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Week of August 29, 2016 - Press Clips

By Brian Sigritz posted 08-31-2016 04:46 PM

  

National

Would Eliminating Taxes on Services Help or Hurt the Poor?

Governing.com - 8/31/2016

 

Weaker corporate profits cost states millions

The Hill - 8/31/2016

 

How Academia Is Failing Government

Governing.com - 8/31/2016

 

These States Are Getting Grants to Help Them Explore Gas Tax Alternatives

Route Fifty - 8/31/2016

 

Some Colleges Choose to Slash, Freeze Tuition

U.S. News & World Report - 8/31/2016

  

Nurses Step In to Boost Treatment for Opioid Addiction

Pew Trusts - StateLine.org - 8/31/2016

  

U.S. Funding for Fighting Zika Virus Is Nearly Spent, C.D.C. Says

New York Times - 8/30/2016

  

A Building Boom is Driving Economic Growth in Most States

Pew Trusts - StateLine.org - 8/30/2016

  

States Struggle With Oil & Gas Taxation During Downturn

Forbes.com (Forbes Magazine) - 8/29/2016

  

States Say Bah! Humbug! to Sales Tax Holidays

Pew Trusts - StateLine.org - 8/29/2016

  

U.S. public universities turning to private sector to meet campus needs

Reuters - 8/26/2016

  

How Cuts Are Pushing College Students Out of State

New York Times - 8/26/2016

  

States Start to Approve Steep Increases in Health Premiums

Governing.com - 8/26/2016

  

The Week in Public Finance: Pensions' Funding Gap, An Assault on Fees and More

Governing.com - 8/26/2016

  

U.S. state public pension funding gap shrinks in fiscal 2014 -Pew

Reuters - 8/24/2016

  

Alabama

Judge orders Alabama Secretary of State to add amendment to November ballot

AL.com - 8/27/2016

  

Alabama lottery bill stumbles before finish line

Montgomery Advertiser - 8/26/2016

  

Alabama lottery bill passes House on second vote

AL.com - 8/26/2016

  

Alaska

New natural resources commissioner says hes working to put more oil in Alaskas future

Alaska Dispatch News - 8/30/2016

  

State meeting hears input about privatization of Alaska Psychiatric Institute

Alaska Dispatch News - 8/26/2016

  

Claims for expanded Medicaid group $30 million over estimates in first year

Juneau Empire - 8/26/2016

  

Arizona

AZ earns praise for teacher training database

Arizona Republic, AZCentral.com & KPNX-TV NBC 12 Phoenix - 8/28/2016

  

State tax-amnesty program offers generous terms

Tucson Arizona Daily Star - 8/26/2016

  

Arkansas

Views differ on import of Medicaid expansion numbers

Arkansas News.com - 8/28/2016

  

California

How would the California Secure Choice retirement account program work?

San Jose Mercury News - 8/30/2016

  

State community colleges 'Promise' help for low-income, first-time students

San Jose Mercury News - 8/30/2016

  

State may have to pay local water agencies millions

San Francisco Chronicle (SFGate.com) - 8/30/2016

  

California governor signs bill banning coal-export funding

Sacramento Bee - 8/27/2016

  

Colorado

Marijuana sales tax money to help State Fair, FFA and 4-H

Pueblo Chieftain - 8/30/2016

  

Colorado officials seek higher hunting, fishing fees

Pueblo Chieftain - 8/29/2016

  

Connecticut

Decision Expected Sept. 7 In State Education Funding Case

Hartford Courant - 8/31/2016

  

State-local panel launched

Waterbury Republican-American - 8/30/2016

  

Delaware

State changes unclaimed property rule after settlement

Wilmington News Journal (Delaware Online) - 8/30/2016

  

State, feds to talk addiction solutions

Wilmington News Journal (Delaware Online) - 8/30/2016

  

Florida

FEMA rejects Gov. Scott's state of emergency request for algae

Orlando Sentinel - 8/25/2016

  

Georgia

Is school-takeover ballot language ‘misleading?’ Georgia PTA thinks so

Atlanta Journal-Constitution - 8/29/2016

  

$300 million boost sought for Georgias state health care programs

Atlanta Journal-Constitution - 8/25/2016

  

Hawaii

State forecasts steady economic growth

Honolulu Star-Advertiser - 8/30/2016

  

State ends fiscal year with record $1 billion surplus

Honolulu Star-Advertiser - 8/26/2016

  

State sits on record $1 billion surplus

KHNL/KGMB-TV Hawaii News Now - 8/25/2016

  

Idaho

Idaho lawmakers impasse on Medicaid expansion persists

Boise Idaho Statesman - 8/29/2016

  

Illinois

Rauner vetoes bill raising caregivers' minimum wage

Springfield State Journal-Register - 8/30/2016

  

Despite budget warnings from Rauner, TRS board votes to lower investment estimates

Springfield State Journal-Register - 8/27/2016

  

Illinois' pension payment expected to increase by $400M

Illinois Daily Herald - 8/27/2016

  

Iowa

Medicaid managers' spending on Iowans varies greatly

Des Moines Register - 8/26/2016

  

Kansas

Opposition to Kansas' 'LLC loophole' appears to be growing

Topeka Capital-Journal - 8/29/2016

  

With 11 cases, Kansas draws upon federal dollars in Zika fight

Topeka Capital-Journal - 8/29/2016

 

 

K-State cuts library hours, staff and subscriptions; school cites budget cuts as a key culprit

Topeka Capital-Journal - 8/25/2016

  

Brownback wants public input on new school funding system

Lawrence Journal-World - 8/24/2016

  

Kentucky

Kentucky pension system doubling down on hedge fund that lost money

Lexington Herald-Leader - 8/29/2016

  

House GOP leader calls pension meeting organized by Democrats a ‘charade’

Lexington Herald-Leader - 8/29/2016

  

Bevin’s overhaul of U of L board raises ‘significant’ accreditation issues

Lexington Herald-Leader - 8/26/2016

  

Bevin Medicaid revision loosens some benefits

Louisville Courier-Journal - 8/24/2016

  

Louisiana

Louisiana borrows $187 million for state construction

New Orleans Times-Picayune & Nola.com - 8/31/2016

  

Louisiana delegation implores FEMA to reduce local match for flood aid

New Orleans Times-Picayune & Nola.com - 8/30/2016

  

Louisiana renews private prison contracts, as federal government cuts them

New Orleans Times-Picayune & Nola.com - 8/27/2016

  

Maine

Funding to fight opiate crisis falls as deaths surge

Central Maine - 8/28/2016

  

Maryland

Maryland revenue down $250 million from projections

Baltimore Sun - 8/30/2016

  

Classrooms in Maryland's juvenile facilities to get more technology

Baltimore Sun - 8/24/2016

  

Massachusetts

Some elderly Massachusetts residents will go on waiting list for services

Springfield Union-News & Sunday Republican - 8/30/2016

  

Budget gap has no easy fixes

Boston Globe and Boston.com - 8/29/2016

  

Gov. Charlie Baker to include Canada in opioid crisis approach

Boston Herald - 8/29/2016

  

State will expand discounts for Mass. E-ZPass users

Boston Globe and Boston.com - 8/24/2016

  

Michigan

$3.4M Snyder tab prompts bill to limit private counsel

Detroit News - 8/30/2016

  

23% of Michigan public school students opt for school choice

Mlive.com - 8/29/2016

  

Economy improved, but Michigan cities still in crisis

Lansing State Journal - 8/29/2016

 

Public funding for private schools under review

Detroit News - 8/26/2016

  

Minnesota

Minnesota DEED seeks equity grant proposals

Minneapolis-St. Paul Star Tribune - 8/29/2016

  

Dayton, Met Council seek to revive Southwest Light Rail prospects

Minneapolis-St. Paul Star Tribune - 8/25/2016

  

Mississippi

Mississippi casino revenue flat in July as regions split

The Sun Herald - 8/30/2016

  

Mississippi seeks groups for $1M prekindergarten expansion

The Sun Herald - 8/30/2016

  

Analysis: Miss. lawmakers jockey for BP money

Jackson Clarion-Ledger - 8/28/2016

  

Biloxi: Casino rent belongs in our pockets, not the general fund

The Sun Herald - 8/25/2016

  

Missouri

Auditor: Missouri's state buildings need $600 million in repairs, upgrades

St. Louis Post-Dispatch - 8/26/2016

  

Missouri judge stops appointment of Nixon as public defender

Columbia Missourian - 8/25/2016

  

Montana

Ending fund balance less than expected, memo says

Great Falls Tribune - 8/29/2016

  

Missoula, state agencies report meth back on the rise

Missoula Missoulian - 8/29/2016

  

Nebraska

Corrections officials: 138 more full-time security officers needed to meet safety requirements

Omaha World-Herald - 8/26/2016

  

Nevada

State treasurer wants to replace some taxes with corporate income tax

Las Vegas Review-Journal - 8/30/2016

 

 New Jersey

Atlantic City budget down $20 million, relies on $106 million of state aid

Press of Atlantic City - 8/30/2016

  

Christie points to Medicaid success with enrollment up and costs down

North Jersey.com (Bergen County Record & Herald News) - 8/29/2016

  

N.J. plan looks to help counties prepare for huge storms

North Jersey.com (Bergen County Record & Herald News) - 8/29/2016

  

Christie sends $54M to towns after vote on public worker health care cuts

Newark Star-Ledger/NJ.com - 8/29/2016

  

Christie, Democrats take another stab at ending N.J. road funding crisis

Newark Star-Ledger/NJ.com - 8/29/2016

  

Christie announces $42 million more aid for Sandy towns

Asbury Park Press - 8/26/2016

  

New Mexico

Concerns arise about retirement savings in New Mexico

Santa Fe New Mexican - 8/30/2016

  

State 'over-budgeted' by $1 billion for current, just-ended fiscal years

ABQJournal Online - 8/29/2016

  

Gloomy news for New Mexico budget

ABQJournal Online - 8/25/2016

  

State cash reserves hit zero as budget troubles mount

Santa Fe New Mexican - 8/25/2016

  

New York

NY's Southern Tier finally gets a casino

Syracuse Post-Standard & Syracuse.com - 8/30/2016

  

North Dakota

Agencies see new normal coming for state funding

Bismarck Tribune - 8/28/2016

  

N.D. leaders shift toward willingness to spend Legacy Fund earnings for 2017-19 budget but which earnings?

Bismarck Tribune - 8/27/2016

  

Historic increase expected from schools trust fund

Bismarck Tribune - 8/26/2016

  

Ohio

State pays off debt, will save businesses from additional taxes

Columbus Dispatch - 8/30/2016

  

Public access to life-saving overdose drug expands to 79 Ohio counties

Columbus Dispatch - 8/29/2016

  

Ohio releases 2nd report card on Medicaid managed care plans

Dayton Daily News - 8/29/2016

  

Gamblers in Ohio have lost $9.7 billion over four years

Columbus Dispatch - 8/28/2016

 

Kasich says 'We're not looking the other way' as overdose deaths hit record

Columbus Dispatch - 8/26/2016

  

Ohio state troopers to receive first raise since 2008 in new union contract

Cleveland Plain Dealer & Cleveland.com - 8/25/2016

  

Oklahoma

Report: Oklahoma school districts would share $370M for teacher salaries through penny tax

NewsOK.com - 8/31/2016

  

Oregon

Oregon's road usage charge program gets grant to expand

Salem Statesman-Journal - 8/31/2016

  

Report: Oregon schools extremely behind in funding

Salem Statesman-Journal - 8/25/2016

  

Pennsylvania

Pa. casinos don't bite on extra hours to sell alcohol

Pittsburgh Tribune-Review - 8/30/2016

  

Gov. Tom Wolf seeks more charter school oversight

Allentown Morning Call - 8/24/2016

  

Rhode Island

New direction for R.I.'s 6-10 Connector overhaul?

Providence Journal - 8/29/2016

  

R.I. LAWMAKER CALLS FOR STATE INVESTMENT AT MILITARY FACILITIES

Providence Journal - 8/26/2016

  

South Carolina

SC pension fund deficit to increase by $1.4 billion

The State - 8/30/2016

  

S.C. lawmakers tackle ballooning pension problem

Charleston Post & Courier - 8/30/2016

  

Haley asks agencies to trim budgets by more than $200 million

Charleston Post & Courier - 8/29/2016

  

Gov. Haley directs SC agencies to plan possible budget cuts

The State - 8/29/2016

  

SC tax agency collects $178 million in unpaid fees, fines

The State - 8/28/2016

  

How spending too little on SC roads costs hundreds of lives

The State - 8/27/2016

  

SC lawmakers will have added $440 million to spend next year

The State - 8/25/2016

  

SC guard shortage leads to prison lockdowns

The State - 8/24/2016

  

South Dakota

Tax, fee increases boost funding for state, local roads and bridges

Capital Journal (Pierre) - 8/30/2016

  

Tennessee

Tennessee gets federal funding to bolster opioid overdose tools

Nashville Tennessean - 8/31/2016

  

TennCare dental manager ups number of kids in program

Nashville Tennessean - 8/29/2016

  

Texas

Texas DPS seeks border-security budget hike increase to $1 billion

Houston Chronicle - 8/29/2016 

 

Vermont

Vermont's roads: Ready for the next Irene?

Burlington Free Press - 8/29/2016

  

VT mental health care rebuilt after Irene

Burlington Free Press - 8/27/2016

  

Virginia

After hearing over $2.2B fund, questions on openness linger for UVa

Richmond.com - 8/27/2016

  

'Tough decisions ahead' regarding Virginia budget, McAuliffe says

Roanoke Times - 8/27/2016

  

McAuliffe announces nearly $1.5 billion revenue shortfall, says state will pull from employee raises

Norfolk Virginian-Pilot/HamptonRoads.com - 8/26/2016

  

Rainy Day Fund will help soak up Virginia's budget shortfall - for now

Richmond.com - 8/26/2016

  

Wisconsin

Walker declares state of emergency in western Wisconsin after flooding

Lacrosse Tribune - 8/30/2016

  

Wisconsin spends $9.7M on one-time bonuses, pay increases

Lacrosse Tribune - 8/29/2016

  

DNR delays raises doubts about vow to fend off more cuts

Lacrosse Tribune - 8/29/2016

  

Experts disagree on value of 'performance-based' funding Scott Walker will seek for UW System

Lacrosse Tribune - 8/28/2016

  

Governor offers $4.5M for troubled Milwaukee neighborhood

Madison.com-Wisconsin State Journal-Capital Times - 8/27/2016

  

With less state aid, municipalities scaling back road repairs, but not police and fire

Lacrosse Tribune - 8/26/2016

  

Wyoming

State economic downturn slowing, report suggests

Casper Star-Tribune - 8/31/2016

 

Mead promises no more budget cuts in 2016, warns that more cuts will result in layoffs

Casper Star-Tribune - 8/31/2016

  

Wyoming's tourism industry unlikely to offset energy losses

Cheyenne Wyoming Tribune-Eagle - 8/30/2016

  

Gov. Matt Mead tells state agencies to brace for more cuts

Casper Star-Tribune - 8/25/2016

  

State committee to discuss sales tax exemptions

Cheyenne Wyoming Tribune-Eagle - 8/25/2016