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News Story
DE: Delaware to cut ‘charity care’ for near-poor
Delaware will be cutting a state-run program that offers discounted medical services for those not eligible for the state’s Medicaid program. Officials say the end of the program is part of a long-term push to get people to enroll in consistent coverage, rather than for charity care.
US: States’ pot legalization not in line with international law, UN agency says
Moves by some states to legalize marijuana are not in line with international drugs conventions, the United Nations anti-narcotics chief said, adding he would discuss the issue in Washington, D.C. next week.
NJ: Why someone can fly a drone over your house in New Jersey
Recently, a Cape May man allegedly shot down a drone flying over his house—and was charged criminally.
OH: Ohio abortion law challenged as last clinic faces closing
Whether Cincinnati loses its last abortion clinic could now rest with a federal judge. Planned Parenthood is challenging an Ohio law passed last year that says the clinic needs a patient-transfer agreement with a private hospital.
KY: Kentucky faces a budget shortfall of up to million
“There’s no reason at this point to panic,” Democratic Gov. Steve Beshear said. October’s receipts are encouraging, he said, and his staff will continue to monitor revenues before any action may be needed.
KS: ACLU asks U.S. Supreme Court to allow gay marriage in Kansas
The American Civil Liberties Union urged U.S. Supreme Court Justice Sonia Sotomayor to allow same-sex marriage to proceed in Kansas even while a case challenging the state’s ban on the unions remains in the appeals process.
NM: State health insurance exchange awards new marketing, outreach contracts
With four days to go before open enrollment begins, the New Mexico health insurance exchange has announced the companies selected to market the statewide health insurance marketplace.
NE: Report: State needs .2 billion for roads over 20 years
The state roads director said Nebraska’s chance at success in addressing its 20-year needs is “critically” dependent on Congress’ success in passing a new, stable and adequately funded federal transportation bill.
WI: Some judges skirt law with light drunken driving penalties
At least a dozen Wisconsin judges have imposed drunken driving sentences below the statutory minimums, leaving chronic offenders to serve little prison time, a newspaper investigation found.
TX: Feds have new leverage in Medicaid showdown
Next session, Texas lawmakers will have 29 billion reasons to reconsider Medicaid expansion. That’s how many federal dollars the Obama administration could hold hostage to compel some legislative solution for 1 million uninsured Texans not helped by the Affordable Care Act.
FL: State gambling’s next step: Seminole compact
Now that Republican Gov. Rick Scott has been re-elected, he is expected to resume negotiations with the Seminole Tribe of Florida over an agreement that gave the tribe exclusive rights to blackjack and other table games in exchange for billion over five years.
LA: Latest health insurance plan could hurt public schools, official says
Republican Gov. Bobby Jindal’s latest plan to stabilize the state health insurance system would require local school boards to come up with .3 million in new dollars for their share of employee insurance costs. State and local governments pay 75 percent of the health insurance premiums for state employees, teachers, administrators and others.
SC: State will have million more to spend next year
The state will have .5 billion in its general fund to spend next fiscal year, state economists estimated, or 3.9 percent more than in this year’s budget, which started July 1.
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