BOSTON — The Patrick administration has talked for more than a year about cutting 1,750 jobs from the executive branch work force to cope with Massachusetts budget deficits, but it’s still short of its goal even as tax collections continue to languish.

Former Blagojevich aide pleads guilty to corruption, may testify against ousted governor

CHICAGO — A former chief of staff and longtime friend of ousted Gov. Rod Blagojevich pleaded guilty to wire fraud Tuesday and promised to cooperate with federal prosecutors in their corruption case against the former governor.

Lawyer says he gave copies of ex-mayor’s incriminating text messages to Detroit Free Press

DETROIT — A lawyer who obtained a trove of sexually explicit text messages while suing former Detroit Mayor Kwame Kilpatrick in 2007 said Thursday he gave a copy to the Detroit Free Press, whose Pulitzer Prize-winning stories led to criminal charges and forced the mayor from office last year.

Liberal Sen. Feingold questions use of policy “czars” by Obama administration

WASHINGTON — A liberal Democratic senator questioned the roles of Obama administration policy “czars” Tuesday, but the White House denied it is using these officials to evade congressional scrutiny.

NY governor ignores pressure to end 2010 election quest despite pressure from senior Democrats

ALBANY, N.Y. — Gov. David Paterson isn’t scrapping his plans to run for the office he inherited 18 months ago, despite growing pressure from Washington and intervention by the Rev. Al Sharpton, who has contacted the governor and the White House over his concern.

Democratic aides: National party leaders urge Paterson to reconsider NY governor’s race

ALBANY, N.Y. — National Democratic Party leaders have asked Gov. David Paterson to consider withdrawing from the 2010 governor’s race, according to two senior New York Democratic advisers.

Report says Obama’s policies on secrecy get much better grades for openness than Bush’s

WASHINGTON — President Barack Obama’s policies on secrecy get higher grades for openness than those of President George W. Bush, yet there’s still room for improvement, says a coalition of public interest groups.

New Mexico Gov. Richardson’s political future brighter after fed pay-to-play probe ends

SANTA FE, N.M. — A dark cloud over Gov. Bill Richardson’s political future has lifted after the federal government’s decision against indictments in a pay-to-play investigation that prompted the governor to withdraw his nomination as U.S. commerce secretary earlier this year.

Los Angeles education board votes to allow outsiders to run many schools in huge district

LOS ANGELES — The Los Angeles Board of Education has voted to adopt a resolution that could turn a third of the schools in the nation’s second-largest school district over to private operators.

Anchorage woman wants judge to order governor’s office not to use private e-mail accounts

ANCHORAGE, Alaska — A plaintiff in a lawsuit against former Gov. Sarah Palin wants a judge to order the governor’s office to use only government e-mail accounts to conduct state business — not private e-mails as the Palin administration sometimes did.

Fla. governor’s office mistakenly praises anti-Semitic DVD sent by white supremacy group

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. — Despite the content of a letter bearing his signature, Gov. Charlie Crist does not want to share an anti-Semitic movie with all Floridians.

Little _ and little known _ agency could have oversized role in health care overhaul

WASHINGTON — Asked about a cut President Barack Obama recommended in Medicare, California Rep. Fortney Stark responded with a question of his own: “What does MedPAC think?”

Fed plaintiffs say Alaska governor broke state law by ignoring holiday on freeing of slaves

ANCHORAGE, Alaska — Plaintiffs in a federal lawsuit against Gov. Sarah Palin asked a judge Friday to declare that she broke state law two years ago when she failed to issue a proclamation for a celebration commemorating the freeing of U.S. slaves.

Palin says she’s planning to jump back into fray of national politics after leaving statehouse

WASHINGTON — Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin said she’s not only staying involved in national politics, but she plans to jump back into the national scrum when she leaves office at the end of the month.

As Palin steps down, a look at finances shows toll of ethics complaint on her and Alaska

ANCHORAGE, Alaska — Since Sarah Palin abruptly resigned as governor, she has repeatedly cited the bombardment of ethics complaints against her while conceding the financial burden of defending herself had taken its toll.

Governor’s proposals to cut assistance for poor, disabled stalls budget talks

SACRAMENTO, Calif. — Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger’s insistence on cost-cutting measures to weed out what he has described as “waste, fraud and abuse” in California’s social service programs has struck a nerve with Democrats, welfare advocates and the frail.

Schwarzenegger says his welfare reforms are long overdue, appropriate for budget talks

SACRAMENTO, Calif. — Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger on Wednesday defended his proposals to reform welfare and other social programs as negotiations over closing California’s $26.3 billion deficit remained frozen.

Palin’s office releases $2M breakdown of cost from ethics complaints against Alaska governor

ANCHORAGE, Alaska — Sarah Palin’s office has released a nearly $2 million cost breakdown detailing what the resigning Alaska governor says the state has paid tackling ethics complaints against her.

In Calif., Democrats put their faith in Jerry Brown for gov race, but unease begins to surface

E-mails show governor’s office had interest in Iowa Film Office operations

Afghan villagers say NATO strike kills 9 civilians but authorities say only Taliban killed

Afghan villagers say airstrike kills 9 civilians but authorities say only Taliban killed

Afghan villagers say air strike kills 9 civilians but authorities say only Taliban killed

A year after helping send Obama to the White House, Va. voters pick Republican governor

Person in mayor’s office says Deputy Chief Charlie Beck named LA police chief

Detroit voters hope Tues. election brings political stability to City Council, mayor’s office

New Mexico state agency warns that parks may be closed if governor agrees to budget cuts

Mass. governor announces job cuts to close $600M budget gap, spares local aid and education

Colo. Gov. Ritter lays out plan to cut $286M from state budget, including Medicaid, education

Mass. lays off workers in Legislative Document Room undercut by rise of electronic office

A year later, Mass. still more than 100 workers short of its target for reducing state payroll