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NV: Nevada’s budget busted as baccarat tables go quiet
A two-year slide in gold prices and quieter casino tables, including top revenue-generator baccarat, have opened a $170 million hole in Nevada’s budget even as its economy booms, pushing Republican Gov. Brian Sandoval to rethink the state’s dependence on mining and gambling.
WV: Senate votes to repeal West Virginia’s alternative energy standards
The West Virginia Senate passed a repeal of the state requirements that utilities increase the amount of electricity generated by alternative energy sources by 15 percent in 2020 and 25 percent in 2025.
NY: New York Assembly speaker arrested in connection with corruption charges, feds say
Federal investigators have been looking into payments longtime Democratic State Assembly leader Sheldon Silver received, but apparently did not report on his state financial disclosure forms, from a small Manhattan law firm that specializes in property tax challenges, sources said.
FL: Governor wants Florida to stop taxing college textbooks
Republican Gov. Rick Scott’s administration estimates the tax break could save a full-time student as much as $60 a year and cost the state more than $41 million.
AR: Arkansas budget waits; governor prioritizes private option
Republican Gov. Asa Hutchinson said he’ll be able to pay for his proposed $100 million income tax cut because other state tax revenue will increase, budgets for certain state agencies will be cut and one-time surplus funds will be tapped under his proposed budget for fiscal 2016.
MO: Nixon seeks $50 million increase for schools, but cuts still feared
Democratic Gov. Jay Nixon’s proposed education aid increase may not be enough to cover increasing costs, school groups say.
HI: Hawaii finance director urges caution about state budget
State finance director Wes Machida said requests for more than 1,000 new state government positions have been made since Democratic Gov. David Ige took office on Dec. 1. The departments were asked to revise their requests, but some appeals would be granted.
SC: Governor calls for gas tax hike tied to income tax cut
Republican Gov. Nikki Haley called for raising South Carolina’s gas tax by 10 cents a gallon over the next three years to repair the state’s dilapidated roads.
KS: Chief justice argues against changing how Kansas’ Supreme Court is chosen
Kansas’ chief justice argued against Republican Gov. Sam Brownback’s proposal to change how Supreme Court justices are selected. Brownback wants to make the appointments subject to legislative approval.
TX: Governor names new chief watchdog for Health and Human Services Commission
In one of his first moves as governor, Republican Greg Abbott has tapped Stuart Bowen, Jr., the special inspector general who oversaw the reconstruction of Iraq, to be inspector general at the state’s embattled health agency.
OH: Senate Democrats want minimum wage hike in Ohio, affordable college
Democrats in the state Senate say increasing Ohio’s minimum wage, making Medicaid expansion permanent and making college more affordable are among their priorities.
KY: Kentucky beer war brewing even before lawmakers return to work
The beer battle in the Kentucky legislature over whether larger brewers should get to distribute their product is already prompting meetings and debate —even before lawmakers return Feb. 3 for the remainder of their 2015 session.
WI: GOP cancels Madison fundraiser after Democrats point to violation
Wisconsin Assembly Republicans have canceled a fundraiser after Democrats said that the event would violate the legislature’s rules that bar members from engaging in fundraisers during legislative floor periods.
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