• Federal Funding for Cities' Anti-Terrorism Centers Dwindling
• Source: Milwaukee Journal Sentinel   |   Wisconsin   |   May 6, 2013
• The so-called fusion centers -- they sift intelligence about terrorism, determine threat levels, and investigate suspicious activity and potential crises -- have become a fixture in post-9-11 America. There are 78 centers nationwide.

• West Virginia to Expand Medicaid
• Source: Charleston Daily Mail   |   West Virginia   |   May 6, 2013
• Tens of thousands of West Virginians will soon be eligible for Medicaid coverage after Gov. Earl Ray Tomblin announced the state would expand its program under the federal health care overhaul.

• Florida Court Forces Police to Obtain Warrant for Cell-Phone Searches
• BY: McClatchy News   |   Florida   |   May 3, 2013
• The Florida Supreme Court, in a 5-2 decision, has ruled that police must obtain a search warrant to view the contents of a person's cellphone when they are taken into custody.
• 3 Comments

• Feds Seek Stronger Cybersecurity Partnerships with States
• BY: Stateline   |   Nation   |   May 3, 2013
• With cybersecurity legislation stalled in Congress, the White House is looking to partner with states to protect critical infrastructure from attacks.
• 1 Comments

• Thousands Denied Food Stamps When Tied to Assets
• BY: McClatchy News   |   Pennsylvania   |   May 3, 2013
• Advocates for the poor now say that by weeding out a relatively small number of people with too many assets, the Department of Public Welfare made getting food stamps so complicated that deserving low-income people became inundated by paperwork and lost their benefits.
• 2 Comments

• U.S. AG Holder, Gov. Brownback Spar over Kansas' New Gun Law
• Source: AP/Wichita Eagle   |   Kansas   |   May 3, 2013
• U.S. Attorney General Eric Holder has told Kansas Gov. Sam Brownback that a new state law attempting to block federal regulation of some guns is unconstitutional and that the federal government is willing to go to court over the issue.
• 22 Comments

• As Amtrak Aid Ends, States Face Funding Decisions
• Source: New York Times   |   Nation   |   May 3, 2013
• Under pressure from Congress to reduce its dependence on federal subsidies, Amtrak is looking at either closing 28 short-haul routes or getting 19 states to cover the costs. Most of the states have already agreed to pick up the costs.

• Most Bike-Friendly State is Washington for 6th Year
• Source: USA Today   |   Nation   |   May 3, 2013
• The rankings are bestowed by the League of American Bicyclists and are based on funding for biking legislation, bike programs and policies, infrastructure, education and planning.

• Arizona Gov. Brewer Vetoes Gold Currency Bill
• Source: Arizona Republic   |   Arizona   |   May 3, 2013
• Gov. Jan Brewervetoed a bill that would have made Arizona the second state to allow gold and silver coins to be used as legal tender.

• Rhode Island Becomes 10th State to Legalize Gay Marriage
• Source: Providence Journal   |   Rhode Island   |   May 3, 2013
• The bills allow same-sex weddings and also allow couples who joined in civil unions to change their status to married.

• Colorado Offers 23 Recommendations to Improve Child Welfare
• Source: Denver Post   |   Colorado   |   May 3, 2013
• The summary report — released by the Colorado Department of Human Services, the first required under a law passed last year — examines cases of child fatalities, near fatalities and incidents of egregious abuse or neglect from 2012.

• California Tax Revenue Yields Multibillion-Dollar Surplus
• Source: Los Angeles Times   |   California   |   May 3, 2013
• After years of budget cuts, and after voters approved Gov. Jerry Brown's tax hike in November, the pressure on the governor will be intense from lawmakers and advocates eager to restore money to programs that were sliced to close deficits.

• Wisconsin Jobs Agency Failed in Tracking Taxpayer Money
• Source: Milwaukee Journal Sentinel   |   Wisconsin   |   May 3, 2013
• A stinging audit has found that the state's flagship jobs agency repeatedly failed last year to follow basic standards in state law for ensuring the clear and proper use of millions of dollars in taxpayer money, prompting lawmakers of both parties to call for immediate changes.

• Detroit Schools Emergency Manager to Step Down
• BY: McClatchy News   |   Detroit   |   May 2, 2013
• After two years as the emergency manager for Detroit Public Schools, state-appointee Roy Roberts will retire in the next two weeks from his job at the helm of the state's largest school district.

• Study: Medicaid Improves Mental But Not Physical Health
• BY: Dylan Scott   |   Nation   |   May 2, 2013
• A new study reveals that uninsured adults who receive Medicaid coverage experience negligible effects on their physical health, but substantially improve their mental well-being. It previews how the federal law could impact poor, childless adults who get coverage through the Medicaid expansion.
• 5 Comments

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Comments

• U.S. AG Holder, Gov. Brownback Spar over Kansas' New Gun Law
  
  "RE: your response to me - I understand your confusion. Our tendency to devalue historical..."
• Felons' Voting Rights Could Impact 2012 Election
  
  "well that exulated quickly......"
• Motorcycle Deaths Rise as States Rethink Helmet Laws
  
  "How many more lives would be saved if automobile riders would wear helmets. We are talking..."
• Colorado Becomes 14th State to Offer Undocumented Immigrants In-State Tuition
  
  "Finally, while I do agree with you that people who cheat the system should not be given..."
• GOP-Controlled Wisconsin Legislature Targets Milwaukee
  
  "A residency requirement may be limiting the standards and expectations of civil servants...."

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