Year: 2025
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Oklahoma voters have decided on 454 ballot measures since statehood in 1907
Oklahoma’s constitution, adopted in 1907, includes rights for citizens to propose new laws and change existing laws through the initiative and referendum process. Since 1907, Oklahomans have decided on 454 ballot measures placed on the ballot by successful citizen initiatives and the Oklahoma State Legislature. The types of measures decided have included advisory questions (1),…
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Washington state judge dismisses challenge to Parents’ Bill of Rights; legislators set to consider bill that would rewrite it
King County Superior Court Judge Michael Scott in Washington allowed the state Parents’ Bill of Rights to take full effect on Jan. 27, dismissing a lawsuit against the 2024 Initiative 2081 that enacted the Bill of Rights. Judge Scott had temporarily blocked portions of the statute on Jun. 21, 2024, that required school districts to…
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Nine states have new initiative signature requirements heading into the 2025-2026 election cycle
Heading into the 2025-2026 election cycle, signature requirements for citizen-initiated measures changed in nine states. Turnout on Nov.5, 2024, caused signature requirements for citizen-initiated ballot measures to change in seven states. Two other states changed their requirements based on the number of registered voters. The average change was a 12.47% increase. Changes ranged from a…
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President Donald Trump (R) ends January with 48% approval, 45% disapproval
At the end of Jan., approval polling averages showed President Donald Trump (R) at 48% approval. Forty-five percent of voters disapproved of his performance. At the end of Jan., congressional approval was at 27% and disapproval was at 48%. At this time during Trump’s first term in office, presidential approval was four points lower at…
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Doug Burgum confirmed as secretary of the interior
The U.S. Senate voted to confirm Doug Burgum as secretary of the interior on Jan. 30, 2025. The Senate voted 79-18 in favor of his nomination with 25 Democrats, one independent who caucuses with Democrats, and all 53 Republicans voting in favor. This was the eighth member of President Donald Trump’s (R) Cabinet confirmed in…
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Texas legislature set to consider universal school choice legislation after 2024 elections replaced Republican opponents with Republican supporters
Texas State Senate Republicans introduced a universal school choice bill (Senate Bill 2) on Jan. 24, and the Senate Education Committee approved it 9-2 on Jan. 29. SB 2 was placed on the Senate’s intent calendar for a floor vote on February 4. SB 2 would create an education savings account (ESA) program that, subject…
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Senate Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions Committee holds confirmation hearing for Robert F. Kennedy Jr. for secretary of health and human services
The Senate Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions Committee held a confirmation hearing for Robert F. Kennedy Jr. for secretary of health and human services on Jan. 30, 2025. At the time the hearing ended, the committee had not scheduled a meeting to vote on his nomination. Kennedy must receive a majority approval vote in the…