The OREGON House approves HB 4036, which would eliminate the use of coal power in Oregon by 2030. The measure, which would also require the state’s largest energy providers to obtain 50 percent of their energy from renewable sources by 2014, moves...
Idaho Gov. C.L. “Butch” Otter (R) has called on lawmakers to form a work group to study any possible connection between faith healing and child deaths in the Gem State. In a letter to House Speaker Scott Bedke (R) and Senate President Pro...
Happy Obama Day? A bill filed by a Chicago representative would make President Barack Obama’s birthday Illinois’s 13th paid state holiday. Rep. Andre Thapedi (D) filed the measure Feb. 2, and is awaiting approval from the Illinois House...
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...
Snyder Seeks Expanded Medicaid for Flint MICHIGAN Gov. Rick Snyder (R) is seeking federal approval to expand Medicaid benefits in the city of Flint to include residents up to 21 years old and pregnant women who have been receiving water from the city’s...
The GEORGIA House approves HB 34, so-called “right-to-try” legislation that would allow Peach State doctors to prescribe experimental medications that have not yet received federal approval to terminally ill patients. The bill moves to the...
Immigration In NM The NEW MEXICO House gives final approval to HB 99, which would ensure the Land of Enchantment issues driver’s licenses compliant with the federal Real ID law. The measure would also continue to allow unauthorized immigrants...
Social Policy In VA The VIRGINIA House endorses HB 773, a bill that would block state agencies from punishing discrimination against people who are in same-sex marriages, transgender or have sex outside marriage. It moves to the Senate (WASHINGTON...
From governments and healthcare companies to retailers and financial leaders, no one seems to be able to avoid information security implications. Last year, some of the world’s biggest brands—Anthem, Target, Experian and the IRS, to name just...
Twenty-two states and the District of Columbia have laws on the books prohibiting at least some state pension or retirement funds from investing in companies that do a certain amount of business in Iran. Ten of those states also have laws on the books...
Football fan or not, last weekend’s Super Bowl probably captured your attention. Was it the rivalry between a young upstart quarterback and a seasoned veteran? Maybe the half-time entertainment is more your thing. Or perhaps, you were one of the...
Well, not really. But it could easily have turned out much worse for North Carolina Gov. Pat McCrory than it did when the car he and his security folks were traveling in got rear ended as he was leaving the Super Bowl. As the Charlotte Observer reports...
The WEST VIRGINIA Senate approves HB 4005, which would eliminate the Mountain State’s prevailing wage law, which allows the state to determine hourly pay for all job categories on all large projects paid for entirely with taxpayer dollars. It moves...
New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo (D) issued a set of rules last week aimed at ending the use of so-called “gay conversion” therapy in the Empire State. The controversial practice is used by some therapists in an effort to change the sexual orientation...
Days after sending lawmakers a State of the State letter in which he repeatedly railed against “socialist politicians,” Maine Gov. Paul LePage (R) said he would forgo the state’s official nomination process for selecting a new education...
Amidst a chorus of boos from protestors, Michigan Gov. Rick Snyder (R) unveiled his $54.9 billion FY 2017 budget proposal to lawmakers, a plan that includes $195 million to address the ongoing water contamination crisis in Flint. That funding would be...
While the United States and other world powers have lifted oil and financial sanctions on Iran, several states continue to adhere to their own bans on investing or doing business with companies with ties to the country. Although international inspectors...
Michigan Gov. Rick Snyder may be having the worst month of anyone in politics. As the situation in Flint continues to unfold, Snyder has been working overtime to counter accusations that his administration was at best incompetent and at worst negligent...
Crime & Punishment in MD The MARYLAND General Assembly overrides a veto by Gov. Larry Hogan (R) of a bill that restores voting rights to felons before they finish parole or probation (WASHINGTON POST). Crime & Punishment in KS The KANSAS...
In baseball terms, folks looking to recall Michigan Gov. Rick Snyder (R) have started out in a deep slump. Last week, the Michigan Board of State Canvassers unanimously approved for circulation a petition seeking to recall Snyder for his 2015 decision...
Massachusetts Supreme Judicial Court Justice Fernande Duffly revealed last week she would soon step down, becoming the third justice in the last week to announce their retirement. Duffly, 66, said she would leave the bench in July, four years before reaching...
Wolf Calls PA Finances ‘Ticking Time Bomb’ PENNSYLVANIA Gov. Tom Wolf (D) warned lawmakers last week that the Keystone State’s finances are a ticking “time bomb” leading the state toward “a fiscal catastrophe the...
When it comes to curtailing jaywalking, Massachusetts Senate Majority Leader Harriette Chandler says it’s time to talk softly and start wielding a big stick. Prompted by recent pedestrian deaths, Chandler wants to raise the Bay State penalty for...
The Supreme Court of the United States issues a temporary injunction blocking a plan by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency to lower carbon emissions from power plants. The plan has been challenged by over two dozen states that predominantly rely...
Kentucky Gov. Matt Bevin (R) said he wants to scale back a plan build a statewide high-speed broadband network to instead focus just on Eastern Kentucky. Bevin said the plan, which began under former Gov. Steve Beshear (D), was originally intended to...