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State Watch
Georgia
Georgia to roll out teacher evaluations in schools, defining state leadership with education reform.
The State Government Leadership Foundation (SGLF) firmly believes that real government reform, innovative policy changes, and the big ideas that will solve America's problems are going to be found in state capitols and not Washington, D.C. As has been the case for several years, there is grid-lock in Washington, and Federal government spending and regulation are out of control, while our country's problems continue to be unaddressed by Washington.
Contrast this with the states, who are getting things done -- some better than others. America is at its most prosperous and productive when there is limited government, less spending, less taxes, less dictation from Washington, and less encroachment into the states.
SGLF will promote innovative reforms advocated by our conservative elected leaders and defend them when the special interest proponents of the status quo attack these elected leaders. SGLF is dedicated to educating policymakers and the public about the benefits of smaller government, lower taxes, balanced budgets, and efficiency in governing.
SGLF is a 501 (c)(4) social welfare organization and is a strategic partner to the Republican State Leadership Committee (RSLC) - home to the Republican Lieutenant Governors Association, Republican Attorneys General Association, Republican Legislative Campaign Committee, and the Republican Secretaries of State Committee.
Contrast this with the states, who are getting things done -- some better than others. America is at its most prosperous and productive when there is limited government, less spending, less taxes, less dictation from Washington, and less encroachment into the states.
SGLF will promote innovative reforms advocated by our conservative elected leaders and defend them when the special interest proponents of the status quo attack these elected leaders. SGLF is dedicated to educating policymakers and the public about the benefits of smaller government, lower taxes, balanced budgets, and efficiency in governing.
SGLF is a 501 (c)(4) social welfare organization and is a strategic partner to the Republican State Leadership Committee (RSLC) - home to the Republican Lieutenant Governors Association, Republican Attorneys General Association, Republican Legislative Campaign Committee, and the Republican Secretaries of State Committee.
Sunday Reflection: The collusion of the climate crowd
Not long ago, the American Tradition Institute initiated a transparency campaign using federal and state freedom of information laws to learn more about how taxpayer-funded academics use their positions to advance a particular agenda. On its face, this should have been welcomed by the Left, which often lays claim to the "transparency" mantle. It is instead causing great angst.
Our project would compile the context to the "Climategate" scandal, which, as activist academics central to its revelations assured us, was really an out-of-context misrepresentation. Curiously, the same people think this project a very bad idea.
Our project would compile the context to the "Climategate" scandal, which, as activist academics central to its revelations assured us, was really an out-of-context misrepresentation. Curiously, the same people think this project a very bad idea.
Wisconsin Top Court Refuses to Reopen Labor Law Challenge
Wisconsin’s top court declined to reopen a legal challenge to Governor Scott Walker’s curb on the collective bargaining rights of public employees.
The law, backed by Walker, requires annual recertification votes for public employee union representation and makes dues- payment voluntary. It sparked public protests and a recall election that Walker, a Republican, won last month.
The law, backed by Walker, requires annual recertification votes for public employee union representation and makes dues- payment voluntary. It sparked public protests and a recall election that Walker, a Republican, won last month.
McDonnell: Virginia topping commitments to reduce wastewater pollution into Chesapeake Bay
Virginia is far exceeding milestones to reduce wastewater pollution into the Chesapeake Bay, clearly showing the restoration of the bay can be achieved, the McDonnell administration said Friday.
Gov. Bob McDonnell said the state achieved significant reductions in nitrogen and phosphorus in wastewater ahead of two-year milestones intended to measure the progress of the cleanup overseen by the Environmental Protection Agency. Those elements are among the pollutants that have fouled the bay after decades of neglect by the states.
Holder Employs Obama GOTV Org to Challenge Voter ID Law
Poor Eric Holder. If it’s not one thing (like contempt of Congress), it’s another.
Consider the Justice Department’s challenge to Texas’s new voter ID law. It’s set to be heard on January 9 in federal district court in Washington, D.C. Thursday, Rep. Lamar Smith (R-Texas), Chairman of the House Judiciary Committee, sent Holder a letter pointing out that DOJ has hired an “explicitly partisan Democratic data company, Catalist, to provide the data by which it is justifying its decision to block implementation of Texas’s voter identification law.”
Consider the Justice Department’s challenge to Texas’s new voter ID law. It’s set to be heard on January 9 in federal district court in Washington, D.C. Thursday, Rep. Lamar Smith (R-Texas), Chairman of the House Judiciary Committee, sent Holder a letter pointing out that DOJ has hired an “explicitly partisan Democratic data company, Catalist, to provide the data by which it is justifying its decision to block implementation of Texas’s voter identification law.”
Panel begins Wyoming educational accountability work
A panel soon will start developing a statewide system to rate schools as mandated by the Wyoming Accountability in Education Act.
The act calls for the Wyoming Board of Education and the Wyoming Department of Education to consult a broad base of educators and community members to develop a process the state will use to compute school performance ratings.
The act calls for the Wyoming Board of Education and the Wyoming Department of Education to consult a broad base of educators and community members to develop a process the state will use to compute school performance ratings.
House to work on state pension overhaul
A state House committee has until just before the November elections to provide recommendations for an overhaul to the state employeespension plan.
House Speaker William O’Brien said the Special House Committee on Defined Contribution Retirement Plans for Public Employees will be asked to provide the House with details and procedures for moving from the defined-benefit plan state employees currently have to a defined-contribution plan for all new state employee hires. “It’s just not something we can wait for,” O’Brien said. “This is necessary to ensure we can have a state government that we can afford.”
House Speaker William O’Brien said the Special House Committee on Defined Contribution Retirement Plans for Public Employees will be asked to provide the House with details and procedures for moving from the defined-benefit plan state employees currently have to a defined-contribution plan for all new state employee hires. “It’s just not something we can wait for,” O’Brien said. “This is necessary to ensure we can have a state government that we can afford.”
Ohio's Homeland Security funding drops
Sharply reduced Homeland Security funding will force Ohio's counties to compete for the federal dollars this year.
Ohio will share $5.6 million from the State Homeland Security Program this year, compared with $20 million last year and nearly $41 million in 2010, The Columbus Dispatch reported Monday. Officials say some of Ohio's 88 counties may not receive any of the funding this year as they are forced to compete.
Ohio will share $5.6 million from the State Homeland Security Program this year, compared with $20 million last year and nearly $41 million in 2010, The Columbus Dispatch reported Monday. Officials say some of Ohio's 88 counties may not receive any of the funding this year as they are forced to compete.
Gov. Christie says N.J. has little room to expand Medicaid
Gov. Chris Christie said this morning he is leaning against accepting federal funds to expand Medicaid in New Jersey, despite the fact that the new federal health care law would pay for most of the expansion.
"Medicaid is pretty well expanded in our state already because of the legacy of previous Democratic governors. So I don't know if there's a lot more to do in New Jersey in that regard," Christie said on Fox & Friends.
"Medicaid is pretty well expanded in our state already because of the legacy of previous Democratic governors. So I don't know if there's a lot more to do in New Jersey in that regard," Christie said on Fox & Friends.
Deal will keep Sunoco's Philadelphia refinery operating
Sunoco Inc.'s Philadelphia refinery, which was threatened with closure at the end of this month, will be reborn as an "energy hub."
The Carlyle Group, a Washington private-equity manager, announced plans Monday to operate the refinery with Sunoco as a joint venture called Philadelphia Energy Solutions.
The Carlyle Group, a Washington private-equity manager, announced plans Monday to operate the refinery with Sunoco as a joint venture called Philadelphia Energy Solutions.
Special Interest: Teachers Unions and America's Public Schools
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SGLF applauds Hoover Senior Fellow and Stanford Professor Terry Moe for his latest book -- Special Interest: Teachers Unions and America's Public Schools -- wherein he offers an unprecedented discussion of the history and power of the American teachers unions and, ultimately, its less-than-stellar consequences for the nation's public schools.
EPA grants stay in NM emissions case
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency on Monday gave New Mexico officials, the state's largest electricity provider and others more time to sort out a solution for curbing haze-causing pollution at a coal-fired power plant in northwestern New Mexico.
EPA Administrator Lisa Jackson signed a 90-day stay so parties can evaluate alternatives for the San Juan Generating Station. The 1,800-megawatt plant is New Mexico's single largest source of electricity, and it also provides power to customers in California, Arizona and Utah.
EPA Administrator Lisa Jackson signed a 90-day stay so parties can evaluate alternatives for the San Juan Generating Station. The 1,800-megawatt plant is New Mexico's single largest source of electricity, and it also provides power to customers in California, Arizona and Utah.
Pennsylvania budget reflects a commitment to business
Pennsylvania's budget for the next 12 months reflects Gov. Corbett's avowed commitment to bring more jobs to the state and gives business plenty of reason to be pleased.
"The goal is to transition Pennsylvania ... to grow jobs ... to usher in a new industrial revolution in Pennsylvania," Corbett said Saturday after signing the $27.66 billion spending plan, which includes more than $300 million in business tax breaks.
"The goal is to transition Pennsylvania ... to grow jobs ... to usher in a new industrial revolution in Pennsylvania," Corbett said Saturday after signing the $27.66 billion spending plan, which includes more than $300 million in business tax breaks.
Iowa economy improved in June, Midwest’s slowed
The Midwest economy slowed in June, indicating some weakness ahead in the next three to six months for the region, a new report today says.
The Business Conditions Index for nine mostly Midwestern states fell to 57.2 last month from 57.6 in May and 60 in April, said Ernie Goss, an economist at Creighton University in Omaha, in his new report. It was the second straight month of decline.
Despite the region’s sluggishness, Iowa’s economy continued to show improvement in June, with the index used to track the state’s economy climbing to “a very healthy” 68 from May’s 67.1, Goss reported.
The Business Conditions Index for nine mostly Midwestern states fell to 57.2 last month from 57.6 in May and 60 in April, said Ernie Goss, an economist at Creighton University in Omaha, in his new report. It was the second straight month of decline.
Despite the region’s sluggishness, Iowa’s economy continued to show improvement in June, with the index used to track the state’s economy climbing to “a very healthy” 68 from May’s 67.1, Goss reported.
New Jersey's Christie presses legislators on taxes
New Jersey Governor Chris Christie stepped up his state budget battle with Democrats by calling for a special session of the legislature on Monday to lecture his opponents on the need for middle-class tax relief.
The state's senate and assembly, both of which are controlled by Democrats, traditionally are in recess in July and August. The move follows the Republican governor's signing of a $31.7 billion state budget on Friday that stripped out $361 million passed by the legislature for items including increases in legal services for the poor and in college tuition aid for low-income students.
The state's senate and assembly, both of which are controlled by Democrats, traditionally are in recess in July and August. The move follows the Republican governor's signing of a $31.7 billion state budget on Friday that stripped out $361 million passed by the legislature for items including increases in legal services for the poor and in college tuition aid for low-income students.
Virginia freed from federal No Child Left Behind education law
Virginia is one of the latest states to slip out from under the federal No Child Left Behind education law.
The Department of Education on Friday granted five more waivers from the widely maligned, decade-old act. In addition to Virginia, Arkansas, Missouri, South Dakota and Utah will no longer be subject to the tough “adequate yearly progress” system and other NCLB mandates.
The Department of Education on Friday granted five more waivers from the widely maligned, decade-old act. In addition to Virginia, Arkansas, Missouri, South Dakota and Utah will no longer be subject to the tough “adequate yearly progress” system and other NCLB mandates.
Medicaid Points
Tom Miller, AEI
The Medicaid portion of the decision also was a surprise to many observers. To update an old Justice Potter Stewart saying about pornography, the Court finally knew it had a case of unconstitutional coercion by the federal government when it saw one, here. This provides some incremental relief for debt-plagued state governments who will be able to just say no to Medicaid expansion, without risking loss of all federal matching funds for their old, pre-expansion Medicaid programs.
Ind. gov says lawmakers to decide Medicaid change
Indiana Gov. Mitch Daniels chided President Barack Obama's health care law as "dangerously misguided" Thursday but sidestepped the question of whether Indiana should continue resisting its implementation after the U.S. Supreme Court's landmark decision finding the law constitutional.
The Republican governor's tone was muted during an impromptu news conference at the Statehouse, one week after he was named the next president at Purdue University and pledged to refrain from political statements. He said the next step would likely be up to the Legislature and his successor as governor, who won't take office until January.
The Republican governor's tone was muted during an impromptu news conference at the Statehouse, one week after he was named the next president at Purdue University and pledged to refrain from political statements. He said the next step would likely be up to the Legislature and his successor as governor, who won't take office until January.
The healthcare law fight isn't over
But those pushing to repeal 'Obamacare' must provide credible alternatives
On Thursday, an unusual Supreme Court majority of "one" — Chief JusticeJohn G. Roberts Jr.— found that the healthcare law's individual mandate is unconstitutional under the power of Congress to regulate interstate commerce. But, surprise, the mandate is constitutional as a tax.
This strange reasoning, not fully embraced even by the four concurring justices, handed judicial conservatives the most recent in a long parade of disappointments. No matter how controversial, contradictory and complex the ruling is, it represents a major legal victory for the Obama administration and other supporters of the Affordable Care Act.
This strange reasoning, not fully embraced even by the four concurring justices, handed judicial conservatives the most recent in a long parade of disappointments. No matter how controversial, contradictory and complex the ruling is, it represents a major legal victory for the Obama administration and other supporters of the Affordable Care Act.
Health care ruling lifts cloud over Vermont reform
The U.S. Supreme Court decision Thursday upholding the federal health care reform law also lifted the cloud of uncertainty that hung over Vermont’s own reform legislation.
“There has been so much attention that this could somehow stop us in our tracks,” said Anya Rader Wallack, referring to the possibility the Supreme Court would overturn the federal law. Wallack is chief architect of the Vermont’s 2011 health re¬form law and now heads the Green Moun¬tain Care Board that is charged with mov¬ing the state toward a government-fi¬nanced system that will provide medical care to all Vermont residents. “Now we have greater certainty that we can move ahead as planned,” Wallack said
“There has been so much attention that this could somehow stop us in our tracks,” said Anya Rader Wallack, referring to the possibility the Supreme Court would overturn the federal law. Wallack is chief architect of the Vermont’s 2011 health re¬form law and now heads the Green Moun¬tain Care Board that is charged with mov¬ing the state toward a government-fi¬nanced system that will provide medical care to all Vermont residents. “Now we have greater certainty that we can move ahead as planned,” Wallack said
SC lawmakers approve budget, keep government going
The South Carolina Legislature sent the governor a budget Thursday that gives public workers a pay raise, fully funds a crucial port-deepening project and provides tax relief to businesses.
The House voted 89-10 for the budget compromise and the Senate, 26-8.
But the $6.7 billion spending plan for state taxes won't take effect when the fiscal year starts Sunday. By law, Gov. Nikki Haley has five days to issue her line-item vetoes, and she's said she shouldn't have to shorten her allowed time just because the Legislature couldn't get its work done on time. The regular session ended June 7.
But the $6.7 billion spending plan for state taxes won't take effect when the fiscal year starts Sunday. By law, Gov. Nikki Haley has five days to issue her line-item vetoes, and she's said she shouldn't have to shorten her allowed time just because the Legislature couldn't get its work done on time. The regular session ended June 7.
Federal Tort Reform Ideas Lost in Obamacare Decision
In the Obamacare decision on Thursday, the five conservative Supreme Court Justices rejected the unlimited scope of the Commerce Clause and the Necessary & Proper Clause envisioned by proponents of federal tort reform bills (especially caps on damages in medical malpractice lawsuits). Justice Roberts was especially deferential to federalism, employing the terms "state sovereignty" and "enumerated powers" often in his decision. Proponents of federal tort reform are among the big losers in the Obamacare decision.
High court ruling opens Medicaid escape hatch for states
While upholding President Obama’s health care law, the U.S. Supreme Court on Thursday also opened an escape hatch for states that do not want to take on the project of expanding their Medicaid programs.
Whether Indiana decides to opt out of the expansion—which was projected to cover an extra 500,000 Hoosiers, remains to be seen. But the ruling will give states more leverage with the federal government to create favorable arrangements, noted Mike Grubbs, a health care attorney at Barnes & Thornburg LLP in Indianapolis.
Whether Indiana decides to opt out of the expansion—which was projected to cover an extra 500,000 Hoosiers, remains to be seen. But the ruling will give states more leverage with the federal government to create favorable arrangements, noted Mike Grubbs, a health care attorney at Barnes & Thornburg LLP in Indianapolis.
Obama's Health-Care Overhaul Upheld by Supreme Court
The Supreme Court on Thursday upheld the core of President Barack Obama's health-care overhaul, giving him an election-year triumph and preserving most of a law that would expand insurance to millions of people and transform an industry that makes up 18 percent of the nation's economy.
The justices, voting 5-4, said Congress has the power to make Americans carry insurance or pay a penalty. That requirement is at the center of the law, which also forces insurers to cover people with pre-existing health conditions. The court limited the law's extension of the Medicaid program for the poor by saying the federal government can't threaten to withhold existing money from states that don't fully comply.
The justices, voting 5-4, said Congress has the power to make Americans carry insurance or pay a penalty. That requirement is at the center of the law, which also forces insurers to cover people with pre-existing health conditions. The court limited the law's extension of the Medicaid program for the poor by saying the federal government can't threaten to withhold existing money from states that don't fully comply.
The Supremes Get It Fundamentally Wrong
What a depressing day for America: Chief Justice John Roberts joined the liberal justices on the Supreme Court as the fifth and pivotal vote that allowed most of Obamacare to survive.
While much of the speculation in the academic and media world was about Justice Anthony Kennedy as the possible swing vote, one of the lawyers in my office kept saying over the past few months that Roberts was actually the weak link. Unfortunately, that prediction turned out to be all too accurate.
By upholding the individual mandate, the Court got it exactly wrong. They’ve issued a ruling with terrible implications for the future
While much of the speculation in the academic and media world was about Justice Anthony Kennedy as the possible swing vote, one of the lawyers in my office kept saying over the past few months that Roberts was actually the weak link. Unfortunately, that prediction turned out to be all too accurate.
By upholding the individual mandate, the Court got it exactly wrong. They’ve issued a ruling with terrible implications for the future
Defeat of Calif. teacher bill shows union power
Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa slammed it as "cynical political manipulation," Los Angeles schools Superintendent John Deasy termed it shameful, but for the California Teachers Association, it was a victory.
The defeat Wednesday of a proposed law that would have made it easier for school districts to fire teachers in cases of sexual and other egregious misconduct has shone a spotlight on the strong sway of the California Teachers Association, widely considered the state's most politically influential labor union with more than 325,000 members.
The defeat Wednesday of a proposed law that would have made it easier for school districts to fire teachers in cases of sexual and other egregious misconduct has shone a spotlight on the strong sway of the California Teachers Association, widely considered the state's most politically influential labor union with more than 325,000 members.