California
Health Plan Likely to Stall in Senate
Senate President Pro Tem Don Perata, D-Oakland said he has no plans to call the Senate back to approve a compromise agreement on a health care deal between Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger (R) and Assembly Speaker Fabian Núñez, D-Los Angeles. Under the agreement, companies that don't provide health insurance would have to pay into a state fund, from 1% of payroll for those with a payroll of less than $250,000 to 6.5% for companies with $15 million in payroll. Perata said it would be difficult to persuade voters to approve the plan when the state is facing a possible $14 billion budget deficit.
Source: The San Diego Union-Tribune

Illinois
State Backs Off E-Verify Mandate
Officials agreed for the time being not to enforce a law that would make it illegal to enroll in the federal E-verify system, which allows employers to check whether a worker is authorized to work in the United States. The state law, passed in August, was set to become effective Jan. 1. The Department of Homeland Security filed a lawsuit in September aimed at declaring the state law invalid. In a filing last week, the state agreed not to begin enforcing the law until the lawsuit is resolved.
Source: Daily Herald

Maine
Businesses Warn Against Taxes, Fees to Cover Budget Shortfall
With lawmakers looking to cut at least $111 million in spending over the next 18 months, business leaders are worried they may be hit with new fees and taxes, or both, to balance the budget when the legislature convenes on Jan. 2. Dana Connors, president of the Maine State Chamber of Commerce, said that too often the business community is looked at as an easy target for new revenues. Business leaders said any attempt to raise fees or taxes to solve the state's revenue shortfall will be met with an intense lobbying effort.
Source: Bangor Daily News

Nebraska
Senator Touts State Economic Benefits of Energy Bill
An energy bill passed by the Senate last week could continue the economic boost that the biofuel revolution is bringing to Nebraska's economy. Sen. Ben Nelson, D-Neb. said the new legislation will continue to allow for the growth of ethanol, while also promoting other biofuels, such as those derived from cellulosic material. The bill would raise the renewable fuel standard to 36 billion gallons by 2022, more than half of which would have to come from advanced biofuels.
Source: The Grand Island Independent

Virginia
Governor Proposes Expansion of Health Care Program
Gov. Tim Kaine (D) proposed an expansion this week of Virginia's effort to subsidize health care for the uninsured, targeting some women and small-business employees. As part of his 2008-10 budget, Kaine is calling for an additional $7.7 million over two years to launch the VirginiaShare health insurance program, which would partner with small businesses to offer coverage to employees. Under the program, the state, employers, and employees would divide the costs of acquiring a health insurance policy.
Source: The Washington Post