Year: 2021

  • Documenting America’s Path to Recovery: February 10, 2021

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    The next 24 hours What is changing in the next 24 hours? Connecticut (Democratic trifecta): Individuals age 65 and older can register for vaccination appointments starting Feb. 11. Currently, only people age 75 and older are eligible for vaccinations. Massachusetts (divided government): On Feb. 10, Gov. Charlie Baker (R) announced that caregivers who accompany an…

  • New York voters to decide constitutional amendment about environmental rights in November

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    Voters in New York will decide a ballot measure to add a right to clean water, clean air, and a healthful environment to the New York Constitution’s Bill of Rights. The ballot measure would make New York the third state, after Pennsylvania and Montana, to adopt an environmental rights amendment. Pennsylvania and Montana both adopted…

  • Colorado school board recall election to be held Feb. 16

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    A recall election seeking to remove Lance McDaniel from his position as the District A representative on the Montezuma-Cortez School District Board of Education in Colorado is being held on February 16, 2021.  The recall election ballot has two questions. One asks if voters are in favor of recalling McDaniel with the option to vote…

  • Transition Tracker: February 10, 2021: Garland’s confirmation hearing scheduled to begin Feb. 22

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    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 government positions subject to presidential appointment: 1,118 positions required Senate confirmation and 354 did not. The new administration is…

  • The Daily Brew: Alaska House yet to elect permanent speaker after 2020 elections

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    Welcome to the Wednesday, Feb. 10, Brew. Here’s what’s in store for you as you start your day: Alaska House of Representatives elects temporary speaker Iowa voters to decide constitutional amendment regarding firearms next year Checking in on 2021 state supreme court vacancies Alaska House of Representatives elects temporary speaker Forty-six state legislatures are currently…

  • Supreme Court issues rulings involving the Foreign Sovereign Immunities Act

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    The U.S. Supreme Court (SCOTUS) took action on a number of cases on February 3, issuing opinions in three cases, granting review in one case, and removing two cases from its February 2021 argument calendar. SCOTUS issued opinions in Salinas v. United States Railroad Retirement Board, Federal Republic of Germany v. Philipp, and Republic of…

  • Idaho Supreme Court justice announces retirement

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    Idaho Supreme Court Justice Roger Burdick is retiring on June 30, 2021. He was appointed to this position in 2003 by Republican Gov. Dirk Kempthorne and retained by voters in 2004, 2010 and 2016. His current term would have expired in January 2023. Burdick’s replacement will be Republican Governor Brad Little’s first appointment to the…

  • Documenting America’s Path to Recovery: February 9, 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. Connecticut (Democratic trifecta): Gov. Ned Lamont (D) announced individuals age 65 and older can register for vaccination appointments starting Feb. 11. Currently, only people age 75 and older are eligible for vaccinations.  Missouri (Republican trifecta):…

  • Sen. Richard Shelby (Ala.) will not seek re-election in 2022

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    Sen. Richard Shelby (R-Ala.) announced on February 8, 2021, that he will not seek re-election in 2022. Shelby was first elected to the Senate in 1986. He switched his party affiliation from Democrat to Republican in 1994.  Shelby is the fourth senator to announce he won’t seek re-election in 2022, joining Republicans Richard Burr (N.C.),…

  • Anthony Brindisi (D) concedes in New York’s 22nd Congressional District election

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    Incumbent Anthony Brindisi (D) conceded the election to represent New York’s 22nd Congressional District on Feb. 8, 2021, to Claudia Tenney (R). His concession follows several months of legal challenges from Brindisi and Tenney over the validity of certain absentee and affidavit ballots cast in the Nov. 3, 2020, election. Brindisi announced his concession hours…