Ó£ÌÒÊÓƵ

Financial Crises January 12, 2017

States ration birth, marriage, death certificates after paper company suddenly closes

Someone call Dunder Mifflin: Several states are reporting a paper crisis, after an Ohio company that produces highly specialized paper for vital records closed without warning.

States Rights January 12, 2017

Dems push for minimum wage increase for tipped workers -- but will it backfire?

Hourly workers who rely on tips for a living are turning to the states in a bid to boost their base pay, as the minimum wage debate stalls in Congress -- though business groups warn the move could backfire.

States Rights January 12, 2017

Policing for Profit? Lawmakers, advocates raise alarm at growing gov’t power to seize property

Massachusetts motel owner Russell Caswell wasn’t expecting to find himself at the center of a national controversy when federal authorities came knocking on his door. They said they wanted his business –and the land it was on- and said they could take it legally if they wanted to through a practice known as civil forfeiture. Caswell said no.

Governors August 4, 2016

Missouri governor assigned to be public defender in assault case

The head of Missouri's public defender system said he is appointing Gov. Jay Nixon to handle a case in protest of withheld funding.

Financial Crises July 15, 2016

Illinois staring down $8B deficit, report reveals

The state of Illinois' spending will outstrip what it brings in by nearly $8 billion this year despite a stopgap budget agreement last month, according to a government analysis first obtained Thursday by The Associated Press.

Financial Crises May 2, 2016

Illinois Lottery sales plummet to lowest point of year after payout delays

Illinois Lottery ticket sales dropped to the lowest point yet this year in October, the same month lottery officials announced they were delaying payouts over $600 because of the state budget impasse, according to data obtained Thursday by The Associated Press.

Financial Crises May 2, 2016

Chicago residents face ‘perfect storm’ of tax hikes

Chicago already is one of the most expensive cities in the world. But the cost of living soon could rise even more, if Chicago Mayor Rahm Emanuel gets his way.

Financial Crises May 2, 2016

New Jersey Supreme Court sides with Christie on pensions

New Jersey's top court sided Tuesday with Gov. Chris Christie in his fight against public-worker unions over pensions, preserving major cuts meant to stave off a budget crisis -- and giving the governor a win as he weighs a Republican presidential bid.

Financial Crises May 2, 2016

Illinois justices overturn state's landmark 2013 pension law

The Illinois Supreme Court on Friday struck down a 2013 law that sought to fix the nation's worst government-employee pension crisis, a ruling that forces the state to find another way to overcome a massive budget deficit.

New Jersey January 13, 2016

Atlantic City casino revenue cut by half over 9 years

Atlantic City has lost more than half of its casino revenue during the past nine years.

Financial Crises December 21, 2015

Detroit bankruptcy moves forward as judge rules city can shed debt

Detroit's historic bankruptcy will move forward after a judge ruled Tuesday that the financially crumbling city is eligible to shed billions in debt.