The embattled president of California's Fish and Game Commission pushed back at his critics Tuesday, telling them he did nothing wrong by killing a mountain lion on a big game hunt in Idaho.

TODAY'S TAKE: Stockton, California, could become the largest city ever to declare Chapter 9 bankruptcy. But California officials hope a new state law will prevent that.

The state of Michigan may be able to have a new bridge to Canada without putting up any money. But state lawmakers are wary of the idea. The governor is thinking about bypassing them altogether.

HEALTH BEAT: Some GOP governors are waiting to see whether the U.S. Supreme Court will uphold the national health law before they agree to build one of its cornerstones — a state-run health insurance exchange. The wait could make it difficult to meet federal deadlines.

Put in simple terms, Colorado taxpayers lose out on $164,383 every day House Bill 1005 isn't signed into law, yet the legislation has languished on the floor of the state House for weeks.

AUSTIN, Texas — A federal court in San Antonio redrew Texas' congressional districts Tuesday, increasing the likelihood the state can hold primary elections May 29.

Facebook's eagerly anticipated Wall Street debut could pump nearly $2.5 billion into California coffers over the next five years, the state's top budget analyst said Monday.

President Barack Obama Monday urged the nation's governors to invest more state resources in education, saying a highly skilled workforce is crucial for the U.S. to remain competitive with other countries.

States that stand to suffer most from proposed defense cuts are mobilizing to mitigate economic harm, according to interviews with 10 governors.

Mitt Romney may already have Michigan in the bag. Not that he's cheating or anything. It's all about the absentee vote – which polling shows will account for a significant portion of the Republican ballot.

Wisconsin Gov. Scott Walker won't challenge any of the 1 million petition signatures seeking his recall from office because his campaign staff didn't have enough time to scrutinize them all, a top aide said Monday.

Colorado voters will be asked to decide whether to legalize the recreational use of marijuana in a November ballot measure, setting up a potential showdown with the federal government over America's most commonly used illicit drug.

When New York State officials agreed to allow local governments to use an unusual borrowing plan to put off a portion of their pension obligations, fiscal watchdogs scoffed at the arrangement, calling it irresponsible and unwise.

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.