IA - Culver Signs New Health Care Bill for Children. Gov. Chet Culver has announced he will sign Senate File 389 into law. With the healthcare reform battle in the forefront of the news, access to quality, affordable dental care remains a critical issue nationally in the troubled economy. This will allow expansion of Iowa's hawk-i program to include approximately 30,000 more children who may otherwise be unable to receive dental coverage. http://www.iowapolitics.com/in8971

MI - Granholm Uses Recovery Funds to Balance Budget. Gov. Jennifer Granholm has tapped about $1.3 billion in recovery money to balance the state budget and the state has a new Web site, www.michigan.gov/recovery. This website allows viewers to click on all 83 counties to see how money is divvied up. The state has received $3.6 billion in recovery money, out of an estimated $7.5 billion it will get from the federal government over two years. http://www.freep.com/arti905190439

 

WY - Freudenthal Calls Meeting on State's Future. Gov. Dave Freudenthal has scheduled a statewide forum to talk about the future of Wyoming. Freudenthal announced that the conference titled "Building the Wyoming We Want: Values and Vision" will take place in Casper in the middle of June. The conference is open to the public but registration is required because space is limited. Freudenthal says that despite the recent economic downturn, residents need to consider the question of what condition they want to leave the state in for future generations. http://www.localnews8.com/4_1_1

CO - Ritter Pushes Energy Agenda. Gov. Bill Ritter signed into law three measures that fit into his "new energy economy" agenda. The bills he approved will create a loan program to help schools fund clean-energy projects, let local governments give financial incentives for companies to install solar water heaters, and will allow farmers and ranchers to take advantage of grants from Advancing Colorado's Renewable Energy Program. http://www.bizjournals.com/11/daily83.html
 
WA - Gregoire expands same-sex partnerships - Surrounded by about 300 people - most of them gay and lesbian couples and their children - Gov. Chris Gregoire on Monday signed legislation giving registered same-sex domestic partners all the rights and benefits that Washington now offers married couples.  The Seattle Times
 
SC - The student versus the governor - At this point, most 18 year olds would be coasting through their last weeks in high school. But Casey Edwards is taking Governor Mark Sanford all the way to the state Supreme Court over the governor's refusal to accept federal stimulus money - some $700 million in aid for South Carolina's schools.    CBS News
 
IA - Culver: Today We Are Closer To Giving Every Iowa Child Quality, Affordable Health Insurance. Gov. Chet Culver took a step forward in his efforts to cover every Iowa child by signing Senate File 389 into law. "One of my top priorities as Governor is to see that every Iowa child has access to the health care they not only need, but deserve," said Culver. "This legislation moves us closer to our goal, and ensures that more Iowa children will grow up to be healthy adults. Our work is not done, and I look forward to working with the legislature and all Iowans as we continue our work to give our children a bright, healthy future." http://www.allamericanpatriots.com/child-quality-affo
 
OH - Strickland Announces Funds to Prevent Homelessness. Gov. Ted Strickland announced that the Dayton-Springfield area is set to receive nearly $3 million in federal recovery money to help prevent homelessness and help those who've become homeless find housing. These funds are part of $25.5 million coming to the state to help with homelessness. http://www.daytons.com/news74.html