NY LOBBYING DISCLOSURE LAW RULED UNCONSTITUTIONAL

A federal judge has struck down a law passed in NEW YORK in 2016 requiring nonprofits that lobby to disclose more information about their donors than had previously been required. Judge Denise Cote ruled that the law was too broad and infringed on First Amendment rights. (ALBANY TIMES UNION)

OR MAY MAKE SECRETARY OF STATE NONPARTISAN OFFICE

OREGON Secretary of State Bev Clarno (R) intends to push for making her office nonpartisan. Currently only one of the 35 secretaries of state nationwide who were elected to that office is unaffiliated with a specific party. (OREGONIAN)[Portland] 

FL DEMOCRATIC, REPUBLICAN PARTIES OPPOSE ‘JUNGLE PRIMARY’ BALLOT MEASURE

Representatives of both the Republican and Democratic parties of FLORIDA filed legal briefs with the state’s Supreme Court last week opposing a proposed constitutional amendment to switch the state to a “top two” or “jungle primary” system, in which candidates of all parties would appear on the same ballot and the top two vote-getters would advance to the general election. In addition to getting through the high court’s review of the measure’s ballot language, 766,200 eligible voters also have to sign petitions supporting the measure, 703,000 of which have already done so. (FLORIDA PHOENIX)

-- Compiled by KOREY CLARK

Surrounded by a bevy of athletes including LeBron James, Diana Taurasi and Katelyn Ohashi, California Gov. Gavin Newsom (D) signed legislation last week that makes the Golden State the first to allow college athletes to profit from the use of their image and likeness.

Newsom signed SB 206 in spite of threats of litigation from the National Collegiate Athletic Association, which said the law would also lead to California schools being barred from NCAA competition. In a conference call with reporters, he said allowing athletes to see a small portion of the money raised off their labors was “a social justice issue,” and that the NCAA needs “to get serious” about reforming the current system.

“This is the beginning of a national movement – one that transcends geographic and partisan lines,” Newsom said. “Collegiate student athletes put everything on the line – their physical health, future career prospects and years of their lives to compete. Colleges reap billions from these student athletes’ sacrifices and success but, in the same breath, block them from earning a single dollar. That’s a bankrupt model – one that puts institutions ahead of the students they are supposed to serve. It needs to be disrupted.”

Newsom signed the bill on an episode of James’s YouTube show “The Shop.” James praised the bill, calling it “a game changer for student athletes and for equity in sports.”

The NCAA said in a statement it agreed that changes need to be made to its rules, but argued it was the only entity authorized to do so. That didn’t sit well with Newsom. While citing his “reverence” for the NCAA, he also accused the organization of “slow rolling us,” saying “they only nibble around the edges of reform.”

The NCAA almost certainly will sue, something Newsom said they expect. With the bill not taking effect until January 2023, he said he expects plenty of ongoing negotiations with the organization. But he also issued a warning, saying the new California law was “going to initiate dozens of other states to introduce similar legislation” in the near future. Similar bills have already been introduced in New York and Florida, and Minnesota Rep. Nolan West (R) told the Minneapolis Star Tribune he plans to introduce legislation next session. (LEXISNEXIS STATE NET, MINNEAPOLIS STAR TRIBUNE, NEW YORK TIMES)

New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo and Connecticut Gov. Ned Lamont, both Democrats, said they will work together to develop a consistent regulatory framework for recreational marijuana use in their respective states. The governors said they believed they could find common ground on issues like age restrictions for use, limits for marijuana potency, tax rates for cannabis products and highway safety. The announcement came the same day Pennsylvania Gov. Tom Wolf (D), citing public opinion polls showing a majority of Keystone State voters now approve legalizing recreational weed use, urged lawmakers to decriminalize possession of small amounts of weed. (ASSOCIATED PRESS, ROUTE FIFTY)

WA GOV ORDERS VAPING BAN

Citing a rising number of illnesses and deaths linked to e-tobacco use, WASHINGTON Gov. Jay Inslee (D) said he will ask the state board of health to adopt emergency rules enacting a statewide ban on flavored vaping products. At least four other states – MICHIGAN, NEW YORK, MASSACHUSETTS and CALIFORNIA – have recently imposed bans or restrictions on vaping products. The board will take up the measure for a vote on Oct. 9 (MY NORTHWEST).

BAKER WILL ACCEPT MORE IMMIGRANTS IN MA

Reacting to a directive from president Donald Trump, MASSACHUSETTS Gov. Charlie Baker (R) said he would issue an order of his own offering the Bay State’s municipalities written permission to continue accepting refugees. The Trump administration announced last month it would limit to 18,000 the number of refugees allowed in nationwide, and would require municipalities and states across the country to give written consent to allow refugees resettle into their communities. (Republican [Springfield]).

NM GOVS SETS MILEAGE STANDARDS

NEW MEXICO Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham (D) said the state will implement new restrictions on vehicle emissions, starting with model-year 2022 vehicles. Lujan Grisham said New Mexico will also increase fuel economy standards to an average of 52 mpg by 2025. She made the announcement amidst action by the Trump administration to revoke CALIFORNIA’s longstanding authority to set its own emissions and mileage standards. (ASSOCIATED PRESS)

ABBOTT THREATENS AUSTIN OVER HOMELESS

TEXAS Gov. Greg Abbott (R) told city officials in Austin that he would “unleash the full authority of every state agency to protect the health and safety of all Texans” if the City Council does not reinstate a city ordinance banning public camping it revoked in June. Homeless camps have proliferated since then, creating complaints of threats to public health. Abbott said he would send state troopers to the city if leaders don’t take action. (TEXAS TRIBUNE, AUSTIN AMERICAN-STATESMAN)

-- Compiled by RICH EHISEN

United State Court of Appeals Upholds Ruling

The United States Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit upholds the power of the Federal Communications Commission to roll back net neutrality rules, but also upholds the power of states to set their own neutrality laws. Several states have enacted their own standards, and the ruling is expected to spark more to follow suit (NEW YORK TIMES).

Pennsylvania Senate Gives Final Approval to HB 318

The PENNSYLVANIA Senate gives final approval to HB 318, which would make “do not call” requests for robocalls permanent unless a customer specifically asks for them to resume. The measure moves to Gov. Tom Wolf (D) for consideration (LEXOLOGY).

California Governor Signs AB 827

CALIFORNIA Gov. Gavin Newsom (D) signs AB 827, which requires restaurants to provide customers with bins for recyclables and compostable waste (CALIFORNIA GOVERNOR’S OFFICE).

California Governor Signs AB 857

Also in CALIFORNIA, Gov. Newsom signs AB 857, which allows for the creation of public banks, which use public funds to let local jurisdictions provide capital at interest rates below those charged by commercial banks. NORTH DAKOTA is the only other state that allows such institutions (CALIFORNIA GOVERNOR’S OFFICE).

Ohio House Approves HB 160

The OHIO House approves HB 160, which allows alcoholic ice cream businesses to ship their product to stores and individuals older than 21. The measure moves to the Senate (CINCINNATI ENQUIRER).