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STATE INFORMATION

Many websites which provide state information contain core information which is standard: state flag, motto, name origin (and nickname), geographic information, constitution, population data, state government profile, state bird, state song, state flower, etc.

In the annotations accompanying the sites listed below, this information will be referred to as "basic state information."


Business Filings Databases, Updated

• Maintained by Kathy Biehl for the Law Library Resource Xchange, LLC
• Part of the "Research Roundup" series
• Directory of links to state agencies responsible for business/corporate filings
• "Unless otherwise stated each database ... is free"
• Excellent annotations accompany each link
• "Research Roundup Archives" links to other "Research Roundup" reports on business and legal issues
• Other sites provide links to similar information, but the quality of the annotations sets this site apart


FindLaw: State Resources

• Sponsored by FindLaw
• Provides access to state-based legal and governmental information
• Links to state data by primary materials (cases, codes, regulations), state government information, associations/bars, courts, law schools and related material
• Also links to state attorneys, statutes, constitutions
• Searchable by keyword
• One of the best sites for a state's legal information combined with other state government links


50states.com: States & Capitols

• Created by Roy Weber; sponsored by Pike Street Industries, Inc.
• Browse each state in over 50 categories including basic state information, links to largest cities' homepages, public records, state tax forms, tourism, unclaimed funds, vital records
• Over 21,000 links
• Also includes directories for city guides, colleges/universities, newspapers, sports teams, white pages/yellow pages
• Great source for quick information; especially useful for topics not often covered by other states sites


50 States of the U.S.A.

• This site is a sub-page from "Teacher Oz's Kingdom of History," created and maintained by Tracey Osborn
• This sub-page provides a wealth of information on almost every aspect of the 50 states
• "General State Information" links general state sites and sites for state information by topic: state name origins/symbols/flags, etc.; geographic information (maps, distances, latitude/longitude); demographics (population/statistics/rankings); government (state government/law/elections); state news and city information
• "Specific States" links to basic state information about individual states; additional links for a state vary from state-to-state (for example, Rhode Island has 7 links, while California has 32); additional links may be cultural, genealogical, historical or municipal
• Comprehensive, with many more esoteric links than general state sites; excellent for research for all levels; map links and demographic links are especially useful; fascinating and easy-to-navigate


Full-Text State Statutes and Legislation on the Internet

• Sponsored by Prairienet
• One of the earliest legal/governmental sites for state information, this page links to full-text constitutions, statutes (a.k.a. codes), legislation (bills, amendments), session laws (enacted laws), administrative rules
• "This page avoids links to court decisions, federal materials, materials that are not full-text, single-topic sites (such as a state's computer laws), and materials that require fees for access"
• Comprehensiveness of a state's links vary from state-to-state
• Very useful for the topics which it covers, especially for the legislative process


Governing: State Government Links

• Sponsored by "Governing," a monthly publication for state and local government officials; published by Congressional Quarterly, Inc.
• "GovLinks" links to federal/state/local sites and to associations/organizations for the following categories: development/land use, environment/waste management, policy/politics, public education, public safety, technology/e-government, transportation, state-based research organizations
• Also includes a directory of over 100 sites for interstate/multistate commissions/ authorities and professional organizations for state officials (includes such esoterica as the "Association of State Dam Safety Officials")
• One of the best sites for links to state government information and organizations; the link to state-based research organizations is especially useful


Guide to State Statistical Abstracts

• Sponsored by the U.S. Census Bureau
• Compiled from an appendix in the Statistical Abstract of the United States, this site lists the latest available state statistical abstracts since 1995
• Links to 32 online sources; provides contact information and/or print product information for the remainder
• The nature of statistical abstract links differs; some are links to stand-alone state statistical agencies, but many link to state university sites for business/economic development research or state planning agencies
• "All sources contain statistical tables on a variety of subjects for the state as a whole, its component parts, or both"
• Best direct source for official state statistical information gathered in one place


Law by Source — State Law Collection

• Sponsored by Cornell University Law School's Legal Information Institute (LII)
• State-by-state links to constitutions, statutes, pending information, judicial opinions, regulation, additional collections of state legal resources (state government homepage, bar associations, LII American Legal Ethics Library, attorneys general sites)
• Also provides links to states' business/financial laws, commercial code, evidence, matrimonial/family/health laws, probate
• May be browsed by jurisdiction, state statutes by topic, uniform law locators
• In keeping with the LII's standards of high-quality, easy-to-navigate legal resource pages, this site is one of the best places to begin any sort of state legal research


NACo — National Association of Counties Homepage

• "The only national organization that represents county government in the United States"
• Links to county websites and legislative concerns, programs/projects, governmental/organizational resources
• Provides information about membership and services of NACo, publications, conferences, events
• Also links to websites for such "issues areas" as economic/community development, emergency management, environmental concerns, public lands, public safety, sustainable communities
• One of the best, most comprehensive sites for all types of county information; for best results, search using the "Site Map"


National Governors Association (NGA)

• The mission of the NGA is "... to support the work of the governors by providing a bipartisan forum to help shape and implement national policy and to solve state problems"
• Provides information about the policy positions, programs, resources and services of the NGA
• The website's best feature is "The Center for Best Practices," a clearinghouse for information designed to aid governors in developing policy and avoiding pitfalls, so that governors can be "... better prepared to react to emerging issues"
• "The Center" provides its own research reports, links to federal/regional government agencies and relevant policy analysis documents from other sources; provides resources for dozens of specific issues on the following topics: economy/technology, education, workforce development, social services, health, homeland security, energy, the environment and other issues
• Also offers up-to-date state news, legislative updates, and "About the Governors" (websites, contact information, speeches, etc.)
• Free NGA monthly e-mail update
• Complements "StatesNews" website
• Excellent, well-organized approach to complex issues; one of the best sources for research on issues facing states, from the executive perspective


Public Records Online

• Sponsored by NETR Real Estate Research and Information
• "An information portal to official state websites, and those Tax Assessors' and Recorders' offices that have developed websites for the retrieval of available public records over the Internet"
• Official state websites link to local/municipal records for deeds, parcel maps, GIS maps, tax data, ownership information; when local/municipal data is not available, the site links to local/municipal home pages (where available)
• Records' availability varies according to local/municipal site development
• Includes "help" function for navigating the site and newsletter mail list
• Great source for real estate and tax records


Search Systems

• Sponsored by Pacific Information Resources, Inc.
• Proves links to over 39,000 "searchable public record databases"
• Links are organized by state, U.S. territory; also includes some international sites
• Type of record information provided includes state government contact information, business incorporation, court records, unclaimed property and more (Note: most states provide links for the verification of professional/occupational licenses)
• Availability of different categories of records differs from state-to-state
• Excellent; especially useful for links not often accessible from other public records websites


SHG Resources (State Handbook & Guide)    

• Sponsored by "State House Girls," an organization devoted to "... organizing topics of interest to women"
• This site provides numerous links to various issues (domestic violence, census information, people locators, traffic); its applicability to this guide, however, is in its governmental links
• "State Resource" links to 11 sub-directories; one of these, "Government Agencies," links to 40 categories of links for state government activities/services, from "aging services" to "vital statistics and records"
• "State Pages" provides basic state information; also links to a state's colleges/universities, media outlets, as well as personal interest sites (entertainment, money, finance, shopping, etc.)
• Despite this site's general nature, the "Government Agencies" directory alone makes it worthwhile, since it is one of the most comprehensive topic-specific directories of state services


State and County QuickFacts

• Sponsored by the U.S. Census Bureau
• Great source for "quick, easy access to facts about people, business, and geography"
• "QuickFacts" tables are summary profiles showing frequently requested data items from various Census Bureau programs. Profiles are available at the national, state, and county level."
• Links to other Census Bureau sites of related interest
• Not comprehensive, but one of the best sites for quick, basic census data


State and Federal E-Government in the United States, 2002

• Compiled by Darrell M. West, Department of Political Science, Brown University
• This comprehensive report on state/federal e-government resources in 2002 analyzes and ranks the progress of e-government resources in the following areas: overview of e-government's role in state/ federal online resources, services provided, privacy/security, disability access, foreign language access, e-mail responsiveness, overall state/federal ranking
• Does not link to state homepages
• Excellent; covers every base; thorough analysis of this burgeoning governmental resource


State Capital Links

• Sponsored by StateScape
• Links to the following government information for each state: full texts for bills, legislature homepage, information about legislature members
• This site is one of the best sites for direct access to fundamental legislature links in one place


State Government and Politics

• Maintained by Grace York for the University of Michigan Documents Center (UMDC)
• One of the most comprehensive and best sites for state governments, state legislatures, public policy, local governments
• Includes a wide variety of topics including elections, statistics, advocacy groups, think tanks, state government associations
• Excellent annotations accompany most links
• Browsable only
• As with all UMDC sites, this one is very well-organized, thorough and easy-to-navigate
• Excellent; a "must" for anyone interested in state government research


State Government Finances

• Sponsored by the U.S. Census Bureau
• "Provides a comprehensive summary of annual survey findings for state governments"
• Data is displayed in "Summary Tables" (US and states), "Ranking Table" (total and per capita revenue and expenditure amounts), "Lottery Table" (income and apportionment of state lottery funds)
• "Technical Documentation" provides an "... explanation of the source and limits of data, file layouts and content"
• Links to additional, related Census Bureau sites (link from "Site Map"): "Census of Governments," "Public Employment & Payroll" (all government levels), "Public Employee Retirement Systems" (state and local), "Tax Collection" (state and local), "Federal Expenditures"
• Best direct official source for state government finance and related topics


State Government Tax Collections

• Sponsored by the U.S. Census Bureau
• "Provides a summary of taxes collected by state for up to 25 tax categories"
• Data is displayed in "Summary Tables" (US and states), "Ranking Table" (by total state tax), "Flat Data File" (tax item data for each state)
• "Technical Documentation" provides an "explanation of the source and limitations of data, file layouts and content," and provides a link to "definitions and explanations of the various tax codes"
• Links to additional, related Census Bureau sites (link from "site map"): "Census of Governments," "Public Employment & Payroll", "Finance" (state and local,) "Public Employee Retirement Systems" (state/local levels), "Public Elementary/Secondary Education Finances" (state level,) "Federal Expenditures"
• Best, direct, official source for state taxation, and related topics


State Health Facts Online

• Sponsored by the Kaiser Family Foundation
• This site's mission is to provide "... the latest state-level data on demographics, health, and health policy, including health coverage, access, financing and state legislation"
• "50 State Comparisons" allows the user to compare data on the following: demographics and the economy, health status, health coverage and the uninsured, Medicaid and CHIP, Medicare, health costs and budgets, managed care and health insurance, providers and service use, women's health, minority health, HIV/AIDS
• "50 State Comparisons" may be keyword searched as well as browsed
• "Individual State Profiles" provide single-state data for each category listed in "50 State Comparisons;" also links to the state government's home page, legislature, Medicaid agency and Department of Insurance
• US health data profile also included
• "Resources" provides access to a topics list, publications, glossary, e-mail update service
• All sources for data are identified (many are federal government sites)
• One of the best — if not the best — health research sites for US states; comprehensive, easy-to-navigate; excellent in all respects


State Resource Center

• Sponsored by LexisOne
• "State Resource Center" is comprised of two directories, the "State Resource Center" and the "Legal Web Site Directory
• The first section of the "State Resource Center"—"General State Resources"— links to state constitutions, state court directories, and state/national resources (annotated links to some of the best legal state/national sites)
• The second section—links to individual states—includes the following: state home pages (with links to Census sites), statewide offices, legislative branches, judicial branches, executive branches, rules of courts/forms, boards/commissions, regional/county links, libraries; also links to U.S. territories
• "Legal Web Site Directory" links to 18 categories of legal information: "Most Visited Sites" include judicial courts/decisions, practice areas, code/statutes, legal/business/government forms, legal journals/law reviews, bar resources
• Excellent source for extensive direct links to a wealth of state and legal sites; easy-to-navigate


Stateline.org

• Sponsored by the Pew Center on the States, University of Richmond
• "Founded in order to help journalists, policy makers and engaged citizens become better informed about innovative public policies"
• "State News Roundup" provides access to current news and policy developments from all state capitals
• "States" provides links to governor and legislatures; also provides data on budgets/taxes, crime/prisons, environment, income/poverty, insurance/accidents, population
• Also provides a mechanism which allows comparisons with other states
• "My Stateline" is a news alert service which allows users to be updated on the latest news/issues for their state (registration required, but it's free)
• Allows state-specific and issue-specific searching
• Archives past news items
• Excellent; one of the best resources for current information on states' news/policies


Stately Knowledge

• Sponsored by the Internet Public Library, Youth Division
• Provides basic state information for all states
• Useful for brief profiles of states; not for in-depth research


StateNews

• Sponsored by the Council of State Governments (CSG)
• "A non-partisan, nonprofit organization", the CSG promotes and facilitates co-operation on issues affecting state government among states, multi-state associations and "regional co-operative ventures"
• Provides information about CSG's policy positions, programs, products/services, publications, membership information
• Provides links to four regional offices (Eastern, Midwest, South, West)
• Much of the information available on this site is free; some research data ("STARS: State Archives and Research Service Database") is available to only to members; public employees qualify for free membership, others must have a paid membership
• Provides policy sub-pages for agriculture, conflict management, public safety/justice, health, homeland security, the environment
• Currently featured topics include "Elections 2002," "Internet Privacy Online Clearinghouse," "Driver's License Integrity," "Health Literacy," "Annual State Trends and Leadership Forum"
• Complements "National Governors Association" website
• Excellent source of state news/trends; although its target audience is state officials, much of the information provided is useful to anyone interested in state government issues and programs


Topical Index: State Statutes on the Internet

• Sponsored by Cornell University Law School's Legal Information Institute (LII)
• Provides links to state laws in 38 subject categories, from agriculture to water codes
• Includes links to state constitutions, legislative information, judicial opinions and other sources of state legal resources
• In keeping with the LII's standards of high-quality, easy-to-navigate legal resource pages, this site is one of the best places to begin any sort of state legal research


U.S. States: The 50 States

• Sponsored by Infoplease.com
• Click on a state on a US map to link to basic state information (in 15 categories) for that state
• Also links by topic for the following: state maps (many are printable), flags, state trivia, regions, travel and climate (includes landmarks, national park system information, mileage between cities), government (federal/state links, postal codes)
• Level of information at this site is comparable to almanac data; very useful for what it covers, but not for in-depth research


Websites discussed on this page are for informational purposes only. Johnson & Wales University Library is not responsible for the accuracy, content, or stability of any websites linked to this page.

Compiled by Rick Keogh 6/03; updated 10/03; links last checked 10/07

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