South Dakota closes fiscal year with a $69 million surplus as $7.5 billion budget begins
South Dakota ended FY2026 with a $69 million surplus, but the money moved to reserves rather than automatic tax cuts or new ongoing spending.
State News
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South Carolina’s 2026 tax-free weekend starts August 7. What purchases qualify
South Carolina’s tax-free weekend runs Aug. 7-9, 2026. Here are the qualifying purchases, online-order rules, exclusions and return policies.
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Washington Bridge closure lengthened East Bay ambulance trips, study finds
A Rhode Island study of 125,817 EMS transports found longer East Bay ambulance trips after the Washington Bridge closure, while destination changes were concentrated among general adult hospital transports.
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Pennsylvania’s new budget leaves data-center oversight and power costs largely unresolved
Pennsylvania’s $50.8 billion 2026-27 budget requires large data centers to report annual energy and water use, but leaves utility-cost rules, siting policy and the state’s equipment tax exemption unresolved.
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Oregon wildfire temporarily closed 70 miles of I-84 as evacuations disrupted travel
The Fox Fire shut down about 70 miles of I-84 between Baker City and Ontario on July 27 before the highway reopened. Huntington was reduced to Level 2 Be Set on July 28, but smoke, fire activity and road restrictions remained in eastern Oregon as of July 30.
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Oklahoma’s July 1 sunset deadlines created different futures for OETA and other state bodies
Oklahoma’s sunset deadlines did not shut every affected body down at once. OETA remains funded through fiscal year 2027, while DEQ advisory councils and the Indian education council ended as statutory bodies and the chiropractic board entered a wind-down period.
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Ohio Medicaid changes prior authorization rules for some behavioral health and substance-use services
Ohio Medicaid’s July 1 threshold-based review system does not require approval for most members to start covered care, but authorization may be needed to continue certain services after annual unit or consecutive-day limits are reached.
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North Dakota Medicaid tightens enrollment and review rules for transportation and care providers
North Dakota Medicaid has paused some new provider enrollments and is imposing expanded identity, licensing, vehicle and insurance requirements on non-emergency transportation providers as a broader review plan begins.
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North Carolina’s new $34 billion budget is now law. What changes for pay, taxes and state services
North Carolina’s 2026-27 budget is law. Here’s when teacher and state-worker pay, tax rates, Medicaid funding and Hurricane Helene recovery money take effect.
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New York Medicaid officials seek public input on proposed five-year waiver extension
New York is asking CMS to extend a major Medicaid demonstration for five years. Residents can speak Aug. 11 or submit written comments by Aug. 21, 2026.
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New Mexico ethics commission sues Corrections secretary over alleged ICE referrals
The State Ethics Commission is asking a judge to halt alleged disclosures of probationers’ sensitive information to ICE, including referrals Source New Mexico reported after New Mexico’s 2025 nondisclosure law took effect.
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New Jersey seeks comments on preliminary virtual power plant plan
New Jersey’s utility regulators are considering a statewide program that could coordinate home batteries, smart thermostats and EV chargers during periods of high electricity demand. Comments are due by 5 p.m. August 17.
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New Hampshire Landfill Law Pauses New Capacity Approvals and Adds Review Panel
HB 707 creates a seven-member committee, broadens landfill-siting criteria and pauses approvals for additional capacity until at least July 1, 2027, with Dalton remaining a key test.
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Nevada Water Users Face New Colorado River Framework After States Miss Deal
A federal framework could govern Colorado River operations through 2036, but Nevada is not under a new water cut from the July 31 environmental review.
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Nebraska Medicaid Work-Requirement Reviews Begin for First Renewal Group
Nebraska began Medicaid expansion work requirements May 1. Existing members are reviewed during their regular renewal, with the first affected eligibility periods ending July 31, 2026.
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Montana Opens $4 Million Rural EMS Equipment Grant Program
Montana EMS agencies located in or serving rural areas can apply for part of a $4 million equipment grant program by August 15, 2026. The state will weigh equipment condition, patient-care gaps, service level and expected benefits.
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Missouri’s Income-Tax Elimination Amendment Goes Before Voters
Missouri voters will decide Amendment 5 on August 4. A yes vote would create a revenue-based framework to phase out the individual income tax while authorizing broader sales and use taxes.
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Minnesota’s New Domestic-Violence Laws Take Effect Aug. 1
Minnesota laws taking effect August 1, 2026, expand the warrantless-arrest window for qualifying nonfelony domestic abuse, require written police reports, revise detention procedures and standardize court-ordered firearm transfers.
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Michigan Utility Storm Probe Sets Aug. 27 Deadline for DTE, Consumers and Indiana Michigan Power
Michigan regulators are requiring DTE, Consumers and Indiana Michigan Power to explain their July 3 storm response by Aug. 27, while separate extreme-weather shutoff policies are due Oct. 15.
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Massachusetts Senate Advances Public Records Proposal as Ballot Question Looms
The Massachusetts Senate advanced S.3200 on July 30, but the public-records proposal still needs House action and would not take effect until 2027 if enacted.
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New Maine Workplace Laws Change Pay Transparency, Surveillance Notices and Health Care Noncompetes
Maine laws that took effect July 29 require many employers to disclose pay ranges, notify workers about covered surveillance and follow revised rules for health care noncompete agreements.
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Kentucky Power cooling-tower case moves toward August briefs
The Kentucky PSC set post-hearing deadlines in Kentucky Power’s Mitchell Plant cooling-tower case. The project, construction approval and any customer bill effects remain undecided.