Year: 2021

  • SCOTUS announces oral arguments to be conducted via teleconference for January sitting

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    On Jan. 5, 2021, the U.S. Supreme Court announced that it would hear oral arguments via teleconference during its January sitting, following the same format that was used during its October, November, and December sittings. Under this format, all relevant counsel are called the morning of the case’s argument day and are briefed with instructions.…

  • Colorado Supreme Court rules that state board must defer to disciplinary actions taken by other state agencies

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    Photo of Colorado State Supreme Court building

    On Dec. 21, the Colorado Supreme Court ruled in DOC v. Stiles that the Colorado State Personnel Board (Board) must defer to disciplinary decisions made by state agencies. The court’s decision aimed to shed light on the standard the Board must apply when reviewing other state agencies’ disciplinary decisions.  The court held that when the…

  • Federal Register weekly update: New year, new significant rules

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    The Federal Register is a daily journal of federal government activity that includes presidential documents, proposed and final rules, and public notices. It is a common measure of an administration’s regulatory activity. The Federal Register kicked off 2021 by publishing 1,736 pages during the week of Jan. 4 to Jan. 8. Over the same period…

  • Four new Kentucky bills would limit the governor’s emergency powers

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    On Jan. 7, the Kentucky State House and Senate passed four pieces of legislation aimed at limiting the emergency powers of the state governor.   The first bill, House Bill 1, would allow any businesses, schools, or associations to remain open as long as their operating plans meet or exceed guidance issued by the federal…

  • Confirmation hearings set for Yellen, Mayorkas, and Blinken

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    January 13, 2021: Janet Yellen, Alejandro Mayorkas, and Tony Blinken will have confirmation hearings on Jan. 19. Prior to taking office on January 20, 2021, President-elect Joe Biden (D) and his team must prepare for the transition between presidential administrations, including selecting senior White House staff and appointees to top government positions. In 2020, there…

  • Virginia State Senate District 38 special election set for Mar. 23, 2021

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    Election officials have scheduled a special election for the District 38 seat in the Virginia State Senate for Mar. 23, 2021. The seat became vacant when A. Benton Chafin (R) died on Jan. 1 from complications related to coronavirus. There is no primary, and the filing deadline is on Jan. 22.

  • SCOTUS to take up donor disclosure appeal

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    Welcome back! Starting this week, we’ll be publishing this newsletter on a weekly basis. Today, we turn our attention to a pending U.S. Supreme Court case involving donor disclosure requirements in California.   SCOTUS to take up donor disclosure appeal    On Jan. 8, the U.S. Supreme Court announced it would hear an appeal involving a California…

  • Mike Kennedy sworn in to Utah State Senate

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    On Jan. 5, Mike Kennedy (R) was sworn in as a member of the Utah State Senate. Kennedy won a special election on Dec. 29, 2020, to fill the seat vacated by former Sen. Daniel Hemmert (R). Hemmert resigned to take a job as the executive director of the Governor’s Office of Economic Development under…

  • Documenting America’s Path to Recovery: January 12, 2021

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    The next 24 hours What is changing in the next 24 hours? South Carolina (Republican trifecta): Gov. Henry McMaster (R) announced all individuals age 70 or older can begin scheduling appointments to receive a vaccine starting Jan. 13. Since our last edition What rules and restrictions are changing in each state? For a continually updated…

  • New Hampshire House of Representatives Hillsborough 21 special election set for Apr. 13, 2021

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    Election officials have scheduled a special election for the Hillsborough 21 seat in the New Hampshire House of Representatives for Apr. 13, 2021. The seat became vacant when state House speaker Dick Hinch died on Dec. 9 from complications caused by COVID-19. The primary is on Feb. 23, but it may serve as the general…