Around the Nation

Ag Weekly
"Washington lawmakers considering legislation for biofuels"
Plenty of farmers and others in Washington state love the idea of growing crops to make clean-burning vehicle fuels to cut pollution and the nation’s reliance on foreign oil.
The trick is to make producing “biodiesel” profitable. Now, the state Legislature is considering a bill that would provide incentives to increase the production and use of alternative fuel in the state.
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The Brown Daily Herald, Feb. 13, 2007
"R.I. law to require fire-safe cigarettes"
Only fire-safe cigarettes will be available legally in Rhode Island if proposed legislation is passed by the General Assembly. State Sen. James Doyle, D-Dist. 8, has introduced a bill, modeled on a 2004 New York law, that would prohibit the sale of cigarettes that are not fire-safe.
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NY Daily Free Press, Feb. 13, 2007
"NY legislation may mute iPods in crosswalks"
Crossing the street while wearing headphones could cost New Yorkers the price of a new iPod Shuffle if a Brooklyn lawmaker has his way.
New York State Sen. Carl Kruger is attracting the ire of first amendment activists, law experts and music lovers in the region with his proposal to fine pedestrians $100 for using mp3 players, Game Boys, cell phones and other electronic devices in crosswalks.
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The Weekly (Georgia), Feb. 12 2007
"Chairman Earl Ehrhart Announces Education Tax Credit Legislation"
Representative Earl Ehrhart (R-Powder Springs) announced today that he has introduced legislation allowing those who donate to certain education funds to receive a tax credit.
"An education tax credit will offer more opportunities to low income families and empower parents," said Ehrhart. "This program will benefit both private and public schools, and I am excited about all of the children who will be better off because of it."
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The Barltesville News-Examiner, Feb. 13, 2007
"Oklahoma lawmakers revive eminent domain legislation"
Legislation that proposes new guidelines for the use of eminent domain in Oklahoma was approved by a state House subcommittee Monday, reviving debate over the government practice that led to an initiative petition and state Supreme Court ruling last year.
The House Civil Justice Subcommittee passed a measure by Rep. John Wright, R-Broken Arrow, that provides new guidelines for how to establish fair market value when the state expropriates private property without the owner's consent, either for its own use or on behalf of a third party.
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Arizona Republic, Feb. 10, 2007
"Hybrids OK'd for HOV lane
Special plates are available for fuel-efficient vehicles"
Drivers of fuel-efficient hybrid vehicles can now qualify to use carpool lanes on Arizona highways, thanks to an order Friday by the Arizona Department of Transportation and Gov. Janet Napolitano. The decision clears the way for the estimated 9,000 Toyota Prius, Honda Insight and Honda Civic Hybrid vehicles in Arizona to use the carpool lanes with the proper plate.
"We're using a variety of strategies to begin to clear the air in Arizona," Napolitano said in a statement. "Drivers who make the commitment to clean air and energy efficiency will get an easier commute."
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The Arkansas Morning News, Feb. 8, 2007
"Proposal would give satellite subscribers access to Oklahoma channels"
Legislation to give Oklahoma satellite subscribers the option of receiving any in-state television signals was introduced in the House on Thursday.
Rep. Dan Boren, D-Muskogee, sponsored the measure to exempt Oklahoma from federal law and allow some signals to be transmitted outside their original markets.
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The Houston Chronicle, Feb. 13, 2007
"White ready to unwrap city WiFi plan"
A wireless Internet system would blanket Houston in two years, providing high-speed access at greatly reduced prices, under a contract proposal the city will unveil today, Mayor Bill White said Monday.
While the agreement still needs City Council approval, its terms put Houston in line to have the largest such network in North America, covering nearly all of the city's 600 square miles by spring of 2009, White told the Chronicle.
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