Editor’s Picks From Around the Web

TX: Texas outlaws local fracking bans

texastribune.org

Saying Texas needs to avoid a “patchwork of local regulations” that threaten oil and gas production, Republican Gov. Greg Abbott signed legislation that pre-empts local efforts to regulate hydraulic fracturing and other drilling activities.

MD: U.S. Supreme Court strikes down Maryland’s ‘double taxation’ provision

washingtonpost.com

The court rejected a part of the state’s income tax law that doesn’t provide a full tax credit to residents for income tax paid outside the state. To guard against double taxation, states usually give residents a full credit for income taxes paid on out-of-state earnings. But Maryland didn’t provide credit for taxes the state collects for counties and the city of Baltimore.

AK: Alaska state employees face layoff notices, governor warns

adn.com

Independent Gov. Bill Walker said most Alaska state workers can expect to receive layoff notices next month if the legislature continues to fail to approve a budget for the fiscal year that begins in July.

KY: Primary voters to select Kentucky gubernatorial nominees

courier-journal.com

Kentucky voters go to the polls Tuesday in a primary election that has four Republicans and two Democrats seeking their respective party’s gubernatorial nomination. Republicans have contested races for attorney general, state treasurer and agriculture commissioner. Democrats have contested races for state treasurer and secretary of state.

PA: Pennsylvania Gov. Wolf wants state to share in lottery luck

triblive.com

Democratic Gov. Tom Wolf wants to apply Pennsylvania’s income tax to state lottery winnings over $600, saying it could generate as much as $15 million next year to help cover a projected deficit of $1.5 billion to $2 billion.

VT: Vermont tax deal would end state and local deductions; Soda would taxed

Burlintonfreepress.com

Vermonters no longer would be able to deduct what they paid in state and local income taxes as an itemized deduction on their state tax returns, as part of a tax deal worked out by Democratic Gov. Peter Shumlin and legislative leaders. The 6 percent sales tax also would be extended to soft drinks, but not fruit juices or milk—or candy.

FL: Florida hospitals push back on revenue sharing plan

wusf.usf.edu

The Florida Hospital Association sent a letter to Republican Gov. Rick Scott objecting to the governor’s proposal that hospitals share revenue to help cover the costs of caring for low-income patients. Federal dollars cover the costs now, but they will end June 30 unless state and federal negotiators can agree on a new plan.

ME: Maine governor proposes denying welfare to addicts

pressherald.com

The administration of Republican Gov. Paul LePage is urging Maine lawmakers to deny welfare benefits to people with felony drug convictions and to screen applicants for substance abuse so that tax dollars won’t be used to reward what one official called “reprehensible personal behavior.”

NV: Lawmakers solidify spending $2.8 billion for Nevada’s K-12 schools

lasvegassun.com

A joint budget committee has agreed on spending to prepare Nevada pupils to read by the time they’re in third grade, put computers in middle schools; and improve the high school graduation rate. It also agreed to increase the number of charter schools, provide extra funds for low-performing schools in high-poverty areas and increase funding for disabled students.

WI: Wisconsin bill would introduce protections for children arrested for prostitution

wpr.org

Saying many children arrested on suspicion of prostitution are victims of human trafficking, some Wisconsin legislators are supporting a bill that would create protections for them. Currently, someone arrested for prostitution could face a misdemeanor charge with a fine or jail time, even if they’re a minor.