Author: James McAllister
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What are the responsibilities of state lieutenant governors?
The office of lieutenant governor is an elected statewide executive office in 43 states. In two other states, Tennessee and West Virginia, the President of the State Senate serves as lieutenant governor. Maine, Arizona, Wyoming, New Hampshire, and Oregon do not have lieutenant governors. Lieutenant governors derive their responsibilities from several sources, including gubernatorial…
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Rep. Duncan Hunter pleads guilty to using campaign funds for personal expenses
On Tuesday, Congressman Duncan Hunter (R-Calif.) pleaded guilty to using campaign funds for personal expenses, ending a three-year investigation into the congressman’s misuse of over $200,000. Hunter’s wife pleaded guilty in June to knowingly and willingly using campaign funds with her husband for their family’s benefit, agreeing to testify against him. Weeks later, federal…
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What are state legislators paid in your state?
State legislators in California earn the highest base salary among legislators in all 50 states, making $110,459 per year. State legislators in New Mexico do not earn a base salary. As of March 2019, the states with the highest legislative base salaries were: California: $110,459 New York: $110,000 Pennsylvania: $87,180 Michigan: $71,685 Illinois: $67,836…
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Twelve candidates face off in Houston mayoral race
Incumbent Sylvester Turner and 11 challengers will compete in the November 5, 2019, general election for mayor of Houston, Texas. If no candidate receives more than 50% of the vote, the top two finishers will participate in a runoff election on December 14, 2019. Of the 11 candidates running against Turner, local media outlets…
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Cameron, Stumbo face off in Kentucky attorney general race
Kentucky voters will choose a new attorney general Nov. 5, with Daniel Cameron (R) and Gregory Stumbo (D) vying for the office. Democrats have controlled the AG office in Kentucky since 1952. The state’s election history suggests this year’s contest will be competitive. The AG position is open, as incumbent Andy Beshear is the Democratic…
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Daniel Cameron (R) outraises Gregory Stumbo (D) in Kentucky attorney general election
Daniel Cameron (R) outraised Gregory Stumbo (D) $140,333 to $101,153 in Kentucky’s attorney general election, according to the most recent reports covering the period from September 6 through October 6. At the end of the period, Cameron had $423,852 cash on hand to Stumbo’s $294,408 on hand. Cameron started the period with $480,476 cash…
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Houston mayoral candidates report total cash on hand exceeding $6 million ahead of November 5 election
Tony Buzbee topped Houston’s mayoral candidate field in total receipts during the July 1 through October 6 reporting period, contributing $2.5 million to his campaign. In comparison: Incumbent Sylvester Turner raised $733,324. Bill King raised $281,829 and loaned his campaign $200,000. Dwight Boykins raised $130,105. Kendall Baker contributed $20,000 to his campaign. The…
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California has country’s highest paid governor, Maine the lowest. How much does your state’s governor earn?
In 2018, California Governor Jerry Brown (D) was the highest paid of the 50 state governors. Maine Governor Paul LePage (R) was the lowest paid. The average gubernatorial salary across all states was $143,270 in 2018, a 2.4% increase over 2017. These updated figures were published in the Council of State Governments’ 2019 Book of…
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D.C. Circuit Court of Appeals upholds net neutrality repeal while striking down preemption of state and local regulations
In an opinion delivered on October 1, 2019, the United States Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit upheld the FCC’s 2018 net neutrality repeal but struck down the agency’s preemption of state and local net neutrality regulations. The court also directed the agency to consider how the repeal would affect public safety,…
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Four battleground elections may determine the triplex status of three states in 2019
A state government triplex describes when one political party holds the following the positions of governor, attorney general, and secretary of state within a state. Three divided triplex states, or states where no party holds a triplex, are holding state executive elections in 2019: Kentucky, Louisiana, and Mississippi. Key races within those states have the potential…