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Title Date Released
(Year-Month)		 Publication Type
U.S. Agriculture Exports: Latest Trends
Even though the relative importance of agriculture and agriculture-related industries in the overall U.S. economy has diminished in recent years, the sector continues to be a critical component of the nation's gross domestic product (GDP). In 2012, the latest year available, the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) reported that the sector contributed $775.8 billion toward GDP, a 4.8 percent share; the output of the nation's farms alone totaled $166.9 billion in 2012.		 2014-06 Issue Alert
Waste Storage and Water Safety: Lessons from West Virginia and North Carolina
In Southern Legislative Conference (SLC) member states, the coal and chemical industries are essential to state economies. Because of the importance of these industries to the region, both in terms of economic development and employment opportunities, legislators often are faced with balancing business interests with the need for environmental protection and conservation. Recently, hazardous spills in two SLC states - West Virginia and North Carolina - have focused attention on this careful balance. This SLC Regional Resource examines the spills in West Virginia and North Carolina and the immediate remedial action taken by each state. Understanding how these states reacted in the wake of water contamination can help other SLC states respond quickly and effectively if faced with similar challenges. 		2014-04 Regional Resource
SLC State Unemployment Insurance Finances Improve
As a result of the doggedly high unemployment rates in so many states during the Great Recession and the actions taken by states (such as expanding unemployment benefits and cutting unemployment insurance taxes), the unemployment insurance funds in a majority of the states were thrust into perilous shape. The funds were attacked at both ends: more people were tapping benefits while a shrinking number of companies were paying fewer taxes to replenish the funds. With the deleterious effects of the Great Recession tapering off and the employment situation in the SLC states improving, fewer and fewer individuals were eligible for unemployment insurance payments by 2013. As a result of this development and essential reforms to state plans, the balances of these trust funds improved significantly by 2013.		 2014-04 Issue Alert
A Special Condition: Medical Marijuana in SLC States
Gaining traction in a number of state legislatures of The Council of State Governments (CSG), Southern Legislative Conference (SLC) member states, is the legalization of marijuana for medical use. Despite the prevalence of marijuana-related legislation being filed across the Southern states, only a few bills are expected to make their way through the legislative process to achieve enactment. However, as the topic moves further from theoretical and closer to reality, there are some common trends emerging in legislation across the SLC region. This Regional Resource reviews the similarities among these 12 legislative proposals and two ballot proposals.		 2014-03 Regional Resource
Aeronautics in the SLC States: Cleared for Takeoff
A generation ago, a number of foreign automakers began establishing manufacturing operations in the South, in states represented by The Council of State Governments' Southern Office, the Southern Legislative Conference. In a move that parallels this important automotive industry trend, economic analysts now are seeing another development: the increasing number of aeronautics companies that are locating, relocating or expanding their manufacturing operations in the South, a trend particularly discernible in the aftermath of the Great Recession.		 2014-02 Regional Resource

The Southern Legislative Conference (SLC) of The Council of State Governments was established in 1947 and is composed of the presiding officers and key legislators from 15 Southern states. The SLC is a non-partisan, non-profit organization located in Atlanta, Georgia.


Southern Office of The Council of State Governments
phone: (404) 633-1866 | fax: (404) 633-4896 | email: slc@csg.org | P.O. Box 98129, Atlanta, Georgia 30359