State Legislatures articles from April 2001

State Legislatures archives from April 2001

Battling the Bulge.(Brief Article)
April 1, 2001... Being obese (or even just overweight) is the second leading cause of preventable death in the United States. Obesity substantially raises the risk of high blood pressure, high cholesterol, heart disease and stroke, Type 2 diabetes, and other...

Georgia Announces Cancer Initiative.(Brief Article)
April 1, 2001... When Governor Roy E. Barnes of Georgia lost his 34-year-old niece to cancer, the issues surrounding prevention and control hit close to home. But rather than grieve silently, Barnes chose to use the family tragedy as inspiration for a new...

States Look at Stricter Animal Cruelty Laws.(Brief Article)
April 1, 2001... If a disturbed child tortures the family puppy--how large is the step to assaulting human beings? Studies have found that cruelty to animals can be one of the earliest and most significant signs of a person's potential to harm others. And...

Sometimes It Gets Dam Scary.(New Jersey to allocate funds for dam repair and inspection)(Brief Article)
April 1, 2001... The New Jersey Legislature is considering a bill to spend $135 million to repair hundreds of fragile dams in the state. "Some people say $135 million is too much, says Senator Robert E. Littell, a co-sponsor of S1714. "Others say it's not...

Privacy vs. Help With Child Support Enforcement.(Brief Article)
April 1, 2001... A provision of the 1996 federal welfare reform act continues to stir up controversy. States are required to collect Social Security numbers on driver, recreational and professional license applications to help with child support enforcement....

WHAT'S NEXT? A STATE RODENT?(Utah overwhelmed by state symbols)(Brief Article)
April 1, 2001... It's become a popular way to teach school children about the legislative process. But how many state symbols can one state keep track of? And how much time should a legislature spend on such matters? Utah now has state grass (Indian rice grass)...

PRISON LIFE THAT PAYS.(correctional employee recruiting)(Brief Article)
April 1, 2001... The Kentucky Department of Corrections, fearing that the shortage of prison officers might force them to call in the National Guard to fill vacancies, recruited workers instead from rural areas, according to the Louisville Courier-Journal....

WHAT'S GOOD FOR THE ENVIRONMENT...(strong environmental policy and strong economy co-exist not conflict)(Brief Article)
April 1, 2001... Strong environmental protections don't hurt a state's economy, according to a recent report by the Institute for Southern Studies. It found that, with few exceptions, high environ mental standards co-existed with strong economies. Using...

OUT WITH THE OLD, IN WITH THE NEW.(Rhode Island's computer recycling initiative)(Brief Article)
April 1, 2001... Rhode Island is looking at a statewide computer recycling project after an enthusiastic turnout at two pilot collection programs. Despite cold, wet weather and long lines, thousands of Rhode Islanders recycled more than 90,000 tons of computer...

FINALLY SOMEONE THOUGHT ABOUT THAT.(World War veterans who left high school early to fight can now get diplomas)(Brief Article)
April 1, 2001... At least 15 states have passed legislation to provide honorary high school diplomas to veterans who left school early to enter military service during world wars I and II. Under these laws, school boards are allowed to award diplomas to...

THE CONFEDERATE CONUNDRUM.(meaning of Confederate cross still at issue in flag debate)(Brief Article)
April 1, 2001... Debate over whether the Confederate cross represents a proud Southern heritage or the oppression of slavery will be quieted (although perhaps not eliminated) in Georgia after legislators there approved a new design for the state flag that...

A SUBWAY FOR FISH.(subway cars to form artificial reefs)(Brief Article)
April 1, 2001... Looks like the fish off the New Jersey coast are going to get a new reef to explore--in the form of 650 obsolete New York City subway cars. New Jersey has accepted the city's offer to dump the cars a dozen miles offshore to create three...

IN SEARCH OF GOOD PARENTS.(incentives to pursue adoption of foster children)(Brief Article)
April 1, 2001... States are receiving bonuses from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services for success in placing children from foster care into adoptive homes. Illinois, which ranked first, received the largest bonus; California ranked second. "Every...

DEALING WITH DRUG COSTS.(addiction and abuse related state spending)(Brief Article)
April 1, 2001... Dealing with the effects of drug, alcohol and cigarette abuse cost states about as much as they pay for higher education, according to a study by the National Center on Addiction and Substance Abuse at Columbia University. States spent $81.3...

CAJUN COUNTRY CAJOLING.(Louisiana pursues tourist dollars)(Brief Article)
April 1, 2001... What do jazz, zydeco, Cajun and swamp pop conjure up in your mind? Louisiana? You're right! And that state's new tourism campaign is cashing in on those images. Louisianians dancing, singing and eating to Louisiana music will dominate...

RESTORING SOME BYGONE CHARM.(Illinois Capitol refurbished)(Brief Article)
April 1, 2001... Illinois' Capitol has a lot to shine about. And lawmakers are happy they no longer need to sit under protective nets draped above their heads to catch falling chunks of plaster. The ceilings in both the House and Senate chambers have been...

DiFrancesco: Three-in-One.(Donald DiFrancesco acting as governor, president of Senate, and possibly gubernatorial candidate)(Brief Article)
April 1, 2001... Constitution makers in New Jersey might have slipped when planning what to do when a governor gets called to D.C. The Senate president becomes governor, but also remains at the helm of the Senate. And, in this case, he's running for governor,...

Bill Ratliff, A New Texas Star?(contest for Lieutenant governor)(Brief Article)
April 1, 2001... When George Bush went off to Washington, D.C., Texas senators got to pick the lieutenant governor. Their choice? A man they call "Obi Wan Kenobe." When George W. Bush moved from the Texas governor's mansion to the White House, it set off a...

From D.C. to Des Moines--the Progress of Welfare Reform.(Statistical Data Included)
April 1, 2001... What states have already done has been successful. Now it's time to address the harder challenges posed by those who can't leave the rolls. Tommy Thompson, the new U.S. secretary of Health and Human Services, knows how welfare reform...

States Adjust to Changing Economy.(impact of national slowdown)(Statistical Data Included)
April 1, 2001... After years of robust growth, the national economy is starting to slow. What does this mean for state finances? The national economy has been red hot for several years, and state finances have reaped the benefits. But times are...

Legislative Trivia Captivating.(families in legislatures)
April 1, 2001... State legislatures abound with stories. And we've gathered up a few of the fascinating facets and facts about the humans that populate these institutions. Our state legislatures are filled with fascinating folk and a lot of interesting...