Nov 25th, 2005 · The U.S. Supreme Court earlier this year upheld the right of local governments to seize private property to spur economic development. Since then, Congress and at least 38 states have moved to defend property rights. Some experts warn the flurry of new legislation could block necessary development projects.
Nov 22nd, 2005 · Louisiana's state legislature has approved plans to create a new board for overseeing levee projects across the southern part of the state, but it set aside a more far-reaching levee reform bill. Tuesday is the final day of a special legislative session to deal with fiscal problems caused by hurricanes Katrina and Rita.
Nov 21st, 2005 · It's a good year for states looking to balance their budgets. This year, 42 states met or exceeded their budget projections this fiscal year. Stateline.org 's Kathleen Hunter, who writes about state tax and budget policy, talks about state budgets.
Nov 18th, 2005 · The U.S. House of Representatives narrowly passed a Republican-backed budget bill late Thursday night that includes cuts of $50 billion, mostly from programs for the poor and to help students go to college. The plan targets Medicaid, food stamps and student loans, but does not include a proposal to drill for oil in the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge and also axes some cherished "pork barrel" projects.
Nov 10th, 2005 · The coastal wetlands of Louisiana have been destroyed by decades of development and engineering projects. Scientists want to restore these wetlands, but there's uncertainty about how to proceed with such a huge task.
Nov 1st, 2005 · El Salvador gets nearly six feet of rainfall each year, but clean water is in short supply. Contaminated water kills thousands there every year. But simple projects that build deep wells are beginning to succeed where expensive, modern water systems have failed.
Oct 21st, 2005 · Beyond the devastating effects most know about the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina, there was an impact on medical research in New Orleans. How did longstanding research projects weather the storm?
Oct 17th, 2005 · American air strikes reportedly killed 70 insurgents in western Iraq on Sunday. Alex Chadwick speaks with New York Times Baghdad correspondent Ed Wong about the latest U.S. offensive, and early projections from Saturday's constitutional referendum that indicate a majority of Iraqis voted in favor of the document.