Year: 2021

  • Senate Commerce Committee advances Lander nomination for OSTP director

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    On May 20, 2021, the Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation favorably reported by voice vote the nomination of Eric Lander for director of the Office of Science and Technology Policy (OSTP). Lander advances to the Senate for a confirmation vote. President Joe Biden (D) elevated the office of the OSTP director to his…

  • Signature distribution requirements expanded in new Idaho law

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    Checking in on laws governing ballot measures in 2021 Last week, I briefed you on the Mississippi Supreme Court ruling that determined the state’s distribution requirement for ballot initiatives was, in fact, mathematically impossible to meet and has been since 2001 congressional reapportionment when the state lost a seat. Today, let’s look at some changes…

  • The State and Local Tap: Pennsylvania voters pass constitutional amendments to limit governor’s emergency orders

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    Our weekly summary of state and local news reviews the results of Tuesday’s Pennsylvania primaries and summarizes the Sixth Circuit Court’s ruling that Ohio can sue the Census Bureau over delayed data. Ballot Measures Update Nineteen statewide measures have been certified for the 2021 ballot in five states so far. One new measure was certified…

  • The Federal Tap: U.S. Rep. Steve Stivers resigns

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    Our weekly summary of federal news looks at the resignation of U.S. Rep. Steve Stivers and the latest on the nomination of Eric Lander as OSTP director. Read all about it in this week’s edition of the Federal Tap. Congress is in session Both the House and Senate are in session next week. Click here…

  • Union Station: Connecticut State Senate passes bill to increase union access to public employees

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    Connecticut State Senate passes bill to increase union access to public employees  The Connecticut state Senate passed a bill on May 13 that would require public employers to provide unions with increased information about and access to public employees. It would also prohibit employers from discouraging union membership.  About the bill The Connecticut state Senate…

  • The oldest and newest state supreme courts

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    The oldest and newest state supreme courts Each state has at least one supreme court, but those courts were established at different times. I recently saw an analysis one of our staff members wrote on this topic, and I wanted to share it with you today. The Massachusetts Supreme Court, founded in 1692, is 329…

  • Documenting America’s Path to Recovery #251: May 20, 2021

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    Note: Our team will be unplugging tomorrow, May 21, and there will not be a newsletter. We will return to our normal schedule May 24. Welcome to Documenting America’s Path to Recovery. Today we look at: Changes in Delaware’s coronavirus restrictions A bill prohibiting masks in Utah public schools Vaccine distribution School closures and reopenings…

  • Redistricting review: Sixth Circuit rules Ohio has standing to sue Census Bureau over delayed data

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    On May 18, a three-judge panel of the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Sixth Circuit ruled that Ohio has standing to sue Secretary of Commerce Gina Raimondo over the U.S. Census Bureau’s plan to release redistricting data to the states by September 30 instead of the April 1 deadline set forth in federal statutes.…

  • Lori McCann appointed to the Idaho House of Representatives

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    Governor Brad Little (R) appointed Lori McCann (R) on May 17 to represent District 6A in the Idaho House of Representatives. The seat has been vacant since April 29, when former state Rep. Aaron von Ehlinger (R) resigned. McCann’s professional experience includes working as a professor at Lewis-Clark State College, where she was also the…

  • 17 states have announced dates to end pandemic-related federal unemployment benefits

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    On May 4, 2021, Montana Governor Greg Gianforte (R) became the first governor in the U.S. to announce his state would opt out of all federal unemployment benefit programs related to the coronavirus pandemic by June 30. Gianforte said, “Incentives matter, and the vast expansion of federal unemployment benefits is now doing more harm than…