• Minimum-Wage Increase Hits Roadblock in Minnesota
• Source: Minneapolis Star Tribune   |   Minnesota   |   May 17, 2013
• Once a top priority, a hike in the minimum wage is falling off the agenda as the House and Senate disagree on how much it should rise.

• Florida's Rick Scott Rejects Amazon Deal
• Source: AP/Miami Herald   |   Florida   |   May 17, 2013
• 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.
• 3 Comments

• Detroit's Recovery Plan Increases Default Risks
• BY: Liz Farmer   |   Detroit   |   May 16, 2013
• 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.

• Illinois to Allow 17-Year-Olds to Vote in Primaries
• BY: McClatchy News   |   Illinois   |   May 16, 2013
• The Illinois legislature has passed a bill allowing 17-year-olds to vote in primaries if they are going to turn 18 by the November general election. In doing so they become the 13th state to allow this group of teens to vote in primaries.

• Oklahoma Law Bucks Trend in End-of-Life Care Debate
• BY: Stateline   |   Oklahoma   |   May 16, 2013
• A new law in Oklahoma severely restricting end-of-life options for patients raises a number of questions for doctors and is adding fuel to the national debate about end of life care.
• 2 Comments

• Texas GOP Donor Releases Anti-Obamacare Songs
• BY: The Texas Tribune   |   Texas   |   May 16, 2013
• Houston physician and Republican campaign donor Steve Hotze has written two songs about his opposition to federal health reform.
• 1 Comments

• 6 States Have No Campaign Finance Disclosure Laws for Outside Groups
• Source: Indianapolis Star   |   Nation   |   May 16, 2013
• A 50-state analysis by the National Institute on Money in State Politics found that Indiana, Alabama, New Mexico, New York, North Dakota and South Carolina don’t have a single law on the books to require super PACs and nonprofits to disclose their finances,

• House Farm Bill Cuts Food-Stamp Funding
• Source: AP/Des Moines Register   |   Nation   |   May 16, 2013
• The House bill would cut about $2.5 billion a year — or a little more than 3 percent — from the food stamp program, which is used by 1 in 7 Americans.

• GOP: Leave Blood-Alcohol Rules to the States
• Source: Politico   |   Nation   |   May 16, 2013
• Republicans are warning the government against withholding federal funding from -- or offering financial incentives to -- states to prod them to adopt tougher drunken driving laws.
• 1 Comments

• Couple Sues South Carolina Agency over Child's Sex-Assignment Surgery
• Source: The State   |   South Carolina   |   May 16, 2013
• In a legal first, a couple is suing the state Department of Social Services for removing their child’s penis and testicular tissue in an effort to “assign” him to the female sex while in foster care.

• North Carolina Officials Pitch Medicaid Managed Care to Doctors
• Source: Raleigh News & Observer   |   North Carolina   |   May 16, 2013
• In a national address earlier this month, Gov. Pat McCrory called on President Barack Obama to approve the state’s Medicaid request, but it’s clear that the state’s doctors and other health care professionals aren’t convinced that managed care is the best course.

• Former Congressman Tancredo Considers 2014 Run for Colorado Governor
• Source: Denver Post   |   Colorado   |   May 16, 2013
• Former Republican U.S. Rep. Tom Tancredo, known for his hard-line stances on immigration, is strongly considering a run for governor in 2014.

• NTSB Advocates Stricter Standards for Drunk Driving
• BY: McClatchy News   |   Nation   |   May 15, 2013
• The National Transportation Safety Board recommended Tuesday that states lower their threshold for drunken driving from 0.08 percent to 0.05 percent or less.
• 1 Comments

• Majority of States Show Positive Performance on Cutting Carbon Emissions
• BY: Stateline   |   Nation   |   May 15, 2013
• Over the past decade, 32 states have successfully cut their carbon emissions, while 18 states have seen increases.

• Minnesota Becomes 12th State to Allow Same-Sex Marriage
• BY: McClatchy News   |   Minnesota   |   May 15, 2013
• Minnesota becomes the 12th state to allow same-sex marriage with Gov. Mark Dayton's signature, which was celebrated with a large festival.

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  "RE: your response to me - I understand your confusion. Our tendency to devalue historical..."
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  "well that exulated quickly......"
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  "How many more lives would be saved if automobile riders would wear helmets. We are talking..."
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  "Finally, while I do agree with you that people who cheat the system should not be given..."
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  "There is everything in the constituation that says laws may not be written such that your..."

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