Year: 2025
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Maine initiative on voter ID, absentee ballots, and dropboxes certified to legislature; will appear on the November 2025 ballot unless lawmakers enact it
In Maine, signatures for a citizen initiative to require photo voter identification, among other changes, were verified on Feb. 19, 2025. Secretary of State Shenna Bellows (D) announced that the campaign submitted 86,904 valid signatures. A minimum of 67,682 valid signatures was required. The proposed initiative will now go to the state legislature for consideration.…
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Four members of Congress have announced they will not seek re-election in 2026
As of Feb. 19, four members of the U.S. Congress—two senators and two representatives—have announced they will not seek re-election in 2026. The total number of 2026 retirement announcements—four—is the same as it was at this point in 2020 and 2018. However, it is less than it was in 2024 and 2022. U.S. Senate Two…
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Judge issues second decision upholding Biden ESG labor rule
U.S. District Judge Matthew Kacsmaryk upheld the Biden administration’s Labor Department rule allowing the use of ESG investment considerations in ERISA-governed retirement plans for a second time. The decision again rejected the legal challenge from 26 Republican attorneys general. Kacsmaryk’s decision upheld the Biden administration’s Labor Department rule without relying on Chevron deference, which was…
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Voters to decide on creating city of Starbase, Texas, home of SpaceX, on May 3
Voters in the unincorporated area of Cameron County, Texas, known as Starbase—home to SpaceX—will decide on May 3 whether to incorporate it as a city. If approved, Starbase would become a Type C general law municipality with a commission form of government comprising a mayor and two commissioners. Elections for mayor and commissioner will be…
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Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, and Vermont towns to vote on ballot measures related to the Israel-Palestine conflict
Voters in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, and five Vermont towns will decide on ballot measures related to the Israeli–Palestinian conflict in the coming months. On May 20, Pittsburgh voters will decide on two charter amendments passed by the city council in response to a proposed citizen initiative that may also appear on the ballot. The potential citizen…
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Senate Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions Committee holds confirmation hearing for Lori Chavez-DeRemer for secretary of labor
The Senate Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions Committee held a confirmation hearing for Lori Chavez-DeRemer for secretary of Labor on Feb. 19, 2025. At the time the hearing ended, the committee had not scheduled a meeting to vote on her nomination. Chavez-DeRemer must receive a majority approval vote in the committee before her nomination can…
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Kelly Loeffler confirmed as administrator of the Small Business Administration
The U.S. Senate voted to confirm Kelly Loeffler as administrator of the Small Business Administration (SBA) on Feb. 19, 2025. The Senate voted 52-46 in favor of her nomination, with Sen. Jacky Rosen (D-Nev.) joining 51 Republicans voting in favor. This was the 18th member of President Donald Trump’s (R) Cabinet confirmed in his second…