HI House Declines SB 557 The HAWAII House declines to take up SB 557 , a Senate-passed bill that would have made the Aloha State the third to become a so-called “sanctuary state,” which gives local law enforcement agencies the option to...
NM Legislature Gives Final Approval to SB 489 The NEW MEXICO Legislature gives final approval to SB 489 , which would require all electricity from publicly regulated utilities to be obtained from renewable and carbon-free resources by 2045. It goes...
Since the end of World War II, Swiss officials have required various food importers and retailers to stockpile a variety of products considered staples to mitigate the impact of another war. But one of those staples is about to come off the “must...
WA Seattle Mayor Signs Ordinance Seattle, WASHINGTON Mayor Jenny Durkan signs an ordinance that allows for the building of denser, taller housing in a handful of urban villages across the Emerald City. The law also levies substantial fines on developers...
ME Overides LePage Veto The MAINE Legislature overrode Gov. Paul LePage’s (R) veto of the state’s next two-year budget. The $6.7 billion spending plan includes modest income and property tax cuts for many residents (PORTLAND PRESS HERALD...
Left-leaning issues are among the most common subjects for state ballot measures this year. Voters in five states will consider whether to legalize marijuana for recreational use, and voters in four states will weigh medical marijuana measures. Four states’...
ILLINOIS Gov. Bruce Rauner (R) signs SB 7, legislation that requires students who suffer a concussion to get permission from a doctor or athletic trainer before they fully return to class or sports (CHICAGO TRIBUNE).
The role of chief executive—whether that’s a president, CEO, managing director or some other title—is critical to the success of any organization. That’s why, when the position becomes vacant, such careful attention must be placed...
Alabama Approves HB 315 The ALABAMA House approves HB 315 , which would allow midwifes to legally practice in the Heart of Dixie. It moves to the Senate (BIRMINGHAM NEWS). -- Compiled by RICH EHISEN
Five states have enacted laws this session aimed at narrowing the wage gender gap, according to the American Association of University Women. Equal pay measures are also awaiting gubernatorial action in two states and are still pending in one other. And...
The value of a dollar varies by 30 percent between some states, according to the Regional Price Parities (RPPs) - measures of how much the price of goods and services in states and metropolitan areas differs from the national average in a given year ...
Fifteen states offer school voucher programs allowing parents of school-age children to use part or all of the public funding allocated for their children’s education to send them to private school, according to EdChoice, a nonpartisan, nonprofit...
Among the more notable local ballot measures contested on Nov. 8 were proposed soda taxes in three California cities and Boulder, Colorado. Despite $40 million in spending from soda giants like Coca-Cola and PepsiCo, Boulder’s Measure 2H, a levy...
Six states - California, Connecticut, Minnesota, New York, Vermont and Washington - recently banned nonessential travel by public employees to states that have passed laws that officials in the six states say discriminate against the LGBT community. All...
CO House and Senate Give Final Approval to SB 78 The COLORADO House and Senate give final approval to SB 78 , net-neutrality legislation that would bar internet service providers from receiving state taxpayer money if they slow access to the internet...
New Jersey Signs SB 2483 NEW JERSEY Gov. Chris Christie (R) signs SB 2483 , which restricts access to firearms for people who have been convicted of a domestic violence crime or who are subject to a domestic violence restraining order (NJ.COM)
$1.3B Budget Shortfall Expected In CT CONNECTICUT is facing an estimated budget shortfall of $1.3 billion next year, due to a surge in fixed costs, including debt and pension payments. Despite that fact Gov. Dannel Malloy (D) said he is not likely...
Although the decennial census is a federal responsibility, with states having so much to gain from an accurate tally, 30 have established committees - either through legislation or executive order - to ensure their populations are fully counted, according...
Education In GA The GEORGIA Senate approves HB 859, a bill that would allow anyone 21 or older with a weapons license to carry a gun anywhere on a public college or university campus, except for inside dormitories, fraternities and sorority houses...
CA Court Challenges Ex-Gov Schwarzenegger's Clemency Ruling A CALIFORNIA appeals court ruled that former Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger (R) did not break the law in 2010 when he drastically reduced the prison sentence of the son of a political ally...
Deep-blue California’s primary system and a glut of Democratic candidates for the state’s June 5 primary election could end up hurting that party’s chances of retaking control of the U.S. House. The state has a top-two primary, in which...
Earlier this year, the federal government gave its approval to a powdered form of alcohol dubbed Palcohol by its Arizona-based creator. But, citing a long list of potential problems associated with the product, seven states have already passed legislation...
Illinois Gov. Bruce Rauner (R) announced he is creating a bipartisan, 25-person commission to create a new formula for distributing state money to local school districts. The current system, in place for the last two decades, has been widely criticized...
Oregon Approves SB 719 The OREGON Senate approves SB 719 , which would establish a process for a judge to issue an “extreme risk protection order” if a person is found by clear and convincing evidence to pose a risk of suicide or threat...
California Gov. Gavin Newsom (D) said last week that the Golden State’s lucrative surfing culture could serve as an example for building a thriving tourism industry in poverty- and violence-plagued El Salvador. Newsom made the remarks after a three...