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Updated: 1 hour 43 min ago

Kansas Lt. Gov. Mark Parkinson says he'll leave at the end of his term

1 hour 43 min ago
Kansas Lt. Gov. Mark Parkinson will not run for governor in 2010, leaving the Democrats with one less candidate to replace Gov. Kathleen Sebelius.

Alcohol's excise taxes bringing in less state revenue

1 hour 43 min ago
People in Connecticut don't seem to be drowning their economic blues in brews, booze or Beaujolais. Slumping tax collections suggest folks are buying less beer, liquor and wine amid some of the most depressing times since the Great Depression.

Budget cuts good news for prisoners

1 hour 43 min ago
Budget cuts would mean shorter prison sentences, earlier release and less post-release supervision for some Washington inmates. But officials say the proposed changes won't jeopardize public safety.

No-bid contracts thriving in S.D.

1 hour 43 min ago
South Dakota's state government has hundreds of active contracts worth millions of dollars for professional services ranging from legal work to health care to advertising, and most are provided by private-sector businesses and individuals who are awarded the jobs without going through a competitive bid process.

Governors call for $1 trillion stimulus to offset budget cuts

1 hour 43 min ago
NEW YORK - To help offset state budget cuts, a group of Democratic governors urged the federal government Friday to pass a $1 trillion economic stimulus package, significantly larger than the one under discussion in Congress.

Under investigation, Richardson withdraws as Commerce Secretary

1 hour 43 min ago
New Mexico Gov. Bill Richardson has withdrawn as President-elect Barack Obama 's choice to be Commerce Secretary amid reports that a federal grand jury has been looking into whether a California company won a state contract after contributing to Richardson's political causes.

Calls grow to cap property taxes

1 hour 43 min ago
Support for property-tax rollbacks is building from Arizona to New York, fueled by angry homeowners in some locales who are seeing rising tax bills despite plunging home prices.

Kaine poised to chair the DNC

1 hour 43 min ago
Virginia Gov. Timothy M. Kaine will become chairman of the Democratic National Committee later this month, serving as the top political messenger for Barack Obama's administration even while finishing his final year in the governor's mansion, several sources said.

Oregon considers subbing mileage tax for gas tax

1 hour 43 min ago
PORTLAND, Ore. - For years, Oregon has been diligent about reducing the state's dependence on fossil fuels, but its environmental consciousness has come at a stunning price -- gas tax revenue is down $4.8 million a year compared with 2006.

Flat-screen TVs to face energy-efficiency rules in California

1 hour 43 min ago
That 52-inch, flat-screen television on the family room wall may have a terrific picture, but there's a big drawback: It's an energy hog.

Craddick quits speaker's race; Straus of San Antonio poised to take House leadership

1 hour 43 min ago
With a promise to end partisan clashes, newcomer and moderate Republican Joe Straus of San Antonio is poised to become the new Texas House speaker after 40-year veteran Tom Craddick withdrew from contention.

Police balk at ticketing marijuana offenders

1 hour 43 min ago
Massachusetts officially decriminalized possession of small amounts of marijuana yesterday, but many police departments across the state were essentially ignoring the voter-passed law, saying they would not even bother to ticket people they see smoking marijuana.

Obama considers major expansion in aid to jobless

1 hour 43 min ago
CHICAGO — President-elect Barack Obama and Congressional Democrats are considering major expansions of government-assisted health care insurance and unemployment compensation as they begin intensive work this week on a two-year economic recovery package.

Feds want to have a talk with Blagojevich's brother

1 hour 43 min ago
The federal corruption probe that has shone a national spotlight on Gov. Blagojevich now has his brother -- who chairs his campaign fund -- increasingly under the microscope.

Lt. Gov. Quinn calls for state government 'fumigation'

1 hour 43 min ago
Launching a spring ethics push, Lt. Gov. Pat Quinn has asked the same lawyer who prosecuted former Gov. George Ryan to recommend ways to "fumigate" state government.

Beshear plan could furlough state employees up to 24 days

1 hour 43 min ago
Some state employees could be required to take up to 24 days of unpaid leave in the next two years, according to draft legislation submitted last week by Gov. Steve Beshear to legislative leaders.

Arizona running out of money to pay bills

1 hour 43 min ago
PHOENIX -- Arizona could run out of money to pay its bills as early as next month and may have to borrow money in the short term for the first time since WWII, state Treasurer Dean Martin said.

GOP to formalize Senate control for first time in Oklahoma history

1 hour 43 min ago
Republicans take control of the state Senate for the first time in Oklahoma history Tuesday when legislators return to the Capitol for a one-day organizational session.

Terry McAuliffe may be fundraising for himself this time

14 hours 41 min ago
Here's the bad news for Virginia Republicans, who once ruled the commonwealth politically: There are no limits whatsoever on how much a person or union, say, can give to any one candidate.