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Henry, Legislators Agree on School Funding

Oklahoma – Gov. Brad Henry and legislative budget leaders agreed to appropriate more than $10 million for public schools in a supplementary budget they said is the first installment of a larger package to help public schools pay their bills through the end of the fiscal year June 30. The agreement, expected to be voted on by House and Senate next week, includes $10 million to cover a shortfall in education funding and $1.5 million for the Academic Achievement Award program. It also includes $3.1 million for Oklahoma Corporation Commission to supplement delayed federal funding. “It is critical that we deliver additional funds to common education as quickly as possible to address the remaining school funding shortfall,” Henry said.
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HEALTH CARE NEWS

ME – Baldacci Extends Family Leave to Siblings. A new Maine law will expand the state’s family medical leave law to also cover employees who must take time off from work to care for a sick brother or sister. Maine’s current law allows qualified employees 10 weeks of leave – either paid or unpaid – to care for a sick child, spouse or parent. Last year, the law was expanded to cover those who need to care for a domestic partner.
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NY – Paterson Budget Increases Aid to Schools, Restores Health Programs. Gov. David A. Paterson and legislative leaders said Sunday they have cut a final state budget that, despite a worsening economy, includes a record increase in aid to public schools and restores a number of cuts to health care programs. The package includes some restoration of earlier proposed cuts to the STAR property tax program, rejection of a gasoline tax, more money for the popular Tuition Assistance Program and $245 million in restored aid for hospitals and nursing homes.
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PA – Rendell Creates Health Information Exchange. Gov. Edward Rendell signed an executive order last week creating the Pennsylvania Health Information Exchange, which is a framework that will give health care providers improved access to clinical data and lead to safer and more efficient patient-centered care. The initiative is part of the governor’s Prescription for Pennsylvania health care reform plan. “By offering health care providers the ability to electronically share patient information, we will be able to improve patient care and safety and reduce health care costs that are a result of today’s independent information technology systems,” Rendell said.
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WV – Manchin Seeks Health Care Stories. In his role as chairman of the Democratic Governors Association, Gov. Joe Manchin wants to hear how Americans are struggling with health care. Through an e-mail to Democratic Governors Association supporters last week, Manchin urged folks to share such tales in an effort to advance health care issues on Capitol Hill. “It’s no secret that not enough Americans can afford access to quality health care,” Manchin’s e-mail begins. “While the economy suffers, health care costs just keep going up. If you want to know how bad the problem really is, just walk into any American middle-class community, and start asking about health care – folks are struggling, and they’re worried it’s just going to get worse. Manchin says he’s helped expand health care in West Virginia, from creating low-income clinics around the state to improving access to affordable medications. Manchin also touts the work of Democrats in pushing health care initiatives in his email. “Democratic governors not only understand how bad the health care problem is, but we’re a step ahead when it comes to taking action,” he wrote. “Across the country, we are expanding access to affordable health care.”
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WI – Doyle Urges Wisconsinites to Get Active. Gov. Jim Doyle is encouraging citizens to get healthy. As obesity rates rise and more Americans lead sedentary lives Doyle is issuing a statewide challenge. He urged Wisconsin residents of all ages to get active and help lead the nation in fitness. Doyle’s challenge is a six-week program launched in association with the National President’s Challenge that’s designed to inspire individuals to become more physically active. “Trek Bicycle Corporation, one of Wisconsin’s great companies, will donate a trek bike to every Wisconsin school with more than 205 children completing the six week challenge,” Gov. Doyle said.
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GENERAL NEWS

IA – Culver Signs Civil Rights Legislation. Gov. Chet Culver signed legislation extending the length of time Iowans have to submit a complaint of discriminatory actions. The bill extends the timeline from 180 to 300 days, aligning the state with the federal timeline. Iowans now have 300 days to submit a complaint of discriminatory or unfair practice with the Iowa Civil Rights Commission.
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KS – Sebelius Unveils Emergency Training Facilities. It didn’t look like much more than a train wreck Friday, but eventually it will be developed into a 66-acre mock city where the National Guard, emergency management and first responders will train for disasters. The first piece, a derailed train, was unveiled Friday. State officials said the $9 million investment means training can occur closer to home and more frequently, improving preparedness for natural and man-made events. Gov. Kathleen Sebelius described Crisis City as “a missing piece in the tool kit.” “We’re really trying to position ourselves not only as a state leader, but a national leader,” Sebelius said.
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MI – Granholm Pushes Schools Plan. Gov. Jennifer Granholm encouraged community leaders to work with Blue Water Area schools to create smaller, specialized learning environments during a visit to Port Huron High School. The visit was part of a tour of schools this month in which the governor is promoting education proposals outlined in her January State of the State address. One of those ideas, the 21st Century Schools Fund, would allow school districts to apply for money to support creative initiatives that seek to lower dropout rates and increase college enrollment. The state would consider funding new schools that find creative ways to engage students and prepare them for high-demand fields such as healthcare, she said.
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MT – Schweitzer Hosts DGA Policy Conference. Gov. Brian Schweitzer says a meeting he had over the weekend with a dozen Democratic governors allowed them to refine their objectives for clean coal technology. The Democratic Governors Association meeting in Big Sky was aimed at advancing policy initiatives. Schweitzer is vice chairman of the group, which aims to support the candidacies of Democratic gubernatorial candidates. Schweitzer says he wants the DGA to push Congress to deal with greenhouse gas emissions by establishing a fee on emissions which would be used to advance greener technologies like carbon sequestration.
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OH – Strickland’s Proposed Stimulus to Bring New Jobs. If Gov. Ted Strickland’s recent proposal for economic stimulus is adopted, it could mean up to 80,000 new jobs for Ohio over the next four years. The $1.7 billion package, to be funded through a bond issuance, focuses on job creation relating to the state’s infrastructure and targeted industry sectors that show growth potential. Funding will come from $1.5 billion in general obligation bonds backed by the general revenue fund, as well as $200 million in bonds backed by profits form Ohio’s liquor enterprise.
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OR – Kulongoski: State Success Depends on New Entrepreneurs. Gov. Ted Kulongoski said the state needs to treat younger entrepreneurs as valuable economic resources. “Today, Oregon is as much a guiding star for the young, imaginative, and entrepreneurial as the North Star was for ancient mariners,” Kulongoski said during his 2008 State of the State address in downtown Portland. “They come because they’re attracted to our creative economy, and because we don’t treat culture, history, art, movies and preservation as frills, but as essential pieces of our quality of life.”
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TN – Bredesen Promotes Rural Economic Development. Tennessee is laying out what officials call the ‘’Orange Carpet’’ for businesses looking to invest in rural areas. Gov. Phil Bredesen launched the program with local officials in Covington, with further stops scheduled for Decherd and Rockwood. The tours are designed to mirror those regularly organized by larger cities in the state. Officials hope to teach communities how best to market themselves to companies and site selection consultants.
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