Environment in MI MICHIGAN Gov. Rick Snyder (R) signs HB 5120 , which requires municipal water systems, upon learning their water has exceeded the federal “action level” for lead, to notify the public within three business days. The previous...
Speaking of guns, it’s pretty much a requirement these days for a Republican candidate for any office – and in some states, Dems too – to be to the far right of Yosemite Sam when it comes to firearms. Hence, Prince William County Board...
Since the passing of the Affordable Care Act in 2010, 31 states and the District of Columbia have used the law to offer health coverage to millions of previously uninsured residents through expansion of their joint federal-state Medicaid programs. Proposals...
In January, a bill was introduced in Arizona’s Republican-controlled Senate aimed at expanding the state’s racketeering laws to include rioting and, thereby, allowing law enforcement to prosecute and seize the assets of anyone who plans or...
Okay, now this is just getting sad. We don’t know if New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie regrets his surprising decision to endorse Donald Trump for the GOP presidential nomination, but we could understand if he does. After making headlines for his zombie...
MN Rejects Amendment to Liquor Bill The MINNESOTA House rejects a proposal to allow local municipalities to decide for themselves whether to allow Sunday liquor sales. The proposal was an amendment to an omnibus liquor bill that did garner House approval...
Saying he wants to help his fellow governors manage what some are calling the “fourth industrial revolution,” Nevada Gov. Brian Sandoval (R) has announced a new initiative aimed at helping state leaders “better prepare for the ongoing...
Washington drivers can breathe easy – nobody is trying to take away their coffee. As the Seattle Times reports , Evergreen State motorists have been up in arms of late over a new distracted driving law that some have interpreted as banning their...
Rare is the day some lawmaker somewhere doesn’t invoke their religion as cause for opposing or supporting a bill. But as my religious friends will tell you, if you have God then you also have to have Satan, and Old Ned is definitely looking to make...
Population loss is nothing new to rural America. But it’s a trend that’s on the rise. Between 1994 and 2010, 759 rural counties in 42 states lost population, but since 2010 over 1,300 rural counties in 46 states have lost population, according...
Maryland Gov. Larry Hogan (R) unveiled a proposal last week to require Old Line State employers with 50 or more workers to provide them with at least 40 hours of paid sick leave per year. Part-time employees would need to work at least 30 hours per week...
In the months leading up to last year’s presidential election, news agencies reported that Russian hackers had targeted the election systems of more than 20 states, including Arizona and Illinois. Last week, a National Security Agency intelligence...
MARYLAND SENATE PASSES TAX RETURN MEASURE : The MARYLAND Senate approved a measure last week that would require presidential candidates to release their tax returns as a prerequisite for getting on the Old Line State ballot. That bill, SB 256 , is...
The economy has improved a lot in recent years, but that doesn’t mean everything is just rosy for everyone. Take Maine Gov. Paul LePage, for instance. LePage is the lowest paid governor in the country, and the nickels just aren’t going as...
An Indiana lawmaker has introduced legislation that would make it illegal for tattoo artists to ply their craft on someone’s eyeballs. Yes, on their eyeballs! As the Washington Post reports , violators would face a fine up to $10,000. And if, like...
Crime In Florida A FLORIDA court rules that lawmakers overstepped their authority when they endorsed legislation broadening the Sunshine State’s “stand your ground” law that allows residents to use lethal force in self-defense. Miami...
AL Gov Calling for Special Session on Lottery ALABAMA Gov. Robert Bentley (R) has called for a special session to consider a referendum on establishing a state lottery. Voters rejected a lottery proposal 17 years ago, but Bentley, who’s been...
School of origin CALIFORNIA Gov. Jerry Brown (D) signs SB 445, which requires a local educational agency serving a homeless child to allow the homeless child to continue his or her education in the school of origin through the duration of the homelessness...
PA Approves HB 1574 The PENNSYLVANIA House gives final approval to HB 1574 , which would broaden the Keystone State’s anti-hazing law to include public and private high schools. The bill, which makes it a third-degree misdemeanor when a student...
LEPAGE GETS RIGHT-TO-WORK AGREEMENT IN ME MAINE Gov. Paul LePage (R) reached an agreement with the Pine Tree State’s largest public employee union that, if endorsed by members, would eliminate mandatory union fees for workers in jobs represented...
A lot of taxpayers are going to be waiting longer than usual for their state tax refunds this year. At least 21 states, including Colorado, Georgia, Hawaii, Louisiana, Massachusetts, New Mexico, North Carolina and Wisconsin, say refunds could be delayed...
HI Senate Approves SB 2334 The HAWAII Senate approves SB 2334 , which would require the state and local governments to incorporate predictions of sea level rise and other climate change hazards and mitigation opportunities into applicable plans, strategies...
Speaking of surrealistic, how about Sen. Kid Rock? And if self-proclaimed rocks are your thing, perhaps President Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson? Or if sharks are more your style, how about Dallas Mavericks owner and Shark Tank panelist Mark Cuban...
Illinois ended its record-setting budget impasse this month - after going 736 days without a spending plan - with a flourish. On May 23 the state’s Democrat-led Senate passed a budget package that included SB 9 , which among other things,...
With gas prices at their lowest point in over a decade, gas tax-fueled transportation funding having failed to keep pace with mounting road repair needs and a chaotic post-election period providing a chance to take on controversial issues, there may never...