Voters in 38 states will consider 174 statewide ballot measures on Nov. 6, 2012, according to the National Conference of State Legislatures (NCSL). These proposals are wide-ranging, with a number of them having potential workplace implications.

Questions appear on the ballots in more than one state concerning:

• Medical marijuana use; • Legalization of marijuana; and • Same-sex marriage.

Home Channel News selected 50 hardware stores -- one from each state -- for inclusion in the second annual Hardware Store All-Star list. The stores distinguish themselves with strong customer service, innovative approaches to retail and a connection to community and customers.

The alphabetical listing of All-Star stores, one from each of the 50 U.S. states, continues here with Oregon, Pennsylvania and Rhode Island:

Boral USA, a manufacturer and supplier of building products and construction materials, introduced Boral TruExterior Trim at the JLC LIVE Residential Construction Show event in Providence, R.I. 

A new development in the Poly-ash category in the exterior trim market, Boral TruExterior Trim gives homeowners, builders, architects and contractors a long-lasting and low maintenance trim option. A solution for a variety of non-structural applications, Boral TruExterior Trim is a sustainable product, according to the manufacturer.

Branchburg, N.J.-based LBM distributor Mid-State Lumber announced the culmination of an 18-month plan to expand into New England and announced its New England sales team.

"Today a complete staff is working with a 100% focus of supporting the retail lumber dealers and industry associations in the states of Connecticut, Rhode Island, Massachusetts and New Hampshire," according to a company statement. The New England team is led by Mike Kelly, New England sales manager.

A collaboration between a Rhode Island police department and area merchants showed positive results with a dip in retail crime this month, according to an article in the Woonsocket Patch.

From New York’s Island to the Redwood Forests, the great American hardware store maintains a revered place in the commercial history of these United States. Below are high performers representing Rhode Island, South Carolina and South Dakota. 

East Coast Tile Group signed an exclusive master distribution arrangement with StonePeak Ceramics in the eastern United States. 

Under terms of the deal, East Coast Tile divisions Best Tile and Tile America will use their infrastructure to supply commercial-grade porcelain tiles to customers and prospects in the states of Maine, New Hampshire, Vermont, Massachusetts, Rhode Island, Connecticut, New York, New Jersey, Delaware, Pennsylvania, Maryland, District of Columbia, Virginia, North Carolina and South Carolina.