Latest State legislature News
Lawmakers unveil compromise budget plan, put off vote
RICHMOND, Va. (AP) — Virginia lawmakers voted to add an extra day to this year's legislative session because of a heated disagreement over whether they'd had enough time to study a proposed budget before voting on it. It's a contentious end to a legislative session marked by an unprecedented wave of...
The Latest: Lawmakers extend session to pass budget
RICHMOND, Va. (AP) — The Latest on the Virginia legislative session (all times local): 9 p.m. Virginia lawmakers are extending this year's legislative session by an extra day because they weren't able to pass a budget on time. Lawmakers were scheduled to wrap up Saturday. But a group of House Democratic...
Virginia lawmakers back redistricting commission
RICHMOND, Va. (AP) — Virginia lawmakers approved a sweeping overhaul Saturday of how legislative and congressional maps are drawn, despite strong objections from some black legislators. The House and Senate approved a proposed constitutional amendment that would create a new commission empowered to draw...
Connecticut lawmakers considering mandatory helmet law
HARTFORD, Conn. (AP) — Connecticut lawmakers are considering whether to require motorcycle drivers to wear helmets, as in previous legislative sessions. But this year, the concept is among a host of recommendations from a public safety transition group that's been advising newly elected Democratic Gov. Ned...
Retired astronaut Mark Kelly kicks off Arizona Senate bid
TUCSON, Ariz. (AP) — Retired astronaut Mark Kelly kicked off a "mission for Arizona" Saturday as he launched his U.S. Senate campaign with a rally in Tucson, the city where his wife, Gabrielle Giffords, survived a shooting when she was a congresswoman. That attack in 2011 led Kelly to leave NASA and become...
W.Va. Senate refuses to immediately take up teacher raises
CHARLESTON, W.Va. (AP) — The West Virginia Senate has decided not to immediately consider a bill to raise pay for teachers, school service workers and state police. The Republican-led Senate on Saturday rejected a motion to take up the bill that the House of Delegates passed Friday. Instead, the Senate...
Rhode Island lawmakers renew effort to end the tampon tax
PROVIDENCE, R.I. (AP) — Lawmakers in Rhode Island are renewing their efforts to exempt feminine hygiene products from the state sales tax. A bill that would eliminate the tax on tampons and pads has been introduced in the House by Democratic Rep. Edith Ajello and in the Senate by Democratic Sen. Louis...
Former House minority leader announces retirement
RICHMOND, Va. (AP) — A longtime Democratic leader in the Virginia House of Delegates says he is retiring. Former House Minority Leader David Toscano said Saturday on the House floor that he will not seek re-election this year. Toscano is a former mayor of Charlottesville who led the Democratic House caucus...
Michigan Republicans elect former lawmaker Cox state chair
LANSING, Mich. (AP) — Former state Rep. Laura Cox of Livonia will lead the Michigan Republican Party while it seeks to re-elect President Donald Trump in 2020. Cox, who has been endorsed by Trump's campaign manager and top Michigan Republicans, also is a former Wayne County commissioner and customs agent....
Long odds for GOP push against left 'extremism' in schools
AUGUSTA, Maine (AP) — A Republican's push to quash the "left-wing extremism" in Maine classrooms faces steep odds in the state's Democratic controlled Legislature. Rep. Lawrence Lockman seeks to prevent teachers in public schools from engaging in political, ideological, or religious advocacy in the...
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