US states

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Lean Times Prove Taxing for State Budgets

Shortfalls mean serious cost-cutting, fee hikes across US

(Newser) - Reduced sales, income, and corporate taxes are forcing states to cut back on services and consider laying off workers as they look for ways to slash spending and balance budgets, the Wall Street Journal reports. The National Conference of State Legislatures says states face a $40 billion budget shortfall as...

DC Ditches Glory for Power
 DC Ditches Glory for Power 
TRAVEL
Apr 3, 2008 8:15 PM CDT

DC Ditches Glory for Power

Capital ditches 'American Experience' for new tourism slogan

(Newser) - "The American Experience" hasn't been the come-on Washington officials hoped, Portfolio reports, and DC's tourist board hopes to change that with a new campaign: “Create Your Own Power Trip." With a stumbling economy projected to eat into the US capital's 15 million in annual tourism, the city...

States Hide Big High School Dropout Rates

They send 1 set of numbers to DC, keep another set at home

(Newser) - Many states report rosy high school graduation rates to Washington but publicize much lower figures at home, the New York Times reports. The higher rates often fail to account for the nation's growing legion of dropouts, but states are leery to give the feds bad numbers in part because of...

State Budgets Caught in Economy's Freefall

Spending cuts, tax increases in store

(Newser) - Politicians from New York to California are wringing their hands, wondering whether to cut spending or raise taxes. As the economy barrels towards recession, income and sales taxes are coming in well below expectations, and about half the states in the country are facing budget shortfalls, the New York Times...

States, Sellers Drooling Over Gift Card Sales

Retailers add revenue when they're used, but states want their share

(Newser) - After enduring tepid holiday sales, retailers are happily awaiting $8 billion from shoppers with unused gift cards—because only then can sellers claim the added revenue, BusinessWeek reports. But some US states say that their unclaimed-property laws enable them to extract a piece of the left-over card pie. What's really...

Super Tuesday May Be Super Confused
Super Tuesday May Be Super Confused
Jan 21, 2008 7:01 PM CST

Super Tuesday May Be Super Confused

40% of voters will pick, but race could stay muddled

(Newser) - Some 70 million voters in 24 states will make their presidential primary picks in two weeks, but pundits doubt whether Super Tuesday will resolve 2008's muddled race in either party, McClatchy Newspapers report. "No one has ever seen anything like this," said one Bush-Cheney adviser. A political science...

States Snatch Child Support
States Snatch Child Support
Dec 1, 2007 7:20 AM CST

States Snatch Child Support

States are tracking down more deadbeat dads, but kids aren't getting the money

(Newser) - States are getting better at making deadbeat dads cough up child support, but not much of the cash is getting to the kids, the New York Times reports. The money's been going to repay back welfare benefits instead. Almost half of states keep all the money; most others pass along...

Makes Cents: Final Five State Quarters Unveiled

Last coins will wrap up successful series

(Newser) - The 50-state quarter program will wrap up next year when quarters for the final five states will be released. The US Mint revealed their designs yesterday:
  • Oklahoma's quarter will feature the state bird, the scissortail flycatcher, and the state flower, the Indian blanket.
  • New Mexico's coin will be marked with
...

State 'Exports' Ease Prison Overcrowding —At a Cost

Inmates shipped to long-distance exile

(Newser) - States struggling with prison overcrowding are exporting inmates across borders to serve terms in far-flung private institutions, the New York Times reports. Thousands of prisoners from Hawaii are held in Arizona, Oklahoma, Mississippi and Kentucky. California plans to send 8,000 prisoners out of state. Critics say the policy disrupts...

California Ranked Worst for Traffic
California Ranked Worst for Traffic
Jun 29, 2007 3:03 PM CDT

California Ranked Worst for Traffic

New Jersey boasts poorest road system

(Newser) - California ranks No.1 in the US for interstate traffic jams, says a new study which focused on congestion around big cities. With traffic snarled on 83.3% of its urban roadways, the Golden State edged out runners-up Minnesota and New Jersey. Surprisingly, New York—gridlock central—only came in...

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