Please note this is an internal RGPPC document for governors and their staff and is not for public

distribution.



Transportation and Infrastructure
Alabama, Governor Robert Bentley
Press Release: Governor Bentley Signs Rural Assistance Match Program for Road and Bridge Projects
(4/18/13)
Gov. Robert Bentley signed into law Senate Bill 192, which will help more counties participate in the
largest road and bridge improvement program in Alabamas history. Senate Bill 192 establishes the Rural
Assistance Match Program (RAMP). RAMP will be available to counties that are unable to meet the 20
percent local funding match required to participate in ATRIP, the Alabama Transportation Rehabilitation
and Improvement Program. ATRIP was established by Governor Bentley in 2012 to help local areas
access funding needed for essential road and bridge improvements.

Florida, Governor Rick Scott
Law 360: Florida House Passes Public-Private Partnerships Bill (04/25/13) *Watch List*
The Florida House of Representatives passed a bill that would set up statewide guidelines for local
governments who want to enter into public-private partnerships, which are increasingly used to fund and
build a range of infrastructure and public facilities. Despite concerns voiced on the House floor about the
breadth of the legislation, the representatives voted 98-19 to approve (HB 85), which sets requirements
for bids, public notice, procurement and other procedures in agreements in which private entities finance
and construct public facilities, then run and collect revenue from them for a specific period of time.

Georgia, Governor Nathan Deal
Press Release: Deal signs bills that will facilitate major transportation projects (4/18/13)
On April 18, Gov. Nathan Deal signed House Bill 202, the congressional district balancing bill, and
Senate Bill 70, the Design Build best value bill, at the Atlanta Metro Chamber of Commerce. HB 202
waives the requirement to balance funds by congressional districts for all interstate improvements, certain
freight corridor projects and projects of regional significance. Under the new law, the state can move
forward on transportation priorities such as the managed lane plan and large interstate interchange
projects, and it can prepare for the increased freight flows from the deepening of the Savannah Harbor.

Indiana, Governor Mike Pence
Press Release: Governor Pence Announces Commencement of Construction on East End Crossing of
Ohio River Bridges Project
Governor Mike and state and local officials to marked the long-awaited start of construction on the East
End Crossing of the Louisville-Southern Indiana Ohio River Bridges project. On a bluff overlooking
where the future East End Bridge will cross the Ohio River into Kentucky, Governor Pence checked off
another item on a task list that ends with the East End Crossing opening to traffic in 2016. Following an
efficient eight-month procurement process a local team was selected for its innovative proposal to design,
build, finance, operate and maintain the East End Crossing, which will connect State Road 265 in Indiana
with the Gene Snyder Freeway in Kentucky, completing a loop around the Louisville/Southern Indiana
metropolitan area. The proposal included a construction cost of $763 million, which was $224 million or
23 percent less than the project estimate of $987 million.


Please note this is an internal RGPPC document for governors and their staff and is not for public
distribution.

Iowa, Governor Branstad
Press Release: Engaging on the Importance of the Nations Inland Waterway System for the Movement
of Exports and Key Economic Inputs (2/7/2013)
Governor Branstad hosted a meeting in Davenport, Iowa to discuss Mississippi River
Infrastructure. Representatives from the Army Corps of Engineers, business owners, state personnel, and
several of the congressional staff were present to discuss the problems surrounding the lock and dam
systems on the upper Mississippi River. The specific focus was how deteriorating infrastructure is
impacting the movement of goods on the Mississippi River and the Midwestern/national economies.
Stakeholders want to begin identifying a long-term, sustainable way to manage River infrastructure and
improve the systems operational efficiency to bolster the competitiveness of agricultural producers and
manufacturers in the region. The Iowa Department of Transportation recently followed-up with another
stakeholder meeting to develop a Mississippi River Action Plan.

North Carolina, Governor Pat McCrory
Press Release: Governor McCrory Announces New Strategic Mobility Formula to Create More Jobs and
Connect People with Opportunities *Watch List*

http://www.ncleg.net/gascripts/BillLookUp/BillLookUp.pl?Session=2013&BillID=hb817

North Dakota, Governor Jack Dalrymple
Press Release: Dalrymple Signs Legislation for Human Services Water Supply, Flood Protection, and
Water Management Projects (05/02/13)
House Bill 1020 is the State Water Commission budget, which allocates more than half a billion dollars
from the Resources Trust Fund. This historic level of funding supports permanent flood control in
communities across the state, as well as infrastructure to bring fresh water to households and to industry
in our growing Western communities. Additionally, leading into the 2011 legislative session, Dalrymple
initiated the most ambitious infrastructure improvement program in state history which was continued
through the 2013 session. In addition to flood control, this set of reforms includes highway
improvements, county and township road upgrades, water supply systems, and many other infrastructure
enhancements throughout the state at the economical price of just $2.3 billion.

Ohio, Governor John Kasich
Toledo Blade: Governor Kasich signs two-year transportation, safety budget
On April 1, 2013 Governor Kasich signed HB 51, a two-year transportation/public safety budget bill that
takes effect on July 1. The bill increases the speed limit and authorizes the quadrupling of Ohio Turnpike
debt, guaranteed by future toll collections, in order to finance a backlog of highway and bridge projects in
Ohio. The Ohio turnpike has traditionally been well-run and this capitalization will continue with
Kasichs goal of improving Ohios infrastructure. This effort should also help greatly to increase the
safety of Ohioans, even while increasing their access to good roads.

Tennessee, Governor Bill Haslam
Press Release: Governor and Commissioner Release Transportation Improvement Plan for 2013-2016
(4/16/13)
Tennessee Gov. Bill Haslam and Tennessee Department of Transportation (TDOT) Commissioner John
Schroer released the three-year transportation program, featuring approximately $1.5 billion in
infrastructure investments for 80 individual project phases in 47 counties, as well as 15 statewide
programs.

Please note this is an internal RGPPC document for governors and their staff and is not for public
distribution.


Tax Reform

Arizona, Governor Jan Brewer
Press Release: Business Owners join Governor Brewer to Support Sales Tax Simplification (02/11/2013)
Governor Brewer signed HB 2111, capping a year-long effort to reform Arizonas TPT (sales tax) system
that began with the work of Governor Brewers TPT Simplification Task Force. That Task Force worked
through the summer and fall of 2012 to develop recommendations that were adopted in December 2012.
The bill establishes a single point of administration, a single and uniform audit structure, and relieves
service and trade contractors from an overly burdensome tax regime in favor of a simple tax on materials
at the point of sale.

Indiana, Governor Mike Pence
Bill information: Governor Pence signs HEA 1001, largest state tax cut in Indiana history (05/08/13)
Indiana lawmakers axed the death tax completely and cut the income tax by 5 percent, reducing the rate to
3.3 percent in 2015, then to 3.23 percent in 2017. Additionally, the business tax in Indiana was cut. This
trio of tax cuts will help Indiana become more competitive on the national level.
Governor Pences Indiana Tax Win (National Review)

Iowa, Governor Terry Branstad
Press Release: Gov. Branstad signs largest tax cut in Iowa history (6/12/2013)
Governor Branstad signed the largest tax cut in Iowa history making it easier for Iowa businesses to
invest and grow in Iowa. Over ten years, this bill will provide an estimated 4.4 billion dollars in property
tax relief for Iowas hardworking taxpayers. Every class of property will see permanent property tax
relief, with agricultural and residential property tax payers saving an estimated $500 million annually by
year ten. On top of all the property tax relief, the bill includes nearly 90 million dollars in annual income
tax relief.

Kansas, Governor Sam Brownback
Tax Foundation: Kansas 2013 Tax Reform Improves on Last Years Efforts
Governor Brownback signed HB 2059 which sets the Kansas state sales tax at 6.15 percent. The bill also
cuts the rate for the top income tax bracket to 3.9 percent by 2018, a drop from the current rate of 4.9
percent.

Nebraska, Governor Dave Heineman
LB 970 (Signed 4/10/2012)
LB 970 lowers the tax rate on the lowest three income brackets (out of four total) in 2013, lowering a
supermajority of Nebraskans tax burden. Additionally, brackets will be expanded to tax a broader tax
base at lower rates
LB 308 (Signed 6/03/2013)
LB 308 changes income taxes by eliminating the federal alternative minimum tax calculation for
individual state income tax purposes for taxable years beginning Jan. 1, 2014. The federal credit for prior
alternative minimum tax year would also be eliminated for taxable years 2014 and beyond.
LB 573 (Signed 6/03/2013)
LB 573 expands the one-time capital gains exclusion from state income taxation of any gains made from
sales of certain employer stock.

North Dakota, Governor Jack Dalrymple
Press Release: Dalrymple Signs $250 Million In Income Tax Relief (5/07/2013)

Please note this is an internal RGPPC document for governors and their staff and is not for public
distribution.

Governor Jack Dalrymple supported and signed SB2156 (HB1250) on May 7, 2013. The bill provides
$250 million in income tax relief for North Dakota taxpayers including $200 million in personal income
tax relief and $50 million in corporate tax relief. The cuts represent a 20 percent and 12 percent tax cut,
respectively. In addition to the income tax relief, Dalrymple has also lowered the entirety of North
Dakotas tax burden by $1.1 billion during the 2013-2015 biennium. This includes more than $850
million in property tax relief as well as a larger role in the state funding of education. This reform also
helped senior citizens and veterans through wide-spread targeted relief programs.

Ohio, Governor John Kasich
Press Release: KASICH SIGNS BOLD STATE BUDGET TO FURTHER OHIOS COMEBACK
Ohios budget for the FY2014-2015 cut $2.7 billion over three years, improving Ohios competitiveness
with neighboring states. When Governor Kasich took office there was an $8 billion short-fall, but now
they have the fiscal solvency to cut $2.7 billion, even while injecting $3 billion in federal, state and local
funds into infrastructure and $1.5 billion into the education system. Kasich worked with his bipartisan
legislature to get this budget passed.

Pennsylvania, Governor Tom Corbett
Press Release: Pa. House Passes Bill To Close Delaware Loophole For Business Taxes (5/06/13)
*Watch List*
Upon Gov. Corbetts request, tax breaks were added to the Delaware Loophole bill that was passed by
the House and is moving through the Senate. The purpose of the bill is to make sure that Pennsylvania
businesses pay their fair share of taxes when they do business out of state, while Gov. Corbett introduced
tax breaks for Pennsylvania businesses into the same bill. Democrats, such as House minority leader
Frank Dermody, do not feel that this bill will close the Delaware Loophole, but rather he feels that it
creates tax inequality. There is a history of the Senate shutting down similar bills.

Energy and the Environment
Alabama, Governor Robert Bentley
Story: State agencies achieve almost $3.9 million in energy savings
As a result of Gov. Robert Bentleys Executive Order 25 (EO 25) the State of Alabama reduced its energy
costs by almost $3.9 million in FY 2012. EO 25, signed in November 2011, directed state agencies to
decrease energy consumption by 30% from 2005 levels by 2015. Under EO 25, each state agency
designated an energy officer to study and recommend energy saving procedures and practices in the
agency. EO 25 also specified that the latest energy conservation practices be used in the design,
construction, renovation, operation and maintenance of state facilities and that ENERGY STAR labeled
equipment be used when replacing or purchasing new equipment. The savings realized through EO 25
advance Gov. Bentleys larger effort to save taxpayers $1 billion annually by reducing costs and
increasing government efficiency.

Alaska, Governor Sean Parnell
SB 21
Senate Bill 21 increases the annual production tax on oil and gas from 25% to 35%. Additionally, it
authorizes a producer or explorer to receive a tax credit for qualified capital expenditures incurred during
the exploration, development or production of oil or gas located north of 68 degrees North latitude for
expenditures incurred before January 1, 2014. A tax credit of $5 per barrel of oil produced is established
and an Oil and Gas Competitiveness Review Board is created to review the competitive position of
Alaska in the Oil and Gas sector.

HB 129 and SB 27

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distribution.

House Bill 129 streamlines Alaskas permitting process. Senate Bill 27 catalyzes a process that would
allow Alaska to assume primacy over and manage federal wetlands permitting.

Arizona, Governor Jan Brewer
Executive Order: Establishment of the Arizona Natural Resources Review Council (01/14/13)
Governor Jan Brewer signed an executive order establishing the Arizona Natural Resources Review
Council. The Councils mission includes developing land and resource management strategies for
Arizona and coordinating with state natural resource agencies and their existing management plans.

Florida, Governor Rick Scott
Press Release: Governor Scott Celebrates $880 Million Plan for Everglades Restoration, Cleaner Water
in Florida
The bill, HB 7065, passed unanimously in both the House and Senate and assures financing for some of
Governor Rick Scotts $880 million plan to improve water quality and flow to the Everglades. Although
the legislation includes $32 million annually, that amount still must be approved every year by
lawmakers. In addition, the legislation extends a $25-per-acre tax growers pay through 2026, which
raises $11 million annually for clean-up. The sugar industry had sought a two years shorter extension of
the $25 standard before the rate begins to reduce. It reaches its lowest mark of $10-per-acre in 2036 20
years beyond when it was slated to kick-in under current law Governor Scotts plan includes 6,500 acres
of additional man-made wetlands which clean water discharged into the Everglades, massive shallow
basins that will regulate flow into those wetlands and pumps and other structures needed to control water
supply.

Iowa, Governor Terry Branstad
Press Release: Plentiful wind power helps lure Google and Facebook to Iowa (4/29/13)
In the past three months, Governor Branstad has announced billion dollar investments by Google,
Facebook, and MidAmerican Energy in Iowa. For both technology giants, recruiters touted Iowas energy
portfolio, including the states abundance of low-cost, renewable wind energy. MidAmerican announced
a $1.9 billion investment in addition wind generation capacity. Google, Facebook, Microsoft and many
other companies have expressed an interest in Iowa because of the States low energy costs and sourcing
of renewable wind energy.

Maine, Governor Paul LePage
Historic Energy Bill Clears Maine Legislative Committee 12-1 *Watch List*

LD 1559: An Act to Reduce Energy Costs, Increase Energy Efficiency, Promote Electric System
Reliability and Protect the Environment

Michigan, Governor Rick Snyder
Governors Office: Affordable and Reliable Energy, A Cleaner Environment, No Regrets for Our Future
(11/28/12)
In November 2012, Governor Rick Snyder issued a special message outlining his plans for Michigans
energy future. The message highlights Michigans continued efforts to save energy, provide affordable
and reliable energy to Michigan businesses and families, and protect the environment.

Mississippi, Governor Phil Bryant
Press Release: Governor Phil Bryant Signs Landmark Pieces of Energy-Related Economic Legislation
into Law

Please note this is an internal RGPPC document for governors and their staff and is not for public
distribution.

As part of his Energy Works: Mississippis Energy Roadmap plan, Governor Phil Bryant recently signed
into law legislation intended to position Mississippi as a leading destination for energy-related economic
development.

SB 2564 Energy Infrastructure Revolving Loan Fund
SB 2564 gives Mississippi communities the ability to help finance energy infrastructure (for instance, gas
lines and transmission lines) for companies that invest more than $50 million in an economic
development project. This law provides the State a new low-interest financing tool to help companies
locate or expand in Mississippi.

HB 826 Rebate on Research and Development Costs
HB 826 defrays the research and development costs of companies that operate in Mississippi and partner
with a state institution of higher learning. Under this new law, a corporation that collaborates with a state
university for research and development purposes, including energy-related research, is eligible for a 25
percent rebate of the total research costs. This law will assist companies looking to tap into the wealth of
energy expertise and resources available in Mississippis research institutions.

HB 841 Sales Tax Reduction on Electricity for Enhanced Oil Recovery
HB 841 Sales Tax Reduction on Electricity for Enhanced Oil Recovery decreases the sales tax paid on
electricity to 1.5 percent for oil and gas produced in the state using carbon dioxide as a method of
enhanced oil recovery (EOR).

HB 844 Sales Tax Exemption on Energy for Manufacturing
HB 844 exempts sales tax on energy used in manufacturing. While Mississippi boasts energy costs
around 20 percent below the national average, HB 844 further cuts the costs of one of the key drivers
companies consider when choosing a location for new investment. Manufacturing comprises a large
portion of Mississippis economy, and advanced manufacturing and onshoring are key target sectors for
the state.

HB 1698 Severance Tax Reduction for Horizontally Drilled Wells
HB 1698 reduces, for 24 months, the severance tax for oil and gas produced from horizontally drilled
wells from and after July 1, 2013.

HB 1685 Alternative Fuel Revolving Loan Fund
HB 1685 creates the Mississippi Alternative Fuel and School Bus and Motor Vehicle Revolving
Loan fund. The fund will be established as a special fund in the state treasury and the Mississippi
Development Authority will use money in the fund for the purpose of establishing a revolving loan
program to assist public school districts and municipalities in paying the costs incurred for the purchase
of alternative fuel school buses and motor vehicles.

Major Energy Efficiency Legislation
HB 1281 Energy Efficiency Standards for Commercial Buildings
HB 1281 increases the energy code standard for commercial buildings to meet the American Society of
Heating, Refrigerating and Air Conditioning Engineers (ASHRAE) 90.1-2010 standard. Mississippi is the
first state in the Southeast, and the third state in the U.S., to adopt the ASHRAE 90.1-2010 code standard
for commercial buildings.

HB 1266 Enhanced Building Codes for State Owned Buildings
HB 1266 requires all major facility projects overseen by the Department of Finance and Administration
for State-owned buildings to be constructed to the ASHRAE 90.1-2010 standard.

Please note this is an internal RGPPC document for governors and their staff and is not for public
distribution.


HB 1296 Energy Sustainability and Development Act
HB 1296 restructures and provides direction for the states energy office, the Mississippi Development
Authoritys Energy and Natural Resources Division (MDA ENR) and provides the office with the tools to
promote the states energy resources and encourage greater energy efficiency within state agencies.

North Carolina, Governor Pat McCrory
Press Release: Governor Pat McCrory signs wind energy bill into law in support of all-of-the-above
energy plan (05/17/13)
Governor Pat McCrory signed into law legislation (H.B. 484) that creates a framework for the
establishment of wind energy facilities in North Carolina. The Permitting of Wind Energy Facilities
law states that the N.C. Department of Environment and Natural Resources must issue a permit before a
wind energy operation can begin in North Carolina. The legislation provides a framework for the
Department of Environment and Natural Resources to assist wind developers in identifying suitable
locations for wind energy facilities in North Carolina and the steps that follow in the permitting process.

New Mexico, Governor Susana Martinez
On April 1, 2013 Governor Martinez signed SB 14, which extends the Sustainable building Tax Credit for
another five years. The bill was a compromise measure with the goal being an eventual sunset of the
credit.

North Dakota, Governor Jack Dalrymple
On April 25, 2013 Governor Dalrymple signed House Bill 1134, which amends North Dakotas flaring
and oil and gas production tax statutes to promote reduction of natural gas flaring at the states oil and gas
well. The legislation maintains a one-year grace period after which a well operator must cap either: 1)
cap the well, 2_ connect the well to a gas gathering line or 3) equip the well site with an electric generator
consuming 75% of the gas from the well. All of these provisions are subject to an economic
infeasibility exception.

Ohio, Governor John Kasich
Bill: SB 315 (06/11/13)
Ohio passed a law with key provisions related to horizontal fracturing. It updated the reporting
requirements for chemicals and fluids used to drill a well, and also required companies to share propriety
information with doctors who are treating those injured as a result of well construction and production
operations. It established fines for those who violate safety and environmental regulations as well as
testing the water near drill sites.

Virginia, Governor Bob McDonnell
Press Release: Governor Announces New Water Quality Initiative (12/05/12)
The new Virginia Enhanced Conservation Initiative (VECI), managed by the Department of Conservation
and Recreation (DCR), will boost existing state agricultural cost-sharing programs that provide farmers
financial and technical assistance to implement stream exclusion and pastureland conservation practices.

Press Release: Governor McDonnell Announces Virginia Department of Mines, Minerals and Energy
Cleared for Wind Energy Research Lease (03/14/13)
The federal Bureau of Ocean Energy Management (BOEM) is on track to issue a wind energy research
lease to the Virginia Department of Mines, Minerals and Energy (DMME). If issued it will be the first
time that a state agency has received a research lease for the Outer Continental Shelf. The data obtained
through the research lease will be available to the public and help companies determine the viability of
future renewable energy production in the affected area. The information learned from lease activities will

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distribution.

advance and accelerate the development of national offshore wind resources for Virginia and all Atlantic
coastal states.

Jobs and Economic Development

Indiana, Governor Mike Pence
In April, 2013 Governor Pence signed two workforce development bills -- SB 465 and HB 1002. Senate
Bill 465 sets up local councils that evaluate regional job needs and helps schools tailor vocational training
programs to match them. House Bill 1002 will coordinate the efforts of a number of existing jobs-related
boards and commissions and will focus on matching workers with the jobs skills identifies as most in
need.

Iowa, Governor Branstad
Press Release: Advancing the Iowa Biosciences Initiative
A bio-economy provides sustainable sources of food, fuel and manufactured products through agriculture
versus a traditional reliance on fossil fuels. Governor Branstad recommended and the Iowa Legislature
approved an appropriation of $3.5 million in state fiscal year 2014 for the Iowa Biosciences Initiative
through Iowa State University. Over the past decade, Iowa State University resources were leveraged
with state, federal and private support to invest $50 million in new research infrastructure and over $150
million in bio-renewable and biosciences research programs.
Press Release: Advancing a Voluntary and Science-Based Approach through the Iowa Nutrient
Reduction Strategy (11/12/13)
The Iowa Nutrient Reduction Strategy is a science and technology based approach to assess and reduce
the amount of nutrients delivered to Iowa waterways and the Gulf of Mexico. The strategy leverages the
expertise of Iowa State University and outlines voluntary efforts to reduce nutrients in surface water from
point sources (such as wastewater treatment plants and industrial facilities) and nonpoint sources (such as
farm fields and urban areas) in a scientific, reasonable, and cost-effective manner. The Iowa strategy was
developed in response to the 2008 Gulf Hypoxia Action Plan that called for 12 states along the
Mississippi River to develop strategies to reduce nutrient loading to the Gulf of Mexico. The Iowa
strategy follows the recommended framework provided by the EPA in 2011 and Iowa is the second state
to complete a statewide nutrient reduction plan.

Nebraska, Governor Dave Heineman
Governor Heineman signed LB 97 on June 4, 2013. The bill will allow cities in Nebraskas largest
metropolitan area to create a public authority or land bank to bid on tax-delinquent properties. The land
banks could obtain vacant lots and work with private organizations, such as Habitat for Humanity, to
develop them and get them back on state tax rolls.

New Jersey, Governor Chris Christie
NJ Assembly Panel Approves Bill to Overhaul Corporate Economic Incentives (The Star-Ledger)

Bill text of AB 3580 *Watch List*

North Carolina, Governor Pat McCrory
McCrory Plan Seeks to Get Private Sector More Involved in NC Economic Development (Charlotte
Observer) *Watch List*

HB 630
SB 127

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distribution.


Public dollars are limited the state wants to leverage private dollars along with public funding for
statewide economic development. NC wants a state economic development organization that would act
with the speed of business nimble and flexible. The state also wishes to establish a culture of strong
performance. First class sales and marketing organization help to promote the state of North Carolina with
community assistance and block grants. Unemployment and workforce solutions will remain under the
Commerce Secretariat. Tax incentives for recruitment, expansion, and retention will stay in Commerce.

Utah, Governor Gary Herbert
Press Release: Utah Halfway to Governors Job Goal
In January 2012, Governor Gary R. Herbert issued the challenge to the private sector to create 100,000
jobs in 1,000 days. On Thursday, June 27, 2013, the Governor will announce the midpoint job numbers
and what is left to accomplish the goal. In addition, Exelis acts as a prime example of how and why job
growth has been so successful in Utah.

Education
Alabama, Governor Robert Bentley
Press Release: Governor Bentley Signs Accountability Act Providing New Flexibility for Public Schools,
Children and Parents (3/14/13)
Gov. Robert Bentley signed House Bill 658 into law in March 2013. The bill, known as the Alabama
Accountability Act, will provide flexibility to improve public school performance by allowing local
teachers and principals to develop and implement ideas aligned to the needs of their students.
Additionally, the legislation allows families to receive tax credits for children zoned for failing schools to
help pay tuition at other non-failing public schools or private schools. This gives families the opportunity
to select a school for their child based upon their childs distinctive needs and not their familys zip code.

Press: Gov. Robert Bentley Signs Alabama Accountability Act (AL.com)

Arizona, Governor Jan Brewer
Press Release: Governor Jan Brewer Signs Measure to Improve Arizona
Education Standards (3/28/13)
Governor Jan Brewer signed into law HB 2425 critical education legislation that enables the State
Board of Education to replace the AIMS test with an improved performance assessment aligned with the
Arizona Common Core Standards. . Without the statutory changes made possible by HB 2425, Arizonas
students would be taught according to the new Arizona Common Core Standards but assessed with old
and non-aligned standards through the existing AIMS test. The signing of HB 2425 will allow the
Arizona State Board of Education to replace AIMS with a more rigorous, online assessment that measures
critical thinking and problem-solving abilities rather than simply rote memorization.

Florida, Governor Rick Scott
Press Release: Gov. Scott and Florida Teachers Applaud $480 Million to Give Every Teacher a Pay
Raise (4/28/13)
Governor Rick Scott and Florida Education Association (FEA) President Andy Ford applauded the House
and the Senates agreement to implement $480 million in teacher pay raises. The language included in the
budget allows districts the flexibility to develop their own performance plans to award the greatest
number of teachers the largest teacher pay raise possible, in coordination with their collective bargaining
agreements. The $480 million in funding provides enough to give every teacher a minimum of a $2,000
pay raise, while also giving districts the ability to provide teacher raises of $2,500 or even $3,500
depending on the plan each of the 67 school districts (plus lab and charter schools) develop.

Please note this is an internal RGPPC document for governors and their staff and is not for public
distribution.


Georgia, Governor Nathan Deal
Press Release: Deal announces Innovation in Teaching Competition (5/10/13)
Gov. Nathan Deal announced the launch of the Innovation in Teaching Competition, a recognition and
reward opportunity for teachers available through Georgias Innovation Fund, a competitive grant
program created through Georgias Race to the Top plan. Through the Innovation in Teaching
Competition, the Governors Office of Student Achievement will award educators who use innovative
and effective strategies in teaching English Language Arts and mathematics and make videos of their
instruction available to other educators. Specifically, Georgia teachers who are incorporating innovative
applied learning strategies into their instruction of ELA and Mathematics can apply to serve as a teacher
leader through this competition. Georgia Public Broadcasting will film the winning educators teaching in
their classrooms in fall 2013 and spring 2014. The awarded teachers will receive a $2,000 stipend for
serving as a leader to other educators, and the teachers school will receive a $5,000 grant.

Press Release Deal signs bill linking teacher and principal evaluations to student growth (5/7/2013)
Governor Deal signed HB 244, which provides for a single, statewide teacher and principal evaluation
system. The bill requires comprehensive teacher evaluations to incorporate multiple measures of
classroom effectiveness, focused on a teachers impact on students. Student achievement will count for at
least 50 percent of the total evaluation. The evaluation system will assign teachers and principals four
ratings based on effectiveness to identify teachers and principals at varied levels of performance and
requires local school systems to base staffing decisions primarily on the results of the evaluations. HB
244 passed out of the State Senate with a unanimous vote of support, and passed out of the House with a
151-21 vote.

Press Release: Deal signs bill to expand access to tech schools (4/24/13)
Nathan Deal signed into law legislation that will lower the GPA requirement for the HOPE Grant, which
goes to students in the technical college system. By expanding access to the HOPE Grant, HB 372 will
strengthen the states workforce development efforts. This bill will drop the GPA requirement for the
HOPE Grant back to a 2.0 after it increased to 3.0 two years ago for budgetary reasons. Recent growth in
Lottery revenues will cover the additional $5 million to $8 million this expansion will cost. In the first six
months of this fiscal year, deposits were up $32 million, a 7.6 percent increase over the same period the
year before.

Indiana, Governor Mike Pence
Press Release: Governor Pence Signs Legislation to Expand Educational Choice for Hoosier Children
(05/09/13)
HEA 1003 expands the state's choice scholarship program, which allows students who qualify to use a
voucher to offset the costs of attending a school of their choice. Students with special needs, siblings of
current voucher recipients, and students who receive a scholarship from a Scholarship Granting
Organization will now qualify. The new law permits current voucher recipients to continue participating
in the program if their family incomes rise above the base income threshold. It also allows children who
live in low-performing school districts to receive a voucher without having to attend one year of public
school first.

Iowa, Governor Terry Branstad
Press Release: Branstad signs historic education reform into law (6/3/13)
Gov. Terry E. Branstad today signed House File 215 into law, ushering in sweeping educational reform
that will ultimately return Iowas schools to a national leader. Major components of the legislation
include: the governors goal of transformational, systemic education reform; making the teaching
profession more attractive with leadership roles and higher pay; creates a new process that calls for

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distribution.

reliable student assessments that move us toward better teacher evaluations with student achievement
growth as one component; historic school choice legislation that offers independent accreditation for
private schools and strengthens home-school freedoms; and changes the school finance formula so that
allowable growth is replaced by 100% state aid.
Website: Iowa Reading Research Center (8/15/13)
In 2012, Governor Branstad proposed and the Iowa Legislature established the new Iowa Reading
Research Center to help achieve the goal of children reading proficiently by the end of third grade. The
Center is now ready to spread best literacy practices across the state in public and private schools,
including offering a universal screening assessment tool to identify students early who need intensive
assistance.
Website: Iowa Governors Science, Technology, Engineering and Math (STEM) Advisory Council
(5/15/13)
The Governors Science, Technology, Engineering and Math Advisory Council is nearing the end of its
second year. Its overarching goal is boosting student interest and achievement in STEM subjects and
mapping STEM education to STEM economic development. The councils current primary focus is
delivering high-quality STEM education programs to students, reaching nearly 40,000 in 2012-13. The
council anticipates impacting more than 100,000 pre-K-12 students across the state, especially those
living in underserved areas. In addition, tens of thousands of Iowans have participated in STEM festivals,
among many other activities promoted by Iowas network of six regional STEM hubs, each with its own
STEM hub manager and advisory board.

Mississippi, Governor Phil Bryant
Press Release: 2013 Education Session Creates Transformational Change for Students (4/4/13)
Gov. Bryants Education Works agenda guided lawmakers in their passage of four major bills which
expand school choice, end social promotion, enhance third grade literacy, and increase teaching standards
and accountability. House Bill 369 expands opportunities for the creation of public charter schools in low-
performing D and F districts and is a solid step toward increasing school choice for Mississippi families.
Gov. Bryants Third Grade Gate literacy measure, Senate Bill 2347, will improve literacy achievement
by ending social promotion of third grade students who are not reading on grade level. Senate Bill 2188
increases standards for entry into teacher education programs at Mississippi universities. Students must
have a 2.75 GPA on pre-major coursework and either score a 21 on the ACT or pass the Praxis Core
Academic Skills for Educators assessment. Additional Education Works reforms are included in Senate
Bill 2658.

Nevada, Governor Brian Sandoval
Press Release: Sandoval Adds Millions to Education (5/13/13)
Governor Brian Sandoval announced that as a result of the Economic Forum projections, he is proposing
to increase funding for English language learners and class size reduction in kindergarten. Sandoval has
now proposed $50 million in total funding to English language learners (ELL). He is the first Nevada
Governor to dedicate funds to English language learners. This proposal also provides $39.5 million for
class size reduction in kindergarten which will reduce all-day kindergarten class sizes from a current
average of 26 students per class to an average of 21 students per class.

South Dakota, Governor Dennis Daugaard
Rapid City Journal: Daugaard signs scholarship bill to recruit teachers (3/21/13)
Gov. Daugaard signed SB 233, a college scholarship program to recruit new teachers into critically
needed fields. The scholarships will be awarded to college students who agree to teach in critical areas
for five years after graduation.

Texas, Governor Rick Perry

Please note this is an internal RGPPC document for governors and their staff and is not for public
distribution.

Press Release: Texas Bolsters Career and College Readiness (6/10/13)
Gov. Rick Perry today applauded efforts made this legislative session to set the bar even higher to ensure
all Texas students are prepared for both college and career, bolstering our state's world-class, skilled
workforce. Texas continues to be a national leader with regard to our school accountability system,
curriculum standards, and expectations of rigor in our graduation requirements. The governor signed
Senate Bill 441 and House bills 5, 809, 842, 2201 and 3662. Through initiatives like the Texas Fast Start
Program, which uses competency based learning to allow students to more quickly receive degrees and
certificates in high demand fields, and the Texas Workforce Innovation Needs Program, which allows
school districts and institutions of higher education to establish innovative career programs that lead to a
technical certificate or associate degree, Texas students will be better prepared for the demands of today's
workforce.

Virginia, Governor Bob McDonnell
Press Release: Governor McDonnell Takes Action on ALL STUDENTS K-12 Reform Agenda (3/22/13)
Gov. McDonnell signed historic education reform legislation into law this year. The suite of legislation is
part of the governors ALL STUDENTS reform agenda that creates an A-F school accountability system
for all public schools (HB 1999), requires student performance be considered in teacher evaluations (HB
2151), and authorizes Teach for America to operate in the Commonwealth (HB 2084).

For a detailed overview of the legislation included in Governor McDonnells education package, visit the
RGPPC staff-only portal: http://rgppc.com/virginia-governor-mcdonnells-all-students-agenda-detailed-
overview/

Healthcare
Alabama, Governor Robert Bentley
Governor Bentley signs prescription drug abuse prevention bill package (05/08/13).
Gov. Robert Bentley signed House bills 150, 151, and 152 into law during the 2013 legislative session.
The three bill package is targeted toward better identifying and addressing prescription drug abuse among
both consumers and prescribers. House Bill 150 strengthens the oversight and regulation of pain clinics.
House Bill 151 allows for increased access to Alabamas prescription drug monitoring program, and
House Bill 152 creates criminal penalties for individuals who deceptively collect similar prescription
drugs from different physicians in a concurrent time period. Together these bills create a significant
platform for reducing prescription drug abuse in the state of Alabama.

Alabama, Governor Robert Bentley
Press Release: Governor Bentley Signs Medicaid Reform Bill & New Executive Order Aimed at Further
Increasing Savings (06/06/13).
Gov. Robert Bentley in May signed into law Senate Bill 340, which set benchmarks and a timeline that, if
met, will let hospitals, doctors and other health-care providers form managed care organizations. One or
more than one organization in each of five regions could sign a contract with Alabama to provide medical
services to Medicaid beneficiaries designated by the state. The state would pay each organization a
negotiated amount per person. Alabamas Medicaid agency could contract with an organization only if it
judged that care for enrolled people would be better, more efficient and less costly under the contract than
under existing care.

Georgia, Governor Nathan Deal
Press Release: Deal signs provider fee bill that ensures hospitals of critical Medicaid funding (2/13/13)
Gov. Nathan Deal today signed Senate Bill 24, which will authorize the board of the Georgia Department
of Community Health to implement the hospital provider fee. This fee provides the state matching funds
needed to draw down federal Medicaid dollars critical to the survival of hospitals that serve the states

Please note this is an internal RGPPC document for governors and their staff and is not for public
distribution.

most vulnerable populations. SB 24 will now allow the DCH board to set the fee percentage based on the
General Assemblys appropriation in the Medicaid budget. The funds raised through this fee can only be
used for the purpose of drawing down federal matching dollars that will then be redistributed to hospitals.

Idaho, Governor C.L. Butch Otter
Press Release: Governor Cites Successes, Paths Forward for 2013 Legislature (4/4/13)
Gov. Otters budget funded five additional seats in the WWAMI collaborative medical school program at
the University of Washington, providing support for students in the Targeted Rural and Under-Served
Track (TRUST) program thats designed to turn more Idaho students into Idaho physicians.

Iowa, Governor Terry Branstad
Op-Ed: The Medicaid Debate: 'Healthy Iowa' does reform right (4/11/13)
The Healthy Iowa Plan offers local health care services to patients. It requires a primary care doctor
within 30 minutes or 30 miles for someone on the plan. But most important, the Healthy Iowa Plan
focuses on measures that make Iowans healthier, such as health risk assessments, annual physicals and
preventive measures. It encourages individual health ownership by asking everyone to contribute a
modest amount, but waiving that contribution by actively participating in healthy behaviors.
Press Release: Our Opportunity, Our Iowa, Our Results (5/23/13)
Governor Branstad worked to create a health care plan that could pass a split legislature. The Iowa
Health and Wellness plan was adopted and will make Iowa a national leader for patient outcomes and
quality of care for low-income individuals. The plan is designed to protect Iowa from federal budget cuts
in the future, increases the number of Iowans on private insurance, and will provide $48 million in
property tax savings in the first full year of implementation.
Press Release: Branstad: Non-contract employees to earn salary increases, contribute 20 percent of health
care costs (4/4/13)
In April, Governor Branstad approved salary increases for state non-contract employees, those not
covered by a collective bargaining agreement, at the same level as provided to members of the State
Police Officers Councilwhich is a series of one percent non-recurring raises on July 1, 2013, Jan. 1,
2014, July 1, 2014 and Jan. 1, 2015. In addition, Gov. Branstad has authorized state non-contract
employees to participate in health insurance plans that require a 20% employee contribution, but which
also allows employees to earn a $90 a month premium reduction in return for participating in new
employee wellness programs. Those participating in wellness programs can significantly reduce their
health insurance premium costs.


Tennessee, Governor Bill Haslam
Press Release: Haslam Unveils Tennessee Plan For Health Care Reform (3/27/13)
Haslam announced that he will not expand TennCare rolls under the Affordable Care Act but instead is
working to leverage the available federal dollars to purchase private health insurance for Tennesseans
who would not otherwise have access to coverage. Haslams plan would take on the critical issue of
aligning incentives among users, payers and providers of health care.

The plan would:
Leverage available federal dollars to purchase private health insurance for Tennesseans up to 138
percent of the federal poverty level who dont have access to health insurance, which would
translate to 175,000 more insured Tennesseans;
Allow co-pays for those who can afford to pay something;
Include a definitive circuit-breaker or sunset of the plan that could only be renewed with the
General Assemblys approval;

Please note this is an internal RGPPC document for governors and their staff and is not for public
distribution.

And reform the payment structure for providers so they are compensated for health outcomes, not
just based on services performed.

Utah, Governor Gary Herbert
Press Release: Utah's Solution for State-based Health Exchange Moves Forward (5/10/13)
Utah Governor Gary R. Herbert announced an agreement has been reached between the State of Utah and
the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) on how Utah will run its health exchange.
The new model bifurcates the Small Business Health Options Program (SHOP) component from the
individual exchange. Utah will now run its own health exchange, Avenue H, as the certified SHOP
exchange in the state, servicing small businesses without a competing federal solution or interjection from
the federal government.

Wisconsin, Governor Scott Walker
Press Release: Governor Scott Walker Announces Additional Entitlement Reform (2/13/13)
Governor Walker announced additional entitlement reform to the states Medicaid program. The
Governors proposal will: reduce the number of uninsured individuals in the state by nearly 50 percent
with the number of uninsured adults ages 19-64 to be reduced by 224,580 and reduce the number of
individuals dependent on government-run health care. Governor Walkers proposal will cover people
living in poverty through Medicaid and allow individuals above that level to access affordable health
insurance coverage through the federal health insurance exchange. This proposal affects non-elderly,
non-disabled adults. Under this plan, Wisconsinites in poverty will be covered by Medicaid and those
above poverty up to four times the poverty level would receive federal health insurance premium
subsidies to purchase health insurance offered in the exchange. By doing so, Wisconsin is projected to
reduce the number of uninsured adults, ages 19-64, by 47 percent with 224,580 fewer people uninsured.

Public Safety
Georgia, Governor Nathan Deal
Press Release: Deal signs bill to improve Georgias Juvenile Justice System (5/2/13)
Gov. Nathan Deal signed into law House Bill 242. The legislation designates $5 million to create a
voluntary grant program that gives communities incentives to offer judges more nonconfinement
sentencing options. These could include substance abuse treatment or family counseling and are proven to
better reduce recidivism for low-risk offenders. HB 242 will also allow judges to take into account both
the severity of the offense and the risk of the individual when deciding the fate of juveniles, focus more
time and resources on high-risk and dangerous offenders, and measure risk and results properly to keep as
many of our juveniles as possible out of detention centers and prisons.

Press Release: Deal signs second edition of criminal justice reform (4/25/13)
Governor Deal signed a second round of criminal justice reforms to implement smart on crime policies
that save tax dollars and promote public safety. HB 349, which contains recommendations from the
Special Council on Criminal Justice Reform, is follow-up legislation to HB 1176, the criminal justice
reform act of 2012.

Indiana, Governor Mike Pence
Press Release: Governor Pence Signs Criminal Code Restructuring Bill (5/6/2013)
HEA 1006 strengthens the penalties for B and C felonies, computer crimes, sex crimes and hazing. It also
gives more authority to the judiciary to work with law enforcement officials. HEA 1482 outlines
conditions for giving certain criminal offenders a fresh start, allowing for some criminal records to be
expunged after a certain period of time if they avoid reoffending.

Iowa, Governor Terry Branstad

Please note this is an internal RGPPC document for governors and their staff and is not for public
distribution.

Improving the Iowa EB-5 Regional Center
The EB-5 program was authorized by Congress to target qualified foreigners seeking to obtain lawful
permanent residency by investing in a business that will benefit the US economy and create / save at least
10 full-time US jobs. The Iowa Economic Development Authority (IEDA) Regional Center amendment
was recently approved by US Citizenship and Immigration Services that would expand the range of
investments for which employment-based preference (EB-5) immigrant visas can be used.

Louisiana, Governor Bobby Jindal
Press Release: Governor Jindal Signs Sentencing Reform Legislation (6/12/2012)
Governor Bobby Jindal signed HB 518, a bill which merges the Pardon and Parole Boards and their
duties. This new law eliminates duplicative positions and salaries to create savings, and will allow the
Louisiana Department of Corrections to continue to pursue its re-entry programming and its work of
reintegrating nonviolent offenders back into society.

Additional sentencing reforms already signed into law by Governor Jindal include:
HB 521
This legislation expands the re-entry courts initiative into the 19th and 22nd judicial districts. Around
13,000 incarcerated offenders return to Louisiana communities each year, which highlights the need for
effective re-entry programming. Re-entry courts are such an initiative that will enable non-violent, non-
sex offense offenders to participate in rehabilitation and workforce development programs. Upon
successful completion of the program, the offender is placed on intensive re-entry supervision by the
court, which also assists offenders in finding employment. Expanding re-entry courts will reduce
recidivism rates and allow Louisiana to prioritize critical resources on keeping high-risk offenders off the
streets.
HB 512
This bill ensures the effective use of the administrative sanctions that were enacted last year and enables
probation and parole officers to quickly punish offenders under their supervision for violations of the
conditions of their probation. Specifically, this bill provides that the form used to record the offender's
admission to the violation and the administrative sanction proceeding will be considered hearsay in any
future proceeding. By allowing the offender to admit to the violation and consent to the imposed
sanction, probation and parole officers are able to more quickly and efficiently administer sanctions
without having to take the offender back before the courts or Parole Board.

HB 432
A bill that repeals the costly and under-utilized risk review panels, an extra layer of bureaucracy in the
clemency process. Louisianas current risk-needs assessment tool and other efforts employed by the
Department of Corrections to evaluate offenders prior to their pardon or parole hearings already provide
the members of those boards with information to determine whether an offender should be paroled or
pardoned, making the panels duplicative. Between 2001 and 2009, the risk review panels cost the
department over $110,000 per year. By reducing this administrative burden, the departments resources
can be concentrated on other more productive programs.

HB 1026
The legislation allows second time non-violent, non-sex offense, non-habitual offenders who have proven
to be model prisoners to become parole eligible after serving 33 percent of their sentences. This bill only
grants the offender a hearing before the Parole Board, and does not guarantee they will be released from
prison. Louisiana is unique in that it admits a larger proportion of drug and non-violent criminals to
prison than the national average and the state sentences non-violent offenders to longer sentences than the
rest of the country. These statistics demonstrate how the states prison system has a disproportionately
high percentage of low-risk, non-violent, non-sex offense offenders consuming resources that should be

Please note this is an internal RGPPC document for governors and their staff and is not for public
distribution.

more effectively used to target high-risk criminals and fund rehabilitation priorities such as re-entry
facilities and probation and parole supervision.

HB 1068
Increases prosecutorial discretion so that district attorneys can tailor appropriate punishments as
necessitated by the circumstances of the crime for non-violent, non-sex offense offenders. This new law
allows district attorneys to enter into plea agreements with defendants to specify that the defendants
sentence can be served with the benefit of parole, probation or suspension of sentence or have a reduced
fine or term of confinement.

HB 994
This bill simplifies the calculation of diminution of sentence, or good time, that non-violent, non-sex
offense offenders can earn while they are in jail. Revising the calculation will allow all parties to know
exactly when an offender could be released from jail. This law revises the calculation so that good time is
earned at the rate of 1.5 days for every 1 day in jail. In 2010, prisoners convicted of non-violent offenses
made up over 45 percent of the states prison population. Over 70 percent of the prison admissions in
Louisiana for the calendar year 2009 were for drug or property offenses. This large number of non-
violent offenders has resulted in a state prison system with a high percentage of potentially low-risk, non-
violent, non-sex offense offenders who are now taking up bed space and consuming resources that should
be used to target violent, high-risk criminals and fund other top priorities such as re-entry facilities and
probation and parole supervision. This law will create savings that will allow the state to reinvest in top
priorities such as re-entry programming and other programs aimed at reducing the recidivism rate.

State Services

Iowa, Governor Terry Branstad
Press Release: State partnering with Dwolla to provide innovative electronic payment option (1/22/13)
Governor Branstad and Lt. Governor Reynolds announced a new partnership to new partnership to
provide Iowa taxpayers with an innovative electronic payment option, Dwolla. Dwolla is a cash-based
payment network that provides real-time, low cost, online and mobile payments. Instead of charging a
floating percentage and fixed fee per transaction for goods and services or the administrative headaches of
checks, Dwollas easy-to-use network costs a flat 25-cent fee on any payment over $10. From collecting
property taxes to issuing refunds, from renewing vehicle registrations to paying government contractors,
Branstad and Reynolds say the state will be identifying the potential impact Dwollas open, social, online
and mobile payment technologies could have on every level of state government.