Latest Legislation News

What to know about the congressional push to expand some Social Security benefits

Nov. 16, 2024 14:51 PM EST

WASHINGTON (AP) — The House has passed legislation that would provide full Social Security benefits to millions of people, pushing it one step closer to becoming law. The Social Security bill on Tuesday won bipartisan support in the House, 327-75, in what is now the lame-duck...

More states are ditching exams as high school graduation requirements

Nov. 16, 2024 00:09 AM EST

BOSTON (AP) — When Massachusetts voters decided to ditch the state's standardized tests as a high school graduation requirement on Election Day, they joined a trend that has steadily chipped away at the use of high-stakes tests over the past two decades. The vote on the ballot...

Sweeping tax overhaul in Louisiana hits snag on sales tax expansion

Nov. 14, 2024 21:36 PM EST

BATON ROUGE, La. (AP) — Louisiana lawmakers on Thursday postponed a vote on a key bill in Gov. Jeff Landry's sweeping and complex tax reform package. Most of Landry's proposed bills, granting approximately $2 billion in income and corporate tax cuts, have moved smoothly through...

Georgia lawmaker proposes new gun safety policies after school shooting

Nov. 14, 2024 17:33 PM EST

ATLANTA (AP) — A Georgia state Senate Democrat wants to make it a crime for people to give children access to guns and require a 10-day waiting period for assault rifle purchases unless someone is licensed to carry weapons, two proposals highly unlikely to gain Republican support. ...

Massachusetts lawmakers to consider a soccer stadium for the New England Revolution

Nov. 13, 2024 17:11 PM EST

BOSTON (AP) — Massachusetts lawmakers are planning to vote this week on a bill that would clear the way for the construction of a new soccer stadium for the New England Revolution in Everett, within sight of Boston and across the street from a casino and hotel complex. The 43-acre...

NYC bans unusual practice of forcing tenants to pay real estate brokers hired by landlords

Nov. 13, 2024 16:33 PM EST

NEW YORK (AP) — Mandatory broker fees, an unusual feature of New York City apartment hunting long reviled by renters, will be banned under legislation that passed Wednesday after overcoming fierce backlash from the city's real estate lobby. Under a system that exists in New York...

Louisiana House greenlights Gov. Jeff Landry's tax cuts

Nov. 12, 2024 21:09 PM EST

BATON ROUGE, La. (AP) — Louisiana's GOP-dominated House of Representatives on Tuesday overwhelmingly passed individual and corporate tax cuts, along with a constitutional amendment — all key provisions in Gov. Jeff Landry's sweeping tax reform package, the centerpiece of the state's third...

Lawmakers prepare for final lame-duck sprint before making way for next Congress

Nov. 11, 2024 12:30 PM EST

WASHINGTON (AP) — Keeping the federal government open. Providing more disaster aid. Passing a defense policy bill. And for Senate Democrats, confirming more judges. It's a short but important to-do list as Congress returns to Washington this week to begin what is known as a...

What to know about the House push to expand some Social Security benefits

Nov. 08, 2024 17:16 PM EST

WASHINGTON (AP) — The House is expected to try next week to pass a Social Security-related bill to ensure benefits for workers who are also eligible for other pensions despite a surprise move by hard-right Freedom Caucus leaders to derail the effort. It’s a quick turnaround to...

Australian states back national plan to ban children younger than 16 from social media

Nov. 08, 2024 01:23 AM EST

MELBOURNE, Australia (AP) — Australia’s states and territories on Friday unanimously backed a national plan to require most forms of social media to bar children younger than 16. Leaders of the eight provinces held a virtual meeting with Prime Minister Anthony Albanese to discuss...