In Your Backyard

 

Arkansas
Funds Awarded for Startups-Gov. Mike Beebe (D) released $950,000 to fund economic research and startup companies. The bulk of the funding will go to fast-growing, high-paying, and technology- or knowledge-based startups.
Source: Arkansas News Bureau

 

Rhode Island
Chairman Hints at Business Tax Increase-Senate Finance Committee Chairman Stephen Alves (D) suggested that lawmakers may raise business taxes to balance the state budget. The state is facing a $150 million deficit this fiscal year and a projected $450 million deficit for next year.
Source: The Providence Journal

 

Utah
Vote on Worker-Status Bill Delayed-A House panel delayed a vote on a measure that would require businesses contracting with the state to use the federal government's voluntary Internet-based E-Verify system to confirm the legal status of new hires. Some panel members question the system's accuracy and whether it would cost the state contracts.  
Source: Deseret Morning News

 

Washington, D.C.
Paid Sick Leave to Be Required-The D.C. Council gave final approval to a bill to grant paid sick leave to all workers in the city. It would require businesses with 25 to 99 workers to grant full-time employees five paid sick days; those with 24 or fewer workers, three days.
Source: The Washington Post

 

West Virginia
Lawmakers Approve Business Tax Cuts-The Legislature passed a bill to reduce the corporate net income tax rate to 6.5% from 8.75% by 2015. It also passed a separate bill that would gradually eliminate the state business franchise tax, also by 2015. The bill now goes to Gov. Joe Manchin (D). 
Source: The Intelligencer