Highlights: Facts show Right to Work makes no sense for NH; IA: Branstad, other governors urge passage of trade agreements; PA GOP Budget VOTE AWAY FROM PASSAGE...; Government Accountability Board clears way for recall elections against Wisconsin Republican senators Randy Hopper, Luther Olsen and Dan Kapanke ; Unions urge cut in state of Michigan managers, contracts; LePage urges rollback of renewable energy requirement; Group opposing Obama health care law trying to move into political spotlight; full Scrooge Alert here http://dailyscroogealert.blogspot.com/

New Hampshire

Facts show Right to Work makes no sense for NH
Tim Copeland I was first on the fence about some Right-to-Work issues in New Hampshire because as a police officer for 30 years, I was in a union and benefitted from that union. Because of this, I needed to examine the facts in New Hampshire in order ...

Column: 'Right-to-work' is wrong for New Hampshire
Column: 'Right-to-work' is wrong for New Hampshire. ... Maine may have just turned red, politically speaking, but color it green ? green with envy for its ...

'Politics, not policy' in Right to Work debate
Seacoastonline.com
John Lynch's veto of Right to Work legislation has become a test of political will for ... but not pay an "agency fee" for that collective bargaining work. ...

Ohio

SB5 opponents say they're well on their way to November ballot

Group opposing Obama health care law trying to move into political spotlight

Ohioans for Healthcare Freedom has collected 330,000 signatures for its drive to place a state constitutional amendment before voters that seeks to repeal the mandate in the controversial national law requiring everyone to buy health insurance.

OH: Better revenue projections won't change state budget
Despite the possibility of better than expected state revenues, Gov. John Kasich isn't ready to back off his two-year budget plan that calls for steep cuts to schools and local governments.

Gov. John Kasich says any extra money shouldn't go to local governments

Ohio's $112 billion all-funds state budget sits in the Senate's Finance Committee and last week lawmakers got an earful from Fitzgerald, a Mayor Jackson representative and others about the need to restore some money to locals who see a nearly $2 billion cut in the budget. Ohio's tax revenues are up enough over projections that it's likely that lawmakers will have $1 billion or more left to spend just as budget deliberations are wrapping up in June.

Wisconsin

Wisconsin certifies election of judge backed by Republicans

The election was widely seen as a referendum on Republican Governor Scott Walker and the curbs on public sector collective bargaining he and his allies passed in the legislature. The recount -- the first statewide in Wisconsin since 1989 -- was one ...

Government Accountability Board clears way for recall elections against Wisconsin Republican senators Randy Hopper, Luther Olsen and Dan Kapanke

WI State Sen. Scott Fitzgerald Lies About Voter Fraud in Wisconsin, His Office Unable to Defend Him

Wisconsin Republicans have long pushed unsuccessfully for a photo identification requirement at the polls, citing the need to guard against voter fraud. So it was not a surprise when the incoming Senate majority leader, Republican Scott Fitzgerald, told reporters a photo ID bill would be the first

Wisconsin superintendent lashes out against vouchers

Wisconsin state superintendent Tony Evers says it is morally wrong to expand Milwaukee's voucher school program at the same time funding for public education is slashed.

Wisconsin superintendent Tony Evers calls school choice program 'morally wrong'

GREEN BAY - Gov. Scott Walker's proposal to expand the Milwaukee school choice voucher program to other Wisconsin school districts is "morally wrong," state Supt. Tony Evers told students and staff Monday at Green Bay Preble High School.

Wisconsin recall effort could affect redistricting

WASHINGTON - With control of the state Legislature and governor's office, Wisconsin Republicans were in position to have their way in redrawing congressional district boundaries based on the 2010 census.

Sen. Lena Taylor on Wisconsin Voter Suppression Bill

Michigan

Millions can be saved in Michigan budget by cutting bosses and contract costs, unions say

As the Legislature this week puts the finishing touches on the 2012 budget that assumes significant concessions from state employees, labor leaders argue Michigan could save millions by reducing administrators and extracting savings from vendors.

Unions urge cut in state of Michigan managers, contracts

Labor unions representing some state employees called Monday for state government to reduce management staffing levels and find savings from contractors.

Pennsylvania

VOTE AWAY FROM PASSAGE...

GOP eyes restoring some education funding

The Republican-controlled state House advanced its version of Gov. Tom Corbett's $27.3 billion budget on Monday night, positioning a spending plan that partially restores the administration's deep cuts to public and higher education by carving funding out of social welfare programs.

Iowa

IA: Branstad, other governors urge passage of trade agreements
Gov. Terry Branstad is among 25 governors who have written President Obama and Congress, urging passage of three pending trade agreements with Colombia, Panama and South Korea.

Maine

Right-to-work laws won't put people back to work
The good jobs people used to have left with them, and now our lawmakers in Augusta think the answer is passing right-to-work legislation that will hurt the few jobs we have left. Ever since President Bill Clinton pushed passage of NAFTA,

Charter schools boosted by strong support on Education Committee

Charter schools in Maine came closer than they ever have to reality Friday when the Legislature's Education and Cultural Affairs Committee voted in favor of a bill that would allow creation of up to 10 of them in the next 10 years.

LePage urges rollback of renewable energy requirement

Maine Gov. Paul LePage used his weekly radio address Saturday to tout his proposal to change the state's renewable energy mandate, a plan critics say will increase dependence on fossil fuels.

Florida

State now checking if jobless are looking for work

When out-of-work Floridians apply for unemployment, they are required by law to look for a job to maintain their eligibility. If they stop looking for work, they risk having their jobless benefits of up to $275 a week cut off. But until recently state officials had been so swamped processing claims and making payments, no one had been checking to ensure that unemployment recipients really were looking for work

Charter school movement exploding in Florida

The charter school movement is exploding in Florida, creating new opportunities for parents, educators and entrepreneurs. But are the results any better than traditional schools?

Alabama

Alabama auto industry getting jump started with new life

Alabama's auto industry is jump-starting itself out of a painful slump, with at least $821 million in new investment and more than 2,000 new jobs announced since early 2009.