INSIDER
Michigan House races will test Democrats' grasp on the state government trifecta
Read full article: Michigan House races will test Democrats' grasp on the state government trifectaThe same Michigan voters Democratic presidential candidate Kamala Harris needs in the critical swing state will also determine whether her party maintains its foothold on state government two years after pulling off a historic sweep.
Uphill battles that put abortion rights on ballots are unlikely to end even if the measures pass
Read full article: Uphill battles that put abortion rights on ballots are unlikely to end even if the measures passVoters in nine states are deciding next month whether to add the right to abortion to their constitutions.
Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick says Legislature will review Deloitteās contracts after public loan project scandal
Read full article: Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick says Legislature will review Deloitteās contracts after public loan project scandalThe examination of Deloitteās existing contracts comes after it failed to catch red flags in a companyās application for a loan to build or upgrade power plants in the state.
Dan Patrick asks Senate to consider bills to unmask protesters, change runoff elections
Read full article: Dan Patrick asks Senate to consider bills to unmask protesters, change runoff electionsThe new list includes many right-wing priorities, and would escalate Republicansā wars against diversity, equity and inclusion programs and review laws to keep noncitizens off voter rolls.
Courts in Nebraska and Missouri weigh arguments to keep abortion measures off the ballot
Read full article: Courts in Nebraska and Missouri weigh arguments to keep abortion measures off the ballotWith ballot deadlines approaching, Nebraska and Missouri courts are weighing whether amendments on abortion will go before voters.
Texas would need about $81.5 billion a year to end property taxes, officials say
Read full article: Texas would need about $81.5 billion a year to end property taxes, officials sayTexas Republicans have been trying to reduce the stateās high property taxes for years, but some acknowledge eliminating them would be too expensive.
Minnesota Supreme Court upholds law restoring right to vote to people with felony convictions
Read full article: Minnesota Supreme Court upholds law restoring right to vote to people with felony convictionsThe 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
Read full article: Wisconsin Republicans ask voters to take away governor's power to spend federal moneyWisconsin Republicans are asking voters to take away the governorās power to unilaterally spend federal money, a reaction to the billions of dollars that flowed into the state during the COVID-19 pandemic.
New Mexico Democrats mostly rebuff calls from Democratic governor to address high crime rates
Read full article: New Mexico Democrats mostly rebuff calls from Democratic governor to address high crime ratesDemocrats in the state legislative majority have rebuffed calls by New Mexicoās governor to address the ādangerous intersectionā of crime and homelessness.
Utah Supreme Court sides with opponents of redistricting that carved up Democratic-leaning area
Read full article: Utah Supreme Court sides with opponents of redistricting that carved up Democratic-leaning areaUtahās 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.
Florida arts groups left in the lurch by DeSantis veto of state funding for theaters and museums
Read full article: Florida arts groups left in the lurch by DeSantis veto of state funding for theaters and museumsAll over Florida, arts groups are scrambling to plug large budget gaps after Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis unexpectedly vetoed $32 million in arts funding.
Texas Supreme Court upholds ban on transition-related care for minors
Read full article: Texas Supreme Court upholds ban on transition-related care for minorsParents and medical providers of transgender adolescents sued Texas, challenging the constitutionality of a restriction on puberty blockers and hormone therapy.
California voters lose a shot at checking state and local tax hikes at the polls
Read full article: California voters lose a shot at checking state and local tax hikes at the pollsThe California Supreme Court has removed a measure from the stateās November ballot that would have made it harder to raise taxes.
Texasā maternal mortality committee questions recent changes after anti-abortion doctorās appointment
Read full article: Texasā maternal mortality committee questions recent changes after anti-abortion doctorās appointmentThe committeeās chair also raised concerns about the stateās possible departure from a federal system to share data about maternal deaths.
An anti-abortion group in South Dakota sues to take an abortion rights initiative off the ballot
Read full article: An anti-abortion group in South Dakota sues to take an abortion rights initiative off the ballotAn anti-abortion group in South Dakota has filed a lawsuit to block an abortion rights measure from the November ballot.
Dallas voters could get the chance to decriminalize small amounts of marijuana
Read full article: Dallas voters could get the chance to decriminalize small amounts of marijuanaOther cities have passed similar measures, but Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton has sued to block them from going into effect.
New Jersey adopts public records overhaul but critics say it tightens access to documents
Read full article: New Jersey adopts public records overhaul but critics say it tightens access to documentsNew Jersey Gov. Phil Murphy has signed legislation overhauling access to the stateās 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
Read full article: Vermont becomes 1st state to enact law requiring oil companies pay for damage from climate changeVermont 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
Read full article: Lawsuit seeks to block Washington parental rights law that critics call a 'forced outing' measureYouth services and civil rights groups are suing to block a new Washington state parental rights law that is set to take effect next month.
Lawmakers want the Chiefs and Royals to come to Kansas, but a stadium plan fizzled
Read full article: Lawmakers want the Chiefs and Royals to come to Kansas, but a stadium plan fizzledSome Kansas lawmakers see a chance to lure Kansas Cityās two biggest professional sports teams across the Missouri border.
Climate change could virtually disappear in Florida ā at least according to state law
Read full article: Climate change could virtually disappear in Florida ā at least according to state lawFlorida is on the verge of repealing whatās 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.
Read full article: FEMA administrator surveys Oklahoma tornado damage with the state's governor and US senator.Federal Emergency Management Agency administrator Deanne Criswell says āour heart aches for the loss of lifeā in tornadoes that left four dead and about 100 injured in Oklahoma.
Gov. Greg Abbott suggests he wants to bar transgender teachers from dressing in line with their gender identity
Read full article: Gov. Greg Abbott suggests he wants to bar transgender teachers from dressing in line with their gender identityAbbott made the remarks as he recounted the story of a male teacher in North Texas who wore a pink dress for his schoolās spirit day earlier this year.
Federal money eyed for Theodore Roosevelt Presidential Library in North Dakota
Read full article: Federal money eyed for Theodore Roosevelt Presidential Library in North DakotaSupporters 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
Read full article: Transgender Louisianans lost their ally in the governor's seat. Now they're girding for a fightUnlike 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
Read full article: Lawsuits under New York's new voting rights law reveal racial disenfranchisement even in blue statesA 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.
Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick lists housing affordability, fighting antisemitism on campus among 2025 priorities
Read full article: Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick lists housing affordability, fighting antisemitism on campus among 2025 prioritiesExamining charitable bail organizations and banning Delta 9 were also among Patrickās priorities in the next legislative session.
Months ahead of the presidential election, Nebraska's GOP governor wants a winner-take-all system
Read full article: Months ahead of the presidential election, Nebraska's GOP governor wants a winner-take-all systemNebraskaās Republican governor is calling on state lawmakers to move forward with a āwinner-take-allā system of awarding Electoral College votes.
Wisconsin governor vetoes transgender high school athletics ban
Read full article: Wisconsin governor vetoes transgender high school athletics banWisconsin 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
Read full article: As Kansas nears gender care ban, students push university to advocate for trans youthAs 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
Read full article: New Mexico halts some oil-field lease sales in standoff over royalty rates in Permian BasinNew Mexicoās 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.
South Dakota Republican lawmakers want clarity for the state's abortion laws. They propose a video
Read full article: South Dakota Republican lawmakers want clarity for the state's abortion laws. They propose a videoSouth Dakotaās Republican-controlled Legislature has approved the creation of a video to outline the stateās 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
Read full article: Bill headed to South Dakota governor would allow museum's taxidermy animals to find new homesSouth 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.
Wisconsinās Democratic governor signs his new legislative maps into law after Republicans pass them
Read full article: Wisconsinās Democratic governor signs his new legislative maps into law after Republicans pass themWisconsinās 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.
A Nebraska bill would hire a hacker to probe the state's computer, elections systems
Read full article: A Nebraska bill would hire a hacker to probe the state's computer, elections systemsNebraska state Sen_ Loren Lippincott is touting a bill that would give the Nebraska State Patrol $200,000 to hire āan ethical hacker.ā.
Wisconsin Democrats inch closer to overturning Republican-drawn legislative maps
Read full article: Wisconsin Democrats inch closer to overturning Republican-drawn legislative mapsWisconsin 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
Read full article: Wisconsin Supreme Court agrees to hear governor's lawsuit against GOP-controlled LegislatureThe Wisconsin Supreme Court on Friday agreed to hear Democratic Gov. Tony Eversā lawsuit against the Republican-controlled Legislature arguing that it is obstructing basic government functions.
New Jersey already protects abortion rights. Now Democrats want to cover out-of-pocket costs, too
Read full article: New Jersey already protects abortion rights. Now Democrats want to cover out-of-pocket costs, tooNew 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
Read full article: Wisconsin's Democratic governor promises to veto last-ditch Republican redistricting effortWisconsin 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
Read full article: Hawaii lawmakers open new legislative session with eyes on wildfire prevention and housingHawaii 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.
Wildfire prevention and helping Maui recover from flames top the agenda for Hawaii lawmakers
Read full article: Wildfire prevention and helping Maui recover from flames top the agenda for Hawaii lawmakersHawaii 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
Read full article: Louisiana's special session kicks off Monday. Here's a look at what may be discussedLouisianaās 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
Read full article: Judge orders new North Dakota legislative district for 2 Native American tribesA federal judge has ordered a new legislative district for two Native American tribes who successfully challenged North Dakotaās 2021 redistricting map as violating the Voting Rights Act in diluting Native American votersā strength.
A push to expand Medicaid has Kansas governor embracing politics and cutting against her brand
Read full article: A push to expand Medicaid has Kansas governor embracing politics and cutting against her brandDemocratic 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
Read full article: Wisconsin Supreme Court orders new legislative maps in redistricting case brought by DemocratsThe 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
Read full article: How much gerrymandering is too much? In New York, the answer could make or break Dems' House hopesNew Yorkās highest court just gave Democrats a chance to redraw the stateās 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 tribesā effort to force lawmakers to redraw North Dakota legislative boundaries
Read full article: Court ruling backs tribesā effort to force lawmakers to redraw North Dakota legislative boundariesThe 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
Read full article: New York's high court orders new congressional maps as Democrats move to retake control of US HouseNew Yorkās highest court has ordered the state to draw new congressional districts ahead of the 2024 elections.
Louisiana granted extra time to draw new congressional map that complies with Voting Rights Act
Read full article: Louisiana granted extra time to draw new congressional map that complies with Voting Rights ActLouisiana 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 stateās Black voters.
Judge finds Voting Rights Act violation in North Dakota redistricting for two tribes
Read full article: Judge finds Voting Rights Act violation in North Dakota redistricting for two tribesA federal judge has ruled that North Dakotaās 2021 legislative redistricting plan violates the rights of two Native American tribes because it dilutes their voting strength.
Sweeping ban on COVID-19 vaccine mandates by private employers heads to governor
Read full article: Sweeping ban on COVID-19 vaccine mandates by private employers heads to governorThe legislation, which Republican lawmakers have been trying to pass since 2021, offers no exceptions for doctorsā offices, clinics or other health facilities.
Legislative marathon delays criminal trial for North Texas House member charged with felony
Read full article: Legislative marathon delays criminal trial for North Texas House member charged with felonyRep. Frederick Frazier was indicted over a year ago on two charges of impersonating a public servant. But the case has not gone to trial yet, partly because Frazier has been able to delay the case until the Legislature concludes its work.
Pennsylvania governorās voter registration change draws Trumpās ire in echo of 2020 election clashes
Read full article: Pennsylvania governorās voter registration change draws Trumpās ire in echo of 2020 election clashesDonald Trump has Pennsylvaniaās 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
Read full article: Gov. Burgum and North Dakota Republicans are rushing to fix a major budget bill struck down by courtA ruling by North Dakotaās 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
Read full article: New Mexico trial begins over allegations that Democrats tried to dilute votes with redistricting mapAccusations that New Mexicoās Democratic-led Legislature unfairly diluted the vote of a politically conservative oil-producing region with its redistricting map have gone to trial.
Democrats retain narrow control of Pennsylvania House after special election
Read full article: Democrats retain narrow control of Pennsylvania House after special electionDemocrats 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
Read full article: Oregon launches legal psilocybin access amid high demand and hopes for improved mental health careOregon has taken an unprecedented step in offering psilocybin, also known as magic mushrooms, to the public.
Wisconsin's new liberal Supreme Court justice hasn't heard a case but Republicans may impeach
Read full article: Wisconsin's new liberal Supreme Court justice hasn't heard a case but Republicans may impeachEven 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'
Read full article: 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
Read full article: South Carolina's new all-male highest court reverses course on abortion, upholding strict 6-week banSouth 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
Read full article: Mass shootings spur divergent laws as states split between gun rights and controlTennessee lawmakers are convening a special session this week that highlights the divergent response states are taking to a spate of mass shootings.
LGBTQ+ advocates sue to block Texasā new law that could criminalize some drag performances
Read full article: LGBTQ+ advocates sue to block Texasā new law that could criminalize some drag performancesState officials backing Senate Bill 12 have said they want to protect children from seeing sexually explicit performances. But new legal challenges say the law is so broad and vague that it criminalizes constitutionally protected expression.
Wisconsin governor's 400-year veto angers opponents in state with long history of creative cuts
Read full article: Wisconsin governor's 400-year veto angers opponents in state with long history of creative cutsWisconsin Gov. Tony Eversā 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
Read full article: Wisconsin's Democratic governor guts Republican tax cut, increases school funding for 400 yearsWisconsin 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
Read full article: North Dakota university leaders fear 'catastrophic implications' of new Minnesota free tuition planNorth 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.
New Texas laws favor parents in child abuse investigations as legislators try to limit number of kids in foster care
Read full article: New Texas laws favor parents in child abuse investigations as legislators try to limit number of kids in foster careLegislators also passed bills that will provide foster kids entering the troubled system with duffel bags or backpacks and those aging out of the system with help setting up bank accounts.
Texas lawmakers begin second special session focusing on property taxes
Read full article: Texas lawmakers begin second special session focusing on property taxesTexas Gov. Greg Abbott has called state lawmakers into a second special legislative session with no talks of border security and immigration on the agenda.
California's law aimed at fast food wages is on hold. Lawmakers may have found a way around it
Read full article: California's law aimed at fast food wages is on hold. Lawmakers may have found a way around itA new California law aimed in part at increasing salaries for fast food workers has been delayed.
Gov. Greg Abbott vetoes bill that would give people with disabilities new option to vote by mail
Read full article: Gov. Greg Abbott vetoes bill that would give people with disabilities new option to vote by mailThe bipartisan legislation was long sought by advocates for disabled voters, including some of the governorās own allies.
California governor proposes rolling back access to police misconduct records
Read full article: California governor proposes rolling back access to police misconduct recordsCalifornia 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
Read full article: Federal judge blocks much of Indiana's ban on gender-affirming care for minorsA 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
Read full article: Wisconsin's top elections official for 2024 uncertain as incumbent's term nears endWisconsin'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.
Lawmakers passed a bill to stop insurers from considering ESG criteria in setting rates
Read full article: Lawmakers passed a bill to stop insurers from considering ESG criteria in setting ratesSo-called environmental, social and governance policies are often adopted by companies to reduce their carbon footprints. The new Texas bill aims to stop insurers doing business in Texas from using ESG criteria, but it doesnāt include penalties for violations.
New York lawmakers pass bill that considers reparations for slavery
Read full article: New York lawmakers pass bill that considers reparations for slaveryNew York would create a commission to consider reparations to address the lingering, negative effects of slavery under a bill passed by the state Legislature.
New Texas law bans COVID mask, vaccine and shutdown mandates, but some Republicans want more
Read full article: New Texas law bans COVID mask, vaccine and shutdown mandates, but some Republicans want moreThe bill, recently signed by Gov. Greg Abbott and set to take effect Sept. 1, does not restrict pandemic rules by private entities.
Texas comptroller certifies new $321.3 billion state spending plan, sends to Abbottās desk
Read full article: Texas comptroller certifies new $321.3 billion state spending plan, sends to Abbottās deskBefore Abbott can review the budget that will direct the stateās spending for the next two years, the comptroller has to certify that it doesnāt spend more money than the state expects to bring in.
Oakland Athletics move to Las Vegas in flux as Nevada Legislature adjourns
Read full article: Oakland Athletics move to Las Vegas in flux as Nevada Legislature adjournsPlans to help build a stadium for the Oakland Athletics and lure major film makers to Las Vegas through tax credits are in flux after Nevada lawmakers adjourned their four-month legislative session.
Fossil fuels got a boost from lawmakers aiming to fix Texasā grid, while renewable energy escaped stricter regulations
Read full article: Fossil fuels got a boost from lawmakers aiming to fix Texasā grid, while renewable energy escaped stricter regulationsThe bills will give owners of natural gas power plants incentives to build more capacity, but they donāt go as far as originally proposed to change how electricity is created and sold in the Texas market.
With no deal on property taxes in sight, Abbott hints at multiple special sessions
Read full article: With no deal on property taxes in sight, Abbott hints at multiple special sessionsThe governor stands behind his support of the Texas House tax plan despite Lt. Gov. Dan Patrickās insistence that the Senate has a better deal for homeowners.
Texas lawmakers allocated more than $2 billion to increase the stateās water supply and reduce flooding
Read full article: Texas lawmakers allocated more than $2 billion to increase the stateās water supply and reduce floodingTexans across the state are affected by declining water supplies, water infrastructure disruptions and flooding in their communities.
Ken Paxton impeachment fight exposes deep fissures among Texas Republicans
Read full article: Ken Paxton impeachment fight exposes deep fissures among Texas RepublicansAs the 88th Legislative Session came to a close, longstanding divisions between traditional conservatives and partyās far right came into focus.
āWeāre here to change things that need to be changedā: Community Safety vice chair weighs in on success of committee
Read full article: āWeāre here to change things that need to be changedā: Community Safety vice chair weighs in on success of committee2023 marked a first for the Texas Legislature -- the creation of the House Select Committee on Community Safety.
Gun safety advocates see signs of progress in first session after Uvalde shooting even though raise-the-age bill stalled
Read full article: Gun safety advocates see signs of progress in first session after Uvalde shooting even though raise-the-age bill stalledEmotions often ran high over a proposal to limit young adultsā access to some firearms. Lawmakers have largely prioritized school safety measures, but there was still progress for some gun-related legislation.