SLC - Serving the South

SLC Publications

Prepared under the auspices of SLC’s six standing committees, SLC Regional Resources provide a regional analysis on the background and current status of the most prevalent and unique state government policy issues facing Southern states. Focusing on policy issues, trends and developments particular to the South, these reports provide a point of reference that allows SLC members to view their state’s governmental policies in relation to their closest neighbors.

SLC Special Series Reports provide an in-depth analysis of key policy issues facing Southern states. Addressing governmental issues with multiple layers and highly nuanced solutions, these reports provide an extensive analysis of national, economic and political trends, along with an additional focus on how these developments relate to the SLC member states and the region as a whole.

SLC Issue Alerts and SLC Issue Briefs comprise concise reports that identify new and emerging issues that are time sensitive and often off the radar of policymakers. These briefs examine the impact and implications of recent state and national developments for the Southern states.

Comparative Data Reports (CDRs) are prepared annually by select SLC states’ fiscal research departments. These reports track revenue sources, appropriations levels, performance measures, and a multitude of other metrics in Southern states. A useful tool for legislators and legislative staff alike, CDRs are available for adult correctional systems, education, Medicaid, and transportation.

Policy Analysis | July 2020

Unemployment in the SLC Region Amid the COVID-19 Pandemic

Roger Moore

Last updated: July 2, 2020

Disclaimer: The research presented draws upon statistics used by the U.S. Department of Labor to monitor weekly unemployment data. Many concerns have been raised regarding states' difficulties processing the large and sudden influx of unemployment insurance claims following restrictions that were enacted beginning in mid-March to stop the spread of COVID-19. This SLC Policy Analysis does not address these concerns and utilizes only the data compiled by the U.S. Department of Labor. For more information about what actions state unemployment agencies are taking in response to the coronavirus, see the SLC Policy Analysis "Coronavirus Response at State Unemployment Agencies."

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Policy Analysis | July 2020

Spread of COVID-19 within Regions of the United States

Mikko Lindberg and Roger Moore

Policy Analysis | June 2020

Federal Assistance To Farms Amid The COVID-19 Pandemic

Nick Bowman

As of June 29, 2020, the coronavirus has infected 8 million and contributed to 440,000 deaths worldwide; including 2.2 million cases and nearly 120,000 deaths in the United States.¹ For more on the virus, see the SLC policy analyses, Unemployment in the SLC Region Amid the COVID-19 Pandemic, Spread of COVID-19 within Regions of the United States, Coronavirus Impacts on State Legislatures and Elections and Coronavirus Response at State Unemployment Agencies.

The agriculture sector has been hit particularly hard by the coronavirus and accompanying quarantine policies. Many of the largest buyers of agricultural products—including restaurants, schools and hotels—have closed or operated at limited capacity for months due to the pandemic. With a supply chain built around these buyers, many farmers have been forced to destroy crops, dairy and dairy-related products, and livestock. Dairy farmers have been dumping millions of gallons of milk; chicken processors are destroying hundreds of thousands of eggs; and vegetable farmers are plowing acres of fields.² Meanwhile, coronavirus outbreaks at meatpacking plants have created a backlog of pigs to be slaughtered, forcing some farmers to euthanize tens of thousands of their pigs.³

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Policy Analysis | June 2020

Coronavirus Impacts on State Legislatures and Elections

Mikko Lindberg, Anne Brody, Roger Moore, Cody Allen and Nick Bowman

Last updated: June 24, 2020

Alabama

On March 31, House members arrived at staggered times and reported directly to their offices. Speaker Mac McCutcheon cautioned members who had been sick or around someone sick not to attend. Department of Public Health employees checked temperatures at State House entrances to prevent anyone with a fever from entering the building. Members came to the House chamber in small groups, with ample space between members. The Senate followed similar social distancing guidelines. After reaching quorum in both chambers, the session was suspended until May 4.

The Senate General Fund Budget Committee convened on April 28 to pass a budget for fiscal year 2021. The $2.4 billion budget increases funding for Medicaid, Department of Public Health, and Department of Corrections. Committee members followed social distancing guidelines, with some wearing face masks.

The Legislature reconvened on Monday, May 4. Members of the media will be granted access, but in different locations than usual due to social distancing. The House of Representatives will offer live streaming video of the session, with the Senate offering live audio streaming. The Legislature adjourned sine die on May 18.

U.S. Senate Republican Runoff Election moved from March 31 to July 14.

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Policy Analysis | June 2020

Coronavirus Response at State Unemployment Agencies

Nick Bowman

Disclaimer: Employment figures prior to the passage of the CARES Act at the end of March do not include independent contactors and other self-employed workers who historically have not qualified for unemployment insurance. As a result, data following the enactment of the CARES Act will include previously ineligible unemployed individuals who now qualify for benefits, effective until the end of 2020. For more information on unemployment, see the SLC Policy Analysis “Unemployment in the SLC Region Amid the COVID-19 Pandemic.”

Since emerging in December 2019, severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2)—the novel coronavirus that causes coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19)—has infected millions and caused catastrophic economic impacts. As of May 28, 2020, the coronavirus had infected 5.6 million and contributed to 355,000 deaths worldwide, including 1.73 million cases and more than 100,000 deaths in the United States.¹ The infections, deaths and quarantine policies have had devastating economic effects. Prior to the outbreak, unemployment was on a multi-year downward trend, with the national unemployment rate below 5 percent for 42 consecutive months. March’s unemployment rate was 4.4 percent. One month later, the rate soared to 14.7 percent.²

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SLC Regional Resource | May 2020

A Review of Medical Debt and its Impact on Southern States

Roger Moore

As healthcare costs continue to rise, the financial repercussions for many Americans materialize in the form of expensive and, often, unpaid medical bills. Studies and surveys consistently show that medical debt has a significant impact on millions of people and can influence a number of important financial decisions, such as purchasing homes, borrowing money to pay for care, using credit cards to cover medical expenses and, in worst-case scenarios, declaring bankruptcy after all other measures have been exhausted. It is not uncommon for collection agencies to pursue medical debts that remain unpaid, negatively affecting consumers’ credit reports.

The uninsured — almost 9 percent of the nation’s total population in 2018, according to U.S. Census Bureau data — are vulnerable to high healthcare costs. However, even those with some form of insurance coverage face difficulties covering medical expenses. Due to increasing premiums and deductibles, along with a general lack of transparency that obfuscates the costs of healthcare services and products, the insured also face challenges related to medical billing and expenses. In fact, in many households that experience difficulties paying for medical care, the bills are for an individual who was insured when treatment began.

Studies indicate that people living in SLC states struggle with unpaid, overdue medical bills more than those in other regions. Although numerous circumstances influence an individual’s ability to pay for medical care, the South’s struggles may be connected to three factors:

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SLC Regional Resource | April 2020

Missed Connections: State Funding Mechanisms for Broadband Expansion

Anne Roberts Brody

High-speed internet access, commonly referred to as “broadband,” is provided by a series of technologies — cable, telephone wire, fiber, satellite, mobile and fixed wireless — that allow users to send and receive data at speeds necessary to support a wide range of applications for voice communications, entertainment, telemedicine, distance education, telework, e-commerce, civic engagement, public safety and energy conservation, to name a few. Access to reliable, high-speed internet is vital to almost every aspect of the nation’s economy, and communities with broadband access enjoy a wide array of benefits. Often compared to the electrification of rural America, the increasing efforts to expand broadband access in rural areas have gained momentum across the South.

While the rate of broadband adoption continues to grow, largely in urban and suburban areas, numerous studies and surveys indicate that broadband deployment in rural areas continues to lag. Rural areas also tend to have fewer broadband providers, leading to limited options and competition for customers, as well as slower connection speeds. Meanwhile, nearly one quarter of rural adults say that access to high-speed internet is a major problem in their local community.

State laws and policies can facilitate and encourage broadband expansion in underserved rural areas. Building upon the 2016 SLC Regional Resource, The Role of State and Local Government in Broadband Deployment, this SLC Regional Resource explores funding mechanisms implemented by Southern states to encourage broadband expansion in rural, unserved and underserved areas.

SLC Regional Resource | January 2020

The Netherlands Model: Flood Resilience in Southern States

Anne Roberts Brody

In recent years, Southern states have been inundated by major flooding events. According to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), annual flood records are expected to be broken again in 2020 and beyond. Taken together, these repeated flood events can create a significant and long-term strain on states’ economies, both in terms of tangible losses and damages, as well as lost productivity. This SLC Regional Resource reviews recent flooding data in Southern states and explores how the Netherlands’ model of “living with water” may help states strengthen their resilience while reducing the cost of recovery for future flood-related disasters.

Policy Analysis | January 2020

Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF)

Roger Moore

Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) is a federal assistance program administered by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. Established in 1996 as a replacement for Aid to Families with Dependent Children (AFDC), TANF is designed to provide struggling families with financial assistance, childcare support and job preparation to achieve self-sufficiency. Under TANF, states receive block grants from the federal government to operate their own programs to meet the following objectives:

“Provide assistance to needy families so that children may be cared for in their own homes or in the homes of relatives”
“End the dependence of needy parents on government benefits by promoting job preparation, work, and marriage”
“Prevent and reduce the incidence of out-of-wedlock pregnancies and establish annual numerical goals for preventing and reducing the incidence of these pregnancies”
“Encourage the formation and maintenance of two-parent families”¹

The amount of the TANF block grant is based on states’ expenditures for AFDC during the fiscal year (FY) 1992-1995 period, when the number of public assistance recipients was relatively high.² The total annual TANF block grant amounts to nearly $17 billion, with SLC states receiving grants from a high of $538,595,947 in Texas, to a low of $62,839,408 in Arkansas during FY 2018.³

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Other | December 2019

Issues to Watch - 2020

Anne Roberts Brody, Cody Allen and Roger Moore

As the 2020 legislative cycle approaches, legislators across the South are preparing and pre-filing legislation to address emerging and relevant policy issues in their states. With its regional focus, the Southern Legislative Conference (SLC) is uniquely positioned to identify and research current and emerging policy issues and trends. This report was prepared by Anne Roberts Brody, policy and program manager, and Roger Moore and Cody Allen, policy analysts, and provides a sampling of issues and trends that are anticipated to emerge during the 2020 legislative term. State actions referenced in this report may represent appropriate policy options for Southern lawmakers to consider and, as such, may include bills or policies originating outside the SLC region.

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Policy Analysis | December 2019

Motor Fuel Evaporation Deductions

Roger Moore

During the handling, transportation and storage of motor fuel, evaporation loss commonly occurs. Movement from production operations to refineries, followed by fuel terminals and, lastly, service stations and local storage plants, often results in a loss of fuel caused by changes in temperature and modes of transportation.¹ As a result, the amount of motor fuel delivered for consumption often is less than the original amount produced and refined.

Wholesalers are obligated to pay taxes on fuel based on the amount purchased at the time of receipt, before it is delivered and sold to retail outlets. Due to evaporation, the original taxable amount of fuel may be greater than the amount that ultimately is sold to retailers. Although wholesalers collect taxes from their buyers, they may not fully recoup the taxes they paid at the time of the original purchase.

To account for this discrepancy, many states have enacted deductions for dealers, suppliers and/or distributors of motor fuel. In the SLC region, eight of the 15 states currently have deductions to offset losses from fuel evaporation, ranging from 0.004 percent up to 3 percent of the original taxable amount. A review of state codes identified fuel evaporation deductions in Alabama, Georgia, Kentucky, Louisiana, Mississippi, North Carolina, Tennessee and West Virginia. Other states have fuel-related deductions, but these are not specifically associated with evaporation loss.

Codified Fuel Evaporation Deductions

Alabama

Evaporation Deduction: 0.004 percent

§40-17-341

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Policy Analysis | November 2019

Federal Analysis: Rural Health Agenda

Nick Bowman

Rural hospitals have struggled to remain solvent in recent years. Since January 2010, 81 rural hospitals have closed in the SLC region. State and federal policy makers are working to mitigate this trend and promote the work of rural hospitals.^* At the federal level, the recently introduced Rural Health Agenda offers potential assistance for rural hospitals and residents.

On July 31, 2019, U.S. Senator Marsha Blackburn (TN) introduced the Rural Health Agenda in the Senate to support the provision of rural healthcare. The agenda includes the Rural America Health Corps Act, Telehealth Across State Lines Act of 2019 and Rural Health Innovation Act of 2019. The three bills were each read twice and referred to the Senate’s Health, Education, Labor and Pensions Committee.

On October 29, 2019, U.S. Representative Phil Roe (TN) introduced companion bills for the Rural America Health Corps Act and Telehealth Across State Lines Act of 2019 in the House of Representatives. Both bills were referred to the House Energy and Commerce Committee; the latter was also referred to the Ways and Means Committee. That same day, U.S. Representative David Kustoff (TN) introduced a companion bill for the Rural Health Innovation Act of 2019, which was referred to the Energy and Commerce Committee.

The information provided is a summary of the three bills comprising the Rural Health Agenda. As the bills are in committee, they are subject to change. All information is current as of November 19, 2019.

Rural America Health Corps Act

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Response for Rural Hospitals: Here Today, Gone Tomorrow:

"I suspect many legislators, including myself, avoid healthcare issues because of their complexity. This research makes it feel more manageable. Wow, just wow! That was an amazing undertaking on the part of the SLC. Thanks for your hard work."

SLC Regional Resource | November 2019

Rural Hospitals: Here Today, Gone Tomorrow

Nick Bowman

With decreasing rural populations and changing federal regulations, many rural hospitals have struggled to maintain financial viability in recent years. In 2017, 6,210 total hospitals operated in the United States; 2,250, of these are rural hospitals. Nationally, 113 rural hospitals have closed since January 2010. Furthermore, the rate of rural hospital closures from 2013 to 2017 was twice as high as the rate of the previous five years. In January 2010, SLC member states had approximately 831 rural hospitals. Since then, 81 rural hospitals (9.7 percent) in the South have closed.

This SLC Regional Resource examines the unique circumstances facing rural hospitals and communities today, including healthcare regulations and recent federal actions aimed at directing greater financial support toward rural healthcare providers, followed by a review of legislation adopted in the 15 SLC member states addressing rural health, rural hospitals and their challenges.

Policy Analysis | September 2019

The Equal Rights Amendment to the U.S. Constitution: A Historic Perspective

Nick Bowman

The Equal Rights Amendment (ERA), a proposed amendment to the U.S. Constitution, would guarantee equal rights to all Americans regardless of sex. The amendment was written by Alice Paul of New Jersey and Crystal Eastman of Massachusetts and introduced at the Woman’s Rights Convention in 1923, two years after ratification of the 19th amendment, providing women the right to vote. The ERA passed the U.S. House of Representatives on October 12, 1971, and the U.S. Senate on March 22, 1972.

Article V of the U.S. Constitution states that “the Congress, whenever two thirds of both Houses shall deem it necessary, shall propose Amendments to this Constitution, or, on the Application of the Legislatures of two thirds of the several States, shall call a Convention for proposing Amendments, which, in either Case, shall be valid to all Intents and Purposes, as Part of this Constitution, when ratified by the Legislatures of three fourths of the several States, or by Conventions in three fourths thereof.” With 50 states in the Union, the Constitution is amended when 38 states ratify an amendment.

The text of the ERA reads:
“Section 1. Equality of rights under the law shall not be denied or abridged by the United States or by any State on account of sex.
Section 2. The Congress shall have the power to enforce, by appropriate legislation, the provisions of this article.
Section 3. This amendment shall take effect two years after the date of ratification.”

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Policy Analysis | September 2019

Media Access at State Capitols

Nick Bowman

State legislatures may provide credentials to members of the media to report on legislative developments. These credentials may grant special access to state capitols, such as access outside of traditional business hours or to dedicated areas for the media. Additionally, some legislatures require media organizations to pay rent for the use of dedicated space. The information presented is a summary of a survey conducted of Southern legislative service agency directors to determine how different states and chambers address media access.

Alabama

Members of the media have credentials or ID cards permitting them to bypass security and have full-time access to the State House. There is a press room in the back of each chamber and a separate press room and private offices on the first floor of the State House. A written license agreement with the organizations that use the private offices is required.

Arkansas

Credentialed media members are permitted to bypass security and have full-time access to the Capitol or similar state building. Members of the media also have rent-free offices on the first floor near the entrance to the Capitol.

Georgia

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SLC Regional Resource | September 2019

Scoot Over: The Growth of Micromobility in the South

Roger Moore

The emergence of shared electric scooters is the latest development in the broader micromobility movement, defined by the use of light, often single-occupant modes of transportation for short distances. Along with electric scooters, station-based and dockless pedal and electric bicycles are the most commonly used micromobility vehicles, accounting for more than 80 million trips in 2018.

In the South, the introduction of shared electric scooters has been swift. With growing populations and favorable climates across much of the region, urban and suburban areas in most SLC states are experiencing both the benefits of electric scooters for expanded mobility and the challenges they present for transportation and public safety. In response, several SLC states enacted legislation in 2019 to address the concerns that shared electric scooters have engendered, such as how and where they should operate, who is eligible to ride them and what precautions need to be taken to maximize safety.

This SLC Regional Resource provides an overview of micromobility, specifically shared electric scooters, and outlines the various actions Southern states have taken to create a coherent regulatory framework to manage their growth. While much of the authority to regulate electric scooters is delegated to local officials, state governments have an important role to play to ensure this emerging mode of transportation is both safe and accessible.

Policy Analysis | August 2019

Approved 1115 Medicaid Demonstrations in the South

Roger Moore

Under Section 1115 of the Social Security Act, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services has the authority to waive specific provisions of major health and welfare programs, including Medicaid and the Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP). Section 1115 waivers give states the flexibility to implement experimental or pilot projects, frequently referred to as “demonstrations,” to test new approaches to Medicaid and CHIP that differ from federal rules. Approved demonstrations must be budget-neutral, meaning any changes to services or coverage cannot exceed existing costs. Additionally, all approved demonstrations are subject to specific rules regarding transparency and evaluation. Public notice and comment periods at both the state and federal levels are required before Section 1115 waivers are approved.¹

In the SLC region, 10 states have approved Section 1115 waivers as of August 2019, for a total of 13 waivers (two each in Arkansas, Florida and Mississippi). Approved Southern state demonstrations focus on five key areas of Medicaid/CHIP services and coverage:

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Comparative Data Reports | August 2019

Adult Correctional Systems, Education, Medicaid and Transportation

Comparative Data Reports (CDRs) are prepared annually by select SLC states’ fiscal research departments. These reports track revenue sources, appropriations levels, performance measures, and a multitude of other metrics in Southern states. A useful tool for legislators and legislative staff alike, CDRs are available for adult correctional systems, education, Medicaid, and transportation.

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Policy Analysis | August 2019

Operation of State Rest Areas and Welcome Centers

Nick Bowman

Rest areas, or safety rest areas as they were known at the time, emerged with the creation of the interstate highway system in the 1950s. With picnic areas and restrooms available at no cost to travelers, rest areas arose as a way to take a break from interstate travel. In the decades since the first rest areas were constructed, fast food restaurants and convenience stores have appeared close to interstates and highways, providing motorists with additional options. In recent years, several states, including Florida, Michigan, Ohio and South Dakota, have closed rest areas to minimize maintenance costs. Other states, such as Missouri, have privatized the operation of rest areas and welcome centers.

The table lists the agency or department responsible for operating and maintaining rest areas and welcome centers in the 15 Southern states and provides a hyperlink to that agency’s website. In eight states, two agencies are responsible for operating rest areas and welcome centers. In the remaining seven states, one agency is responsible for operating rest areas and welcome centers.

SLC Publications

Policy Analysis | July 2020

Policy Analysis | July 2020

Policy Analysis | June 2020

Policy Analysis | June 2020

Alabama

Policy Analysis | June 2020

SLC Regional Resource | May 2020

SLC Regional Resource | April 2020

SLC Regional Resource | January 2020

Policy Analysis | January 2020

Other | December 2019

Policy Analysis | December 2019

Codified Fuel Evaporation Deductions

Alabama

Policy Analysis | November 2019

SLC Regional Resource | November 2019

Policy Analysis | September 2019

Policy Analysis | September 2019

SLC Regional Resource | September 2019

Policy Analysis | August 2019

Comparative Data Reports | August 2019

Policy Analysis | August 2019

SLC Publications (continued)