Alabama
State Advertises Work Release Program
Recent radio spots advertise a service that could help improve productivity in the workplace—state inmates. The Alabama Department of Corrections started running the ads after a decrease in the number of businesses participating in its work release program. The department once collected about $20 million a year by allowing inmates to work for private businesses—money that was used to help off¬set the cost of incarceration. Businesses that participate get tax breaks. But the num¬ber of employers taking advantage of in¬mate labor has slowed with the sagging economy.
Source: Montgomery Advertiser

Illinois
Study Predicts Olympic-Size Windfall
Winning the 2016 Olympics and Paralympic Games would spark $22.5 billion in economic activity in Illinois, according to a new study prepared for the city's Olympics bid committee. The study by California-based Tootelian & Associates concludes that the city of Chicago would gain $13.7 billion in "incremental economic activity" in 2011-21. On average, 28,636 more people would hold jobs because of the Olympics during those years. Local officials hailed the study, saying it's based on "conservative" projections.
Source: Crain's Chicago Business

Kentucky
Governor Builds Support for Tobacco Tax
Health groups, business interests, and education advocates—including the state chamber of commerce and the University of Kentucky—are planning ambitious efforts to rally support for Gov. Steve Beshear's (D) proposed 70-cent increase in the cigarette tax. The governor suggests increasing the tax from the current 30-cents-per-pack to deal with a $456 million revenue shortfall. Beshear has also proposed a three-day furlough for state workers without pay, using some of the state's rainy day fund, and imposing taxes on other tobacco products to close the budget gap.
Source: The Courier-Journal

Maine
Governor Pushes R&D
He won't say how much, but Gov. John Baldacci (D) says he will propose to the Legislature a "significant" research and development bond package and a transportation bond. Baldacci says the amount would depend on the budget and the Legislature, which requires a two-thirds vote to send a borrowing proposal to voters. Voters narrowly approved a $50 million R&D bond package in 2007, and not all of those bonds have been issued.
Source: Capitol News Service

Oregon
Energy Tax Credits Attract Companies
Oregon's bid to cash in on its green appeal has given Portland's weakening commercial-real-estate market an early holiday gift. Denmark-based Vestas Wind Systems AS said this month that it is planning to build a new North American headquarters in the city. Other sustainable-development and renewable-energy businesses also have made a home in Oregon. The state has courted the industry with tax credits.
Source: Wall Street Journal