Year: 2021

  • Initiative to repeal Michigan law granting governor emergency powers heads to state legislature

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    The Michigan State Legislature approved the indirect initiative that repealed the Emergency Powers of Governor Act. On July 15, 2021, the Michigan State Senate voted 20-15 to approve the initiated measure. Senate Republicans voted to pass the initiated measure, and Senate Democrats voted against the proposal. On July 21, 2021, the Michigan House of Representatives voted 60-48 to approve…

  • Democratic, Republican candidates advance unopposed to special election in Tennessee state House district

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    The special primary election for Tennessee House of Representatives District 29 is on July 27. DeAngelo Jelks is running unopposed in the Democratic primary, and Greg Vital is running unopposed in the Republican primary. The candidates will advance to the general election, scheduled for Sept. 14. The special election was called after Mike Carter (R)…

  • Vice President Harris casts eighth tie-breaking vote in NLRB confirmation vote

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    Vice President Kamala Harris (D) cast her eighth tie-breaking vote in the Senate on Wednesday to confirm Jennifer Ann Abruzzo as general counsel of the National Labor Relations Board. The Senate voted 50-50 along party lines. Harris previously cast tie-breaking votes related to the confirmation processes of Kiran Ahuja for director of the Office of…

  • Gov. Brian Kemp fills vacancy on Georgia Supreme Court

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    Georgia GovernorBrian Kemp (R) appointed Verda Colvin to theGeorgia Supreme Court on July 20. Colvin was Kemp’s third nominee to the nine-member court. Colvin succeededHarold Melton, who retired on July 1. Chief Justice Melton joined the Georgia Supreme Court in 2005. He was appointed to the court by Gov. Sonny Perdue (R). Prior to her…

  • Candidate filing deadline to pass on July 26 in Hialeah, Fla.

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    Candidates interested in running for mayor and three city council seats in Hialeah, Fla., have until July 26 to file. The primary election will be held on Nov. 2. If no candidate earns a majority of the vote in the primary election, the top two vote-getters will advance to a general election. The general election,…

  • Documenting America’s Path to Recovery #284: July 22, 2021

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    Welcome to Documenting America’s Path to Recovery. Today we look at: The closure of four mass vaccination sites in New York Updated mask guidance for schools in North Carolina and Virginia Vaccine distribution School closures and reopenings Travel restrictions State proof-of-vaccination requirements and policies Federal responses COVID-19 policy changes from this time last year  We…

  • New Mexico governor appoints Briana Zamora to fill vacancy on state supreme court

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    New Mexico Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham (D) appointed Briana Zamora to the New Mexico Supreme Court on July 16. The appointment filled a vacancy on the court caused by former Justice Barbara J. Vigil’s retirement on June 30. Zamora is Gov. Lujan Grisham’s fourth nominee to the five-member supreme court. Under New Mexico law, midterm…

  • Voters to decide runoff election in Texas’ 6th Congressional District on July 27

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    Texas’ 6th Congressional District will hold a special election runoff on July 27. Jake Ellzey (R) and Susan Wright (R) are running to fill the vacancy left by Rep. Ronald Wright (R), who died from COVID-19 related complications on Feb. 7. The district is located in the northeastern portion of the state and includes Ellis…

  • Previewing the fourth special congressional election of this year

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    Welcome to the Thursday, July 22, Brew. Here’s what’s in store for you as you start your day: Voters to decide runoff election in Texas’ 6th Congressional District on July 27 Redistricting review: New Jersey Chief Justice asks parties to submit consensus candidate Curious about the administrative state? Join us for our webinar on judicial…

  • A closer look at major-party donations in the Virginia gubernatorial election

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    Candidates for governor of Virginia filed campaign finance reports on July 15, 2021, providing new totals in the race. The major-party candidates—Terry McAuliffe (D) and Glenn Youngkin (R)—have both raised roughly $20 million for their respective campaigns, according to the most recent reports.  A closer look at the sources of those campaign contributions shows that…