How to handle large directories that repeat categories

Hi,

We have a small problem with the directory/category handling and would like to know if there is a better mechanism of implementing this rather than the brute force way.

Our implementation calls for a directory that lists a whole bunch of categories on a per state basis. Each category is repeated in each state. We also need a to allow a view of all the items in the category that is not limited by the state.

As way of example, the current category layout in FLEXIContent is as such:
Directory
. -> State A
. . -> Cat X <1>
. . -> Cat Y
. . -> <and so on>
. -> State B
. . -> Cat X
. . -> Cat Y
. . -> <and so on>
<After all the States, we have the categories again>
. -> Cat X <2>
. -> Cat Y
. -> <and so on>

Hence, when we need to add an item to "Cat X" in "State A" we add it to the category in "State A" (<1>) and the category with no State parent category (<2>).

Using this method we have over 300 categories so far in the view.

This method seems like quite a brute force method and we were wondering if there was a better way to organise this so that there is not so much duplication.

We have created a "State" Field in hopes that this would allow us to access which State the item is in, but this has not yielded any fruit so far.

Thanks.

there must be an array object in there my suggestion is to get all the objects and print_r them untill you find the correct array and then manipulate it as such in a new Custom template