Year: 2021

  • Checks and Balances: Biden EO spurs removal of publicly available guidance document portals

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    The Checks and Balances Letter delivers news and information from Ballotpedia’s Administrative State Project, including pivotal actions at the federal and state levels related to the separation of powers, due process and the rule of law. This edition:  In this month’s edition of Checks and Balances, we review the removal of publicly accessible guidance document…

  • North Carolina Senate approves bill barring release of nonprofit donor information

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    North Carolina Senate approves bill barring release of nonprofit donor information     On May 11, the North Carolina Senate approved S636, which would prohibit the release of identifying information about a nonprofit’s donors without the consent of its board of directors.  What the bill would do S636 would amend North Carolina’s nonprofit corporation laws to bar…

  • Stefanik replaces Cheney as Republican conference chair

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    On May 14, Rep. Elise Stefanik (R-N.Y.) was elected the new Republican conference chair by a vote of 134-46. She succeeds Rep. Liz Cheney (R-Wyo.), who was removed from the position on May 12. Cheney was one of 10 House Republicans to support the second impeachment of President Donald Trump (R) following the Jan. 6,…

  • A look back at government responses to the coronavirus pandemic, May 18-22, 2020

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    Although the first case of COVID-19 in the U.S. was confirmed on Jan. 21, 2020, it wasn’t until March when the novel coronavirus upended life for most Americans. Throughout that spring, states issued stay-at-home orders, closed schools, restricted travel, issued mask mandates, and changed election dates. Many of those policies remain in place today.  Here…

  • Montana governor signs bill adding restrictions to the initiative process

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    On May 14, Montana Gov. Greg Gianforte (R) signed House Bill 651 into law. Both chambers of the legislature passed the bill along party lines in the last week of April. All Republicans but one were in favor and all Democrats were opposed.  House Bill 651 changes the laws governing the initiative process in Montana…

  • Documenting America’s Path to Recovery #248: May 17, 2021

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    Welcome to Documenting America’s Path to Recovery. Today we look at: An announcement about the end of COVID-19 restrictions in Massachusetts The end of the statewide mask mandate in North Carolina COVID-19 policy changes from this time last year  We are committed to keeping you updated on everything from mask requirements to vaccine-related policies. We…

  • COVID-19 one year ago this week

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    COVID-19 policy changes and events one year ago this week Let’s continue our Monday series highlighting policy changes and events related to the coronavirus pandemic from one year ago this week. Here is a sampling of coronavirus-related policy changes and events that happened one year ago this week. Federal government responses: On May 19, 2020,…

  • Mississippi Supreme Court overturns 2020 medical marijuana initiative, says the state’s initiative process can’t be used

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    On May 14, 2021, the Mississippi Supreme Court ruled 6-3 to overturn Ballot Measure 1 (Initiative 65). The medical marijuana initiative was approved by 74% of voters at the 2020 general election. The court ruled that the initiative should not have been placed on the ballot because the initiative petition did not comply with the…

  • At least 7 states amend mask requirements to align with updated CDC guidance

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    The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) amended its mask guidance May 13. The new guidance says fully vaccinated people do not need to wear masks in most indoor and outdoor public settings, regardless of the number of people gathered.   The guidance still recommends fully vaccinated people wear masks and social distance at doctor’s…

  • Ballotpedia is covering general elections in eight Oregon school boards on May 18

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    The general election for eight school boards in Oregon is on May 18. These districts do not hold primary elections for school board races. The filing deadline to run passed on March 18.  School board candidates are competing in the following districts: • Beaverton School District • Centennial School District 28J • David Douglas School…