Latest State legislature News
Alaska House fails to pass capital budget funding measure
JUNEAU, Alaska (AP) — The Alaska House of Representatives has failed to attain sufficient votes to repair the state's capital budget. The Anchorage Daily News reports the Legislature needed to reach a three-quarters supermajority to fund Senate Bill 2002. On Saturday, the bill passed the House 27-6, but a...
In some states, GOP sees the recall as its way back to power
DENVER (AP) — Republicans frustrated by losing their grip on political power in some Western states have begun deploying a new weapon: the recall. Once reserved for targeting corrupt or inept elected officials, the recall has become part of the toolkit for Republicans seeking a do-over of election results....
University budget cuts may affect Alaska climate researchers
JUNEAU, Alaska (AP) — The University of Alaska's leadership in climate science could be threatened by budget cuts made through Gov. Mike Dunleavy's vetoes, according to a researcher at UA Southeast. Eran Hood, a professor of environmental science, researches avalanches and glacial flooding events and...
Massachusetts bill would outlaw practice of declawing cats
BOSTON (AP) — Massachusetts lawmakers are weighing a ban on the practice of declawing cats. Supporters of the measure say declawing is cruel and painful. They say cats rely on their paws and claws to groom themselves and to help protect and defend their bodies. The practice involves amputating a cat's toes...
Senate leader Courtney says he's sticking around
PORTLAND, Ore. (AP) — Oregon Senate President Peter Courtney says he has no plans to step aside, despite a bruising legislative session that saw two walkouts by Republicans and criticism from some of his fellow majority Democrats about the Legislature's failure to pass a climate change bill and other...
Ohio hemp businesses hire powerful Statehouse lobbyist
COLUMBUS, Ohio (AP) — A powerful Statehouse lobbyist is leading a new coalition representing Ohio's burgeoning hemp industry. Grant Street Consultants' Neil Clark was appointed Wednesday. That same day, state lawmakers passeda bill allowing Ohio farmers and university researchers to grow industrial hemp...
Massachusetts senators to debate ban on child marriage
BOSTON (AP) — A bill that supporters say would end child marriage in Massachusetts could soon come up for a vote in the state Senate. Under Massachusetts law, minors can marry with parental consent or a judge's order. And unlike many other U.S. states, there is no minimum age for marriage. The legislation...
Medical marijuana petition drive running strong in Nebraska
LINCOLN, Neb. (AP) — Organizers of a petition drive to legalize medical marijuana in Nebraska say they're hitting their early signature goals with help from an all-volunteer network, but opponents are mobilizing to fight the measure if it appears on the 2020 ballot. Volunteers have already gathered more...
Waukee's solar program now available to all of Dallas County
DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) — Michael Arkwright recently checked the solar panels on the barn behind his home outside Waukee. Even without receiving any direct sunlight, they were producing enough electricity to power his entire house — including his air conditioner — on a warm July day. Arkwright,...
White man denies saying 'Go back where you came from'
MABLETON, Ga. (AP) — A white man has admitted cursing at a pregnant black Georgia lawmaker for taking too many items into a supermarket express lane but denies telling her, "go back where you came from." Eric Sparkes showed up during a WSB-TV interview with Rep. Erica Thomas of Austell on Saturday, outside...
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