WASHINGTON -- Connecticut Gov. Dannel P. Malloy, wrapping up three days of meetings with President Barack Obama and Cabinet secretaries, on Monday listed his 2012 federal government goals for the state. It comes down to this: Send money.

As same-sex marriage supporters celebrate victories in Washington and Maryland this month, they are keeping a wary eye on New Hampshire, where lawmakers may soon vote to repeal the state's two-year-old law allowing gay couples to wed.

After an especially acrimonious week in Richmond, state legislators went home last weekend, spent time with their families and perhaps unwound in other ways that Del. Dave Albo may eventually discuss on the House floor. But come Monday, Democrats and Republicans were right back to business – and right back at each other's throats.

TODAY'S TAKE: For the first time in five years, Nevada added more private-sector jobs than it lost in 2011, according to figures the state released Tuesday (February 28).

Can a graduate research assistant be a public employee? States and universities are struggling to sort that question out.

TAX & BUDGET BEAT: Nebraska Governor Dave Heineman thinks cutting taxes will make his state more business friendly, but critics are concerned that Nebraska and its local governments need the revenue.

The governor of the largest state in the nation flew Southwest Airlines last week to get to meetings at the White House and a conference of his counterparts from around the country. He stayed at the home of a former aide rather than take a $350-a-night room at the Marriott Hotel, where the National Governors Assn. convened.