TheRepublic.com - Industry regulation News

SD governor calling special legislative session

Wed, 22 May 2013 22:37:23 -0400

PIERRE, South Dakota - Gov. Dennis Daugaard announced Wednesday he will call the South Dakota Legislature into a special session sometime in late June to deal with cost overruns in the construction of a new State Veterans Home in Hot Springs.

Iowa lawmakers have deal on low-income health care

Wed, 22 May 2013 21:29:11 -0400

DES MOINES, Iowa - After staunchly opposing an expansion of Iowa's Medicaid program using federal funds, Gov. Terry Branstad has agreed to seek the funding for an alternate health plan for low-income residents.

Minn. lawmakers compromise on sand mining rules

Wed, 22 May 2013 21:23:17 -0400

MINNEAPOLIS - Critics of silica sand mining had hoped the Minnesota Legislature would adopt aggressive statewide rules to protect people and the environment. What finally emerged from the just-completed session, however, was a compromise that still leaves key decisions up to local governments.

New Ill. House gun bill has more restrictions

Wed, 22 May 2013 21:20:54 -0400

SPRINGFIELD, Illinois - A compromise allowing the carrying of concealed weapons backed by House Speaker Michael Madigan and agreed to by the General Assembly's leading gun-rights advocate materialized Wednesday, adding to the list of gun-free locales but making it easier for qualified gun owners to get permits.

2 insurers proposed to not cover Wash. abortions

Wed, 22 May 2013 20:49:31 -0400

OLYMPIA, Washington - Two insurance companies who filed to compete in Washington state's health care exchange initially proposed not to provide abortion coverage, officials said Wednesday.

Retiring coal-fired plants in Nevada passes Senate

Wed, 22 May 2013 20:16:15 -0400

CARSON CITY, Nevada - The Nevada Senate endorsed NV Energy Inc.'s plan Wednesday to retire coal-fired power plants and pave the way for the state's biggest electrical utility to transition to more renewable sources.

Iowa lawmakers close to ending legislative session

Wed, 22 May 2013 19:34:20 -0400

DES MOINES, Iowa - Iowa lawmakers were moving rapidly toward adjournment Wednesday, approving an education policy plan and making progress on property tax cuts and health care for low-income residents.

Crackdown coming for Internet cafes in Ohio

Wed, 22 May 2013 19:16:51 -0400

COLUMBUS, Ohio - Storefront sweepstakes parlors appear on their way out in Ohio, after state lawmakers delivered a one-two punch Wednesday effectively banning the businesses statewide and blocking new startups until the ban takes hold.

Senate Democrats offer slew of Ohio budget changes

Wed, 22 May 2013 18:44:04 -0400

COLUMBUS, Ohio - Democrats in the Ohio Senate suggested Wednesday that budget writers take millions of dollars from a proposed income tax cut for higher wage earners and direct it to schools instead, as work intensified on the state's spending plan.

Neb. AG wants to revoke license of abortion nurse

Wed, 22 May 2013 18:42:32 -0400

OMAHA, Nebraska - A prominent Nebraska abortion clinic is facing a new legal challenge from state officials who want to revoke the license of the clinic's only nurse because of allegations of questionable care.

Median CEO pay rises to $9.7 million in 2012

Wed, 22 May 2013 18:22:48 -0400

CEO pay has been going in one direction for the past three years: up.

College tuition hike bill scrapped for session

Wed, 22 May 2013 18:19:36 -0400

BATON ROUGE, Louisiana - Attempts to raise tuition at Louisiana's public colleges appear dead for the session, despite concerns about repeated rounds of budget cuts to schools.

Iowa reaches settlement with Penguin on e-books

Wed, 22 May 2013 18:07:48 -0400

DES MOINES, Iowa - Iowa Attorney General Tom Miller says his office has reached an agreement with a major U.S. book publisher to settle allegations the company attempted to manipulate prices in the e-book market.

Senate rejects bid to let states run food stamps

Wed, 22 May 2013 17:59:53 -0400

WASHINGTON - The Senate on Wednesday rejected a Republican bid to turn the federal food stamp program over to the states.

Path unclear if LePage vetoes Maine hospital bill

Wed, 22 May 2013 17:24:07 -0400

AUGUSTA, Maine - Even though Gov. Paul LePage's office made it clear Wednesday he'll veto a bill to pay off a $484 million debt to Maine hospitals because of an amendment to expand Medicaid, Democrats professed hope the Republican governor will relent and considered passage a victory.

Vatican releases 1st report of financial watchdog

Wed, 22 May 2013 16:38:23 -0400

VATICAN CITY - The Vatican took another step Wednesday to show greater financial transparency by publishing the first annual report from its financial watchdog agency and announcing new regulations to fight money laundering and terror financing.

Board OKs petition form for abortion proposal

Wed, 22 May 2013 16:36:56 -0400

LANSING, Michigan - An anti-abortion group seeking to ban Michigan health insurance plans from covering abortions without a supplemental policy cleared an early hurdle Wednesday in its effort to take the proposal to voters, even without Republican Gov. Rick Snyder's approval.

Correction: Health Overhaul-Wash story

Wed, 22 May 2013 14:11:45 -0400

OLYMPIA, Washington - In a story May 14 about insurance premiums, The Associated Press, relying on information provided by the Washington State Office of the Insurance Commissioner, reported erroneously the premiums for an insurance plan. The $162 rate is for people under the age of 21, not for 21 year olds.

Boulder County won't extend drilling moratorium

Wed, 22 May 2013 13:33:32 -0400

LONGMONT, Colorado - At least two northern Colorado communities are looking to impose strict regulations on oil and gas drilling instead of stopping it all together.

Tesla shows Model S to influence NC auto bill

Wed, 22 May 2013 13:14:24 -0400

RALEIGH, North Carolina - North Carolina lawmakers and passersby stopped to take in a display of Tesla Motors' award-winning electric cars Wednesday as the company presses against a bill in the General Assembly that effectively outlaws Tesla's Internet-based sales model.

States reach settlement with Penguin on ebooks

Wed, 22 May 2013 12:55:11 -0400

AUSTIN, Texas - Texas Attorney General Greg Abbott says his office has settled a lawsuit the state had filed against Penguin Group Inc., accusing America's largest book publishers of colluding with Apple Inc. to raise ebook prices on customers.

Labor board nominees advance

Wed, 22 May 2013 11:39:32 -0400

WASHINGTON - A Senate panel has endorsed President Barack Obama's slate of five nominees to sit on the National Labor Relations Board. Two of them advanced despite strong GOP opposition.

Maine lawmakers refuse to repeal health care law

Wed, 22 May 2013 11:10:36 -0400

AUGUSTA, Maine - The Maine Legislature has said no to a move to bar enforcement of the national health care law.

Drug testing for unemployment passes Texas House

Wed, 22 May 2013 10:50:19 -0400

AUSTIN, Texas - The Texas House has approved a bill that allows the state to drug test unemployment applicants. But Democrats successfully used a parade of stalling tactics to run out the clock on a similar measure mandating such screening for welfare applicants.

Maine highway study law repeal voted

Wed, 22 May 2013 10:44:33 -0400

AUGUSTA, Maine - The Maine Senate has given final approval to a bill that repeals a requirement for a feasibility study on the proposed east-west highway.