Between 2000 and 2013 GDP growth outpaced median household income growth in every state in the nation, according to analysis by Stateline . In North Dakota the gap between general economic growth and middle-class income growth over that period was nearly...
New Gun Permit Regulation for NJ Reacting to the death of a NEW JERSEY woman stabbed to death by an ex-boyfriend, Gov. Chris Christie (R) announced a new state regulation to require applications for gun permits for victims of domestic violence, other...
Two Littleton, Colorado residents, Gene and D’Arcy Straub, have filed a pair of ballot initiatives that would redefine same-sex marriages in the state as civil unions and allow wedding-related businesses that oppose gay marriage to hire contractors...
Shortly after being sworn in for a historic fourth term last week, California Gov. Jerry Brown (D) hailed his state's efforts to combat global climate change, saying the Golden State has "the most far-reaching environmental laws of any state...
NV Signs AB 165 NEVADA Gov. Brian Sandoval (R) signs AB 165, legislation that would give Silver State businesses credit toward their modified business tax bill if they donate to a qualifying scholarship organization. Scholarships would go to students...
On election night President-elect Donald Trump told a crowd of cheering supporters: “We are going to fix our inner cities and rebuild our highways, bridges, tunnels, airports, schools, hospitals. We’re going to rebuild our infrastructure,...
NY Assembly Endorses AB 9605 The NEW YORK Assembly endorses AB 9605 , legislation that allows unauthorized immigrants to pay in-state tuition rates at Empire State colleges and universities, and be eligible for receiving tuition aid. It is the eighth...
EDUCATION IN MA The MASSACHUSETTS Board of Education announces that students who relocated to the Bay State from Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands because of Hurricane Maria will be immediately eligible to pay lower in-state public higher education...
Louisiana Gives Approves To HB 269 The LOUISIANA House gives final approval to HB 269 , which would require management boards for LSU, Southern University and other schools to spell out policies aimed at protecting campus speech, “including without...
Hey, Texas is on a roll! Yep, not to be outdone by some teachers harassing schoolkids, Gov. Greg Abbott took the opportunity last week to show his own backside to the world by making a joke about shooting reporters. As reported by The Hill , Abbott was...
The Trump administration’s push for deep cuts to the federal budget is drawing public opposition from some state governors, including Republicans. Of particular concern to the GOP governors are prospective cuts to regional economic development agencies...
Voter ID laws have drawn a lot of attention in recent years, but “motor voter” laws could have a much bigger impact on elections, given that at least 35 million eligible voters are not registered. “Registration is one of the biggest...
In the wake of the fatal shooting of a police officer, New Mexico Gov. Susana Martinez (R) said she will push lawmakers to resurrect the death penalty for those who kill police or children during the next legislative session. Martinez pushed to bring...
During the Great Recession college tuition rates rose steeply to replace state education funding lost to budget cuts. But with student loan debt nearing $1 trillion nationwide and families of every income level worried about the rising cost of college...
CA Fails SB 966 A sufficient majority of the CALIFORNIA Senate fails to endorse SB 966 , which would have repealed mandatory sentencing enhancements for someone convicted of the sale, possession for sale, distribution or transportation of drugs such...
Cuomo Says No-Go to NC NEW YORK Gov. Andrew Cuomo (D) issued an executive order last week (EO No. 155) that bars state employees from any state-sponsored non-essential travel to NORTH CAROLINA . The order came after the Tar Heel State adopted legislation...
States to Wrap Up Same Sex Marriage Cases The 5th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals ordered judges in LOUISIANA , MISSISSIPPI , and TEXAS to wrap up same-sex marriage cases in their states in line with last month’s U.S. Supreme Court ruling. The...
Washington Signs SB 5939a WASHINGTON Gov. Jay Inslee (D) signs SB 5939a , a bill that extends until 2030 state tax incentives to Evergreen State consumers who install solar energy units on their homes. The incentive rates decrease each year after purchase...
WI GOVERNOR SIGNS AB 499 WISCONSIN Gov. Scott Walker (R) signs AB 499 , which overturns a law that essentially barred mining for any minerals in the Badger State other than iron ore. Under that law, a mining company seeking to extract minerals other...
The MASSACHUSETTS Senate approves SB 1973, which would require the Bay State to develop a comprehensive climate change adaptation plan. It moves to the House (SUN CHRONICLE [ATTEBORO]). * The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency announces it will give...
TX-Mexico Border Deal TEXAS Gov. Greg Abbott (R) signed an agreement with Mexico that, among several things, promotes bilateral collaboration on motor vehicle border land crossings and future border infrastructure projects (LANDLINE MAGAZINE). ...
Nearly every state in the nation is struggling to maintain its aging transportation system. But Utah is one of just seven states (the others are Georgia, Idaho, Iowa, Nebraska, South Dakota and Washington) that passed a gas tax increase this year to help...
CO Gov Issues Mascot Order COLORADO Gov. John Hickenlooper (D) issued Executive Order B 2015 006, which will create a commission to discuss American Indian high school mascots. Commission members will include tribes, local community members and state...
Health & Science In WY The WYOMING Legislature rejects several proposals to expand Medicaid to cover around 20,000 low-income Equality State residents. All were offered as amendments to the state’s main budget bill (WYOMING TRIBUNE EAGLE...
Illinois Gov. Bruce Rauner (R) proffered two options for the coming budget year - which is still in a stalemate over the current year budget: If lawmakers will go along with a slate of reforms he campaigned on but has so far been unable to pass, he will...