Latest State legislature News
Lawmakers: End tax breaks for companies that pull lobster
PORTLAND, Maine (AP) — Two lawmakers in Maine want to change laws to prevent the state from offering tax breaks or contracts to companies that stop selling lobster after sustainability organizations raised concerns. The Marine Stewardship Council and Seafood Watch removed their...
Matt Hatchett named to lead Georgia House spending committee
ATLANTA (AP) — Georgia State Rep. Matt Hatchett, a Dublin Republican, was named Wednesday to lead the state House Appropriations Committee, a key role in writing the state's $58 billion budget. New committee assignments will be made after the newly elected General Assembly convenes...
Democratic Sen. Warnock wins Georgia runoff against Walker
ATLANTA (AP) — Democratic Sen. Raphael Warnock defeated Republican challenger Herschel Walker in a Georgia runoff election Tuesday, ensuring Democrats an outright majority in the Senate for the rest of President Joe Biden’s current term and capping an underwhelming midterm cycle for the GOP in...
Why AP called the Georgia Senate runoff for Warnock
There weren't enough uncounted votes in Republican-leaning areas for GOP challenger Herschel Walker to make up his runoff election night gap with incumbent Democratic Sen. Raphael Warnock. That's what led The Associated Press to call the race for Warnock late Tuesday. ...
New Mexico eyes overhaul of HS graduation requirements
SANTA FE, N.M. (AP) — High schoolers in New Mexico could one day need fewer class-unit credits to get their diploma, as state legislators began to overhaul graduation requirements Tuesday for consideration by lawmakers in early 2023. New Mexico has gone about 20 years since the...
Recounts set this week for 2 Alaska legislative races
JUNEAU, Alaska (AP) — Recounts in two Anchorage-area legislative races are scheduled to take place this week, a top state elections official said Tuesday. A recount is planned for Wednesday in the Senate District E race and for Thursday in the House District 15 race, Division of...
South Dakota Legislature tackles Christian marks in Capitol
SIOUX FALLS, S.D. (AP) — South Dakota lawmakers can adorn their office with a crucifix, but they can't pound the nail into the state Capitol's wall, a legislative oversight board clarified on Tuesday as part of a policy regulating how religious symbols can mark the state's seat of government. ...
Walz touts opportunities from massive $17.6B budget surplus
ST. PAUL, Minn. (AP) — Minnesota lawmakers learned Tuesday they will head into the 2023 legislative session with a massive $17.6 billion projected budget surplus, and Gov. Tim Walz said he would like to return some of that money to taxpayers with rebate checks. “The golden...
Mississippi budget blueprint has slight spending increases
JACKSON, Miss. (AP) — Top legislators are recommending only a slight increase in Mississippi state government spending for the coming year, even as Republican House Speaker Philip Gunn renews his push to eliminate the state income tax. Mississippi's 2023 budget year ends June 30,...
NC Labor Commissioner Dobson won't run again in 2024
RALEIGH, N.C. (AP) — North Carolina Labor Commissioner Josh Dobson announced on Tuesday that he won't seek reelection in 2024, saying he's served enough time with one term in that elected office following previous gigs as a state legislator and county commissioner. Dobson, who...
