Maine
Electric Rates Propel Business Costs
Maine's cost-of-doing-business ranking soared to 17th-highest in the nation as measured by the Milliken Institute, a California-based think tank. The big jump, from 28^th in the nation last year, is driven by sharp increases in the cost of electricity. Electricity rates for Maine businesses are 43% above the national average.
Source: Bangor Daily News

New Jersey
Slow Going For Emissions Reduction Plan
New Jersey was one of the first states to join a 10-state regional effort to limit greenhouse gas emissions from power plants, but it may be one of the last in the group to put a program in place, advocates say. Maine and Massachusetts recently unveiled rules spelling out how their programs will work; however, New Jersey is months away from even drafting its regulations.
Source: The Record of Bergen County

Kentucky
Tourism Economy Growth Rate Slows Down
The growth rate of the state tourism economy declined to 6.6% last year from 8.2% in 2005 even as state officials spent millions of dollars generated by a new tax to boost tourism. In a review of Kentucky's new statewide lodging tax, the state auditor found that a nearly threefold increase in marketing dollars failed to significantly boost tourism's impact on the state economy.
Source: Lexington Herald-Leader

Alabama
Droughts Hurt Farming, Agribusiness

Severe droughts are threatening to devastate the state's farming and agribusiness industries—the largest industries in the state. The U.S. Drought Monitor reported that 99.5% of the state was experiencing severe drought conditions, with only 21 inches of rain reported for the first six months of the year. Alabama's $4.7 billion farming industry and its agribusiness industries combine for 22% of the state's direct output.
Source: Tuscaloosa News

Michigan
Business Investment in Metro Detroit Drops

Business growth in Metro Detroit—new ventures and expansion of existing ones—fell dramatically in the past 12 months compared to the previous year, reflecting the region's slumping economy and uncertainty over a new business tax. Business investment in Southeast Michigan fell from 73 expansions or new projects worth $449.7 million and 2,775 jobs from July 2005 through July 2006, to 45 ventures worth $66.3 million and 644 jobs in the past 12 months, according to a report the Detroit Regional Economic Partnership released last week.
Source: The Detroit News

Missouri
AG Candidate Calls for Product Safety Law

Democratic attorney general candidate Margaret Donnelly called for Missouri to enact a children's product safety law that could penalize business that don't quickly inform consumers of product recalls. Donnelly wants a measure modeled after one in Illinois, where it is illegal to sell children's products that have been recalled, are subject to safety warnings, or don't meet federal standards. Her proposal comes amid a recent spate of highly publicized toy recalls, several involving concerns about lead paint in products imported from China.
Source: Associated Press

Hawaii
Residents Willing to Spend More on the Environment

Two-thirds of 2,000 surveyed Hawaii residents said they would be willing to pay more for renewable energy resources if it meant energy independence, and 61% said they would be willing to pay more taxes to protect the environment. In addition, survey respondents placed a higher priority on preserving agricultural and conservation land than on building more affordable housing. The survey was commissioned by the Hawaii 2050 Task Force.
Source: The Honolulu Advertiser

Idaho
State Sets Export Record

Export sales by local companies set a record for the second straight quarter, exceeding $1.1 billion between April and June, according to the Idaho Department of Commerce. The back-to-back record quarters totaling $2.2 billion produced a nation-leading 25% increase in foreign sales for the first half of 2007, well ahead of last year's pace when exports hit a record $3.7 billion. Almost 95% of this year's sales have involved high-tech products.
Source: Twin Falls Times-News