Six state programs, ranging from Maine's comprehensive health care reform to Wisconsin's environmental program for businesses, are competing for $100,000 grants in one of the nation's premiere good government competitions.

More than 1,000 federal, state and local government programs entered this year's contest, called the Innovations in American Government Award. The half-dozen state initiatives are among 18 finalists being judged on novelty, effectiveness and potential to be replicated.

The 6 good government state programs:

The 18 finalists will compete for prizes given by the Ash Institute for Democratic Governance and Innovation at Harvard University's Kennedy School of Government in conjunction with the non profit Council for Excellence in Government. Final presentations to a selection committee in Cambridge, Mass. will be presented on May 25.

Seven winners will each receive $100,000 at a July 10 ceremony in Washington, D.C. The money is meant specifically to share information about the winning programs with other organization and governments.  stateline.org Eric Kelderman is a Stateline.org Staff Writer