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Editor’s Picks From Around the Web
NM: New Mexico lawmakers press Spaceport boss
Lawmakers demanded more details Thursday about how the New Mexico Spaceport Authority plans to succeed now that the nearly quarter-billion-dollar Spaceport America stands empty and commercial fights by anchor tenant Virgin Galactic have been delayed indefinitely. The delay is expected to cost the state .7 million a year in lost user fees.
TX: DuPont tragedy one of many toxic gas releases in Texas
State data show that since 2009 Texas manufacturers have reported at least 19 other unauthorized releases of methyl mercaptan, the lethal chemical that killed four last weekend at a Port Arthur DuPont plant.
FL: FSU president played key role in 2011 defeat of guns-on-campus bill
As a Florida state senator three years ago, John Thrasher was instrumental in blocking legislation that would have allowed guns on campus in some cases, calling it “beyond personal.” A gunman wounded three people on the Florida State University campus Thursday.
AZ: Arizona’s top three technology execs quit on same day
The state’s three top technology executives at the Arizona Department of Administration have quit, saying they want to work in the private sector.
UT: Firing squad executions back on the table in Utah Legislature
A legislative committee wants to bring back the firing squad as one of the primary methods for executing condemned criminals in Utah.
TN: Tennessee governor, lawmakers close to Common Core repeal
Tennessee may be the next state to put the Common Core educational standards on the chopping block.
MA: Massachusetts regulators, casino near compromise on gambling loss limits
Casino operators said they are open to a program that would allow customers to set their own limits on how much money they were willing to lose that day. But they oppose rewarding gamblers who adhere to their limits by providing them with extra free play at a later date.
KY: Kentucky government workers’ pension fund sags
Kentucky Retirement Systems, which provides pensions and health care for state and local government retirees, reported it has only 21 percent of the money it needs for future payouts.
WI: Study to look at self-insured model for Wisconsin employee health benefits
Wisconsin officials have hired a consultant who will study how the state can save money on health coverage for nearly 100,000 state workers, including a proposal to shift to a self-insured model.
MS: Mississippi abortion law remains blocked
A federal appeals court won’t reconsider its earlier ruling that a Mississippi abortion law is unconstitutional, allowing the state’s only abortion clinic to stay open.
MN: Legislature seeks stiffer penalties after attacks on nurses
State law provides for a three-year prison sentence and ,000 fine against those who harm law enforcement officials. But those convicted of assaulting nurses, doctors, firefighters and emergency medical technicians get two-year sentences and ,000 fines.
KS: Kansas state agencies aren’t recognizing gay marriage
Same-sex couples can get married in Kansas, but state agencies will not change policies that would allow them to do such things as legally change their names.
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