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Why Don’t More States Have Filibusters?

March 9, 2010

The invaluable Stateline.org ponders the question: Why don’t we see filibusters in state senates as we do in the US Senate? There are a couple of reasons:
The answer is right in the [New Jersey] Assembly’s rulebook. Along with the three-fourths requirement to shut off debate, there’s a separate provision allowing members to suspend any rule [...]

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Sovereign Bankruptcy in the States

March 8, 2010

Today, Slate’s Explainer column tackles the question: Can California declare bankruptcy?
No:
Chapter 9 of the U.S. bankruptcy code allows individuals and municipalities (cities, towns, villages, etc.) to declare bankruptcy. But that doesn’t include states. (The statute defines “municipality” as a “political subdivision or public agency or instrumentality of a State”—that is, not a state itself.) For [...]

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Institutionalizing Failure

March 8, 2010

From the New York Times:
As advocates of charter schools, including the Bloomberg administration, try to persuade legislators to lift the limit on the number of such schools in the state, no one is as likely to stand in their way as Mr. Perkins, whose district encompasses nearly 20 charter schools. Several more are planned next [...]

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Blinded by the Light: Will New Jersey finally sell off its race tracks?

March 8, 2010

Today the Star-Ledger editorial board has put it bluntly, “Get N.J. out of horse racing”, and sell the tracks.
While the Meadowlands Race Track and Monmouth Park once attracted a robust audience willing to bet and spend. Today, they are losing $10 million a year, kept alive with subsidies and casino profits. This isn’t just a [...]

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Assorted Links

March 6, 2010

Six of America’s richest counties outside of Washington D.C.
Low on revenues: states delay income tax refunds.
Texas, Alabama and Virginia sue the EPA over global warming ruling.
Homeowners holding the line on property taxes.
“Grocery Smackdown: Walmart vs. Whole Foods” who will save America’s small farms?

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Bans in Bars

March 4, 2010

Last week, two state legislatures voted on smoking bans. The bill in Kansas passed, but a similar bill in Indiana failed. With the new Kansas law, 38 states now restrict smoking in some public places, and 28 states forbid smoking in bars.
Proponents of anti-smoking legislation argue that second-hand smoke is dangerous and that state residents [...]

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Assorted Links

March 3, 2010

How States Manipulate Medicaid.
“Let’s Hold Hands and Jump Off the Cliff Together.” Governor Christie’s candid speech to N.J. Mayors.
Getting Serious about Atlanta’s Pension Problems.
Massachusetts House votes yes on $35 million bailout of the city of Lawrence.
“Mozart as Mind Control”.

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States Move to Revoke Tax Exemptions for Charities

March 2, 2010

Hawaii, Indiana, and Pennsylvania are a few of the states thinking about getting rid of the tax exemptions for non-profits. Steep declines in revenues have prompted states and counties to reconsider breaks for charities. States argue non-profits partake of government services but get a free ride on taxes, while charities claim that they are helping [...]

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Bob Nelson on Utah’s Land Management

March 1, 2010

Neighborhood Effects blogger Bob Nelson had an op-ed in Friday’s Salt Lake Tribune arguing that Utah should offer to take control of federal lands in the state:

The largest area of Utah public land, 22.8 million acres, is managed by the Bureau of Land Management in the Interior Department. Another 8.1 million acres is in the [...]

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Assorted Links

February 27, 2010

Gov. Christie reins in special authorities, boards and commissions.
Is Amtrak earning a profit? Guess again.
Largest provider of residential mortgages, Fannie Mae posts a $16.3 billion loss. Asks Treasury for $15.3 billion.
Detroit’s Mayor embraces a smaller city.
House Ethics Committee clear seven lawmakers on earmarks.

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