Year: 2021

  • Checks and Balances: Kansas proposal would create legislative veto over agency rules

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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 check in on the approaching deadline to repeal…

  • Haaland confirmed by 51-40 vote, becomes first Native American Cabinet secretary

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    March 16, 2021: The Senate confirmed Debra Haaland for secretary of the interior on Monday by a vote of 51-40, making her the first Native American Cabinet secretary in U.S. history. President Joe Biden (D) and his team have been preparing for the transition between presidential administrations since the election, including selecting senior White House…

  • The Daily Brew: COVID-aftermath – emergency powers amendments on the ballot

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    Welcome to the Tuesday, March 16, Brew. Here’s what’s in store for you as you start your day: Constitutional amendments related to emergency powers on the ballot Partisan majority to change on NJ Supreme Court Milwaukee school board incumbent not on ballot due to signature shortfall Constitutional amendments related to emergency powers on the ballot…

  • Labor Department ends enforcement of Trump administration ESG rule

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    ESG developments this week In Washington, D.C. Labor Department ends enforcement of Trump administration ESG rule  On March 10, the Biden administration announced that it will not enforce a Trump administration Department of Labor rule warning asset managers about their fiduciary responsibilities under ERISA (The Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974), specifically concerning ESG-related…

  • Arizona is 7th state to order in-person school instruction, others schedule openings

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    On March 15, Arizona became the seventh state to require at least part-time instruction for certain grade levels. Oregon will join the list in two weeks, and Washington will join in three. Gov. Doug Ducey’s (R-Ariz.) March 3 executive order requiring public schools to offer in-person instruction took effect March 15. High schools and middle…

  • SCOTUS releases April argument calendar

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    Image of the front of the United States Supreme Court building.

    On March 12, 2021, the Supreme Court of the United States (SCOTUS) scheduled its April argument sitting for the 2020-2021 term. The court will hear 13 hours of oral argument in 15 cases between April 19 and April 28.  To date, all cases that have been accepted for argument during this term have been scheduled.…

  • Documenting America’s Path to Recovery: March 15, 2021

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    Since our last edition What rules and restrictions are changing in each state? For a continually updated article, click here. Alabama (Republican trifecta): Gov. Kay Ivey (R) announced residents age 55 or older and people ages 16-64 with state-defined high-risk underlying conditions will be eligible for vaccination starting March 22. Arizona (Republican trifecta): Gov. Doug…

  • Ballot measures proposed in response to coronavirus and emergency powers

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    The coronavirus pandemic has shaped the political landscape of the United States, including the powers of governors and state legislatures. Changes have been proposed in response to the pandemic or pandemic-related regulations and restrictions. Some of these changes, such as state constitutional amendments, require ballot measures for ratification. Others are citizen-initiated proposals, meaning campaigns collect signatures…

  • House Administration Committee votes to consider challenge to results in Iowa’s 2nd Congressional District

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    The House Administration Committee moved to consider Rita Hart’s (D) challenge of the results in last November’s election in Iowa’s 2nd Congressional District March 10. The committee voted in favor of considering the challenge and tabling a motion by Hart’s opponent, Rep. Mariannette Miller-Meeks (R), to dismiss the appeal. The decision will allow Hart to…

  • Biden picks Gene Sperling for coronavirus relief czar

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    March 15, 2021: Biden is appointing economist Gene Sperling as the point person for his administration’s coronavirus relief plan. President Joe Biden (D) and his team have been preparing for the transition between presidential administrations since the election, including selecting senior White House staff and appointees to top government positions. In 2020, there were 1,472…