Targeted News Service

States, Cities and Counties

Attorney General Tong, Multistate Coalition File Brief in Ongoing Lawsuit to Protect State, Municipalities From Unlawful Restrictions on Public Safety Grants (4/19/19)

Attorney General's Legislation Strengthening Wage Theft Laws and Increasing Penalties Passes Legislature With Bipartisan Support (4/19/19)

Bipartisan Bill to 'Ban the Box' on College Applications Passes House (4/19/19)

Bombing Survivors Vividly Recall the Tragedy & Resilience 24 Years Later (4/19/19)

Borough of Carlisle Urges the Legislature to Support Gov. Wolf's Aggressive Infrastructure Plan, Restore Pennsylvania (4/19/19)

California Judicial Center Library Celebrates 150th Anniversary (4/19/19)

California Unemployment Rate Rises to 4.3 Percent in March (4/19/19)

Carr and Gold Medalist Nathan Adrian Join Responsibility.org for Alcohol Responsibility Month (4/19/19)

States, Cities and Counties

News releases, reports, statements and associated documents covering state government, cities and counties.

Featured Stories

WEDC Awards $750,000 Grant for New Beverage Innovation Center of Excellence

MADISON, Wisconsin, April 20 -- The Wisconsin Economic Development Corp. issued the following news release, dated April 18:

* * *

- Center for Dairy Research to create one-of-a-kind public resource for entrepreneurs with access to pilot plant and consulting services

* * *

The Wisconsin Economic Development Corporation (WEDC) has awarded a $750,000 grant to the Center for Dairy Research (CDR) to establish the Beverage Innovation Center, a new center of excellence that will provide resources to small businesses to test and develop new beverage products.

"This grant will allow us to purchase ... Show Full Article MADISON, Wisconsin, April 20 -- The Wisconsin Economic Development Corp. issued the following news release, dated April 18: * * * - Center for Dairy Research to create one-of-a-kind public resource for entrepreneurs with access to pilot plant and consulting services * * * The Wisconsin Economic Development Corporation (WEDC) has awarded a $750,000 grant to the Center for Dairy Research (CDR) to establish the Beverage Innovation Center, a new center of excellence that will provide resources to small businesses to test and develop new beverage products. "This grant will allow us to purchasespecialized equipment as well as provide technical assistance to dairy producers and entrepreneurs in Wisconsin," said CDR Director John Lucey. "When the Beverage Innovation Center is up and running, there will be no other facility quite like it in the United States."

The Beverage Innovation Center will be a modular pilot plant with an aseptic processing and bottling system for small businesses to produce small batch amounts of packaged beverages that can be used as prototypes in testing and optimizing formulas. The pilot plant will provide entrepreneurs access to CDR expertise, licensed space and equipment. With this access, clients will be able to test and fine tune the scalability of their prototypes in a production environment.

One of the advantages of the center is that it will provide entrepreneurs with the opportunity to run small-scale trials. Most aseptic processing and bottling systems run large-scale quantities, which are cost prohibitive for most entrepreneurs.

The project also includes the creation of the Client Development and Growth Program for qualified clients of the Technology, University, Research, Business, Opportunities (TURBO) program. This program will provide access to consultants for technical advice in identifying new markets, ensuring regulatory compliance, evaluating production costs and return on investment, packaging design and grant-writing assistance. Consulting services will be specifically targeted to Wisconsin companies that have fewer than 50 employees and are located in rural areas.

The Beverage Innovation Center is WEDC's latest partnership with TURBO, which is housed and operated within CDR. The TURBO program provides companies with access to several product development and business planning resources, including regulatory and financing assistance, economic development financing programs and workforce development information. Between 2013 and 2016, WEDC and TURBO awarded $200,000 in equipment reimbursement grants to 11 small Wisconsin dairy manufacturers that resulted in more than $2 million in public and private investment. In 2018, WEDC approved a second round of equipment reimbursement grants totaling $200,000, which TURBO is currently awarding.

WEDC's investment in the CDR is part of the organization's long-term strategy of advancing targeted, high-growth business clusters to develop high-quality jobs and significant job growth in Wisconsin. WEDC-supported centers of excellence--including the Global Water Center and the Energy Innovation Center--serve as cluster "anchors" around which academic R&D, corporate R&D and commercialization, external investment and company attraction connections are made.

"The Beverage Innovation Center will serve as an important resource to entrepreneurs and small businesses throughout Wisconsin," said Vincent Rice, WEDC vice president of sector strategy development. "At a time when Wisconsin is experiencing a milk surplus, this center of excellence will provide dairy farmers with new avenues to pursue innovation in the beverage industry."

This center of excellence is also being supported by a $250,000 grant from Dairy Farmers of Wisconsin.

"CDR is the crown jewel of Wisconsin dairy, and we are proud to support its initiative to innovate dairy beverages," said Chad Vincent, CEO of Dairy Farmers of Wisconsin. "The center's proven innovation and execution excellence are unparalleled, and this partnership between the Wisconsin Economic Development Corporation, the University of Wisconsin and the Dairy Farmers of Wisconsin will be vital to industry growth in our state."

Founded in 1986, the Center for Dairy Research is located within a licensed, operating dairy plant on the UW-Madison campus and is one of the premier dairy research centers in the U.S. Building on Wisconsin's tradition as the "Dairy State," CDR supports the foremost scientific expertise in dairy research, technical support and education, with more than 30 researchers and scientists involved in conducting basic and applied research.

To learn more about the Center for Dairy Research, please visit http://www.cdr.wisc.edu.

Sonics Legend Jack Sikma Honored by Senate on Induction to Hall of Fame

OLYMPIA, Washington, April 20 -- The Washington Senate Republicans issued the following news, dated April 18:

Jack Sikma, one of the standouts on the legendary Seattle SuperSonics team that captured the 1979 NBA title, was honored by the Washington Senate Thursday on his upcoming induction into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame.

In remarks to the Senate, Sikma recalled that when he was drafted by the Sonics 42 years ago, "I said Seattle isn't my first choice." He has since had opportunity to change his mind.

Today Sikma is as much a part of the fabric of Seattle as the Space Needle, ... Show Full Article OLYMPIA, Washington, April 20 -- The Washington Senate Republicans issued the following news, dated April 18: Jack Sikma, one of the standouts on the legendary Seattle SuperSonics team that captured the 1979 NBA title, was honored by the Washington Senate Thursday on his upcoming induction into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame. In remarks to the Senate, Sikma recalled that when he was drafted by the Sonics 42 years ago, "I said Seattle isn't my first choice." He has since had opportunity to change his mind. Today Sikma is as much a part of the fabric of Seattle as the Space Needle,remembered for his role in the Sonics' turnaround that sent them to the NBA Finals in 1978 and won them the championship the following year. The Senate Thursday passed a resolution highlighting the career accomplishments that have propelled him to the highest of honors. Sikma will be inducted into the Hall of Fame in Springfield, Mass., on Sept. 6.

"I think every one of us remembers where we were in 1979 when that championship game was played," said Sen. Tim Sheldon, D-Potlatch, who sponsored the resolution with Sen. David Frockt, D-Seattle.

"Is there anyone in Washington state who wasn't watching the game that day? Jack Sikma's outstanding performance helped carry the day, and every one of us who saw it will never forget it. He has been a hero to many, an inspiration to some, and today I am proud to shake his hand."

Sikma is the second future hall of famer honored by the Senate this month. Edgar Martinez, formerly of the Mariners, received a similar resolution in advance of his induction into the Baseball Hall of Fame in July.

Sikma played 14 years in the NBA, nine of them with Seattle before being traded to Milwaukee. Nearly every season he helped lead his team to the playoffs. Following his retirement in 1991, he returned to the sideline as an assistant coach with the Sonics in 2003. Today he is a coaching consultant with the Toronto Raptors.

Sikma's Sonics team is long gone, having departed Seattle for Oklahoma City in 2008. Efforts to restore NBA basketball in Seattle so far have stalled.

"Jack Sikma's elevation to the Hall of Fame is a reminder of what the Sonics were, and could be again," Sheldon said.

As he met with senators and staff in the Senate chamber, Sikma said the best hope for revival of the franchise is to lure a team from another city. "There's one more thing left to do, and that's to get 'em back," he said.

Lujan Grisham Administration Announces Historic Settlement of 32-year 'Jackson' Lawsuit

SANTA FE, New Mexico, April 20 -- Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham, D-New Mexico, issued the following news release, dated April 18:

One of the longest-running institutional reform lawsuits in the country has been settled. The state and plaintiffs on Wednesday struck an agreement in Jackson, et al., vs. the Los Lunas Center for Persons with Developmental Disabilities, et al., commonly referred to as Jackson. The parties received preliminary approval of the settlement Thursday from the Hon. Judge James A. Parker, who has overseen proceedings in the case for decades, spanning many state administrations.

Filed ... Show Full Article SANTA FE, New Mexico, April 20 -- Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham, D-New Mexico, issued the following news release, dated April 18: One of the longest-running institutional reform lawsuits in the country has been settled. The state and plaintiffs on Wednesday struck an agreement in Jackson, et al., vs. the Los Lunas Center for Persons with Developmental Disabilities, et al., commonly referred to as Jackson. The parties received preliminary approval of the settlement Thursday from the Hon. Judge James A. Parker, who has overseen proceedings in the case for decades, spanning many state administrations. Filedin 1987 and having escalated in complexity ever since, the Jackson litigation centered on significant deficiencies at a pair of since-closed state-run institutions for the developmentally disabled. Plaintiffs alleged ongoing violations of the constitutional rights of adults with developmental and intellectual disabilities as well as violations of health and safety. In 1990, defendants were ordered to remedy those deficiencies through, among other things, the development of individual treatment programs; abuse prevention and reduction; and improved training and staff supervision. The facilities, at Fort Stanton and Los Lunas, were closed in 1995 and 1997, respectively; in their place, the state created community-based programs for individuals with developmental disabilities.

In the interim, the parties have entered into multiple contracts and agreements intended to address the plaintiffs' concerns. The 1990 order evolved into an increasingly convoluted set of requirements that bedeviled successive state administrations, compelling millions in expenditures annually on experts and attorneys. Attorney fees and other costs associated with expertise for the state have run more than $50 million over the course of the litigation.

Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham made reaching a settlement a point of emphasis.

"To settle long-running litigation in an amicable, balanced fashion, and in only our administration's first few months, is remarkable and remarkably gratifying," Gov. Lujan Grisham said. "This agreement acknowledges the progress the state has made in creating programs to protect vulnerable individuals while ensuring we do not operate under extensive and intrusive monitoring obligations. We will continue to evolve and improve our processes and policies for serving the needs of our neighbors."

Health Secretary Kathy Kunkel said, "We, as a state, are committed to providing the best possible care to anyone who enters into one of our waiver programs, making sure they have every opportunity to create and lead a life based on their interests and abilities in the community of their choice."

Pursuant to the settlement, the plaintiffs have agreed to allow the state to operate under its current policies and rules without outside oversight or direction; and the state has agreed to demonstrate full compliance.

The agreement does not relieve the state of its responsibility to provide for the health and safety needs of individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities but rather enshrines the important and measurable progress made in the decades since the litigation began.

Legislature Passes Pellicciotti's 'Corporate Crime Act'

OLYMPIA, Washington, April 20 -- Washington House Democrats issued the following news release, dated April 18:

For the first time in nearly century, corporations in Washington found guilty of criminal acts will face harsher penalties under the Corporate Crime Act (House Bill 1252).

Sponsored by Rep. Mike Pellicciotti, D-Federal Way, the Corporate Crime Act will increase fines for all corporate crimes by 100 times, with most serious offenses facing up to $1 million for each crime. Under current law, a corporation cannot be fined more than $10,000, no matter how serious the crime is. This is the ... Show Full Article

Legislature Passes Bill to Prevent Oil Spills, Help Orca Recovery

OLYMPIA, Washington, April 20 -- Washington House Democrats issued the following news release, dated April 18:

On Thursday the Legislature passed House Bill 1578 to help with orca whale recovery and oil spill prevention in the Salish Sea. There are only 75 Southern Resident orcas left.

Sponsored by Rep. Debra Lekanoff, D-Bow, the legislation reinforces the Oil Spill Prevention Act and Strengthening Oil Transportation Act. The bill requires small oil tankers and barges to have tug escorts when traveling through the narrow straights of the San Juan Islands.

The legislation is in direct response ... Show Full Article

Indiana Utility Regulatory Commission Issues Weekly Hearing Schedule for April 22-26

INDIANAPOLIS, Indiana, April 20 -- The Indiana Indiana Utility Regulatory Commission issued the following weekly hearing schedule:

Monday, April 22, 2019

There are no hearing scheduled for today.

Tuesday, April 23, 2019

CAUSE NOS: 45195 and 45196

TIME: 9:30 A.M.

ROOM: PNC, Room 222

ALJ: SEYFRIED

COMMISSIONER: OBER

VERIFIED PETITION OF NORTHERN INDIANA PUBLIC SERVICE COMPANY LLC FOR APPROVAL PURSUANT TO IND. CODE ** 8-1-2-42(a), 8-1-8.8-11, AND TO THE EXTENT NECESSARY IND. CODE * 8-1-2.5-6, OF A RENEWABLE ENERGY POWER PURCHASE AGREEMENT WITH JORDAN CREEK WIND FARM LLC, INCLUDING TIMELY ... Show Full Article

Appleton Scores Victory in Effort to End Breed-specific Dog Bans

OLYMPIA, Washington, April 20 -- Washington House Democrats issued the following news release, dated April 18:

Persistence pays off. After years of effort, state Rep. Sherry Appleton on Wednesday (Apr. 17) celebrated final passage of her bill to prohibit local governments in Washington from enacting blanket bans on specific dog breeds.

Appleton (D-23rd, Poulsbo), who was named 2018 Legislator of the Year by the Washington State Humane Society, has passed several notable bills during her long legislative career, but all the while worked tirelessly on her quest to outlaw breed-specific bans. More ... Show Full Article OLYMPIA, Washington, April 20 -- Washington House Democrats issued the following news release, dated April 18: Persistence pays off. After years of effort, state Rep. Sherry Appleton on Wednesday (Apr. 17) celebrated final passage of her bill to prohibit local governments in Washington from enacting blanket bans on specific dog breeds. Appleton (D-23rd, Poulsbo), who was named 2018 Legislator of the Year by the Washington State Humane Society, has passed several notable bills during her long legislative career, but all the while worked tirelessly on her quest to outlaw breed-specific bans. Morethan any other breed, those bans are aimed at persons who own American pit bull terriers, or dogs that are lumped in with pit bulls because they physically resemble them.

"It's so easy for a city council to think they're increasing public safety by passing an ordinance banning pit bulls, or what they erroneously think are pit bulls," Appleton said. "They might not be as pretty as golden retriever or cute as a poodle, and they've been misused for so long by so many cruel owners that they've been stereotyped as being ticking time bombs. But it's wrong in many ways, and it's penalized countless families who love their pitties."

Under the terms of Appleton's bill (HB 1026), cities may not prohibit ownership of specific breeds of dog unless the city meets a number of conditions. Among them:

* There must be a process for exempting individual dogs who pass the AKC Canine Good Citizen test or its equivalent.

* Dogs who pass the good-behavior test are exempt from breed-based regulations for at least two years, and may retest to continue the exemption.

* Dogs who initially fail the good-behavior test can retest within a reasonable period of time.

"By passing this bill at last," Appleton said, "Washington joins nearly two dozen other states, red, blue, and purple, that have either completely prohibited or placed tight restrictions on breed-specific dog bans. I don't see this as a personal victory, although at times it has been a lonely crusade. I consider this a victory for families who will now have the right to live anywhere they wish in this great state without having to choose between relocating for that good job or that educational opportunity or that wonderful retirement community, and parting with a loving, four-legged member of their family."

HB 1026 has been transmitted to Gov. Jay Inslee for his signature.

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