New Missouri law limits length of public health restrictions

JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. (AP) — Missouri Gov. Mike Parson enacted a new law Tuesday limiting the duration of local public health restrictions and barring governments from requiring proof of COVID-19 vaccination to use public facilities and transportation. The law took...

Senate plan would probe assets of Ohio food stamp recipients

COLUMBUS, Ohio (AP) — Ohioans receiving food stamps would have to undergo a new “asset test” that measures total worth, including the value of cars owned by anyone in a household, under a provision in the Senate's version of the state's upcoming two-year budget. The...

New law may require special session to spend federal funds

BISMARCK, N.D. (AP) — Millions of dollars in state agency requests for federal funds may need approval of the full, recently adjourned Legislature due to a new law setting certain thresholds for such requests. The law was enacted in April after the Legislature overrode...

Bill to close state police 'fusion center' fails in Senate

AUGUSTA, Maine (AP) — The Maine Senate effectively ended an attempt to eliminate the state’s secretive state police “fusion center” that came under under scrutiny after a whistleblower lawsuit. The bill to close the fusion center was rejected 29-6 in the Senate on...

Hungary: Lawmakers pass law barring LGBT content for minors

BUDAPEST, Hungary (AP) — Lawmakers in Hungary passed legislation Tuesday that prohibits sharing with minors any content portraying homosexuality or sex reassignment, something supporters said would help fight pedophilia but which human rights groups denounced as anti-LGBT discrimination. ...

GOP bill would prohibit requiring any vaccination in Ohio

COLUMBUS, Ohio (AP) — No employer, either public or private, could require employees to receive vaccinations under GOP legislation pending in the Ohio House. Also, workers could not be fired as a result of refusing. The measure before the Republican-controlled House...

Hungary’s lawmakers pass legislation that prohibits showing minors content portraying homosexuality and sex reassignment

Editorial Roundup: Missouri

Kansas City Star. June 12, 2021. Editorial: Parson’s signature on gun bill violates US Constitution, makes Missourians less safe Missouri’s dangerous dance with anti-constitutionalism continued unabated Saturday, when Gov. Mike Parson signed the...

Editorial Roundup: Illinois

Chicago Tribune. June 14, 2021. Editorial: Congrats, parents, on saving ‘Invest in Kids’ — for now Some poor and working-class parents buttonholed legislators at the Capitol in Springfield. Others pursued lawmakers by phone, frantic to protect...

WVa Bar Foundation Fellows being honored this month

CHARLESTON, W.Va. (AP) — The West Virginia Bar Foundation will honor the 2020 and 2021 fellows classes this month. The new fellows include a Supreme Court justice, two circuit judges and a former family law master, the Supreme Court said in a news release. ...