Around the Nation

Charleston Post and Courier, March 26, 2007
"Scholarships vs. school buses?"
When the South Carolina Legislature needs money to keep the nation's oldest public school bus fleet on the road, it occasionally dips into cash raised by the S.C. Education Lottery - $51.5 million since 2002.
That's money that could have been used to send 10,300 of the state's best and brightest students to college with $5,000 education lottery scholarships - the lottery is designed largely to help students attend college.
So why is the money spent on school buses instead of scholarships?
[...]

The Seattle Times, March 26, 2007
"Legislature likely to let electric cars speed up"
Geneva Sullivan loves almost everything about her electric car — the way it looks, its quiet power, the fact it doesn't belch fumes. She just wishes it could go faster.
"I was so concerned I had lettering put on the back, so people would know I can only go 25 miles per hour," said Sullivan, whose company, Espresso Vivace, uses the car to haul coffee beans to its stores around Seattle. "I sure would like it to go 35 mph."
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Providence Journal, March 26, 2007
"Proposal for full-time legislature resurfaces political scene"
The perennial proposal to take Rhode Island’s legislature full time has resurfaced, and this year’s incarnation would pay each lawmaker $85,000 a year. Pay for the House speaker and the Senate president would be $145,000 a year. The pay rates would be adjusted annually “to reflect changes in the cost of living, as determined by the United States government,” and lawmakers would continue to receive state-paid health insurance.
Sen. Frank A. Ciccone III, D-Providence, introduced the proposal Tuesday. It would require a constitutional amendment, so it would have to be put before voters in a statewide referendum.
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Gainesville Sun, March 26, 2007
"Legislature to consider Crist's $20 million proposal on stem cells"
The debate over the promise and potential problems of stem cell research is likely to move to the floor of the Florida Legislature this week.
Lawmakers will consider a proposal by Gov. Charlie Crist to allot $20 million for one year for projects involving stem cell research and regenerative medicine. The catch: No projects would be eligible for funds if they used embryonic stem cells harvested from human embryos.
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Concord Monitor, March 23, 2007
"Lynch unveils school amendment"
Gov. John Lynch yesterday proposed amending the state constitution to give lawmakers specific instructions on how to pay for public schools: by defining an adequate education, determining the cost and funding at least half with state money.
The state Supreme Court would still be allowed to decide whether the Legislature was following those instructions, but lawmakers could distribute the money however they saw fit, paving the way for a plan that would target aid to the neediest school districts. Lynch, a Democrat, has touted that plan since running for office three years ago, although it has been struck down by courts in the past.
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The Richmond Times-Dispatch, March 24, 2007
"New law restricts teen cell phone use"
That's the latest order from the General Assembly and Gov. Timothy M. Kaine.
Beginning July 1, drivers younger than 18 will be prohibited from using cell phones or other wireless devices.
Violators will be fined $50 for breaking the new law passed by the General Assembly and signed yesterday by Kaine.
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Detroit Free Press, March 24, 2007
"Plan to ax Detroit schools rejected"
The rejection of a plan Friday to close more than two dozen schools in Detroit was met with enthusiastic applause from parents, but the school board's action leaves the district's financial picture cloudy and the jobs of 1,800 employees in jeopardy.
The board voted 6-5 to reject the plan, which would have closed 26 school buildings this year and possibly nine more in 2008.
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Seattle Times, March 24, 2007
"Chertof visits state to endorse security-enhanced driver's IDs"
Homeland Security Secretary Michael Chertoff visited Seattle on Friday to help Gov. Christine Gregoire kick off a pilot program that will allow Washington state residents to use a security-enhanced driver's license, rather than a passport, to travel to and from Canada.
Chertoff predicted the new licenses will help meet the department's dual goals of enhancing security and reducing wait-times at the border.
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