By: - September 22, 2014 12:00 am

TX: Texas invites more toll roads amid signs of resistance

texastribune.org

Texas officials say toll roads are “vital” to the state’s future mobility planning as the state tries to close a road funding shortfall. The tax Texans pay on a gallon of gas — 38.4 cents — has not changed since 1993 even as road construction costs have risen sharply.

US: Burning money: Cost of fighting wildfires robs funds to prevent them

csmonitor.com

The cost of fighting wildfires and protecting life and property from harm has exceeded billion in the U.S. every year since 2000, eating into agency resources for forest management and fire preparedness – programs meant to prevent wildfires before they start.

CA: A show of disunity at California GOP convention

latimes.com

Two fellow Republicans on November’s ballot declined to endorse Neel Kashkari’s campaign to oust Democratic Gov. Jerry Brown at the state GOP convention this weekend. The display of disunity led a former state GOP chairman to vent his fury in profanity-tinged email to party brass.

KS: Shutting down Kansas nuclear plant could cost billion

kansas.com

For the first time, operators of the mammoth Wolf Creek nuclear power plant estimated that shutting it down in 30 years at the end of its useful life could cost as much as billion. Customers will have to pay for decommissioning the plant.

ND: Wildlife replacing coal in North Dakota

bismarcktribune.com

A coal company has turned a former mine in North Dakota into a wildlife management area, at the request of state transportation officials.

OH: Higher fracking tax looms if issue goes to Ohio voters

cincinnati.com

Republican Gov. John Kasich warned that the oil and gas industry could face higher taxes if legislators don’t approve his severance tax proposal and the issue goes to the ballot.

WV: Granting retroactive parole in dispute among lawmakers

charlestondailymail.com

West Virginia lawmakers disagree on whether a law granting parole hearings to certain juvenile offenders should be applied retroactively.

MO: Missouri’s Common Core rewrite off to a ragged start

kansascity.com

Eight panels made up of 132 educators and parents are expected this week to begin re-examining Missouri’s learning standards.

OK:  Lt. Gov. Lamb identifies unemployment compensation fraud as issue to be tackled

newsok.com

Republican Lt. Gov. Todd Lamb said some Oklahomans are collecting unemployment benefits even though they have turned down job offers or are not looking for work.

WA: Semantics triggers opposition to gun sale checks

seattletimes.com

Opponents of a ballot measure to extend background checks to all private gun sales say its wording on gun “transfers” would criminalize almost anyone who hands anyone else a gun, including students in a gun safety class or a father and son out on a hunting trip.

WI: Wisconsin casino expansion may benefit Florida tribe

postcrescent.com

A partnership between a Wisconsin tribe and a giant gaming organization could end up funneling millions of dollars in profits back to a tribe in Florida, if the plan is approved by Wisconsin’s governor.

Our stories may be republished online or in print under Creative Commons license CC BY-NC-ND 4.0. We ask that you edit only for style or to shorten, provide proper attribution and link to our web site. Please see our republishing guidelines for use of photos and graphics.

Stateline staff
Stateline staff

Stateline’s team of veteran journalists combines original reporting with a roundup of the latest news from sources around the country.

MORE FROM AUTHOR