Government Operations
Fed Plan Would Shrink States’ Powers
Some state officials see the federal government’s plan to overhaul the country’s financial regulatory systems as an intrusion on their powers to enforce state laws, and state regulators warn that it could carry grave consequences for consumers. Insurance rates could climb, efforts to fix the mortgage industry mess could be stalled and a grassroots banking […]
Governors Rip Feds in Annual Policy Speeches
Critical governors The following governors criticized the federal government during “state of the state” speeches given this year: Janet Napolitano (D-Ariz.) Arnold Schwarzenegger (R-Calif.) Bill Ritter (D-Colo.) M. Jodi Rell (R-Conn.) John Baldacci (D-Maine) Jennifer Granholm (D-Mich.) Haley Barbour (R-Miss.) Matt Blunt (R-Mo.) Dave Heineman (R-Neb.) Eliot Spitzer (D-N.Y.) Mark Sanford (R-S.C.) Mike Rounds […]
‘Present’ Votes Defended by Ill. Lawmakers
In most legislatures, lawmakers vote either “yes” or “no” on bills, but in Illinois, senators and representatives can hit a third button for a “present” vote. Now that quirk – not unique to Illinois – has sparked heated exchanges among Democrats vying for president. The two main rivals of Illinois’ U.S. Sen. Barack Obama for […]
Govs’ Salaries Range From $1 to $206,500
Compared with the pay of captains of industry or college football coaches, the $124,398 average salary earned by U.S. governors in 2007 isn’t so spectacular. But for many, that’s not a problem. Three governors are donating their salaries back to the state, and others are fighting against a raise. A list of 2007 gubernatorial salaries […]
Driver’s Licenses Get a Makeover
Driver’s licenses across the country are going high-tech, with invisible features to stop identity thieves scheming to commit credit card fraud or just hoping to buy a beer before turning 21. Almost half of the states now use specialized technology to make driver’s licenses more secure, spelling an end to the days when the most […]
Govs set innovative agendas
Mass. Gov. Deval Patrick (D) Just days after delivering an inaugural speech that called for “shared responsibility” in state government, newly elected Massachusetts Gov. Deval Patrick (D) proposed the establishment of a volunteer corps to work on community projects. The plan, dubbed Commonwealth Corps, calls for recruiting 1,000 volunteers to work across the state staffing […]
Virginia Accelerates Telework Program
Traffic congestion – a hot issue in Virginia – has driven lawmakers to shift the state’s telecommuting initiative into overdrive, challenging government managers to allow at least 25 percent of eligible employees to work from home. Telecommuting, or telework, is considered a win-win for state governments. Employees avoid grueling commutes and high fuel costs; states […]