Supreme Court Refuses NC Appeal The United Stated Supreme Court declines to hear an appeal from NORTH CAROLINA officials seeking to revive a Tar Heel State law that required doctors to perform ultrasounds, display the resulting sonograms and describe...
The U.S. Supreme Court rules that TEXAS did not violate the First Amendment by refusing to allow the issuing of specialty license plates bearing the Confederate battle flag. The High Court ruled that such plates are the government’s speech and are...
Earlier this year, the Canadian Fair Trade Network (CFTN) and ReThink Communications launched a campaign designed to increase awareness of sweatshop issues in the apparel and textile industries. Called “The Label Doesn’t Tell the Whole Story...
As of this month, 18 states have now passed legislation banning the sale of powdered alcohol, or Palcohol. Liquor control authorities have imposed Palcohol bans in two other states: Massachusetts and Pennsylvania. And although Arizona Gov. Doug Ducey...
We’re almost halfway through calendar year 2015 and two-thirds of state legislatures are done for the year. But with big issues percolating in the 16 states still in regular session and the NBA Finals in full swing, it seems like a good time for...
Silicon Valley entrepreneur and political gadfly Tim Draper may have bombed with his ballot measure to split California into six separate states, but that ignominious defeat hasn’t slowed him down. Draper’s new thing is something he calls...
OR Approves SB 454 The OREGON Senate approves SB 454, a bill that would require all Beaver State businesses with 10 or more employees to offer workers at least five days of paid sick leave each year. It moves to the House (PORTLAND OREGONIAN). VT...
Things are getting ugly in Maine, where lawmakers overturned a flurry of vetoes by Maine Gov. Paul LePage (R), who has vowed to block every bill sponsored by a Democrat until the Legislature approves his proposed constitutional amendment that would allow...
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...
Politics definitely makes for some odd bedfellows. Case in point comes to us today via Billboard magazine, which this month features an op-ed piece from buttoned down New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo and the sartorially outrageous pop star Lady Gaga in support...
A bill introduced last week in California would overhaul Proposition 13 -- the landmark property tax limit initiative approved by the state’s voters in 1978 -- to allow regular reassessments of commercial and industrial properties. Currently such...
LA House Approves HB 149 The LOUISIANA House gives final approval to HB 149, which would enact several new policies designed to temper penalties for marijuana possession in the Pelican State, including dropping the maximum penalty from 20 years in...
Kentucky Gov. Steve Beshear (D) issued an executive order last week raising the minimum wage to $10.10 for hundreds of state workers under the executive branch’s purview. The order (EO 2015-370) will impact about 800 workers and cost the state approximately...
A bill that would make it tougher to get an initiative on the Maine ballot is on the verge of passage in the state’s Legislature. As amended, SB 272 (LD 742) would require sponsors of initiative campaigns to collect signatures from at least 10 percent...
The popularity of hybrid, electric and alternative-fuel vehicles may be good for the environment but not for states that rely on gas taxes to fund the maintenance and construction of their roads and bridges. Oregon, however, is about to launch a program...
The WISCONSIN Senate and Assembly approve SB 70, a bill that would allow off-duty and retired officers to carry guns in schools. It moves to Gov. Scott Walker (R) for consideration (TELEGRAPH HERALD [DUBUQUE]).
As organizations navigate economic peaks and valley, ‘doing more with less’ is a common refrain. Instead of leading to a Zen state of mind, however, this mantra is leading to increased anxiety among information professionals who are seeing...
Texas Gov. Greg Abbot (R) signed a package of bills that will commit hundreds of millions of state dollars to bolster security along the Texas-Mexico border. The measures, HB 10, HB 11 and HB 12, collectively contain a wide array of elements, including...
TEXAS Gov. Greg Abbott (R) said last week he did not plan to call a special session to consider legislation to bar county clerks from issuing same-sex marriage licenses despite calls for that action. A ruling is expected soon from the U.S. Supreme Court...
From today’s walk the walk file comes this nugget. As the Washington Post reports, Brown recently told reporters he was taking numerous steps to conserve water during California’s historic drought, including drinking less water and not taking...
The nation’s economy is in its sixth consecutive year of recovery from the Great Recession. But many states are still dealing with major budget problems. Kansas is facing a $400 million budget gap, Louisiana is grappling with a $1.6 billion shortfall...
Two sitting governors made big announcements about their futures last week: NEVADA Gov. Brian Sandoval (R) said he will not seek the U.S. Senate seat currently held by the Silver State’s retiring senior U.S. Senator Harry Reid, and VERMONT Gov....
Maryland Gov. Larry Hogan may not be as well-known as Jerry Brown but he was apparently quite the item during a recent stint of jury duty. As the Washington Post reports, Hogan was originally called to come in on January 21, which just so happened to...
For 45 states, the fiscal year begins on July l, by which they’re required to have a budget in place. But disagreements about how to close budget holes or expand Medicaid have already forced special sessions in Alaska, Florida, Illinois and Washington...
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...