California
Health Insurance Bills Head to Governor
A significant number of health care bills were passed by state lawmakers last week and are headed to the governor's desk, including proposals to give people greater protections if their health insurer retroactively canceled their coverage, and to prevent doctors from charging patients for unreimbursed emergency-room treatment. A third bill would require health insurers to devote 85% of their premium dollars to medical care, as well as provide maternity and broader mental health coverage.
Source: San Francisco Chronicle

Colorado
Unemployment System Tested by Additional Recipients
Rising claims and a huge volume of calls are stressing the state's unemployment-insurance system. An accounting glitch over the holiday weekend slowed down payments, but the biggest strain on the system has come from the federal government's extension of unemployment benefits for an additional 13 weeks. More than 120,000 people in the state were identified as potentially eligible, and about 25,000 people applied for extended benefits in July and August.
Source: The Denver Post

Florida
Tax Swap, Vouchers Off November Ballot
The Florida Supreme Court has stripped a tax "swap" from the Nov. 4 ballot. The so-called tax swap, known as Amendment 5, called for eliminating most school property taxes—for a cut of at least 25% statewide—in exchange for a higher sales tax and other revenue sources identified by the Legislature. A vocal coalition opposed the plan, and argued it would increase the state sales tax. Moreover, critics feared legislators would make up for the lost revenue by taxing services, such as dry cleaning and accountants.
Source: St. Petersburg Times

Hawaii
Downturn Batters Isle Businesses
Hawaii businesses' optimism level for the state's economic future is the lowest in a decade, according to a survey released by the Business Banking Council. The state's business community, which posted second-quarter decreases in employment, gross revenue and profits before taxes, continues to grapple with the effects of rising fuel and commodity costs, falling tourism and a faltering U.S. economy. Nearly half of tourism-related businesses have seen a decline in gross revenue and profits, and nearly a quarter have reduced their work force, according to the survey.
Source: Honolulu Star-Bulletin

Iowa
Survey: Large Employers Look to Hire
The Iowa Business Council's survey of 19 of the top executives at some of the state's largest employers found that the majority of those surveyed predicted their companies would expand hiring during the next six months. Another 37% of those surveyed predicted they would maintain current hiring practices in the coming months. However, more than a quarter of respondents predicted fewer sales during the next six months, up from just 6% who made a similar prediction during the second quarter of 2008.
Source: Quad-City Times