Year: 2022

  • An update on US Senate retirements

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    Welcome to the Monday, February 28, Brew.  By: Samuel Wonacott Here’s what’s in store for you as you start your day: Inhofe announces retirement from U.S. Senate Biden nominates Ketanji Brown Jackson to the United States Supreme Court  West Virginia U.S House delegation shrinking from three to two sets up primary between two representatives Inhofe…

  • Idaho governor signs bill locking a lower unemployment tax rate for two years

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    Idaho Governor Brad Little (R) signed House Bill 450 into law on Feb. 18, lowering Idaho's unemployment insurance tax rate for the next two years. The state estimated the lower unemployment tax range would save Idaho employers $64 million for the duration of the tax cut. Employers pay state unemployment taxes to fund the unemployment…

  • ICYMI: Top stories of the week

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    How you can use Ballotpedia to stay in the know on election day At Ballotpedia, we want to make sure you have all the tools to vote with confidence. If you’re voting next Tuesday, or want to take a look at any upcoming elections in your area, get prepared by using our Sample Ballot Lookup…

  • Michigan announces unemployment insurance tax forms for 2021 are available online

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    The Michigan Unemployment Insurance Agency announced Feb. 22, 2022, that 1099-G forms are available for anyone who received unemployment insurance benefits in 2021. Residents who claimed unemployment benefits in 2021 have to have the form to file state and federal tax returns. The form includes information on the amounts of benefits claimants received and the…

  • Senators argue against private facial recognition for unemployment insurance proof of identity

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    U.S. Senators Ron Wyden (D-Ore), Sherrod Brown (D-Ohio), and Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass) published a letter to the U.S. labor secretary on Feb. 15 arguing against the outsourcing of facial recognition and identity verification for unemployment insurance benefits to the private sector. The Senators argued outsourcing unemployment identity verification processes potentially created privacy risks for claimants.…

  • Federal Register weekly update: Tops 10,000 pages

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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, accounting for both regulatory and deregulatory actions. From Feb. 21 through Feb. 25, the Federal Register grew by 1,500 pages for a year-to-date…

  • Biden nominates Ketanji Brown Jackson to the United States Supreme Court

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    President Joe Biden (D) announced on Feb. 25 he would nominate Judge Ketanji Brown Jackson to the United States Supreme Court to fill the vacancy left by Stephen Breyer. In a statement, the White House said: “Jackson is an exceptionally qualified nominee as well as an historic nominee, and the Senate should move forward with…

  • Two cities added to Ballotpedia’s coverage scope following 2020 census

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    Ballotpedia provides comprehensive coverage of all elections within the 100 largest cities in the United State based on population. Following the 2020 census, two cities—Spokane, Washington, and Santa Clarita, California—entered the top 100 and another two cities—San Bernardino, California, and Birmingham, Alabama—did not make the cut. As a result, Ballotpedia has added coverage of Spokane…

  • Washington Legislature considers collective bargaining for legislative staff

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    Washington Legislature considers collective bargaining for legislative staff A new bill that would give state legislative staff the right to bargain collectively was introduced in the Washington House of Representatives after two similar bills missed the cutoff to be passed to the opposite chamber last week. Around 100 legislative staffers called in sick after the…

  • Texas argues public transport mask mandate exceeds CDC authority

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    Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton (R) and the Texas Public Policy Foundation on Feb. 16, 2022, filed a lawsuit in the United States District Court for the Northern District of Texas aiming to block enforcement of the Biden administration’s federal mask mandate for public transport. The mandate, issued by the Center for Disease Control and…