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Federalism in Play in High Court Reshuffle
The U.S. Supreme Court, once intent on bolstering state power at every turn, has yanked in on the reins in a series of recent rulings. But whoever is confirmed to replace retired Justice Sandra Day O’Connor could alter the trend. O’Connor, 75, announced her retirement on July 1 after nearly a quarter of a century […]
How Tough Are Nursing Home Inspectors?
A third of U.S. nursing homes have food sanitation problems, and nursing homes in California, Nevada, Delaware, West Virginia and Hawaii scored more bad marks on state inspections than in other states in 2004. The most serious problems – failures that cause actual harm to residents – were reported in Connecticut, Idaho, Kansas, South Carolina […]
Texas Minorities Now the Majority
Texas in 2004 joined three other states with “majority-minority” populations– in which non-Hispanic whites make up less than half the citizenry, according to U.S. Census data released Thursday. Hawaii has long been a majority-minority state, but more recently New Mexico and California entered the category. Five states – Arizona, Georgia, Maryland, Mississippi and New York […]
Send Us Your Baby Boomers, States Plead
More states are trying to recruit retirees — and the money they bring — by promising an affordable paradise within their borders. This month marks the first time oldest members of the baby boom generation can make penalty-free withdrawals from retirement savings accounts. States such as Alabama, Florida, Louisiana, Mississippi, West Virginia and Wyoming have […]
Aging Surge Poses Challenge for States
State leaders are getting gray hair worrying about the impending impact of America’s aging population, but they’re only slowly taking steps to meet the challenges that will arise as post-World War Two baby boomers start reaching retirement age in 2011. The impact is already apparent in Florida, West Virginia, Pennsylvania, North Dakota and Iowa, states […]
Leave-Sharing Helps Retain State Workers
Massachusetts probation officer Sean Glennon maxed out his sick leave this month caring for his daughter, a toddler receiving chemotherapy for a brain tumor. But now his co-workers can donate leave time to him thanks to an act of the Legislature. Massachusetts is one of 18 states offering leave-share banks that let state employees help […]
Voting Surged in 2004, Census Says
Nationally, voter turnout in the United States increased to 64 percent of all adult citizens in 2004, up from 60 percent in 2000, the U.S. Census Bureau reports. More white and black Americans went to the polls in 2004 than four years earlier when the struggle between Republican George Bush and Democrat Al Gore also […]
States Compete for Innovation Awards
Four innovative state programs including Iowa’s attempt to cut bureaucratic red tape and Washington’s budgeting solution are competing for the Oscars of government prizes. Innovation Awards Finalists Housing & Conservation Board in the State of Vermont — a state-supported agency that conserves working farms while supporting development of affordable housing. Priorities of Government in the […]
Is Your State Tax-Friendly?
Residents of Hawaii, Wyoming and Connecticut shoulder the heaviest state tax burdens in the nation. The least state taxes per person are paid by those living in Texas, South Dakota or Colorado, U.S. Census figures for 2004 show. Hawaii topped the list with taxes averaging $3,048 per person, more than double the per-capita rate in […]
States Mull ‘Do Not Spam’ Lists
Parents who don’t want their children to receive inappropriate advertisements on their computers or cell phones will get some relief this summer– if they live in Michigan or Utah. Both states in July will launch statewide registries that put kids on “Do not spam” lists and that place the states on the cutting edge of […]
Aging to Take Toll on State Workforces
Looking for a job? Try state government. More than 25 states will experience huge employee turnover in the next decade and beyond as aging public servants retire, a recent report found. The hardest hit will be the state of Washington, but Maine, Tennessee, Michigan and Pennsylvania are right behind. Sixty-four percent of Washington’s workforce is […]
State Paid Aides to the Elderly Get $5 an Hour
Audra White loves her job caring for a 55-year-old man and a 51-year-old woman who need help with everyday tasks, but her paychecks from the state of Maryland leave her living below the poverty line. “I bathe them, wash their clothes, run errands, talk to them. It’s like a second family. You bond with them,” […]