Year: 2025
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Utah lawmakers pass laws designed to assert state sovereignty and limit federal influence
Utah lawmakers passed eight bills and resolutions to assert state sovereignty and limit federal influence during the 2025 legislative session, which ended March 7. These measures address fiscal independence, regulatory oversight, and election authority. Utah has a Republican trifecta, with Republican control of the governor’s office, state senate, and state house. Below are the federalism-related…
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Tennessee drops Wells Fargo investigation
Tennessee Attorney General Jonathan Skrmetti (R) last week closed his investigation into whether Wells Fargo coordinated with other financial institutions to promote net-zero climate policies in violation of antitrust laws. The investigation was part of a broader effort by Republican attorneys general to challenge coordination among financial institutions on climate policy. Skrmetti closed the case…
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2025 marks record year as Kansas, Kentucky, and Wyoming join states with laws restricting foreign contributions to ballot measure campaigns
So far, during the 2025 legislative sessions, three states—Kansas, Kentucky, and Wyoming—have enacted new laws restricting foreign contributions to ballot measure campaigns. With these additions, 12 now have laws prohibiting foreign nationals, governments, or other entities from contributing to ballot measure committees. The 12 states with such laws are California, Colorado, Kansas, Kentucky, Maine, Maryland,…
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Hawaii voters to decide in 2026 on amendment extending Senate review period for judicial appointments
The Hawaii State Legislature approved a constitutional amendment increasing the timeline for the state Senate to act on judicial appointments. The amendment will appear on the ballot for voter approval on Nov. 3, 2026. Currently, the state constitution requires the Senate to act on judicial appointments within 30 days. If the Senate does not reject…
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North Dakota legislature refers amendment to 2026 ballot amending term limits for state legislators approved by voters in 2022
North Dakota voters will decide in Nov. 2026 whether or not to change term limits for state legislators. Under the amendment, legislators could serve four complete four-year terms (about 16 years) in the state legislature regardless of chamber. Partial terms would not count toward the limit. It would also repeal the provision of the 2022…
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Incumbent Lawrence Krasner (D) and Patrick F. Dugan (D) are running in the May 20 Democratic primary for district attorney of Philadelphia
Incumbent Lawrence Krasner (D) and Patrick F. Dugan (D) are running in the Democratic primary for district attorney of Philadelphia on May 20, 2025. WHYY Radio’s Carmen Russell-Sluchansky wrote, “The contest pits two competing philosophies against each other: Krasner’s commitment to continuing to overhaul a historically punitive system and Dugan’s pledge to restore a sense…
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2025 trifecta vulnerability ratings show New Jersey somewhat vulnerable, Virginia trifecta possible
New Jersey’s Democratic state government trifecta is somewhat vulnerable in 2025, and a new Democratic trifecta in Virginia is a moderate possibility according to Ballotpedia’s 2025 trifecta vulnerability ratings. A state government trifecta occurs when one party holds the governorship and majorities in both state legislative chambers. Ballotpedia’s annual trifecta vulnerability ratings estimate the chances of trifectas…