Lobbyists are needed, they say, because Sanford s limits on state spending have made it more difficult to get new programs added to agencies budget requests. But Sanford s limits on agency spending opened a market for outside interest groups to push for programs not included in state agencies budget requests. In the past two years, several new programs pushed by advocacy groups or trade associations some not supported by state agencies have won funding from the General Assembly and...

How much taxes actually increase will vary depending on the value of the home and how much local governmental units, mainly schools, tax in your neighborhood. For the first time, the budget gives the universities money to cover part of their tuition and the campuses will continue to absorb the rest of the cost. And don't think about replacing cigarettes with cigars. Taxes on other tobacco products are going up too. Bonding authority for the state's land stewardship program will increase by...

usDiggRedditYahooMyWebGoogleWhat's this? Red Ribbon Week in full swing at elementary schools By Kevin Buey Headlight Staff Article Launched:10/24/2007 12:00:00 AM MDT Click photo to enlarge Larry, the Crash Test Dummy, talks with students at Bell Elementary School, Tuesday, during a Red Ribbon Week presentation by the Luna County DWI Prevention Program staff. usDiggRedditYahooMyWebGoogleWhat's this? Red Ribbon Week in full swing at elementary schools By Kevin Buey Headlight Staff Article...

He said that in the week since they failed to override Bush's first veto, Democrats had systematically addressed earlier complaints that the bill failed to place a priority on low-income children, did not effectively bar illegal immigrants from qualifying for benefits and was overly generous to adults. Supporters said it would extend coverage to children of families making up to 300 percent of the federal poverty level, or about $62,000 for a family of four. Joe Barton, one of the more...

Supporters: Tobacco tax hike will pay for needed children s health program Opponents: Measure would hijack state s constitution Few ballot measures in Oregon history have generated as much sound and fury as Measure 50, the proposal to jack up the tobacco tax to finance a new children s medical insurance program. Supporters: Tobacco tax hike will pay for needed children s health program Opponents: Measure would hijack state s constitution Few ballot measures in Oregon history have generated...