Year: 2025

  • A comprehensive look at 113 years of ballot measures in Arizona

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    Welcome to the Friday, Feb. 14, 2025, Brew.  By: Lara Bonatesta Here’s what’s in store for you as you start your day: A comprehensive look at 113 years of ballot measures in Arizona  Ballotpedia’s Historical Ballot Measure Factbook will document nearly 200 years of direct democracy in the United States. This ongoing research effort will…

  • Robert F. Kennedy Jr. confirmed as secretary of health and human services

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    The U.S. Senate voted to confirm Robert F. Kennedy Jr. as secretary of health and human services on Feb. 13, 2025. The Senate voted 52-48 in favor of his nomination with one Republican, Sen. Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.), joining all 45 Democrats, and both independent senators who caucus with Democrats, in opposing his nomination. This was…

  • Republican-led election policy bills advance in Kansas legislative session 

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    All but two state legislatures are currently convening their regular 2025 legislative sessions. Lawmakers in these states have already introduced more than 2,300 bills related to election administration this year. Among states where lawmakers have advanced election policy bills is Kansas.  Kansas has a divided government and is one of two states, along with Kentucky,…

  • Previewing the mayoral Democratic primary for the nation’s largest city

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    Welcome to the Thursday, Feb. 13, Brew.  By: Briana Ryan Here’s what’s in store for you as you start your day: Previewing the mayoral Democratic primary for the nation’s largest city Ten candidates are running in the Democratic primary on June 24 for New York City mayor. Six candidates—incumbent Mayor Eric Adams (D), Brad Lander…

  • Hall Pass: Your Ticket to Understanding School Board Politics, Edition #143

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    Welcome to Hall Pass, a newsletter written to keep you plugged into the conversations driving  school board governance, the politics surrounding it, and education policy.  In today’s edition, you’ll find: Reply to this email to share reactions or story ideas! On the issues: The debate over NAEP scores In this section, we curate reporting, analysis,…

  • Nine candidates are running in the June 10 Republican primary for Governor of New Jersey

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    Nine candidates are running in the June 10, 2025, Republican primary for Governor of New Jersey. Gov. Phil Murphy (D) is term-limited, meaning the office is open. The last Republican governor was Chris Christie, who left office in 2018. Rider University’s Micah Rasmussen said, “It has been a long time since it’s been up for grabs, and so, all of our top figures on the Republican…

  • Tulsi Gabbard confirmed as director of national intelligence

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    The U.S. Senate voted to confirm Tulsi Gabbard as director of national intelligence on Feb. 12, 2025. The Senate voted 52-48 in favor of her nomination with one Republican, Sen. Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.), joining all 45 Democrats, and both independent senators who caucus with Democrats, in opposing her nomination. This was the 14th member of…

  • Ten candidates are running in the Democratic primary for mayor of New York, New York

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    Ten candidates are running for the Democratic nomination for mayor of New York on June 24, 2025. Six have led in polling and fundraising: Eric Adams, Brad Lander, Zohran Mamdani, Zellnor Myrie, Jessica Ramos, and Scott Stringer. City & State NY’s Annie McDonough wrote “The 2025 mayoral race will be one of the first tests for how New York Democrats confront a rightward shift in a reliably…

  • Wisconsin voters have decided on 257 ballot measures since statehood

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    Ballotpedia completed an inventory of all Wisconsin ballot measures since 1846, when voters decided on a ballot measure to form a state government. Wisconsin decided on 257 ballot measures between 1846 and 2024. Of these, 184 measures (71.6%) were approved, while 73 (28.4%) were defeated. Only the Wisconsin State Legislature can place a ballot measure…

  • Oklahoma launches effort to oppose corporate DEI

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    Oklahoma Treasurer Todd Russ (R) announced plans to oppose corporate diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) programs through shareholder proposals using its $2 billion Tobacco Settlement Endowment Trust. DEI is typically associated with the social component of ESG. Treasurer Russ has argued corporations should be politically neutral and avoid using corporate money for DEI and ESG…