Year: 2021

  • Documenting America’s Path to Recovery #247: May 14, 2021

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    Welcome to Documenting America’s Path to Recovery. Today we look at: Changes in coronavirus restrictions in Vermont  The end of a school mask requirement in Utah 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 will keep you abreast of…

  • Union Station: A breakdown of public-sector union litigation in the federal courts

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    Today’s newsletter marks the third anniversary of Union Station. Our first edition launched in May 2018 in anticipation of the Supreme Court’s ruling in Janus v. AFSCME. Thank you for joining us as we’ve followed developments in public-sector union policy, litigation, and national debate since then. A breakdown of public-sector union litigation in the federal…

  • Gov. Greg Abbott sets runoff in Texas’ 6th Congressional District for July 27

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    Texas Gov. Greg Abbott (R) announced that the special runoff election to fill the vacancy in Texas’ 6th Congressional District will take place on July 27, 2021. The two candidates in the runoff are Jake Ellzey (R) and Susan Wright (R). Since they are both Republicans, the seat will not change party hands as a…

  • Clark Chapin confirmed as Connecticut’s Republican auditor of public accounts

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    Clark Chapin (R) assumed office as an auditor of public accounts in Connecticut on May 6. The Office of the Auditors of Public Accounts is a legislative agency in the Connecticut state government responsible for the state’s financial and accounting functions. Unlike any other state, Connecticut’s auditing agency is led by two partisan auditors—one Democrat…

  • Alaska legislature confirms Treg Taylor as attorney general

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    A joint session of the Alaska Legislature voted 35-24 to confirm Treg Taylor as the state’s attorney general on May 11. Gov. Mike Dunleavy (R) appointed Taylor as acting attorney general on Jan. 29 after Ed Sniffen resigned following allegations of sexual misconduct.  Before Dunleavy appointed Taylor attorney general, Taylor served as deputy attorney general…

  • Winsome Sears wins convention to become Republican nominee for Virginia lieutenant governor

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    The Republican Party of Virginia nominated Winsome Sears (R) for lieutenant governor at their May 8 convention. Sears defeated Puneet Ahluwalia (R), Lance Allen (R), Glenn Davis (R), Tim Hugo (R), and Maeve Rigler (R). She was announced as the winner on May 11 after she defeated Hugo in the fifth round of ranked-choice voting with 54.4% of the vote…

  • Texas voters will decide amendment prohibiting restrictions on religious gatherings and organizations in November

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    The Texas State Legislature voted Tuesday to refer its first constitutional amendment to the November ballot. The amendment would add a section to the state constitution prohibiting the state or any political subdivision from issuing or enacting a statute, order, or rule that prohibits or limits religious services, including religious services conducted in churches. The…

  • New York Legislature refers two voting policy constitutional amendments to November ballot

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    Voters in New York will decide constitutional amendments at the election on November 2, 2021, to authorize no-excuse absentee voting and same-day voter registration. Currently, the state constitution requires voters to be absent from their county of residence, ill, or physically disabled to vote with an absentee ballot. It also requires that persons must register…

  • President Biden announces six additional judicial nominees

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    President Biden announces six nominees for federal judgeships  President Joe Biden (D) nominated six individuals to Article III judgeships with lifetime terms on May 12. Three were for positions on the 1st, 2nd, and 10th Courts of Appeal. The other three were for district court judgeships. Biden nominated Gustavo Gelpí to the 1st Circuit to…

  • Special elections to be held in four Pennsylvania legislative districts on May 18

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    Image of a red sign with the words "Polling Place" a pointing arrow.

    Special elections are being held on May 18 for two seats in the Pennsylvania State Senate and two seats in the Pennsylvania House of Representatives. Voters will decide on representation in District 22 and District 48 of the state Senate as well as District 59 and District 60 of the state House. In Senate District…