Source: Arizona Republic | Phoenix, Ariz. |
May 20, 2013
The gun buyback was designed, in part, to get unwanted weapons out of homes and into the hands of Phoenix police before a new law takes effect requiring police to sell the guns instead of destroy them. But the program was so successful that police are already struggling to process the more than 1,000 weapons in their possession.
The state's largest hospitals were relieved to learn Gov. Rick Scott will approve $65 million aimed at easing the transition to a new Medicaid payment system. In return, hospitals agreed not to ask for more such money next year.
The suspension of rail service rail service in the Connecticut suburbs of New York City after the collision of two trains will mean thousands more vehicles on Interstate 95 and other major roads that often are clogged even under the best conditions.
Source: Los Angeles Times | California |
May 17, 2013
Facing a possible two-day strike next week by patient care and technical workers, the five large University of California medical centers are starting to cancel elective surgeries.
Source: Los Angeles Times | Los Angeles |
May 17, 2013
In a brief, three-line order, a judge formally lifted the binding agreement the U.S. Department of Justice imposed on the LAPD in 2001, which spelled out dozens of major reforms the police agency had to implement and frequent audits it was required to undergo.
Source: New Orleans Times Picayune | Louisiana |
May 17, 2013
As the 2013-14 funding plan boomeranged between the Legislature and the state board of education, the state education superintendent revealed that the state had to find an extra $29 million for the current school year; meanwhile, parents of students in the voucher program rallied to keep their kids enrolled.
Florida Gov. Rick Scott, who has made job creation his top priority, has rejected a proposed deal to bring major Internet retailer Amazon to the state because it would have meant that Floridians would have to pay sales tax on Internet purchases made through the company.
Moody's, the credit ratings agency, has warned that Detroit’s preliminary financial operating plan opens the door to place bondholders on the hook for the city’s debts, a move that would further damage the city’s already low credit rating.
Source: Washington Post | District of Columbia |
May 16, 2013
Some D.C. Council members are crafting legislation to lessen the penalties for marijuana possession, hoping to settle the matter before outside groups petition the issue onto the ballot.
The two lawsuits, filed on behalf of parents and their special needs children, say the proposed school closings are unfair, will harm students with disabilities and are discriminatory because almost all the students affected are African-American.
Source: Washington Post | Takoma Park, Md. |
May 15, 2013
Though some residents argued that teenagers lack the maturity and experience to handle the responsibility of voting, the Takoma Park City Council in Maryland passed an amendment to allow 16- and 17-year-olds to vote in city elections.
Source: Newark Star-Ledger | New Jersey |
May 15, 2013
A three-judge panel said it will hear arguments on New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie’s decision to grab up to $162 million in affordable-housing funds for his proposed $32.9 billion budget
Anthony Weiner’s new campaign manager for his nascent mayoral bid is a recent Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee adviser who spent four months working on a failed Staten Island congressional race last year.
Is your state ready for Marketplace open enrollment in October 2013?
In a few short months, millions of uninsured Americans will qualify for affordable healthcare coverage either through Medicaid, CHIP or tax subsidies.