Dearborn, Michigan teachers have approved a landmark contract plan that gives their union full control of their health care plan – a change in union contracts that observers are already saying could be a model for others. The plan was released Tuesday after meetings came to a close. The plan would save the school district [...]
Washington is working to phase out its use of coal for energy. Under the terms of a new law signed on Friday, the state will phase out both of its coal boilers – the first in 2020 and the second in 2025. Since 2009, the state has been working with TransAlta, the state’s coal boiler [...]
Michigan Governor Rick Snyder is proposing a sweeping education reform package focused on technology. According to a statement, the Governor aims to put more focus on the needs of students as individuals as a means of improving overall performance. Currently, Michigan ranks 21st in the country for spending per-pupil but ranks in the mid-thirties for [...]
Missouri will phase out its corporate franchise tax over the next five years according to a new measure signed into law yesterday. The Governor supported the measure as a means of attracting economic development and expanding existing business interests within the state. Currently, the tax is based on the amount of assets a business has [...]
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 North [...]
Illinois will invest $37.8 million in capital funding to construct a new state police forensic laboratory. The new laboratory will provide enhanced crime-solving abilities and create nearly 260 jobs. It will be located on land purchased in 2007 from Lindenwood University.
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 in [...]
BasicGov Systems, Inc. has launched BasicGov GIS Connector. The software will provide state and local governments with GIS mapping tools for land and citizen management functions such as land use, zoning, parcels, permits, inspections, plans, or code violations. The software works with Esri’s GIS system and organizes GIS information as layers on existing maps.
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 since [...]
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. [...]
