrassCatcher:

Tennessee may ban driver texting
R U txting n driving? If so, some Tennessee lawmakers want you to put down your phone and position your hands back on the steering wheel. The Tennessean Read the article.

House OKs bill to freeze state government hirings
Citing continued advertising for hundreds of jobs, Arizona legislators moved to impose a hiring freeze on state government to help erase a big projected revenue shortfall. The Associated Press in the Tucson Citizen Read the article.

Justices add legal complications to debate on F.D.A.’s competence
The Supreme Court's ruling on Wednesday limiting lawsuits by patients over medical devices comes just as independent groups have raised questions about the Food and Drug Administration ’s ability to ensure the safety of these products.  New York Times Read the article.

States to take budget hit from rebates
A report from the House Finance Committee in Colorado's Legislature is estimating that the economic stimulus package signed by President Bush, and expected to put checks in taxpayers' hands in May, will cost that state about $54 million alone.  World Net Daily Read the article.

Taking aim at 'ice missiles'
Members of the General Assembly's Transportation Committee, including one lawmaker who is a trucker, said yesterday they support legislation fining drivers who do not clean snow and ice off their vehicles.  The Advocate Read the article.

Fewer women in state houses
The number of women in Congress has reached an all-time high, and a woman is running for the nation's highest office. But those gains aren't reflected at the state level, including California, where the percentage of women in legislative bodies has leveled off over the past decade.  Californian Daily Read the article.

February 20 GrassCatcher:

Fewer women in state houses
The number of women in Congress has reached an all-time high, and a woman is running for the nation's highest office. But those gains aren't reflected at the state level, including California, where the percentage of women in legislative bodies has leveled off over the past decade. The Californian Read the article.

Convention co-chair supports Clinton
Texas state Sen. Leticia Van de Putte, a co-chair of the 2008 Democratic National Convention, was determined to remain neutral in the presidential nominating contest. The Denver Post Read the article.

Advocates: outsider needed for child services complaints
Recent child deaths are prompting a call for an independent investigator or ombudsman to handle conflicts involving the Indiana Department of Child Services. The Associated Press in WTHITV-TV Read the article.

Vermont, other states weigh privately-run state lotteries
Betting on the state lottery for some quick cash? Foster's Daily Democrat Read the article.

February 19 GrassCatcher:

Advocates: Outsider needed for child services complaints
Recent child deaths are prompting a call for an independent investigator or ombudsman to handle conflicts involving the Indiana Department of Child Services.  Associated Press on WLFI Read the article.

Backlash mounts against REAL ID
Republican and Democratic state lawmakers are teaming up to oppose the federal REAL ID program, claiming it creates a national identity card that poses a threat to personal privacy.  Pittsburgh Tribune Review Read the article.

Area educators oppose guns in schools
A community college official predicted Monday there will be protracted battle if the Arizona Legislature proceeds with a proposal to allow people with concealed weapons permits to carry guns at K-12 schools, community colleges and universities.  Havasu News-Herald Read the article.

February 18 GrassCatcher:

Deaths of kids raise oversight questions
Indiana has an ombudsman program to help Hoosiers resolve conflicts involving food stamps and public assistance.  Indianapolis Star Read the article.

Rising inmate population puts state in a bind
Unless state lawmakers make changes to cut sentences, they will have to spend tens of millions of dollars to expand North Carolina's prison system, prison population projections show.  Raleigh News and Observer Read the article.

Proof of citizenship before voter registration is debated in Kansas
With sentiment against illegal immigrants strong, Kansas is among a dozen states this year that could require proof of citizenship before someone can register to vote. Kansas City Star Read the article.

Group pushes for campus gun rights
The founder of Virginia Tech's chapter of Students for Concealed Carry on Campus said Thursday's mass shooting is an example of what can happen if students are left defenseless in classrooms. Richmond Times Dispatch Read the article

Immigration crackdown
A top state Democrat plans to introduce legislation that would penalize New Jersey businesses that knowingly hire illegal immigrants.  Express Times Read the article.

Experts: verdicts unusual in murder case
An unusual verdict in the case of a former police officer accused of killing his pregnant lover opens up possible grounds for appeal if he's sentenced to death, some legal experts say.  The Associated Press in the Modesto Bee Read the article.

Women gaining faster in Congress than on state level
The number of women in Congress has reached an all-time high, and a woman is running for the nation's highest office. But those gains aren't reflected at the state level, where the percentage of women in legislative bodies has leveled off over the past decade. Telegraph Forum Read the article.

Group of UK students backs right to carry weapon
University of Kentucky student David Burnett likes to carry his Smith & Wesson .357 Magnum "as often as I can."  Lexington Herald Leader Read the article.

Legislators to combat hiring of illegal immigrants
A top state Democrat said Friday he will introduce legislation to penalize New Jersey businesses that knowingly hire illegal immigrants. The Bridgeton News Read the article.

McKenzie finds West Virginia capitol security lacking
Some days, Sen. Andy McKenzie walks through the state Capitol in jeans and a baseball cap, cutting through the largely empty basement to get quickly from one room to another.  Wheeling Register Read the article.

Lawmaker wants NJ cops armed with stun guns
A day after a state panel recommended allowing police to use less-lethal ammunition, a state lawmaker says it's time New Jersey police be allowed to carry stun guns to subdue combative suspects like officers in every other state. The Associated Press in the Philadelphia Inquirer Read the article.

February 15 GrassCatcher:

Thieves make off with statue
Behind the tony Edgewood Manor Bed & Breakfast, on a well-kept strip of lawn, is a large, round patch of dirt. Providence Journal Read the article.

Lawmaker wants NJ cops armed with stun guns
A day after a state panel recommended allowing police to use less-lethal ammunition, a state lawmaker says it's time New Jersey police be allowed to carry stun guns to subdue combative suspects like officers in every other state. Newsday Read the article.

Lawmakers oppose national ID by opposing funds for it
A state lawmaker said Thursday that the state should not be funding a national ID card. Juneau Empire Read the article.

February 14 GrassCatcher:

Youth must learn lessons about democracy
Young people – college students, those not long out of college, even some high-school students – play a central role in the behind-the-scenes work of a presidential campaign.  Noblesville Daily Times Read the article.

West Virginia bill would expand price gouging protections
A bill in the West Virginia Senate is designed to further help protect consumers in the state from being gouged at the fuel pump.  Land Line Read the article.

Plan: No driver's licenses for non-Maine residents
A plan that would prevent Maine from issuing driver's licenses to non-residents is winning praise from some lawmakers and Secretary of State Matthew Dunlap, but critics say the proposal either goes too far or not far enough.  Kennebec Journal Read the article.

Creativity helps schools bring in music
Arts have long been a part of education, but advocates say such classes often are first on the chopping block as schools face tight budgets and increasing pressure to perform on high-stakes academic tests.  Chicago Tribune Read the article.

February 13 GrassCatcher:

Some question uniformity of smoking ban
Public health advocates favor a ban on smoking inside nearly all public places statewide. Hutchinson News Read the article.

Sen. Oropeza introduces bill to beef up California's drunk-driving law
State Sen. Jenny Oropeza, D-Long Beach, today introduced legislation to strengthen California's drunk-driving law.  California Chronicle Read the article.

Constitutional kickoff
Perhaps it's just the first step in a really long journey, but the State of Colorado has launched a formal process geared towards re-examining the process of amending its Constitution. Colorado Daily Read the article.

Kansas: Senate committee considers smoking ban bill
Supporters of banning smoking in restaurants, bars, casinos and most other public places got a quick lesson Tuesday in practical politics when they urged the Senate Judiciary Committee to rewrite the bill. Joplin Globe Read the article.

State-level reforms are unlikely in 2008
Most of the legislative action on health care in the past year has been in the states, and it will continue to be so in 2008, though we don't expect a lot of achievements this year at the state level, either.  Hartland Institute Read the article.

George seeking third term in Kansas House
Rep. Pat George has a list of projects he'd like to see the Legislature complete in the next two years, including overhauling the pay plan for state employees and approving a new comprehensive transportation plan.  Dodge City Daily Globe Read the article.

February 12 GrassCatcher:

Arizona won't halt harsh immigration law despite lawsuit threat
The battle to protect undocumented immigrants' rights suffered a minor setback on Thursday when Arizona ruled against a lawsuit by construction contractors and immigrant organizations who sought to halt a state law that went into effect on Jan.  Diversity inc. Read the article.

Teen charged in infant murder under evaluation
Psychiatric evaluation continues on a 16-year-old Toomsboro girl charged as an adult with felony murder in the death of her newborn daughter.   Courier Herald Read the article.

Outlawing text messaging while driving
At least 16 states are considering legislation that would outlaw or restrict the practice.  U.S. News and World Report Read the article.

Congress mulls higher education mandate
States could be forced to spend a minimum amount of money on higher education or risk losing federal dollars under legislation pending in the U.S. House.  United Press International Read the article.

February 11 GrassCatcher:

Where have the immigrants gone?
The splintered trees, downed branches and piles of wood still littering nearly every neighborhood of this sprawling city two months after a devastating ice storm stand as a testament to something more than the ferocity of nature.  The Chicago Tribune Read the article.

Immigration reform is a national problem
Because Congress failed to pass comprehensive immigration reform, states are crafting their own laws. That could be a mistake.  The Advocate Read the article.

In reversal, courts uphold local immigration laws
After groups challenging state and local laws cracking down on illegal immigration won a series of high-profile legal victories last year, the tide has shifted as federal judges recently handed down several equally significant decisions upholding those laws.  The New York Times Read the article.

Lawmakers push for "green-collar" jobs as climate change looms
In a town still reeling from the closure of a massive coal mine, dozens of students train each year to work in the energy industry, immersing themselves in the intricacies of power generation and plant design.  Seattle Time Intelligencer Read the article.

Immigration issue grows
For years, Maryland's Democrat-led General Assembly has sidestepped serious debates over illegal immigration, but with the issue at the forefront of the presidential race and in the minds of many voters, that might no longer be possible, legislative leaders acknowledge.  Baltimore Sun Read the article.

Bush budget proposal would fund levee repair
President Bush's budget proposal for 2009, roundly criticized by congressional Democrats when it was released this week, would cut social programs Louisianians depend on while funding other state priorities.  The Daily Advertiser Read the article.

Is selling the state lottery worth the gamble?
For five decades, state governments have maintained a stranglehold on lotteries, reaping huge gambling profits from the monopoly. Providence Journal Read the article.

State's tax collections down again
Another month of plummeting tax collections is sending fresh signals that the nation's economic slowdown has come to Georgia. Atlanta Journal Constitution Read the article.

February 8 GrassCatcher:

Illegal immigration in the United States
As the field of Democrat and Republican Party candidates for the November 2008 presidential election narrows, analysts say a heated national debate over illegal immigration may soften in tone.  Reuters Read the article.

REAL ID worries domestic violence groups
Hiding from stalkers may become more difficult under a federal law called the Real ID Act that's scheduled to take effect on May 11.  C/Net News Read the article.

Lawmakers ponder bill to allow concealed weapons at colleges
Idaho lawmakers are considering a bill that would strip the authority that administrators at public universities and community colleges have in keeping their campuses free of concealed weapons.  AP in Argus Observer Read the article.

Wash. lawmakers seek smoking ban in cars
In a state that already has banned smoking inside restaurants and bars and texting in cars, lawmakers want to snuff out smoking in cars if children are in the vehicle.  AP in Forbes Read the article.

February 7 GrassCatcher:

Legislation proposes state energy overhaul
While South Carolina has traditionally lagged behind its neighbors in modern energy standards, one of the state's leading conservationists called a group of energy proposals unveiled Wednesday "a great moment of awakening."  The Charleston Post and Courier Read the article.

Lawmakers push for 'green-collar' jobs as climate change looms
In a town still reeling from the closure of a massive coal mine, dozens of students train each year to work in the energy industry, immersing themselves in the intricacies of power generation and plant design.  KomoTV Seattle Read the article.

Bill limits where sex offenders can live
People convicted of sex crimes against children could not live within a thousand feet of places like schools, playgrounds, ball fields and day cares under legislation approved Wednesday by a House panel.  Charlotte Observer Read the article.

WA lawmakers want smoking in cars with children banned
In a state that already has banned smoking inside restaurants and bars and texting in cars, lawmakers want to snuff out smoking in cars if children are in the vehicle.  Seattlepi Read the article.

Bush may oppose House bill on Higher Education Act
President Bush may come out against the bill (HR 4137) to renew the Higher Education Act that the U.S. House of Representatives is scheduled to debate tomorrow, according to Rep. Howard P. (Buck) McKeon, the top Republican on the House education committee.  Chronicle of Higher Education Read the article.

Funding for invasive REAL ID cons states in exchange for their privacy
After releasing regulations last month that failed to fix the manifold privacy and civil liberties violations of the Real ID Act, the federal government has left state governments to shoulder most of the cost of the onerous, invasive national ID program.  ACLU Read the article.

Bill to prohibit guns at State House draws fire
A plan to make it a felony for anybody but on-duty law enforcement officers to carry a weapon at the State House is facing stiff resistance. New Hampshire Public Radio Read the article.

Idaho lawmakers sponser a bill to allow concealed weapons at colleges
Idaho lawmakers are considering a bill that would strip the authority that administrators at public universities and community colleges have in keeping their campuses free of concealed weapons. Casper Star-Tribune Read the article.

Web site features video of legislative sessions
People can now watch the Mississippi Legislature in action live each day without being at the Capitol. The Senate began video webcasting its floor proceedings Monday.  Commercial Dispatch Online Read the article.

February 6 GrassCatcher:

Election sites help voters prepare for - and follow - state primaries
On Tuesday, February 5, more than twenty states will hold either primary elections or caucuses. We took an online tour of the many election sites hosted by a variety of sources, and the votes are in! Muni Net Guide Read the article.

Good news for strapped states, bad news for wealthy colleges
When members of Congress proposed legislation that would deny federal matching funds to states that cut their higher-education budgets, lobbyists for state governments went ballistic. Chronicle of HIgher Education Read the article.

February 5 GrassCatcher:

Bush budget’s impact on state blasted
Democrats on Monday blasted President Bush’s final budget message for proposing to cut programs New Yorkers heavily rely on.  The Buffalo News Read the article.

Oklahoma law highlights intensified anti-immigrant offensive
A piece of legislation went into effect on Nov. 1, 2007 in Oklahoma with the aim of destroying the ability of undocumented immigrants to work and live.  Party for Socialism and Liberation Read the article.

Early voting could thwart candidates' late efforts
The presidential candidates campaigned hard to sway voters up to the last minute, but early voting in a third of the 24 states with contests today could blunt those efforts.  Wall Street Journal Read the article.

Massachusetts judges hope board agrees to raise their pay
State judges, frustrated by Massachusetts' judicial salary scale, are hoping a review board created by lawmakers will come up with recommendations for pay raises to bring the state in line with the rest of the nation.  Metrowest Daily News Read the article.

Budgeting, tax trims in conflict
Florida voters’ overwhelming approval last week of a constitutional amendment slashing their property taxes—and potentially costing schools millions of dollars in funding—illustrates the vexing trade-offs policymakers nationwide face in trying to reduce one of the most unpopular of all taxes.  Education Week Read the article.

February 4 GrassCatcher:

State judges hope board agrees to raise their pay
State judges, frustrated by Massachusetts' judicial salary scale, are hoping a review board created by lawmakers will come up with recommendations for pay raises to bring the state in line with the rest of the nation.  The Enterprise Read the article.

Doctor calls for new drug laws
A Howell doctor says he will no longer recycle prescription medications after the state told him it was illegal, but he does plan to work to change laws in Michigan that prohibit the work he was doing.  Daily Press & Argus Read the article.

States falter on health care
The demise of California's attempt at comprehensive health-care reform last week means that advocates of overhauling the health-care system will turn their focus back to Washington.  The Columbus Dispatch Read the article.

Variety of issues on tap during legislative supplemental session
The Oregon legislature will return for a session not to exceed four weeks. Although legally it is a special session, leaders are calling it a "supplemental" session because lawmakers will discuss a variety of issues.  Statesman Journal Read the article.

The states can't fix immigration
Because Congress failed to pass comprehensive immigration reform, states are crafting their own laws. Iowa may be next - and that would be a mistake.  Comment in Des Moines Register Read the article.

Lawmakers' gifts range from food to football
State law requires lawmakers and executive branch officials to report gifts valued at $50 or greater, and their disclosures range from the lavish to the mundane.  Roanoke Times Read the article.

Schools find creative ways to squeeze in arts
Arts have long been a part of education, but advocates say such classes are often first on the chopping block as schools face tight budgets and increasing pressure to perform on high-stakes academic tests. Associated Press in Nashua Telegraph Read the article.

Lawmakers boosted haul of freebies by 30 percent in '07
South Hampton Roads legislators were at the front of the line in 2007 when it came to accepting trips, dinners and tickets to sporting and cultural events paid for by corporate lobbyists and, sometimes, Virginia taxpayers. Hampton Roads Read the article.

Drivers should stop texting while driving
Del. James Scott (D-Fairfax) believes that enough adults in Virginia are attempting to send text messages while driving, which could potentially result in personal injury, that he wants to ban the practice.  Northern Virginia Personal Injury Lawyer. Read the article.

Group paid for trip by state Senate chief
A New Jersey group that serves the nation’s state Senate leaders paid for airfare and hotel expenses for Senate President Pro Tempore Jack Critcher, D-Batesville, in Istanbul, Turkey, last October.  Arkansas Democrat Gazette Read the article.

Lawmakers eye new standards for immigrant inmates
Most local and state law enforcement and correctional agencies keep little or no information on immigrant inmates and don't link up effectively with their federal counterparts, a group of lawmakers learned Friday.  San Antonio Express Read the article.

Inmate requests test public records law
An arsonist imprisoned for firebombing the cars of two lawyers is using his remaining 19 years behind bars to dig up information on the judges, lawyers and corrections officers who helped put him there.  The Associated Press Read the article.

All sides agree on go-slow approach to HPV vaccine
Even people who think the vaccine should be required praised the report.   Minnesota Public Radio Read the article.

States brace for budget hits
A sharp dip in state budgets six years ago created a difficult situation not only for governors and legislators concerned about citizen services, but also for contractors heavily invested in the state government market.  Washington Technology Read the article.

Higher education overhaul headed to House floor
The House next week is expected to pass a five-year reauthorization and overhaul of the primary law governing federal support for college students and the institutions they attend.  CQ Politics Read the article.

New laws that could throw a wrench in your business
Every year brings laws that affect companies across the country, from income tax laws to Internet regulation.  The Street Read the article.

February 1 GrassCatcher:

Arizona seizes spotlight in U.S. immigration debate
Arizona is at the heart of what many say is the biggest, angriest storm over immigration to hit the United States in nearly a century. Efforts to combat illegal immigration from Mexico and Latin America are popping up across the state, turning Arizona into a laboratory for new ways to crack down on illegal immigrants, says the Wall Street Journal.  The National Center for Policy Analysis Read the article.

Washington Post examines implications of California health care reform bill failure
Although California is "unique in some respects," experts say that "some of the same economic forces at work there threaten to slow or swamp similar proposals in other states," according to the Post. Medical News Today Read the article.

Lawmakers take up first of many conflict of interest measures
Lawmakers are conflicted over whether, and how, to change the rules that govern voting on legislation in which they may have a financial stake.  Anchorage Daily News Read the article.

Inmate requests test public records law
An arsonist imprisoned for firebombing the cars of two lawyers is using his remaining 19 years behind bars to dig up information on the judges, lawyers and corrections officers who helped put him there.  Associated Press Read the article.

Faced with fewer hunters, West Virginia considers offering gun training in schools
A significant drop in the number of hunters in West Virginia has left a hole in the state's budget, and one lawmaker thinks he has a solution: Allow children to receive hunter training in school.  The Associated Press in the Arizona Daily Star Read the article.

Police chief defends his immigration law stance
While a growing number of police agencies across the country have received federal training to enforce immigration laws, Houston's police chief maintained a strong stance Thursday against joining this trend. Houston Chronicle Read the article.

Our view: mandate school through age 18
Most of us know someone who dropped out of high school. Think, for a moment, about the reasons, academic failure, family problems or responsibilities, pregnancy, boredom. Opinion in South Coast Today Read the article.

Teaching children how to hunt
A proposal to bring hunter education back to the state’s middle schools would provide a real-life education opportunity to students, a local hunter-education instructor said. News and Sentinel Read the article.

As election fervor builds, Missourti bills seek to squelch political 'robo-calls'
As Tuesday's primary kicks the election season into full gear, several state lawmakers hope to curtail the usual onslaught of pre-recorded phone calls, at least before intense campaigning this fall. St. Louis Post and Dispatch Read the article.

DOA drinking bills make a point for lawmakers
State legislatures in Kentucky and South Carolina this year are considering proposals to exempt service members from the federally mandated drinking age of 21, enabling any active-duty member 18 or older to buy alcohol with a military-issued I.D.  Navy Times Read the article.

Critics: legislation would make state an ashtray
Environmentalists and some legislators are deriding comprehensive energy legislation as pro-coal, even though it would make Kansas among a handful of states attempting to limit carbon dioxide emissions.  Hays Daily News Read the article.

Tucker seeks re-election to West Virginia house of delegates
Delegate Kenneth Tucker has filed his fifth re-election bid for a seat in the West Virginia House of Delegates.  Wheeling News Register Read the article.

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