• Statewide Workplace Smoking Ban Fails in Texas
• BY: The Texas Tribune   |   Texas   |   June 11, 2013
• For a fourth consecutive legislative session, a proposed statewide ban on smoking in public workplaces fell short, as critics argued that such a ban could unconstitutionally curtail businesses’ freedom.
• 2 Comments

• California Budget Deal a Victory for Governor
• BY: McClatchy News   |   California   |   June 11, 2013
• Gov. Jerry Brown and top lawmakers have reached agreement on some of the most contentious issues in the state budget, granting the governor significant victories on the redistribution of school money and expectations of revenue.

• Chicago Police Tactics Reverse Rising Homicide Rate
• Source: New York Times   |   Chicago   |   June 11, 2013
• A year after the city drew new attention for soaring gun violence and gang bloodshed, killings this year have dipped to a level not seen since the early 1960s.
• 2 Comments

• Poll: Booker Leads Democratic Primary Field for New Jersey Senate Seat
• Source: Newark Star-Ledger   |   New Jersey   |   June 11, 2013
• The Rutgers-Eagleton survey found that more than half of New Jersey voters have a positive opinion of Newark Mayor Cory Booker.

• Bloomberg: NYC Ready to Fight Climate Change
• BY: Dylan Scott   |   New York City   |   June 11, 2013
• New York City is more than halfway toward its goal of reducing its greenhouse gas emissions 30 percent by 2030, and has a new plan to prepare for future extreme weather events.

• Federal Government Has 15 Definitions of 'Rural'
• Source: Washington Post   |   Nation   |   June 10, 2013
• These varying definitions have become a baroque example of redundancy and duplication in Washington. They mean extra costs for taxpayers — and extra hassle for small-town officials — as separate offices ask them the same question in up to 15 different ways.

• Brookings Report Shows STEM Jobs Account for More Than Believed
• Source: Washington Post   |   Nation   |   June 10, 2013
• Such jobs account for 20 percent of all positions in the U.S., far more than the 4 percent to 5 percent of jobs previously estimated

• New Jersey Bill Allows Cops to Search Cell Phones After Car Crashes
• Source: Newark Star-Ledger   |   New Jersey   |   June 10, 2013
• The measure would allow cops — without a warrant — to thumb through a cell phone to determine if a driver was talking or texting when an accident occurred.

• Washington Lawmakers May Use Infrastructure Funding for Schools
• Source: The News Tribune   |   Washington state   |   June 10, 2013
• The public works funding list is light on bridge projects, but the span on Interstate 5 that fell into the Skagit River last month hangs over any talk of infrastructure.

• After Philadelphia Building Collapse, Committee Probing City Regulations
• Source: AP/PhillyBurbs.com   |   Philadelphia   |   June 10, 2013
• Council members say the committee will examine procedures related to licenses and permits, construction and demolition, building maintenance and safety, and workers' certification.

• Detroit to Offer Creditors Pennies on the Dollar to Avoid Bankruptcy
• Source: Detroit Free Press   |   Detroit   |   June 7, 2013
• Detroit’s attempt to avoid bankruptcy will hit a critical stage next week as emergency manager Kevyn Orr brings together dozens of creditors to present a stark offer: less than 10 cents on the dollar for the loans, bonds, retiree obligations and other debts that have been strangling the city for years.

• Iowa Denies Paying Psychics to Solve Crimes
• Source: AP/Des Moines Register   |   Iowa   |   June 7, 2013
• A spokesman said that the public safety commissioner believes investigators should follow every lead, including those from psychics, but he said the department isn’t using psychics “as some sort of philosophy."

• Northeastern Colorado Considers Seceding from State
• Source: Denver Post   |   Colorado   |   June 7, 2013
• The plan to carve off the northeastern corner of the state — Weld, Morgan, Logan, Sedgwick, Phillips, Washington, Yuma and Kit Carson counties — and form the state of North Colorado was hatched at a Colorado Counties Inc. conference earlier this week.

• State Takeover of Camden Schools Approved
• Source: Newark Star-Ledger   |   Camden, N.J.   |   June 7, 2013
• The state Board of Education voted unanimously to approve Gov. Chris Christie's plan to seize control of the state's lowest performing school district starting June 25, the last day of school this year.

• States and Localities Look to Regulate Short-Term Rentals
• BY: Stateline   |   Nation   |   June 6, 2013
• As the popularity of short-term rental websites like Airbnb, FlipKey and HomeAway grow states and localities are struggling with how much regulation is needed.

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Comments

• Water Fluoridation Debate Divides Portland, Oregon
  
  "Portland only advocates for rich white people things, like bike lanes...."
• Chicago Police Tactics Reverse Rising Homicide Rate
  
  "Sorry Doc but you're short on facts (again). Its not about gun control laws, its about..."
• Detroit EM Proposes End to Retirees' Health Coverage
  
  "This was so predictable.
  It won't end here this will spread
  across the Country. No more..."
• California School Suspensions Seen as Caused by 'Defiance'
  
  "I find it interesting that if a person makes too much noise, or is disruptive in a movie..."
• Portland Voters Reject Fluoridation for the 4th Time Since 1956
  
  "Biking is the best medicine?
  
  Or, it just might knock out all your teeth?
  
  Or, no fluoride..."