State Net Capitol Journal Says California has gone from Leader to Laggard
For years, California was on the cutting edge of societal and political change. But as columnist Lou Cannon reports in the July 21 State Net Capitol Journal, a myriad of serious problems -- many of them self-induced -- have transformed the Golden State from a leader into a laggard.

The State Net Capitol Journal's Lou Cannon Says the Fiscal Numbers Rarely Add up for Candidates Promising to Change Government
Telling voters they can have something for much less than it really costs has produced not only California's current fiscal impasse, but an almost unimaginable federal budget deficit and accumulated national debt.

Will Elections in New Jersey and Virginia Foreshadow a National GOP Resurgence?
The State Net Capitol Journal reports that upcoming gubernatorial elections in Virginia and New Jersey could foreshadow a national Republican resurgence

Federal Stimulus Funds Likely To Run Out Long Before State Income And Sales Tax Collections Reach Pre-Recession Levels
State Net Capitol Journal's Lou Cannon reports that federal stimulus funds are likely to run out long before state income and sales tax collections reach pre-recession levels.

IT Waste Prevention Act Passed By Senate Committee : Proposed Bill Spotlights Need to Fix Endemic Requirements Issues Facing IT Projects
An important bill designed to prevent endemic waste surrounding federal government IT projects has passed a Senate committee vote. The Information Technology Investment Oversight Enhancement and Waste Prevention Act (S. 3384) would require federal agencies to regularly report to Congress on significant shortfalls in the cost, schedule and performance of their IT programs. The legislation would also encourage better planning and ensure that officials are alerted soon after problems arise. This bill was passed by the Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee on October 1st and now faces a full vote on the floor of the Senate. A separate version of the Bill is also being considered by the House of Representatives.

Health Care Bill Will Help Struggling States
The State Net Capitol Journal reports that the health care reform measures under consideration in Congress would also serve as a second fiscal stimulus package for cash-strapped states.

The State Net Capitol Journal's Lou Cannon Reports That States May Need Another Federal Stimulus to Climb Out of the "Great Recession"
Federal stimulus money is making its way to the states, but the State Net Capitol Journal's Lou Cannon reports that a growing number of economists believe a second federal bailout may be necessary for cash-starved states to avoid another round of the "Great Recession."

Major California Plastic Bag Distributor Observes Changes in State Legislation, Continues to Promote Environment-Friendly Trade Show Bag Products
California-based plastic bag distributor discusses impact of new legislation by U.S. states Delaware and Washington State as they pass state laws promoting more efficient use of plastic bags through fees, facilities regulations. Aplasticbag says these plastic bags policies create stir in community and industry and receive strong criticism from opponents.

Universal Healthcare Gains Prominence on State Legislative Agendas
States are primed to consider universal healthcare options in 2007. Access to health care for millions of uninsured Americans will gain ground on state legislative agendas.

States Must Fend for Themselves on Immigration Problem
The emergence of Arizona Sen. John McCain as the presumptive GOP presidential nominee has seemingly pushed illegal immigration off the primary national agenda. But as the March 17 State Net Capitol Journal reports, states have more than made up for the lack of comprehensive federal immigration reform. Since 2007, many states have in fact enacted extremely tough anti-immigrant measures aimed directly at employers who hire illegal workers, with several more states poised to join them in the near future. To date, 36 states have considered 250 such immigration-related measures with 15 states having gotten those bills beyond the house of origin.

The State Net Capitol Journal Reports that an Impending Supreme Court Decision Could Drastically Alter State Efforts to Control Campaign Spending.
The Blagojevich election scandal spurred many states to adopt new measures aimed at snuffing out campaign corruption. But a current U.S. Supreme Court case may change the game more than anything states have done.

States Need U.S. Senate Help on Health Care Overhaul
The State Net Capitol Journal reports that, in its current form, the health care overhaul bill working its way through Congress places a huge fiscal burden on the states at a time they can least afford it.

The 'LegisWeb Eye' Legislative Web Portal Launches on July 1st
The LegisWeb Eye is a new web portal that provides a comprehensive view of California public policy and legislative issues. Available at www.legisweb.com, the LegisWeb Eye combines news, opinions, discussion, and bill tracking in one site.

CHIME Develops New Website to Support State-Level Communication for HIT Execs
The College of Healthcare Information Management Executives (CHIME) announces the launch of its public online CIO State Network (StateNet) to enhance communication among healthcare chief information officers on issues related to HITECH at the state level.

212 Software Announces a Major Security Enhancement Aimed at Identity Theft
212 Software, the largest provider of property management software for managing Homeowner Associations and Condominiums in the country, announced today the imminent release of a major security enhancement designed to secure personal and sensitive information stored in their Windows® based software applications--TOPS 321™ and CAManager™.