Year: 2025

  • Oregon governor signs ESG investing law

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    Oregon Gov. Tina Kotek (D) signed the Climate Resilience Investment Act on June 26, directing the state’s $96 billion Public Employees Retirement System to study the effects of its investments on climate change and to “pursue the goal of reducing the carbon intensity of the fund.” The law is among the first to directly require…

  • Rep. Dwight Evans announces he will not seek re-election to the U.S. House of Representatives in 2026

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    Rep. Dwight Evans (D-Penn.) announced on June 30, 2025, that he will not seek re-election to the U.S. House of Representatives in 2026. On his retirement, Evans said in a statement, “After some discussions this weekend and thoughtful reflection, I have decided that the time is right to announce that I will not be seeking…

  • Rep. Don Bacon announces he will not seek re-election to the U.S. House of Representatives in 2026

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    Rep. Don Bacon (R-Neb.) announced on June 30, 2025, that he will not seek re-election to the U.S. House of Representatives in 2026. On his retirement, Bacon said in a statement, “My service to our great nation started in the Air Force, where I served sixteen assignments, five commands and four deployments and will continue…

  • President Donald Trump (R) ends June with 45% approval, 53% disapproval

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    Photo of the White House in Washington, D.C.

    At the end of June, approval polling averages showed President Donald Trump (R) at 45% approval. Fifty-three percent of voters disapproved of his performance. The lowest approval rating he’s received during his presidency is 44%, last seen on June 25, 2025. The highest approval rating Trump has received is 54%, last seen on Jan. 22,…

  • Utah voters have decided 220 ballot measures since 1895, beginning with constitution ratification ahead of statehood

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    Ballotpedia completed an inventory of all Utah ballot measures dating back to 1895, when voters approved the state constitution. Between 1895 and 2024, Utahns voted on 220 ballot measures—140 (63.6%) were approved and 80 (36.4%) were defeated. This count includes the ratification of the state constitution by voters in 1895, two months before the United States…

  • Maine voters to decide citizen initiatives on voter ID and extreme risk protection orders in November

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    Welcome to the Wednesday, July 2, 2025, Brew.  By: Lara Bonatesta Here’s what’s in store for you as you start your day: Maine voters to decide citizen initiatives on voter ID and extreme risk protection orders in November Maine voters will decide on two citizen initiatives this year – one that would require voters to…

  • Vice President J.D. Vance casts fifth tie-breaking vote to pass One Big Beautiful Bill Act

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    On July 1, 2025, Vice President J.D. Vance cast his fifth tie-breaking vote in the U.S. Senate to pass the One Big Beautiful Bill Act, the budget reconciliation bill currently before Congress. Fifty Republicans voted in favor of the bill, while 45 Democrats, two Independents who caucus with Democrats, and Republican Sens. Susan Collins (R-Maine),…

  • Oregon governor signs ESG investing law

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    In this week’s edition of Economy and Society: Around the world EU regulators propose ESG stress test standards What’s the story? Three EU financial regulators—the European Banking Authority, the European Insurance and Occupational Pensions Authority, and the European Securities and Markets Authority—have proposed new rules requiring national banking and insurance regulators in member states to…

  • This year sees fewest officials facing recall at midyear since 2020

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    Welcome to the Tuesday, July 1, Brew.  By: Briana Ryan Here’s what’s in store for you as you start your day: This year sees fewest officials facing recall at midyear since 2020 Twice a year, we release reports on recall efforts nationwide for all state and local elected offices. Today, we’ll explore our mid-year 2025…

  • After 2023 veto, Arizona legislature sends drug cartel terrorism designation law directly to voters as ballot measure

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    The Arizona State Legislature approved House Concurrent Resolution 2055 (HCR 2055), placing a ballot measure about drug cartels before voters in the 2026 election. If approved, the ballot measure would define drug cartels as terrorist organizations and require the Arizona Department of Homeland Security to "do everything within its authority to address the threat posed…