Courts in Nebraska and Missouri weigh arguments to keep abortion measures off the ballot
With ballot deadlines approaching, Nebraska and Missouri courts are weighing whether amendments on abortion will go before voters.
Gov. DeSantis urges lawmakers to address condo affordability crisis sooner than later
Gov. Ron DeSantis said Monday that lawmakers should act before the 2025 regular legislative session to address problems facing condominium associations and owners, including soaring costs.
Appeals court to hear Florida โlegislative privilegeโ case
In a potentially far-reaching case, an appeals court Tuesday said it will hear arguments next month in a dispute about whether Florida lawmakers should be shielded from testifying in lawsuits.
Minnesota Supreme Court upholds law restoring right to vote to people with felony convictions
The Minnesota Supreme Court has upheld a 2023 state law that restores voting rights for felons once they have completed their prison sentences.
Wisconsin Republicans ask voters to take away governor's power to spend federal money
Wisconsin Republicans are asking voters to take away the governorโs power to unilaterally spend federal money, a reaction to the billions of dollars that flowed into the state during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Massive fees for condo owners, Gov. DeSantis considers special session
A new law requires condo boards to have fully funded reserves to keep residents safe. But some COAs have implemented exorbitant fees as a result.
New Mexico Democrats mostly rebuff calls from Democratic governor to address high crime rates
Democrats in the state legislative majority have rebuffed calls by New Mexicoโs governor to address the โdangerous intersectionโ of crime and homelessness.
Utah Supreme Court sides with opponents of redistricting that carved up Democratic-leaning area
Utahโs Supreme Court has ruled in favor of opponents of redistricting that carved up Democratic-leaning Salt Lake County among four congressional districts that have since elected Republicans by wide margins.
New nuclear power plant eyed in Florida
After the issue was tucked into a wide-ranging energy bill approved by Gov. Ron DeSantis and the Legislature, state regulators in the coming months will study the feasibility of adding more nuclear power.
Florida arts groups left in the lurch by DeSantis veto of state funding for theaters and museums
All over Florida, arts groups are scrambling to plug large budget gaps after Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis unexpectedly vetoed $32 million in arts funding.
California voters lose a shot at checking state and local tax hikes at the polls
The California Supreme Court has removed a measure from the stateโs November ballot that would have made it harder to raise taxes.
An anti-abortion group in South Dakota sues to take an abortion rights initiative off the ballot
An anti-abortion group in South Dakota has filed a lawsuit to block an abortion rights measure from the November ballot.
US Supreme Court refuses to take up challenge to Floridaโs online sports betting compact
The U.S. Supreme Court has refused to take up a challenge to an agreement that gave the Seminole Tribe exclusive rights to handle online sports betting in Florida, dealing a blow to the dealโs opponents.
Judge sides with local officials over Florida financial disclosure law
A federal judge has blocked a 2023 Florida law that required municipal elected officials to disclose detailed information about their personal finances, ruling that the law likely violated First Amendment rights.
New Jersey adopts public records overhaul but critics say it tightens access to documents
New Jersey Gov. Phil Murphy has signed legislation overhauling access to the stateโs public records, likely making it harder for the public and media to access some documents, according to critics.
Vermont becomes 1st state to enact law requiring oil companies pay for damage from climate change
Vermont has become the first state to enact a law requiring fossil fuel companies to pay a share of the damage caused by climate change after the state suffered catastrophic summer flooding and damage from other extreme weather.
Lawsuit seeks to block Washington parental rights law that critics call a 'forced outing' measure
Youth services and civil rights groups are suing to block a new Washington state parental rights law that is set to take effect next month.
Sides battle in Florida โLegislative Privilegeโ case
Arguing that the issue is moot, voting-rights groups on Friday urged an appeals court to reject an attempt by the state House and Senate to shield lawmakers and legislative staff members from testifying in redistricting lawsuits.
Lawmakers want the Chiefs and Royals to come to Kansas, but a stadium plan fizzled
Some Kansas lawmakers see a chance to lure Kansas Cityโs two biggest professional sports teams across the Missouri border.
Climate change could virtually disappear in Florida โ at least according to state law
Florida is on the verge of repealing whatโs left of a 16-year-old law that puts climate change as a priority when making energy policy decisions.
FEMA administrator surveys Oklahoma tornado damage with the state's governor and US senator.
Federal Emergency Management Agency administrator Deanne Criswell says โour heart aches for the loss of lifeโ in tornadoes that left four dead and about 100 injured in Oklahoma.
Federal money eyed for Theodore Roosevelt Presidential Library in North Dakota
Supporters of the Theodore Roosevelt Presidential Library in North Dakota are welcoming federal legislation that would help cover the construction costs of the library and to showcase artifacts of the 26th president.
Transgender Louisianans lost their ally in the governor's seat. Now they're girding for a fight
Unlike recent years when there was an LGBTQ+ ally in the Louisiana governor's office, nothing stands in the way this year of legislation hostile to transgender people.
Lawsuits under New York's new voting rights law reveal racial disenfranchisement even in blue states
A new voting rights law in New York is already having a dramatic effect, with lawsuits in several local communities seeking to reverse decades of minority voter disenfranchisement.
Months ahead of the presidential election, Nebraska's GOP governor wants a winner-take-all system
Nebraskaโs Republican governor is calling on state lawmakers to move forward with a โwinner-take-allโ system of awarding Electoral College votes.
Wisconsin governor vetoes transgender high school athletics ban
Wisconsin Gov. Tony Evers vetoed a bill passed by the Republican-controlled Legislature that would have banned high school transgender athletes from competing on teams that align with their gender identity.
As Kansas nears gender care ban, students push university to advocate for trans youth
As Kansas prepares to ban gender-affirming care for minors, students at the state's largest university taking action.
New Mexico halts some oil-field lease sales in standoff over royalty rates in Permian Basin
New Mexicoโs State Land Office will withhold lease sales indefinitely on its most promising tracts for oil and gas development in the Permian Basin as it seeks approval by the state Legislature to increase top-tier royalty rates.
Florida House passes bill to lower gun buying age
While the issue has not moved forward in the Senate, the Florida House on Friday passed a controversial bill that would lower the minimum age from 21 to 18 to buy rifles and shotguns.
South Dakota Republican lawmakers want clarity for the state's abortion laws. They propose a video
South Dakotaโs Republican-controlled Legislature has approved the creation of a video to outline the stateโs abortion laws and to clarify when health care providers are legally allowed to intervene.
Bill headed to South Dakota governor would allow museum's taxidermy animals to find new homes
South Dakota's Legislature has made it easier for the city of Sioux Falls to find new homes for more than 150 taxidermy animals of its arsenic-contaminated collection.
Wisconsinโs Democratic governor signs his new legislative maps into law after Republicans pass them
Wisconsinโs Democratic governor, Tony Evers, has signed new legislative district maps into law that he proposed and that the Republicans who control the Legislature passed to avoid having the liberal-leaning state Supreme Court draw the lines.
Florida Supreme Court wonโt speed up redistricting fight
The Florida Supreme Court on Monday refused to speed up a challenge to a congressional redistricting plan that Gov. Ron DeSantis pushed through the Legislature in 2022, likely meaning the disputed map will remain in effect for this yearโs elections.
A Nebraska bill would hire a hacker to probe the state's computer, elections systems
Nebraska state Sen_ Loren Lippincott is touting a bill that would give the Nebraska State Patrol $200,000 to hire โan ethical hacker.โ.
Wisconsin Democrats inch closer to overturning Republican-drawn legislative maps
Wisconsin Democrats are inching closer to overturning Republican-drawn legislative maps that the GOP have used to grow their majorities and advance their agenda over the past 13 years.
Wisconsin Supreme Court agrees to hear governor's lawsuit against GOP-controlled Legislature
The Wisconsin Supreme Court on Friday agreed to hear Democratic Gov. Tony Eversโ lawsuit against the Republican-controlled Legislature arguing that it is obstructing basic government functions.
State guard could get go-ahead to operate outside Florida
The Florida State Guard, revived by Gov. Ron DeSantis, could operate outside Florida and be called into service anytime he โdeemed necessary,โ under a bill approved Thursday by a House panel.
New Jersey already protects abortion rights. Now Democrats want to cover out-of-pocket costs, too
New Jersey's Democratic-led state government is considering legislation that would eliminate out-of-pocket costs for abortion.
Wisconsin's Democratic governor promises to veto last-ditch Republican redistricting effort
Wisconsin Democratic Gov. Tony Evers has promised to veto a redistricting proposal that the Republican-controlled Assembly passed and that largely mirror maps he proposed, but with changes that would reduce the number of GOP incumbents who would have to face one another in November.
Hawaii lawmakers open new legislative session with eyes on wildfire prevention and housing
Hawaii lawmakers are opening a new session of the state Legislature vowing to address glaring problems laid bare by the deadly wildfire that destroyed the historic town of Lahaina in August.
Wisconsin Republican leader slams Democrats' proposed election maps as 'political gerrymander'
Wisconsinโs powerful Republican Assembly leader says he hopes the liberal-controlled state Supreme Court adopts new constitutional legislative boundary maps, even as he slammed proposals from Democrats as โa political gerrymanderโ and threatened an appeal to the U.S. Supreme Court.
Wildfire prevention and helping Maui recover from flames top the agenda for Hawaii lawmakers
Hawaii lawmakers are due to convene this week for the first time since the burning of historic Lahaina awakened the state to the deadly and costly threat posed by wildfires in an age of climate change.
Louisiana's special session kicks off Monday. Here's a look at what may be discussed
Louisianaโs newly inaugurated lawmakers are set to convene for a special session during which they will discuss items that could impact how the state conducts elections.
Judge orders new North Dakota legislative district for 2 Native American tribes
A federal judge has ordered a new legislative district for two Native American tribes who successfully challenged North Dakotaโs 2021 redistricting map as violating the Voting Rights Act in diluting Native American votersโ strength.
A push to expand Medicaid has Kansas governor embracing politics and cutting against her brand
Democratic Gov. Laura Kelly is more aggressive and openly political in pushing to expand Medicaid in Kansas as the Republican-controlled Legislature prepares to open its annual session.
Wisconsin Supreme Court orders new legislative maps in redistricting case brought by Democrats
The liberal-controlled Wisconsin Supreme Court has overturned Republican-drawn legislative maps and ordered that new ones be created.
How much gerrymandering is too much? In New York, the answer could make or break Dems' House hopes
New Yorkโs highest court just gave Democrats a chance to redraw the stateโs congressional districts, a major victory as the party tries to flip seats in the state to win control of the U.S. House next year.
Court ruling backs tribesโ effort to force lawmakers to redraw North Dakota legislative boundaries
The 8th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals denied a request from North Dakota's secretary of state to delay a federal judge's ruling that found the state's 2021 redistricting map violated the Voting Rights Act in diluting the voting strength of two Native American tribes.
New York's high court orders new congressional maps as Democrats move to retake control of US House
New Yorkโs highest court has ordered the state to draw new congressional districts ahead of the 2024 elections.
DeSantis wants to cut 1,000 jobs, but asks for $1 million to sue over Florida Stateโs football snub
Republican Gov. Ron DeSantis is recommending Florida eliminate more than 1,000 state jobs in a spending proposal that cuts the current budget by more $4.6 billion.
Louisiana granted extra time to draw new congressional map that complies with Voting Rights Act
Louisiana lawmakers now have until the end of January to draw and pass new congressional boundaries to replace the current map that a federal judge says dilutes the power of the stateโs Black voters.
Judge finds Voting Rights Act violation in North Dakota redistricting for two tribes
A federal judge has ruled that North Dakotaโs 2021 legislative redistricting plan violates the rights of two Native American tribes because it dilutes their voting strength.
Appeals court weighs fight over fight over Floridaโs congressional districts
An appeals court Tuesday took up a battle about the constitutionality of a congressional redistricting plan that Gov. Ron DeSantis pushed through the Legislature last year, with some judges appearing skeptical of a challenge filed by voting rights groups.
Pennsylvania governorโs voter registration change draws Trumpโs ire in echo of 2020 election clashes
Donald Trump has Pennsylvaniaโs voting rules in his sights, and it's a familiar target.
Gov. Burgum and North Dakota Republicans are rushing to fix a major budget bill struck down by court
A ruling by North Dakotaโs Supreme Court has jeopardized funding for major parts of the state government.
New Mexico trial begins over allegations that Democrats tried to dilute votes with redistricting map
Accusations that New Mexicoโs Democratic-led Legislature unfairly diluted the vote of a politically conservative oil-producing region with its redistricting map have gone to trial.
DeSantis purposely dismantled a Black congressional district, attorney says as trial over map begins
Lawyers representing Black voters told a three-judge federal panel that Republican Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis violated the U.S. Constitution by deliberately dismantling a congressional district that favored Black candidates.
Democrats retain narrow control of Pennsylvania House after special election
Democrats in the Pennsylvania House will keep their one-vote majority after winning a Pittsburgh area seat in a special election.
Oregon launches legal psilocybin access amid high demand and hopes for improved mental health care
Oregon has taken an unprecedented step in offering psilocybin, also known as magic mushrooms, to the public.
Florida abortion rights at stake as state Supreme Court takes up challenge to GOP-led restrictions
The Florida Supreme Court must decide whether to overrule broad abortion rights protections provided for decades under the state constitution and instead uphold a law signed by Republican Gov. Ron DeSantis that bans the procedure in most cases after 15 weeks of pregnancy.
Wisconsin's new liberal Supreme Court justice hasn't heard a case but Republicans may impeach
Even before the newly elected justice who gave liberals a one-seat majority on the Wisconsin Supreme Court has heard a case, Republican lawmakers are talking about taking the unprecedented step of impeaching and removing her from office.
Oil production boosts government income in New Mexico, as legislators build savings 'bridge'
Record-breaking oil production in New Mexico is likely to provide state government with a new multibillion-dollar surplus during the upcoming budget year.
South Carolina's new all-male highest court reverses course on abortion, upholding strict 6-week ban
South Carolina's newly all-male Supreme Court has reversed course on abortion, upholding a ban on most such procedures after just weeks of pregnancy.
Mass shootings spur divergent laws as states split between gun rights and control
Tennessee lawmakers are convening a special session this week that highlights the divergent response states are taking to a spate of mass shootings.
Louisiana lawmakers overturn governorโs veto on gender-affirming care ban for transgender minors
Louisianaโs Republican-dominated Legislature overturned Democratic Gov. John Bel Edwardsโ recent veto of a ban on gender-affirming care for transgender minors on Tuesday.
Tourism oversight districtโs suit against Disney goes before judge this week
An Orange County circuit judge this week will hear arguments on a request by Walt Disney Parks and Resorts to toss out a lawsuit filed by a revamped special district amid a feud between Gov. Ron DeSantis and the entertainment giant.
Wisconsin governor's 400-year veto angers opponents in state with long history of creative cuts
Wisconsin Gov. Tony Eversโ partial veto that attempts to lock in a school funding increase for 400 years drew outrage and surprise from his political opponents.
Wisconsin's Democratic governor guts Republican tax cut, increases school funding for 400 years
Wisconsin Gov. Tony Evers has signed off on a two-year spending plan after gutting a Republican tax cut and using his broad veto powers to increase school funding for centuries.
North Dakota university leaders fear 'catastrophic implications' of new Minnesota free tuition plan
North Dakota higher education officials are deeply worried about losing students and revenue in 2024 when neighboring Minnesota makes tuition free for thousands of its residents at public colleges and universities.
California's law aimed at fast food wages is on hold. Lawmakers may have found a way around it
A new California law aimed in part at increasing salaries for fast food workers has been delayed.
California governor proposes rolling back access to police misconduct records
California Governor Gavin Newsom is proposing an end to public disclosure of investigations of abusive and corrupt police officers.
Federal judge blocks much of Indiana's ban on gender-affirming care for minors
A federal judge is blocking much of Indiana's ban on gender-affirming care for transgender minors from taking effect as scheduled July 1.
Wisconsin's top elections official for 2024 uncertain as incumbent's term nears end
Wisconsin's top elections official is nearing the end of her term, and uncertainty looms over who will hold the position through the 2024 presidential election.
New York lawmakers pass bill that considers reparations for slavery
New York would create a commission to consider reparations to address the lingering, negative effects of slavery under a bill passed by the state Legislature.
Fight over Floridaโs redistricting plan to play out in court
When Florida voters in 2010 passed a constitutional amendment setting rules for congressional redistricting, they barred drawing districts that would โdiminishโ the ability of minorities to โelect representatives of their choice.โ
Extended boycott disqualifies 2 GOP senators, 1 independent in Oregon Senate from being reelected
Two Republicans and an Independent in the Oregon Senate are now disqualified from reelection as a walkout has stalled hundreds of bills and triggered a constitutional amendment aimed at stopping the boycotts.
Kansas governor thwarts small legal settlement with business over COVID-19 restrictions
Kansasโ Democratic governor has scuttled a small legal settlement between the state and the owner of a Wichita fitness studio forced to shut down during the first months of the coronavirus pandemic and then operate under restrictions.
Rare momentum on a Texas gun bill stalls in the state's Republican-controlled legislature
Rare momentum in the Texas Capitol for a tougher gun law has flickered out, days after a mass shooting near Dallas left eight people dead.
Michigan Democrats act to protect abortion rights of workers
The Michigan House has further advanced legislation that would outlaw companies from retaliating against employees for receiving abortions following its passage in the state Senate in March.
Florida Senate sends 8-year school term limit bill to Gov. DeSantis
The Florida Senate on Monday gave final approval to a bill that would impose eight-year term limits on county school-board members, readying the issue to go to Gov. Ron DeSantis.