US: Google’s states of play
The Internet giant quietly has planted its political roots in places far beyond the Beltway — in state legislatures and city councils that have become hotbeds for tech policy fights.
NJ: Christie’s pension maneuver would cost nearly twice as much in five years
Republican Gov. Chris Christie’s plan to cut pension funding by $2.4 billion could wind up costing taxpayers almost twice as much over five years — an estimated $4.2 billion according to the governor’s own financial team.
US: Crashes mount as military flies more drones in US
At least 49 large drones have crashed during test or training flights near domestic bases since 2001, according to a yearlong Washington Post investigation, and airspace around 110 bases in 39 states will soon open up to drones.
IL: Quinn signs measure to put minimum wage increase on fall ballot
Flanked by activists and elected officials, Democratic Gov. Pat Quinn led a chant of “raise that wage” on Sunday before signing an advisory measure that will ask voters this fall if they think the state’s minimum wage should be increased to $10 an hour.
MD: Troubled health exchange must continue to serve
Health exchange officials decide to ditch the website that never worked properly after its disastrous Oct. 1 launch, but they must continue to make do with the old system even though the enrollment period ended in March and the new one doesn’t start until November.
WI: For Walker, jobs count may be headache
Wisconsin ranked 35th of 50 states in private sector job growth between 2010 and 2013, trailing all its closest Midwest neighbors — even Illinois, the state Gov. Scott Walker has repeatedly bashed for a hostile business climate.
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