Some GOP governors have expressed disappointment at the changes to the Affordable Care Act proposed in the U.S. House of Representatives last week. Nevada Gov. Brian Sandoval said governors had asked House lawmakers to work with them on changes, but that...
Arkansas Gov. Asa Hutchinson (R) has proposed several reforms to the Razorback State’s hybrid Medicaid plan, including lowering the program’s eligibility to 100 percent of the federal poverty level – down from 138 percent – and...
Saying Massachusetts has “a responsibility” to help women obtain health care services, Gov. Charlie Baker (R) said the state will make up any budget shortfalls suffered by Planned Parenthood if Congress follows through on a threat to cut federal...
Washington Approves HB 1371 The WASHINGTON House approves HB 1371 , which would bar Evergreen State drivers from holding any hand-held devices while driving, including phones, tablets and other electronic devices, even while stopped in traffic. It...
Supreme Court Returns Virgina Case The Supreme Court of the United States returns to a lower court the case of a transgender VIRGINIA boy who was refused the right to use the boys’ restroom at his high school. The SCOTUS returned the case to...
Utah Approves HB 369 The UTAH House approves HB 369 , a bill that would make it a Class A misdemeanor for an HIV-positive individual to fail to disclose their status to a sexual partner. It is now in the Senate (SALT LAKE TRIBUNE). New Mexico Approves...
Nebraska Indefinitely Postpones LB 660 The NEBRASKA Natural Resources Committee unanimously votes to indefinitely postpone LB 660 , which would have allowed private energy developers to enter the Cornhusker State energy market. The Committee also unanimously...
Kentucky Approves HB 58 The KENTUCKY House approves HB 58 , which would allow homeschool students to participate in public school extracurricular activities at the school in their respective district. It moves to the Senate (FLOYD COUNTY TIMES). ...
US Supreme Court Rules Overturn Colorado Supreme Court Ruling The United States Supreme Court rules that reports of racist comments by jurors may require setting aside a verdict and holding a new trial. The ruling overturns a COLORADO Supreme Court...
New Hampshire Approves HB 436 The NEW HAMPSHIRE House approves HB 436 , which would exempt companies converting or transmitting virtual currency like Bitcoin from state banking laws that regulate money transmitters. It moves to the Senate (NEW HAMPSHIRE...
They might not be able to fund the schools or get a budget, but Illinois is darned sure getting ready for the impending zombie invasion. Yes, as CNN reports , lawmakers recently endorsed HR 30 , which encourages all Prairie State residents to adequately...
It seemed like such a simple thing. Illinois Gov. Bruce Rauner offered congrats on Twitter to Chicago music sensation Chance the Rapper for winning a trio of Grammy awards. The rapper said he’d like to meet up with the gov to talk about the city...
Hunters in Virginia have for years been required to wear a Day-Glo orange vest to make sure their fellow hunters can more easily discern them from Bambi before firing off a few rounds. But if Virginia state Sen. Richard Stuart has his way Old Dominion...
When Bill C-31 to amend Canada’s Proceeds of Crime (Money Laundering) and Terrorist Financing Act (PCMLTFA) goes into effect on June 17, 2017, regulated entities will likely embrace some aspects, such as the amendment to the definition of “signature...
Public relations operations are a little different today than in the past, and failing to take the changes into account could harm your agency or department. Skills that were highly relevant only a few years ago could fail you now, and progress in the...
As spring arrives in California, scientists and public officials are taking stock of a stormy winter that eased the state’s five-year drought but exposed the vulnerability to age and climate change of the Golden State’s dams, levees, and bridges...
As of 2015, 1,235 of North Carolina’s dams were classified as “high hazard potential” by the American Society of Civil Engineers, the highest number in the nation. Texas had 1,212 dams with that same hazard potential, meaning that a...
WV SENATE COMMITTEE APPROVES TAX REFORM PLAN WEST VIRGINIA’s Select Senate Committee on Reform approved a bill ( SB 335 ) last week that would replace the state’s current 6-percent sales tax with an 8-percent general consumption tax and...
With baby boomer retirements diminishing the ranks of California teachers, nearly one in three educators in the state leaving the job within the first seven years, and modest starting salaries doing little to attract people to the fill those positions...
A proposed constitutional amendment that would permanently limit state spending in Iowa was unanimously approved by a Senate subcommittee last week. The bill - SJR 9 , which would limit spending to “the lesser of 99 percent of the adjusted revenue...
Despite President Trump’s call for $1 trillion in infrastructure spending, at least 15 states, including six governed by Republicans - Arkansas, Indiana, Oklahoma, South Carolina, Tennessee and Utah - are considering raising gas taxes or other fees...
IA HOUSE PASSES VOTER ID BILL After 12 hours of debate over two days, IOWA’s Republican-controlled House passed legislation ( HF 516 ) that would require voters to present government-issued identification at the polls. The bill now moves to the...
In a 2-1 decision, a three-judge panel of the U.S. Court of Appeals for the 5th Circuit invalidated three congressional districts drawn by Texas’ GOP-led Legislature in 2011 on the grounds that the Republican lawmakers intentionally curbed the influence...
With questions about Russia’s involvement in the 2016 presidential election still in the headlines , a number of states are considering legislation to block businesses with foreign ties from contributing to political campaigns. Noncitizens...
Martinez Vetoes Slew of Bipartisan NM Bills NEW MEXICO Gov. Susana Martinez (R) surprised lawmakers in both parties last week by vetoing without explanation at least nine Senate-sponsored bills, most of which had wide bipartisan support. The vetoes...