Montana, North Dakota and Colorado are all moving forward on health care exchanges in their states but not with out a struggle. In Montana, Republicans in the state legislature oppose the implementation of the exchange through federal money leading the state insurance commissioner to apply for authority to move forward on her own. In NorthRead… Read more »
Idaho Governor C.L. “Butch” Otter issued an executive order yesterday that prohibits the state from receiving federal funding for any initiatives outlined under the federal Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act. The Order uses portions of a bill approved by the legislature earlier this year that sought to nullify federal health care reform requirements inRead… Read more »
New York Governor Andrew M. Cuomo has created a Spending and Government Efficiency (SAGE) Commission to modernize the state’s government. The goals of the commission will be to improve performance, increase accountability and cut spending. The Commission was created as an item passed in the recent state budget and is the first such initiative sinceRead… Read more »
Under the terms of a sweeping legislative package signed into law yesterday, Virginia will spend nearly $4 billion on transportation infrastructure over the next three years. The money is expected to fund more than 900 projects statewide without raising taxes. Projects are will range from road and bridge improvements to increased rail and transit services.Read… Read more »
The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services has awarded Washington a $1 million grant to integrate the state’s Medicare and Medicaid delivery services. The Washington State Department of Social and Health Services will use the grant to focus on improving service delivery of medical care, behavioral health and long-term care. Washington is one of justRead… Read more »
Delaware is reforming how new teachers will get hired under a new law the Governor signed yesterday. The new bill changes an existing rule on how offers are made to teachers. Previously, districts were not guaranteed their full share of state funding for teacher salaries until the official September 30th student count was issued byRead… Read more »
The Vermont Senate is working to advance broadband in the state with new legislation. The bill would fulfill a long standing goal of making broadband internet and cellular phone service available statewide and would begin looking at ways to upgrade the state’s electrical grid through smart grid technology. The state laid out these initiatives fourRead… Read more »
Connecticut is creating a new Busway designed to decrease congestion along I-84. The project was given a boost by the Federal Transit Administration (ATA) which awarded the state a $6.3 million grant. The grant will allow the state to acquire property and contract engineers. The Connecticut Department of Transportation proposed to construct the New Britain-HartfordRead… Read more »
NRG Energy is bringing electric cars to Texas with a new program that will create a network of 70 electric vehicle charging stations throughout the Dallas-Fort Worth metro area. An additional 50 stations are also slated for the Houston area as well as another network along the Interstate 45 corridor, by the end of nextRead… Read more »
North Carolina has launched a statewide aerial photography project designed to give first responders a clear picture of the landscape of the state. The project will be funded through a $12.3 million grant and will provide images to 100 counties statewide. Those images will be captured in such a way to present an accurate streetRead… Read more »