MISSISSIPPI lawmakers approved $17 million in state disaster relief in response to last month's deadly tornadoes (CLARION-LEDGER [JACKSON]). • OHIO's Supreme Court will likely hear two lawsuits challenging Cleveland's so-called "jock...
The slow and steady improvement that has characterized state finances for most of the post-Great Recession era is continuing, according to the National Conference of State Legislatures' Spring 2014 "State Budget Update," which is based on...
Virginia Del. Steve Landes (R), a banker, sponsored a bill enacted in March aimed at recruiting successful entrepreneurs, willing to donate their time for up to a year out of a sense of civic duty, to help state agencies stimulate business and job growth...
After all the protests and then all the recall elections and attendant attack ads sparked by Wisconsin Gov. Scott Walker's (R) union-busting policies three years ago, you'd think Wisconsinites would be burnt out on politics. But in the last presidential...
Two RHODE ISLAND lawmakers received threatening letters in connection with their investigation of the state's failed $75 million investment into retired ballplayer Curt Schilling's video-game company, 38 Studios, which filed for bankruptcy in...
05/20/2014 Arkansas Primary Election House (All) Senate Districts 3-6, 8-10, 14-15, 17-20, 24, 30-31, 33 and 35 Constitutional Officers: Governor, Lieutenant Governor, Secretary of State, Treasurer, Attorney General, Auditor, Commissioner of State Lands...
Indiana Gov. Mike Pence (R) has unveiled his latest alternative proposal to expanding Medicaid as called for under the federal Affordable Care Act. The proposal he announced last Thursday would use federal money intended to pay for expansion of the joint...
Colorado Gov. John Hickenlooper (D) signed a trio of bills last week aimed at helping the Centennial State fight wildfires, including a measure that allows the state to spend $20 million to purchase or contract aircraft to comprise an aerial firefighting...
HICKENLOOPER SIGNS WILDFIRE-RELATED BILLS: Colorado Gov. John Hickenlooper (D) signed a trio of bills last week aimed at helping the Centennial State fight wildfires, including a measure that allows the state to spend $20 million to purchase or contract...
ARIZONA Gov. Jan Brewer (R) asked the state Supreme Court to review an appeals court ruling that said three dozen Grand Canyon State lawmakers that oppose expanding Medicaid may challenge the expansion in court. Brewer says the three do not have legal...
Here are some of the topics you will see covered in upcoming issues of the State Net Capitol Journal: - Millennial lawmakers - State legislative elections - Compassionate use
The NEW HAMPSHIRE House passes SB 207, so-called "paycheck equity" legislation that would prohibit employers from making people sign agreements not to disclose their salaries as a condition of employment and extends to three years the time workers...
The NEW YORK Senate approves SB 1850, which would create a public database of violent felons similar to the state's sex offender registry. The measure, which would require all individuals convicted of a violent felony to register with the state Department...
The MINNESOTA Senate approves a comprehensive education reform bill that would among several things, encourage educators to emphasize students' existing skills and allow teaching license candidates who are unable to pass the state's "basic...
The NEW JERSEY Senate approves SB 1041, legislation that would ban companies from treating, discharging, disposing, and storing waste from hydraulic fracturing, known as fracking, in the Garden State. It moves to the Assembly (STAR-LEDGER [NEWARK]). •...
The PENNSYLVANIA Senate approves SB 1180, a measure that would create a prescription drug monitoring program to prevent drug addicts or dealers from "doctor shopping" to get multiple orders of narcotics. It moves to the House (OBSERVER-REPORTER...
The CALIFORNIA Senate approves SB 1159, which would allow unauthorized immigrants to practice medicine. It is now with the Assembly (LOS ANGELES TIMES). • FLORIDA Gov. Rick Scott (R) signs HB 755, which allows unauthorized immigrants to practice...
The MISSOURI House gives final approval to HB 1307, which would increase the waiting period for obtaining an abortion from 24 hours to 72 hours. It goes to Gov. Jay Nixon (D) for review (ST. LOUIS POST-DISPATCH). • The LOUISIANA Senate approves HB...
The LOUISIANA Senate approves HB 72, which would allow Pelican State residents with concealed carry permits to carry guns into bars and restaurants that serve alcohol. The bill moves to Gov. Bobby Jindal (R) for review (ADVOCATE [BATON ROUGE]).
At any given time, State Net tracks tens of thousands of bills in all 50 states, US Congress, and the District of Columbia. Here's a snapshot of what's in the legislative works: Number of 2014 Prefiles last week: 272 Number of 2015 Prefiles last...
No question the advancement of California Assemblymember Toni Atkins to the position of Speaker was a noteworthy event. Atkins is only the third woman to ever hold that job in the Golden State, is the first Speaker who represents the fine city of San...
The change in Assembly Speakers wasn't the only big news around the California Capitol last week. Gov. Jerry Brown also issued his annual May budget revision. Given that the state has around $2 billion more in revenue than earlier predicted it was...
...or at least really foolish things people say, allow me to introduce the lawyer Kentucky Gov. Steve Beshear hired to defend the Bluegrass State's ban on same-sex marriage. As the Lexington Courier-Journal reports, attorney Leigh Gross Latherow told...
As regular readers of this space know, we regularly poke fun at lawmakers who spend copious time working to name "official" state whatevers: rocks, plants, birds or foods. The latest came last week as the New York Senate spent 45 minutes debating...
Electric carmaker Tesla is at the cutting edge of automotive technology. But its direct-to-consumers sales model cuts a little too close to the bone for some states. In case you missed it, the story can be found on our Web site at http://www.statenet...