April 13, 2008
State & Policy News
 U.S. outlook is worst since '92, poll finds
Americans are gloomier about the direction of the country than they have been at any point in 15 years, and Democrats hold their biggest advantage since early 1993 as the party better able to deal with the nation's main problems, according to a new Washington Post-ABC News poll. Washington Post Read the article.
Hands-free phones are lifesavers, study says
A California researcher has entered the acrimonious debate over mobile phones by predicting that banning the use of hand-held phones by U.S. drivers could save thousands of lives each year. MSNBC Read the article.
Bernanke sees better conditions in markets, still not 'normal'
Federal Reserve Chairman Ben Bernanke said Tuesday that the Fed's recent liquidity measures have led to improved market conditions including a narrowing of credit spreads and better performance of repurchase agreement markets. Wall Street Journal Read the article.
Cigarette bill treats menthol with leniency
Some public health experts are questioning why menthol, the most widely used cigarette flavoring and the most popular cigarette choice of African-American smokers, is receiving special protection as Congress tries to regulate tobacco for the first time. New York Times Read the article.
Study: Some immigrant groups assimilate faster
The nation's immigrants are adopting American ways just as quickly as they were in 1990 despite a doubling in their numbers, according to research out today. USA Today Read the article.
High fuel prices curtail RV trips – just a little
Inside the door of their 36-foot-long RV is a map that shows the route Bob and Linda Timko have pulled their "fifth wheel" – from Pennsylvania to California and back again. With fuel prices at record levels, they allow that the trips may cover shorter distances – especially when they get 10 miles to the gallon. Christian Science Monitor Read the article.
Kaine, GOP clash over transit solution for Virginia
"Considerable money is needed not only to maintain current conditions but to make improvements to meet growing demands," Matt Sundeen, transportation analyst for the National Conference of State Legislatures, recently wrote in the organization's magazine. Richmond Times Dispatch Read the article.
House mulls change in sentencing rules
In recent years, more than a dozen states have begun scaling back or doing away with mandatory minimum laws, according to the National Conference of State Legislatures. Providence Journal Read the article.
California lawmakers take a stab at legislating healthy habits
Amy Winterfeld, health policy analyst for the National Conference of State Legislatures, said wellness-related bills are on the rise in several states. "There has been a noticeable increase in the number of bills promoting wellness programs in state legislatures," Winterfeld said.
California Healthline Read the article.
States consider prepaid cell phone ID's
Several U.S. states are considering bills requiring photo identification to buy prepaid cell phones, the National Conference of State Legislatures says. UPI Read the article.
Sex offenders left off list may be added
The National Conference of State Legislatures reported in March that 19 states have taken steps to comply with the act. Among them: Ohio, which has faced outcry over a provision that retroactively increased the period of time sex offenders in the state must register. News-Leader (Springfield, Missouri) Read the article.
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