Wisconsin Falls Short of Contributing to Charity
Wisconsin — According to Catalogue for Philanthropy, Wisconsin is 46th in the gap between donations and income. For the last 10 years, the organization has compiled an annual state-by-state "generosity index." The index is based on both the average adjusted gross income for each state and the itemized charitable donated reported to the Internal Revenue Service. Based on those findings, poor states like Mississippi with an adjusted gross income of only $34,720 had itemized charitable deductions of $4,770 or more than 13.7 percent of its income went to charity. By contrast, Wisconsin had an adjusted income of $45,188 income, but gave less than $2,659 or less than 5.9 percent of its income to charity.
Ambush in Iraq Kills Two from Michigan
Michigan — Two of the ten Marines killed last week in the deadliest roadside killing in four months in Iraq were from Michigan. Lance Cpl. Craig N. Watson, 21, of Union City, Michigan, and Lance Cpl. David A. Huhn, 24, of Portland, Michigan were both killed in Fallujah, Iraq. The grim news of 10 Marines dying in a roadside ambush arrived just days after President Bush outlined his strategy for victory. The Marines were assigned to the Lejeune-based 2nd Marine Division and on foot patrol outside of Fallujah, a former insurgent stronghold.
Voucher Program extended to Private Schools in Ohio Ohio—The Ohio Department of Education will begin a student voucher program next year. The program funds eligible public school children on academic emergency to attend non-public schools. Approximately 14,000 students will be extended this option in March and given a list of participating private schools available. Modeled after a similar program in Cleveland about ten years ago, the Educational Choice Scholarship Program intends to give children in Ohio more opportunity.
Minnesota's Government is Operating at a Surplus
Minnesota — State revenue, for the first time in four years, will be operating at a surplus. The state revenue department announced last week a $701 million surplus in the state's budget with an additional $300 million available for lawmakers. Although there is no consensus as to how the money will be spent, ideas such as education initiatives, tax relief, public safety, or transportation have all been floating around.
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