|
NCSL in the News May 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.
May 16 GrassCatcher:
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.
May 15 GrassCatcher:
Schwarzenegger has plan to close state budget gap
Many states have decided that “if you turn the lottery over to the private sector, they can run it more efficiently,” said Arturo Perez, a fiscal analyst with the National Conference of State Legislatures, who added that he had not seen a plan quite like this one. New York Times Read the article.
Schwarzenegger's lottery bond proposal leaves many questions
Florida and Oregon have borrowed against their future lottery revenue but not to the extent Schwarzenegger is proposing, said Arturo Perez, an analyst with the National Conference of State Legislatures. AP in San Diego Union Tribune Read the article.
Ga. law allows guns in restaurants, public transit
Janna Goodwin, a researcher at the National Conference of State Legislatures, said that in the aftermath of the slayings at Virginia Tech, most states either halted passage of gun laws or took up measures to improve gun safety. "This is the most significant one I have seen," she said. AP in Houston Chronicle Read the article.
May 14 GrassCatcher:
Election to cause big turnover in Neb. legislature
Nebraska is one of 15 states that limit the terms of state lawmakers, according to the National Conference of State Legislatures. The Associated Press in the Yankton Daily Press & Dakotan 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. Newsday Read the article.
Calif installs 1st black female legislative leader
California's Assembly is the first state legislative body in the nation to be led by a black woman, according to the National Conference of State Legislatures. The Associated Press Read the article.
Police push links to ID pre-paid phones
Although no bills are pending in Congress, legislation requiring photo identification for prepaid-phone purchases is surfacing in statehouses nationwide. The National Conference of State Legislatures is following bills in Michigan and Georgia. Lawmakers in New Jersey, Texas and Pennsylvania also have considered legislation. Washington Times Read the article.
States, locals swamp immigration program
Law enforcement ranks first as an issue in immigration-related legislation introduced on the state level as of March 2008, according to an April report of the National Conference of State Legislatures. Stateline.org Read the article.
May 13 GrassCatcher:
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.
May 12 GrassCatcher:
State programs add safety net for the poorest
“The goal had been getting parents off of welfare,” said Jack Tweedie of the National Conference of State Legislatures, who counsels states on poverty issues and has advised Arkansas officials. “The emphasis now is much more on work and helping parents stay in work.” New York Times Read the article.
Campus gun debate looms in La. House
Guns on campus legislation has been defeated in several states this year but is alive in Arizona, Louisiana, Minnesota, Ohio, and South Carolina, according to the National Conference of State Legislatures. A previous news story said only the Louisiana and Arizona bills were still in the process. Alexandria Town Talk.com Read the article.
Who says analyzing bills can't be fun?
According to the National Conference of State Legislatures, 23 states are facing budget gaps in the coming fiscal year. An NCSL survey compiled last month found that as a percentage of its general operating fund, California's projected deficit (11.2 percent) trailed only Alabama (12.6 percent) and neighboring Nevada (16.9 percent) and Arizona (17.9 percent) in terms of the size of its sea of red ink. Sacramento Bee Read the article.
Push on to inspect ice cream vendors' pasts
A growing number of communities across the USA are moving to prevent sexual predators from becoming ice cream truck drivers. USA Today Read the article.
States using drug 'recycling' programs to help cure budget ills
At least 33 states have laws to allow or study drug recycling programs, according to the National Conference of State Legislatures. Most state programs are just a few years old or still in the test stages, but officials envision huge gains. North County Times, California Read the article.
New state challenges confront legislators
But North Carolina is in better fiscal shape than many states. A recent report by the National Conference of State Legislatures found that nearly half the states face budget deficits; on Wednesday, the governor of Tennessee announced plans to cut 2,011 state jobs to help close a $468 million shortfall. News and Observer, North Carolina Read the article.
Legislators' pay should not be quadrupled
The $16,800 salary they receive is above that of the $14,364 average for Southern legislatures, according to the National Conference of State Legislatures. Only two other states in the Southern Region -Florida and Georgia, are higher paid. Opinion in the Daily Advertiser Read the article.
Panel gets earful on feds’ ID law
The National Conference of State Legislatures, which relays state government interests in Washington, D.C., has called on Congress to repeal the act and reinstitute a negotiated rulemaking process “that brings all parties to the table,” Molly Ramsdell said. Times Leader Read the article.
May 9 GrassCatcher:
Needed: A more efficient Legislature
A number of worthy ideas are before the committee, most of them gleaned from other states with the help of the National Conference of State Legislatures (NCSL). Editorial in the Star Tribune Read the article.
Five things you need to know: where your tax rebate is really going
States across the country are facing deteriorating budgets. Alabama, Arizona, Florida and Nevada face budget shortfalls of more than 10%, according to the National Conference of State Legislatures. Minyanville.com (New York) Read the article.
Lawmakers push for better school nutrition
New Jersey Assemblyman Herb Conaway, a physician and lawyer, and chair of NCSL's Health Committee, says legislators must do something. "There is an epidemic of childhood obesity that has tremendous implications for future health care spending and quality of life." Red Orbit.com Read the article.
Central New Yorkers give mixed reviews on "gas tax" holiday
New York is not the only state considering a gas tax cap. The National Conference of State Legislatures says lawmakers in Missouri and Florida are considering similar measures in their own states. WSYR-TV, New York Read the article.
May 8 GrassCatcher:
Lawmaker pay and special sessions on the ballot?
A report by the National Conference of State Legislatures in 2006 found that implementing them led to some unintended consequences. Opinion aired on Minnesota Public Radio Read the article.
Guest commentary by Senator Tony Lourey
The National Conference of State Legislatures, along with the National Governor’s Association, of which Gov. Pawlenty is chair, is against complying with REAL ID. Pine Journal Read the article.
NY Senate votes to eliminate state gas tax for summer
Kate Marks, the NCSL energy program director, said the suspension of excise taxes could eat away at highway funds, and a sales tax suspension could affect overall state budgets and available funds. The Associated Press in Forbes Read the article.
Vallejo, California, plans to file for bankruptcy
States overall expect to have at least $26 billion less than they need to pay bills in the next budget year, according to an April report by the National Conference of State Legislatures. Bloomberg News Read the article.
CSU faculty: OK benefits for partners
"Once people ask for it, usually they (employers) consider it because they don't want to be sued," said Christine Nelson, who has studied the issue at the National Conference of State Legislatures. "Because the alternative is a lot more expensive than providing them for the three people who will take advantage of it, it's becoming more common." Denver Post Read the article.
Animosity grows between Diné branches
Data was compiled and the report written between October and December 2005 by the National Conference of State Legislatures and its subcontractors JVA Consulting and Mark Fleming. Gallup Independent Read the article.
States take up immigration bills; Congress stays on sidelines
The National Conference of State Legislatures in a report released April 24 said that, as of the end of March, 26 states had enacted 44 laws and adopted 38 resolutions on immigration topics. The Tidings Read the article.
Fake guns come under fire from 15 American states
Among those 15 states, seven bills limiting fake guns are pending this year and 21 have been enacted since 1990, according to the National Conference of State Legislatures. New Zealand Herald Read the article.
Senate passes Voter ID bill
Eight states already require photo ID to vote and 17 other states require nonphoto ID, according to the National Conference of State Legislatures. Fort Mills Times Read the article.
May 7 GrassCatcher:
CSU faculty: OK benefits for partners
"Once people ask for it, usually they (employers) consider it because they don't want to be sued," said Christine Nelson, who has studied the issue at the National Conference of State Legislatures. "Because the alternative is a lot more expensive than providing them for the three people who will take advantage of it, . . . it's becoming more common." Denver Post Read the article.
POLITICS-US: Is Immigration Off the Table in Election 2008?
The lack of progress in national legislation coming from Congress, however, did not deter local entities from taking action. The National Conference of State Legislatures (NCSL) recently issued a report that found that "States introduced an unprecedented 1,562 laws regarding immigration, of which 240 became law in 2007. In the first three months of this year, more than 1,100 bills were introduced in the 44 state legislatures that were in regular session." Inter Press Service (Italy) Read the article.
May 6 GrassCatcher:
Immigration legislation falls short
More than 1,100 such bills were introduced in statehouses this year, according to the National Conference of State Legislatures, which analyzed legislation from January to March. Bradenton Herald Read the article.
Cash-starved states releasing prisoners
Lawmakers across the country are debating plans to reverse decades of tough-on-crime policies by granting early release to criminals as a way for cash-strapped states to try to close budget gaps. But prisons "are one of the most expensive parts of the criminal-justice system," said Alison Lawrence, who studies corrections policy for the National Conference of State Legislatures. "That's where they look to first to cut down some of those costs." Newsmax.com Read the article.
Study: Restaurant tobacco bans influence teen smoking
At least 23 states, the District of Columbia and Puerto Rico require most public places and workplaces, including restaurants and bars, to be smoke free, according to the National Conference of State Legislatures. The Associated Press Read the article.
A fence around the Bayou
According to the National Conference of State Legislatures (NCSL), more than 1,100 immigration-related bills were introduced in 44 state legislatures during the first quarter of this year. NCSL reports that the top three issues were law enforcement, employment and driver's licenses or other forms of identification. Not surprisingly, it may all be happening because of polling numbers and the public's demand for action. "The number of immigration-related measures demonstrates states' willingness to respond to the public's concerns in a time when Congress won't," the NCSL report says. BestofNewOrleans.com Read the article.
May 5 GrassCatcher:
Special sessions to resolve bitter disputes becoming the norm
Budget battles are not unusual at Mississippi's state Capitol, but many taxpayers expect lawmakers to resolve their differences within the timeframe of a regular session. Sun Herald Read the article.
State pension hike: Bad time for a bad idea
State lawmakers are considering pension increases again, including for themselves. Allentown Morning Call Read the article.
Legislative term limits: Will they become a real thing?
South Dakota's legislators during the last session passed a resolution to end term limits on themselves. Opinion in the Dakota Voice Read the article.
Bill seeks to restrict robo calls
In the days leading up to Pennsylvania's presidential primary, Democratic voters' phone lines lit up with calls from the candidates. Philadelphia Inquirer Read the article.
Political scene: More members of R.I. General Assembly paying part of health cost -- voluntarily
The public spotlight placed on their free health-care benefits has prompted several more state lawmakers to offer to pay 10 percent of the cost of the premiums costing up to $16,233 a year for family coverage. Providence Journal Read the article.
State looks to expand outreach
Washington state opened a new foreign trade office in Beijing a year ago, giving it three offices in China and nine worldwide. Olympian Read the article.
Term limits have failed
Term limits, much like junior high school and bell-bottom pants, have been a failed social experiment. Opinion in the Denver Post Read the article.
'Normalized' liquor law likely to add to confusion when ordering cocktail
If Cinco de Mayo isn't enough reason for some Utah revelers to party, consider this: The amount of liquor allowed in the standard cocktail is increasing by 50 percent to 1.5 ounces. Deseret Morning News Read the article.
Data show as helmet laws relaxed, death toll rose
Death rates from motorcycle crashes have risen steadily since states began weakening helmet laws about a decade ago, according to a Gannett News Service analysis of federal crash reports. Journal and Courier Read the article.
Bills seek punishment for use, display of fake weapons
Concerns that realistic-looking toy weapons are confusing police and threatening safety have led 15 states to try going beyond gun control and cracking down on fake firearms. The Associated Press Read the article.
Revenue collections reach $697.2 million
Bolstered by income taxes on individuals, state general revenue in April hit a record $ 697. 2 million, up $ 5. 9 million compared with April of last year. Arkansas Democrat Gazette Read the article.
Nebraska term limits still shaking out legislators
Nearly eight years after Nebraskans approved term limits for state lawmakers, voters are still being asked to shake out the legislative graybeards in the Capitol. Press and Dakotan Read the article.
May 2 GrassCatcher:
Immigration plan triggers new clash
Two of South Carolina's most powerful politicians clashed Thursday over a Senate plan to levy heavy fines against businesses that hire illegal immigrants. Across the nation, more than 1,100 bills were introduced in the first three months of 2008 in 44 states, according to the National Conference of State Legislatures. Charleston Post and Courier Read the article.
Amazon.com sues N.Y. over new online sales tax
Amazon.com is hitting back at New York over a new law requiring it and other online retailers to collect sales taxes from customers residing in that state. Even Neal Osten, federal affairs counsel for the National Conference of State Legislatures (NCSL), told CNET News.com recently that his lobby group for state politicians would actually discourage the somewhat unique approach taken by New York because it "is probably going to be litigated and will therefore cause delay" in collecting taxes. CNET News.com Read the article.
May 1 GrassCatcher:
States passing immigration laws
The National Conference of State Legislatures (NCSL) says state lawmakers around the country are taking on immigration issues though Congress won't. Poynter Online Read the article.
Does DHS know the real cost of REAL ID?
An analysis done by the National Governors Association, the National Conference of State Legislatures, and the American Association of Motor Vehicle Administrators in 2006 estimated states would need to spend about $11 billion over five years. Helicopter Association International Read the article.
New York bans grisly electrocution of animals for fur
New York has become the first state in the nation to ban the electrocution of animals in a particularly gruesome way to harvest their fur. There is no similar law or pending bill in other states, said Janna Goodwin of the National Conference of State Legislatures Associated Press Read the article.
Animal rights activists hope more states follow NY's ban on animal electrocutions for fur
Animal rights activists are pushing more states to follow the example set by New York recently when it became the first U.S. state to pan a particular method of animal electrocution to harvest fur for clothing. International Herald Tribune Read the article.
Prosecutor proposes changes to state's murder law
Indiana is now one of 35 states with fetal homicide laws, but it is not one of at least 18 states that cover the earliest stages of a pregnancy, said Megan Foreman, a research analyst with the National Conference of State Legislatures. AP in The Wabash Plain Dealer Read the article.
179 immigration bills introduced in the first quarter of 2008
Without the enactment of comprehensive immigration reform at the federal level, legislators in 31 states have introduced 179 employment-related immigration bills during the first quarter of 2008, according to an April 24, 2008 report released by the National Conference of State Legislatures. CCH News Read the article.
DiMasi business ties questioned
Last August, when the Massachusetts Legislature hosted the National Conference of State Legislatures, Cashman allowed DiMasi to use his Back Bay estate for an event to honor other senate presidents, house speakers, and legislative leaders from around the country. The Boston Globe Read the article.
Bill to crimp payday lenders
Ohio is among 11 states without payday-lending laws or interest rate caps on consumer loans, according to the National Conference of State Legislatures. Cincinnati Enquirer Read the article.
|
