Rebounding economy fills state tax coffers
The Washington Post
State governments collected more than $846 billion in tax revenue in the last fiscal year, the highest amount ever reported, as a rebounding economy boosted coffers hit hard by the recession. NCSL's Todd Haggerty quoted.
NCSL research on state revenue and tax policy

Lobbying fee proposed to pay for oversight
Wilmington News Journal
Lobbyists would be required to pay an annual registration fee to help fund the state's starved ethics office – the Public Integrity Commission – under legislation Democratic lawmakers are introducing this week. NCSL data cited.
NCSL's research on lobbyist registration.

Bill to raise Hawaii's minimum wage passes House
Honolulu Star Advertiser
The state House on Tuesday approved a minimum wage increase, and there were new signs that the state Senate might accept the House draft rather than force conference committee negotiations that could endanger a pay raise for low-income workers.
NCSL's minimum wage legislation database

Pa. Senate OKs bill banning cash gifts to lawmkers
Philadelphia Inquirer
The state Senate unanimously approved a bill Wednesday that would ban lawmakers from accepting cash gifts from lobbyists or others seeking to "influence the legislative process."

States try to unload local roads
Stateline
In recent years, North Carolina, Texas, West Virginia and other states that own large road networks have tried to unload part of them onto localities.

States pursuing cash stashed overseas
Bloomberg
U.S. states are trying to capture corporate income taxes lost to offshore havens, wary of companies exploiting rules that let them channel cash abroad and weary of congressional inaction.