Around the Nation

Oklahoma State House, Jan. 22, 2007
"Dank Urges Lower Ad Valorem Caps, Freeze for Elderly"
State Representative David Dank (R-Oklahoma City) has introduced legislation to cap annual increases in household property taxes and freeze ad valorem taxes for the elderly.
"If we don’t act soon, the people of Oklahoma are going to organize a property tax revolt like California did some years ago and dramatically constrain government’s right to tax," Dank said. "I cannot blame them."
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CNN, Jan. 22, 2007
"Carrots in, fries out in school cafeterias"
The cafeteria lunch line at Columbus Elementary School moves quickly as students grab portions of carrots, celery, apples and oranges. French fries and hamburgers, once cafeteria staples, aren't even offered.
"I eat carrots or apples every day," said 10-year-old Alan Espino. He said he didn't notice that the bun holding his all-beef hot dog was whole wheat. Even the pizza available in the cafeteria has whole wheat crust.
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Associated Press, Jan. 21, 2007
Programs Let Homes Produce Green Power
When the sun shines bright on their home in New York's Hudson Valley, John and Anna Bagnall live out a homeowner's fantasy. Their electricity meter runs backward.
Solar panels on their barn roof can often provide enough for all their electricity needs. Sometimes _ and this is the best part _ their solar setup actually pushes power back into the system. The Bagnalls "net meter," a state-sanctioned setup that allows homeowners to adopt renewable energy without taking the more radical step of disconnecting from their local electric utility, Central Hudson Gas & Electric.
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Los Angelese Times, Jan. 20, 2007
"City launches whistle-blower

hotline"
Hoping to encourage more whistle-blowing by city employees and residents, Los Angeles City Controller Laura Chick has launched a 24-hour, confidential fraud hotline.
Chick promised that her Waste and Fraud Unit would investigate all "legitimate and valid" complaints of unethical or illegal activity reported over the hotline's toll-free telephone number: (866) 428-1514.
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Boston Globe, Jan. 20, 2007
"Sticker shock for state care plan; Average premium of $380 outlined"
A state panel yesterday outlined for the first time the minimum requirements for coverage under the state's new health insurance law, a package estimated to cost $380 a month on average for an individual, more than $100 above recent estimates. Panel members struggled yesterday to balance affordability with protection from catastrophic medical bills and remained divided on many issues.
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Boston Globe, Jan. 19, 2007
"Lottery revenue drop worries officials; $71m decline in first 5 months"
The Massachusetts State Lottery, after years of increasing sales of scratch tickets and other games, is experiencing a substantial decline in revenue , setting off deep concern on Beacon Hill.
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St. Petersburg (Fla.) Times, Jan. 22, 2007
"Session strikes a deal"
Florida lawmakers emerged from weekend negotiations with an insurance reform plan that promises double-digit rate relief by shifting hurricane risk to the state.
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The Vindicator (Youngstown Ohio), Jan. 23, 2007
"Proposed law addresses blight"
Councilman Robert L. Dean Jr., D-at large, is sponsoring an ordinance that would change Warren's housing code to make owners more responsible for vacant dwellings.
The ordinance would help the city be more "proactive in the prevention and eradication of blight and nuisance," according to the legislation.
[...]

Billings (Montana) Gazette, Jan. 23, 2007
"House backs Web exposure for all sex offenders"
All convicted sex offenders in Wyoming, not only those judged to be the most dangerous, would be featured on a public Web site under legislation that received preliminary approval Monday in the House.
Under current state law, only those convicted offenders that a judge determines pose a high risk of re-offending are included on a public Web site maintained by the state's Division of Criminal Investigation.
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The Daily Free Press (Boston University), Jan. 23, 2007
"Proposed legislation targets textbooks' publishing policies"
While many college students returned from their campus bookstore carrying boxes of required textbooks and considerably lighter wallets, State Rep. Steven Walsh (D-Lynn) introduced a bill to the Massachusetts Legislature aimed at saving students money on these biannual trips.
The proposed bill would prohibit publishers from creating new editions of textbooks every year if they cannot prove significant changes have been made to the material - a practice that effectively prevents students from being able to sell books back to the bookstore for cash because their editions quickly become outdated. The bill would also prevent publishers from selling "bundles," books packaged with supplementary material like CDs, DVDs and practice books for a considerably higher price.
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Philadelphia Inquirer, Jan. 22, 2007
"In N.J., doubts over leasing highways for cash"
With New Jersey mired in debt and financial crises, a potential pot of gold has been tempting the state's leaders - the selling of public assets, particularly the highways.
In his State of the State address this month, Gov. Corzine described the idea as having "the greatest potential" to solve New Jersey's money problems.
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