Ear to the Ground- State News Roundup

• Gov. Patterson (D) of New York keeps state spending levels in mind while he helps the state move towards a deal on the new budget.

• Despite constituent opposition, state legislators in Nebraska pass a bill that would levy sales taxes on internet downloads.

• Gov. Rendell (D) of Pennsylvania abandons plans to give rebates to low-income Pennsylvanians because of a lack of legislative support.

• The Wisconsin senate has passed a budget that raises taxes on businesses and hospitals to account for state overspending.