ALICE offers high-wage, low-waste, worker-friendly, publicly-accountable state and local policy. Our website serves as a collaborative clearinghouse for local elected officials, activists, organizations, and issue experts who want a map and a vehicle to take the high road. 

High Road:  Prescription Drug Reimportation

This week, Wisconsin joined the ranks of states meeting with Canadian pharmacies about reimportation of prescription drugs.  Oklahoma State Rep. Ron Kirby will also introduce legislation to require pharmaceutical companies to sell products to state programs at prices set by the Canadian government.  According to the NYT, price controls and pressure by the Canadian government are what keep their drugs 67% cheaper than in the United States. Why are US drugs so expensive?  Even during the recent economic slump, “the nation’s top 10 pharmaceutical companies reported a 33% increase in profits” and U.S.  manufactures spend “an average of 35% of their total revenues on advertising”.  That’s more than twice the amount most spend on research and development.

Low Road:  Florida $569 Million Corporate Give Away

Last week, Florida Gov. Jeb Bush approved a tax give-away of over $369-million in taxpayer dollars to Scripps biotech.  Palm Beach County, where the organization will be located, will add $200-million to the incentive package.  According to Good Jobs First, the total cost per direct job:  More than $935,000!

Trailblazers:  Taking the High Road

Maine:  Innovative health plan gains funding.  Dirigo Health is an alternative for small businesses struggling to provide employees with insurance. The program will be launched in July and about 31,000 people will receive coverage in the first year. Within five years, the goal is to make coverage available to every uninsured person in the state, except those over 65 who are already eligible for Medicare. Morning Sentinel.

Michigan and Vermont: Saving money by managing drug purchases, two states have lowered the cost to low-income residents by putting preferred drug lists in place and making drug management changes.  Both states also are on track to save money by using combined buying power to negotiate deeper drug discounts. The Boston Globe.

Colorado: Two lawmakers plan bill to put end to insurance company tax breaks.  Two Republican lawmakers will propose killing a discredited economic development program designed to send $200 million in tax breaks to insurance companies.  Denver Post.

New York:  Six State Treasurers stepped up their campaign last week to overhaul the New York Stock Exchange and clean up shady corporate business practices during an unprecedented meeting with the nation's top securities regulator.  Sacramento Bee.

Wyoming:  Governor leery of airline subsidies.  Enhancing air service is a high priority for Governor Freudenthal, but he is concerned that temporary subsidies too often "tend to just continue and continue and continue.” Billings Gazette.

Nebraska:  People with disabilities will soon be able to work without fear of losing government health coverage.  The goal of “Ticket to Work” is to remove barriers, such as fear of losing health insurance coverage, that traditionally have kept people with disabilities from working. Press & Dakotan.

Montana:  More regulation of energy sought . After embracing deregulation six years ago, some policy makers are asking the governor to take another big step toward re-regulating Montana's electric system. Billings Gazette.

Virginia:  Parks get major upgrade. State parks are undergoing a massive overhaul, with new design and construction projects totaling $54.7 million under way at 17 of the parks. Richmond Times-Dispatch.

New Jersey:  McGreevey Environmental Initiatives. The Governor’s record includes creating rules to protect drinking water, preserving open space in the Highlands of North Jersey, and encouraging the development of former industrial sites, according to a five-page list provided by his office. The Philadelphia Inquirer.

State Government News

Tax Support.  In Minnesota, school districts won approval for tax increases when three fourths of the districts with a levy referendum on yesterday's ballot gained approval from local voters.  In Iowa, Gov. Tom Vilsack’s plan on taxes refused to rule out increases as a way to resolve next year's state budget shortfall.  And in Georgia, State tax collections rise for third straight month.

Internet Tax Moratorium.  NGA's concerns over the moratorium on Internet access taxes (S. 150) is that it would expand the definition of Internet access and exempt a variety of services that are currently taxed. As a result, states could lose between $4 billion and $9 billion in revenue by 2006. A new broader bill to continue the federal tax moratorium on Internet access --  which is widely supported by lawmakers from both parties -- may pass the Senate this week.  An earlier version passed the U.S. House still had glitches to be addressed. Also see this MSNBC article.

Local Government News

Cities and Counties go North.  In  Maryland, Montgomery County is joining  those looking to Canada for better prices on the prescription drugs they buy for public employees.  Three months ago Springfield, Massachusetts launched the country's first insurance plan that allows city workers to buy lower-cost medication from Canada. Since then, according to their mayor, “some of the 20,000 workers and their families are saving 30% to 90% on prescriptions because Canada's provincial health-care systems and government regulations keep prices lower.” NYC Mayor Michael Bloomberg issued a press release urging the FDA to permit “states and cities to import prescription drugs from Canada.” In the release, Bloomberg said that he supported reimportation because, due to the rising cost of prescription drugs, “too many of New York’s seniors are forced to make the terrible choice between food and their prescription medication.”

New York City: Back in the Black.  Higher property and sales taxes, along with increased real estate values, combined with tightfisted budgeting to help New York City end its fiscal year in June in the black, according to a report issued by the city comptroller. New York Times.

Grants Online:  On Nov. 7, all federal agencies will begin posting their grant opportunity announcements in one centralized online location: www.grants.gov. It’s designed to be a one-stop grant center for cities and counties.

High Road Reports

The Center for Economic and Policy Research released a study to illustrate the fledgling economy has been especially hard on young people . Unemployment among 18-30 year-olds has risen 2.9% since the economy peaked in 2000 and now stands at 9.3%.  Hourly wages for young people, adjusted for inflation, have grown an anemic 0.2% and for young African American have actually fallen 0.7%. Jared Bernstein, a senior economist with the Economic Policy Institute, says, "The recovery has been harder on blacks than on anybody else."

For a better understanding of welfare issues and the pending Temporary Assistance for Needy Families reauthorization, check out EPI's Welfare Issue Guide, a downloadable online resource that includes data, fact sheets, and links to other sources of information on this issue.

Conference

This December, CPA will hold its seventh annual Summit on the States. Register to find innovative model policies on smart growth, worker rights, health care, education and more. Feature guests include pollsters Fred Yang and Linda DiVall.