Latest State legislature News
GOP: No aid unless counties control school, sports closures
LANSING, Mich. (AP) — Michigan House Republicans on Wednesday proposed a $3.5 billion coronavirus recovery plan but threatened to withhold billions to K-12 schools unless Gov. Gretchen Whitmer cedes her administration's power to prohibit in-person instruction and sports to local health departments. Senate...
Panel OKs plan to narrow stalking law over victim opposition
SALT LAKE CITY (AP) — A proposal to narrow the legal definition of stalking cleared an early hurdle at the Utah Legislature Wednesday, despite opposition from victims and advocates. Republican Rep. Candice Pierucci said she decided to sponsor the bill after hearing about an unfair arrest of a Utah man who...
Pennsylvania Senate OKs $912M pandemic recovery aid bill
HARRISBURG, Pa. (AP) — Pennsylvania's state Senate on Wednesday unanimously approved legislation to distribute just over $900 million to aid schools and hospitality-related businesses hit hard by the coronavirus, as well as people struggling to pay rent or utility bills. The bill still requires approval...
Kansas to shut down unemployment system to deal with fraud
TOPEKA, Kan. (AP) — Thousands of fraudulent unemployment claims are prompting Kansas to shut down its processing system this weekend, meaning some jobless workers will have payments delayed as the state installs new anti-fraud protections, Gov. Laura Kelly announced Wednesday. Kelly acknowledged that...
Impeachment petitioner seeks to withdraw from proceeding
FRANKFORT, Ky. (AP) — One of the four Kentuckians to sign a petition pushing for the governor's impeachment signaled Wednesday that he wants to withdraw from the proceeding, a lawmaker said. A legislative committee reviewing the petition received a letter from the petitioner's attorney indicating he wants...
State relief plans take shape at New Mexico Legislature
SANTA FE, N.M. (AP) — An economic relief package is taking shape at the New Mexico Legislature as a Senate panel endorsed a $600 rebate to low-income workers and a separate bill that would waive licensing fees on liquor stores. Residents of New Mexico who earned up to $31,200 during 2020 would be eligible...
Ex-Idaho House speakers blast lawmakers over power struggle
BOISE, Idaho (AP) — Two former Republican speakers of the Idaho House took the unusual step of releasing a letter Wednesday blasting the Republican-dominated Legislature for its attempts to strip GOP Gov. Brad Little and future governors of emergency powers during crises like the coronavirus pandemic. U.S....
Bill calls for background checks for renting guns at ranges
RICHMOND, Va. (AP) — Last July, five days apart, two young men walked into the Green Top Shooting Range in Hanover, Virginia, and fatally shot themselves. Both were in their 20s and had a history of mental health issues, but neither man was subjected to a background check before he was allowed to rent a...
House bill would ban trans females from women's sports
HELENA, Mont. (AP) — A bill that would ban transgender females from competing on female sports teams sponsored by public schools and universities passed the Montana House on a 61-38 vote Wednesday. It now advances to the Senate. Rep. John Fuller, R-Whitefish, said his bill was meant to protect the...
Authorities question whether child welfare activist died
PROVIDENCE, R.I. (AP) — The death of a vocal critic of Rhode Island’s child care system last year still appears to be an open question. Rhode Island State Police Lt. Col. Kevin Barry says the agency began looking into whether Nicholas Alahverdian was still alive because it didn't have definitive...
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