Year: 2021

  • Arlando Teller leaves Arizona state House for Biden administration

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    Rep. Arlando Teller (D) resigned from the Arizona House of Representatives on Feb. 1 to join the Biden administration as deputy assistant secretary for tribal affairs at the U.S. Department of Transportation. He represented District 7 from 2019 to 2021.  Teller most recently won re-election on Nov. 3, 2020. He was one of two candidates…

  • Rep. Ronald Wright dies from complications related to COVID-19

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    Rep. Ronald Wright (R-Texas) passed away from complications related to coronavirus on Feb. 7. He was diagnosed with the disease on Jan. 21. Wright was first elected to Texas’ 6th Congressional District in 2018, serving until his death in 2021.  Wright ran for re-election to the U.S. House of Representatives on Nov. 3, winning with…

  • Special election runoff to be held on Feb. 23 in Texas state House district

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    A special general runoff election has been scheduled for February 23 in District 68 of the Texas House of Representatives. Craig Carter (R) is facing David Spiller (R) in the runoff. Carter and Spiller advanced from the general election on January 23, earning 18% of the vote and 44% of the vote, respectively. Governor Greg…

  • Governors flex agency reorganization muscles

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    Governors in two states recently issued executive orders aimed at reorganizing agencies of the executive branch—with different results. The Vermont House of Representatives on February 5 voted 108-40 to block Vermont Governor Phil Scott’s (R) executive order that would have established a new state law enforcement agency. Scott’s executive order, issued on January 14, would have…

  • Justice on Missouri’s highest court schedules retirement

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    Missouri Supreme Court Justice Laura Denvir Stith announced on February 2, 2021, that she would retire from the court effective March 8. Stith stated she planned to do pro bono work following her retirement from the court. Justice Stith joined the Missouri Supreme Court in 2001. She was appointed to the court by Governor Bob…

  • Burlington, Vermont voters will decide on March 2 whether to adopt ranked-choice voting for city council elections

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    On March 2, Burlington, Vermont voters will decide Question 4, a measure to implement ranked-choice voting for city council elections beginning in March 2022. The Burlington City Council attempted to place a ranked-choice voting measure on the November 2020 ballot, but it was vetoed by Mayor Miro Weinberger (D) after receiving a 6-5 vote from…

  • Disclosure Digest: Nebraska lawmakers consider bill limiting disclosure of nonprofit donor information

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    Last month, we highlighted three states (Iowa, Nebraska, and Tennessee) considering bills that would bar public agencies from publicly disclosing identifying information about nonprofit donors. This week, we take a closer look at the Nebraska legislation.  What the bill proposes Nebraska LB370 would bar any public agency (including state and municipal government units and courts)…

  • Documenting America’s Path to Recovery: February 8, 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): Individuals age 65 and older and certain frontline essential workers (including corrections officers and grocery store staff) are eligible to receive vaccinations starting Feb. 8. Previously, appointments were limited to individuals age…

  • Bold Justice: First Federal Vacancy Count released for the Biden Administration

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    Welcome to the February 8 edition of Bold Justice, Ballotpedia’s newsletter about the Supreme Court of the United States (SCOTUS) and other judicial happenings around the U.S.  For all of us who love following the courts, February has plenty to offer–like a box of chocolates and a rose bouquet. The Supreme Court has been a…

  • Pennsylvania General Assembly refers constitutional changes to governor’s emergency powers to May primary ballot

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    Voters in Pennsylvania will decide at least three constitutional amendments on May 18, 2021, including two ballot measures to alter the governor’s emergency powers. One ballot measure would limit an emergency declaration by the governor to 21 days unless the legislature passes a resolution to extend the order. Another proposal would allow the legislature to…