Editor’s Picks From Around the Web

MI: Michigan voters reject tax increase by big margin

detroitnews.com

Michigan voters overwhelmingly rejected Proposal 1, the sales tax increase and road funding measure crafted by Republican Gov. Rick Snyder and legislative leaders. The ballot measure also would have raised more money for education, local governments and to restore a tax credit for the working poor.

FL: Kansas, Texas back Florida Gov. Rick Scott’s suit over hospital dollars

jacksonville.com

The three Republican governors—Scott, Kansas’ Sam Brownback and Texas’ Greg Abbott—want an extension on federal funds that help hospitals that care for uninsured and Medicaid patients. But the federal government wants states to expand Medicaid under the Affordable Care Act, arguing it’s more efficient to give people money to help buy health insurance than to pay hospitals for caring for the uninsured retroactively.

MO: Missouri Legislature overrides veto to limit welfare benefits

stltoday.com

The new law will ratchet down the length of time that a family can draw welfare benefits and up the requirements for low-income parents to get job training, do volunteer work or complete high school and vocational education.

AZ: Arizona universities’ tuition, student fees to increase

azcentral.com

In-state students at Arizona State University will pay a one-time $320 surcharge for the next year. Tuition is also going up for new undergraduates at the University of Arizona and Northern Arizona University, but not for current students in guaranteed-tuition plans.

MT: Montana raises maximum speed limit to 80 mph

billingsgazette.com

Democratic Gov. Steve Bullock signed a bill that will increase speed limits from 75 mph to 80 mph on interstate highways in Montana, though drivers will face higher fines if caught speeding.

TX: Texas Senate approves bill banning insurers from covering abortion

texastribune.org

Health insurers would be prohibited from covering abortion in all cases except for medical emergencies in Texas. Ten states now prohibit all health plans from covering abortion, and 15 prohibit abortion coverage on federal marketplace plans.

NY: New York to adopt uniform bar exam

nytimes.com

New York will begin using a standard bar examination given in 15 other states next summer, making it the largest state so far to adopt what amounts to a national credential for lawyers, the state’s chief judge, Jonathan Lippman, announced.

CA: California’s budget surplus soars to new heights; schools to benefit

mercurynews.com

In the clearest sign yet that the “Great California Recovery” is proceeding on pace, Democratic Assembly Speaker Toni Atkins announced that the state’s revenue has climbed as much as $8 billion in the last four months.

AL: Alabama’s House Republicans call for tax hikes

al.com

The Republican Caucus in the Alabama House has proposed raising taxes on cigarettes, large businesses, car titles and car rentals as part of a plan to fix the state budget.

KS: Koch Industries says it will work to reform nation’s criminal justice system

kansas.com

Koch Industries says it has become part of a bipartisan coalition to reform a system that puts too many non-violent people in prison, particularly youthful drug offenders, for too long. The system takes away individual freedom and costs society, says Koch, the Kansas industrial giant known for its conservative and libertarian approach to politics.

WI: Wisconsin Railroad Commissioner warns oil trains increase safety risks

wpr.org

Wisconsin’s top railroad official is worried about the growing number of oil trains in the state, saying the situation is increasing safety risks for motorists and pedestrians.

NV: Nevada bill would define obesity as chronic disease

lasvegassun.com

Obesity could soon be defined as a chronic disease, and Nevada officials would be required to compile an annual report about what’s being done to fight it in the state.