The last measure passed by the Michigan Legislature in December began as an uncontroversial 13-page bill that sailed through the Republican-controlled Senate on a unanimous and bi-partisan 38-0 vote. The bill proceeded to be totally revamped in the GOP...
By all accounts, Massachusetts Gov. Charlie Baker is a nice guy and certainly among the most moderate members of his state’s GOP. But that didn’t stop him from recently feeling the wrath of the National Gay & Lesbian Chamber of Commerce...
Potpourri In NH The NEW HAMPSHIRE House approves HB 602, which would among several things regulate the operation of drones near critical infrastructure, prohibit them from carrying weapons and restrict operation near airports. The measure moves to...
Speaking of the allure of the opposite sex...one Kansas lawmaker saw his own attempt to curtail such things blow up in his face last week. As Governing and the Kansas City Star report , Sen. Mitch Holmes has retracted rules he recently imposed on anyone...
Since 2011 Tennessee has dedicated over $200 million to TNInvestco, a program designed to create jobs and profits for taxpayers by allowing private venture funds to invest public money in startup companies. But according to a performance audit from the...
In November South Dakota voters approved a ballot measure revising the state’s campaign finance and lobbying laws to create a public campaign financing program, limit campaign donations, create an independent ethics commission and ban gifts from...
Illinois Signs SB 1991 Responding to a significant shortage, ILLINOIS Gov. Bruce Rauner (R) signs SB 1991 , a bill that will create a task force to formulate methods to recruit and retain agriculture teachers (THEXRADIO.COM [EFFINGHAM]).
Oregon Approves SB 828 The OREGON House approves SB 828 , which would require employers in the retail, food service and hospitality industries and with at least 500 workers worldwide to provide workers with an estimated schedule seven days before the...
DE Gov. Markell Signs Mental Health Bills Acting on reforms suggested by a task force he created, DELAWARE Gov. Jack Markell (D) has signed a pair of bills aimed at improving the state’s mental health system. One measure ( SB 245 ) would establish...
Environment in WI The WISCONSIN Senate approves AB 603, which would limit the kinds of waterways that can be protected from development as areas of special natural resource interest and give final say over those designations to the Legislature rather...
NC Gov Signs HB 242 NORTH CAROLINA Gov. Pat McCrory (R) signs HB 242 , which would allow low performing elementary schools to be placed in a new, charter-operated district pilot program called Achievement School Districts. Under the law the ASD superintendent...
House Democrats in Maine say they will move forward this week with efforts to censure or even impeach Gov. Paul LePage (R) over allegations he has abused his power. Complaints against the governor include the recent finding of the Legislature’s...
OREGON Gov. Kate Brown (D) signs SB 932, a bill that allows qualifying unauthorized immigrants who were brought to the United States as minors to receive state financial aid for college (EASTERN OREGONIAN [PENDELTON]).
NORTH CAROLINA Gov. Pat McCrory (R) signs HB 553, which bars local governments from enacting their own regulations regarding the standard of care for farm animals (HIGH COUNTRY PRESS [BOONE]). -- Compiled by RICH EHISEN
The CALIFORNIA Assembly gives final approval to AB 888, which would ban the sale of personal care products like shampoos and cleaners that contain plastic microbeads. The measure, which would take effect in 2020, moves to Gov. Jerry Brown (D) for consideration...
U.S. Court of Appeals Rules Coal Producers Emissions Reduction Challenge Premature The United States Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit rejects a challenge by coal companies and 14 coal-producing states that sought to block a proposed...
MO Signs Reform Bill MISSOURI Gov. Jay Nixon (D) signed a broad municipal court reform bill aimed at ending what the bill’s sponsor has called predatory practices targeted at the poor. Among other things, the bill limits fines and bans jail sentences...
Education in MA The University of MASSACHUSETTS Foundation, which manages charitable giving for the five-university UMASS system, announces it will divest itself of direct investments of its $770 million endowment in coal companies. The Foundation...
AL Considering Gas Tax Hike The ALABAMA House Transportation, Utilities and Infrastructure Committee approved a bill (HB 394) last month that would increase the state’s gas tax by about six cents per gallon to generate additional funding for...
New York Signs AB 10740 NEW YORK Gov. Andrew Cuomo (D) signs AB 10740 , which makes the Empire State the first to require all schools to test their drinking water for lead contamination, with results reported to parents and state and local officials...
CO Has Most Female Lawmakers COLORADO has the highest percentage of female legislators in the nation, at 42 percent, according to analysis of National Conference of State Legislatures data by InsideGov.com. Although that rate is significantly higher...
IL Cook County Approves Sales Tax Increase The governing board of Cook County, ILLINOIS narrowly approved a one-cent sales tax increase that will push Chicago’s rate over that of four Alabama cities and Seattle on Jan. 1, making it the highest...
As part of his plan for fixing what he believes is ailing his state,” Illinois Gov. Bruce Rauner (R) wants to allow municipalities to file for bankruptcy. And a state lawmaker has introduced legislation to do just that. A dozen states already...
The website of Arizona’s Department of Weights and Measures was hacked this month by a group calling itself the Middle East Cyber Army (MECA). The agency, which ensures the accuracy of various meters and scales, as well as licenses vehicles for...
MD Adopts Rule Montgomery County, MARYLAND (D) adopts rules making it the first jurisdiction in the Old Line State to adopt a $15-an-hour minimum wage. The new minimum goes into effect in 2021 for businesses with at least 51 employees, with those between...