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Doyle Launches Clean Wisconsin

Wisconsin – Gov. Jim Doyle continued his push for renewable energy in Wisconsin by announcing his newest plan called “Clean Energy Wisconsin.” Doyle says that his plan will promote renewable energy, create new jobs and increase energy security and awareness. “These initiatives will provide a clear direction for the businesses, people and communities that will help Wisconsin become the leader of renewable fuels,” said Doyle. “This effort will leverage nearly $1 billion in private investment and create new jobs for Wisconsin families on our farms, in our forests, in our research labs and for our manufacturers.”
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CO – Ritter Signs Homegrown Energy Measure. With an array of solar panels behind him, Gov. Bill Ritter signed a Homegrown Renewable Power Act into law. The “net metering” measure requires rural cooperative electric associations and certain municipally owned utilities to allow their customers to be paid a fair rate for excess electricity generated by those customers’ solar, wind or geothermal energy systems. The bill’s backers have said it will credit those homes and businesses for the energy they’re contributing to their utilities’ grids and provide clean energy to additional customers. Ritter said the new law will help “engage homeowners and businesses throughout Colorado in the promise of the ‘New Energy Economy’ because we believe it brings fair and equitable net metering to Colorado citizens.”
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IA – Culver: State Personal Income Growth Above National Average. The income of Iowans grew faster than the national average in 2007. Per-capita personal income in Iowa grew 6 percent from $33,038 in 2006 to $35,023 in 2007. The average per-capita personal income growth nationally was 5.2 percent, according to newly released data from the United States Bureau of Economic Analysis. Gov. Chet Culver touted the data release as another sign that the state’s economy is improving. “It is clear – Iowa’s economy is strong and growing stronger,” Culver said. He also cited favorable trends in unemployment and state exports.
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ME – Baldacci Signs Cancer Screening Bill. Gov. John Baldacci signed a bill to require insurance companies to cover colorectal cancer screenings. The new state law would apply to health insurance policies issued or renewed after Jan. 1, 2009, according to the governor’s press office. “We know that the five-year survival rate for those who detected their colon cancer early is 90 percent, but only 39 percent of colon cancers are diagnosed at this stage,” Baldacci said.
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MT – Schweitzer Delivers Health Center Funding Boost. The Flathead Community Health Center will be able to offer more services now that the Health Department received a state grant. Gov. Brian Schweitzer: “I’m so proud of this center because all across Montana people have ideas for projects, but they always wait for the money to arriving before they start delivering services. This facility recognized a need in the community, started delivering the services, just found a way to get there to get there until the money would arrive.” Schweitzer announced the low-income clinic will receive $1.29 million dollars to help serve 35,000 people in Flathead County.
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NC – Easley Urges Business Leaders to Bolster Education Partnership. Gov. Mike Easley urged hundreds of business leaders from around the state to bolster support for education. Easley addressed concerns over lost manufacturing jobs and stressed greater investment in college opportunities to help North Carolinians better adapt to a changing economy. He emphasized accelerated programs where students can simultaneously earn a high school degree and an associate’s degree in five years.
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OH – Strickland Collects Ideas to Reform Public Schools. Major changes in the state’s K-12 public school system are evolving as Gov. Ted Strickland fields ideas from various business, academic and civic players around the state. The governor said in his State of the State speech that he would have a plan to reform education by next year. A few of his wishes, notably the creation of a governor-appointed director of education position, are already known.
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PA – Rendell Initiative Funds New Education Technology. Hazleton Area School District officials showed off some new classroom equipment purchased with a nearly $1 million state grant secured through Gov. Ed Rendell’s Classrooms for the Future initiative. The grant put 800 laptop computers in the hands of students and teachers in 32 classrooms, and paid for Promethean Activboards – electromagnetic white boards – that make chalk boards and dry-erase boards seem archaic.
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