BRIDGE CLOSURE CONTROVERSY COMES TO HEAD IN NJ: The controversy over lane closures on the George Washington Bridge that has been brewing in New Jersey for months reached a crisis point last Wednesday with the release of a cache of email messages linking...
CUOMO OUTLINES NY MEDICAL POT PLAN: New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo (D) announced plans to issue an executive order that will launch a pilot program to allow 20 Empire State hospitals to dispense medical marijuana. Conditions for which the drug can be prescribed...
BUSINESS: The NEW JERSEY Assembly approves SB 1226, which would require Garden State bars and other businesses hosting teen social nights to hire police officers for security, limit the age groups that may attend and forbid registered sex offenders from...
Editor: Rich Ehisen Associate Editor: Korey Clark Contributing Editor: Mary Peck Editorial Advisor: Lou Cannon Correspondents: Richard Cox (CA), Lauren Davis (MA), Steve Karas (CA) and Ben Livingood (PA) Graphic Design: Vanessa Perez Design
After years of tentative growth, the U.S. job market will pick up a bit more this year, according to Moody's Analytics. The global economic forecasting company projects the nation will add 2.6 million jobs this year — up from 2.2 million in...
Editor: Rich Ehisen Associate Editor: Korey Clark Contributing Editor: Mary Peck, David Giusti Editorial Advisor: Lou Cannon Graphic Design: Vanessa Perez Design
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...
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...
...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...
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...
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...
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...
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]).
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 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 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 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 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 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 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...
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
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...
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...
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...
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...