NY Governor Signs AB 6823 NEW YORK Gov. Andrew Cuomo (D) signs AB 6823 , which relieves Empire State prosecutors from having to prove force, fraud or coercion was used to involve a minor in prostitution. (NEW YORK POST)
A trio of closely watched redistricting cases were dispatched by the Supreme Court last month on technical grounds rather than on the merits of their arguments. In one of the cases, Gill v. Whitford , from Wisconsin, the justices unanimously ruled...
Denver City Council Votes to Ban Gay Conversion Therapy The DENVER City Council unanimously votes to ban so-called gay conversion therapy, which seeks to change a minor’s sexual orientation. Denver becomes the first city in COLORADO to enact...
VA House and Senate Pass HB 1811 and SB 1341 The VIRGINIA House and Senate each pass measures that would make it illegal for drivers to talk on a cellphone without using a hands-free device. Those measures, HB 1811 and SB 1341 , pass now to the opposite...
Editor: Rich Ehisen Associate Editor: Korey Clark Contributing Editor: Mary Peck, David Giusti Editorial Advisor: Lou Cannon Correspondents: Richard Cox (CA), Lauren Davis (MA), Steve Karas (CA) and Ben Livingood (PA), Cathy Santsche (CA), Dena Blodgett...
Although motor vehicle subscription services - similar to auto leases but with no long-term commitment, the ability to change vehicles periodically and insurance and maintenance bundled in - have only been around for a few years, they’ve been embraced...
The NEW MEXICO House approves HB 29, which would allow local communities to impose curfews on teenagers under age 16. The measure moves to the Senate (KRQE.COM [ALBUQUERQUE]). -- Compiled by RICH EHISEN
ME House Approves HB 594 The MAINE House approves HB 594 , which would require Medicaid private insurance companies to pay for abortion services. It moves to the Senate (PORTLAND PRESS HERALD, LEXISNEXIS STATE NET). GA Governor Signs HB 481 GEORGIA...
With wildfires burning the state down amidst the usual end-of-session jamming through bills that really ought to have had a lot more deliberation, California lawmakers can point to at least one epic accomplishment: surfing is now the official state sport...
Federal Judge Issues Order A federal judge issues an order barring LOUISIANA from carrying out any executions for at least one more year while litigation over the state’s method of carrying out lethal injection sentences is being challenged in...
TX City Council Unanimously Approves The SAN ANTONIO City Council unanimously approves a six-month pilot program regulating electric scooters. Riders will be required to use sidewalks or roads, but will be barred from roadways where the speed limit...
WA Supreme Court Rules The WASHINGTON state Supreme Court rules the use of capital punishment to be unconstitutional. The ruling, which makes the Evergreen State the 20th where courts or legislatures have abolished or overturned capital punishment...
Going On In LA The 5th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals upholds a LOUISIANA law that requires doctors who perform abortions to have admitting privileges at a local hospital (REUTERS). CA Governor Signs AB 2989 CALIFORNIA Gov. Jerry Brown (D)...
NJ Governor Signs AB 261 NEW JERSEY Gov. Chris Christie (R) signs AB 261 , which bars the installation and sale of wheel weights containing lead or mercury and prohibits the sale of new motor vehicles equipped with wheel weights containing lead or...
The U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement agency publishes new rules that allow international students earning degrees in science, technology, engineering and mathematics fields in the United States to be eligible to stay in America for three years...
California Signs SB 1139 CALIFORNIA Gov. Jerry Brown (D) signs SB 1139 , which bars the denial of applicants to Golden State medical schools based solely on their immigration status. The law also ensures that all medical students are eligible to apply...
When considering the great problems and injustices facing our world, the lack of availability of a good Mimosa before noon on Sunday is right up there. Or at least it has been for the good people of Georgia, where brunch patrons have just had to make...
As part of a plan to address their state’s $2.8 billion budget deficit, members of the Alaska House voted 21-19 in favor of a bill ( HB 111 ) last week that would increase oil production taxes and reduce the state subsidy for new oil drilling. ...
MA Governor signs SB 2260 MASSACHUSETTS Gov. Charlie Baker (R) signs SB 2260 , legislation that overturns a number of “antiquated and inappropriate” Bay State laws, including one that made abortion illegal. The measure also strikes down...
People not fortunate enough to live here in California often think we’re a freak show. Or an economic disaster. Or trying to steal their water. As a lifer born and bred, I can honestly say the freak show thing can be true, the economic shade is...
If you’re going to have a state amphibian, it might as well be one with as ridiculous a nickname as possible. I’m presuming that was what Pennsylvania lawmakers were thinking recently when they voted to name the Eastern hellbender salamander...
Some days it feels like this old world is about to just burn itself down. Literally, given how fast climate change is progressing. But there’s no shortage of other problems, from an epidemic of school shootings to an equally insane epidemic of measles...
NJ Governor Signs SB 478, SB 493, and SB 705 NEW JERSEY Gov. Phil Murphy (D) signs a trio of transgender rights bills: SB 478 , which allows Garden State residents to amend their birth certificate without proof of having undergone a sex-change operation;...
VA City Council Rejects Proposal The VIRGINIA BEACH, VIRGINIA City Council rejects a proposal to regulate short-term rentals. The Council is expected to reconsider possible regulations and introduce a new proposal (WAVYTV [VIRGINIA BEACH]). WY City...
NJ Governor Signs SB 2534 NEW JERSEY Gov. Phil Murphy (D) signs SB 2534 , legislation that bans smoking on Garden State beaches. The prohibition goes into effect early next year and covers all local and state-owned beaches, with violators subject to...