Author: Jerrick Adams

  • Public employee strike bill enacted

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    West Virginia public employee strike bill enacted without governor’s signature West Virginia Senate Bill 11, which makes public employee strikes illegal, was enacted on March 16 without Gov. Jim Justice’s (R) signature. It will go into effect on June 2.  About the bill Senate Bill 11 codified the 1990 West Virginia Supreme Court of Appeals…

  • Michigan Court of Claims invalidates absentee/mail-in ballot rule as improperly established

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    On March 9, 2021, Michigan Court of Claims Judge Christopher Murray invalidated an absentee/mail-in ballot rule instituted by Secretary of State Jocelyn Benson (D) in the run-up to the November 3, 2020, general election. Murray held that Benson’s rule, which directed local clerks to presume validity when verifying signatures on absentee/mail-in ballot applications and return…

  • Minnesota GOP to elect new chair in April

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    Last week, we brought you a story about conflicts within the Democratic Party of Nevada. Today, we turn to a similar event in Minnesota, where two party leaders are engaged in a race for party chair. In April, the Republican Party of Minnesota will hold an election for party chair. Two-term incumbent Jennifer Carnahan is…

  • Union Station: Three public-sector union bills advance from state senates

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    Three public-sector union bills advance from state senates Since our last newsletter, three public-sector union bills have advanced from state senates in Arkansas, Oklahoma, and Tennessee. Of the 83 pieces of public-sector employee union legislation that we are currently tracking, eight have passed upper chambers so far this year. Here’s a run-down of the three…

  • Candidates backed by Democratic Socialists of America sweep Nevada Democratic Party leadership elections; professional party staff subsequently resign

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    On March 6, 2021, the Democratic Party of Nevada conducted elections for its five leadership positions. Candidates endorsed by the Democratic Socialists of America won all five posts: Judith Whitmer as chairwoman, Jacob Allen as first vice chairman, Zaffar Iqbal as second vice chairman, Ahmad Ade as secretary, and Howard Beckerman as treasurer. Shortly thereafter,…

  • South Dakota governor signs bill limiting disclosure of nonprofit donor information

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    South Dakota governor signs bill limiting disclosure of nonprofit donor information     On March 3, South Dakota Gov. Kristi Noem (R) signed HB1079 into law, barring state executive branch officials from expanding existing nonprofit donor disclosure requirements.  What the bill does HB1079 prohibits any executive branch entity (e.g., the governor, the secretary of state, etc.) from…

  • Changes to ballot access procedures in the 2021 election cycle

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    In light of the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, the two states conducting regular state-level elections in 2021—New Jersey and Virginia—have both made temporary modifications to their candidate ballot access procedures. Ballot access procedures dictate whether a candidate or political party will appear on an election ballot. These laws are implemented and enforced at the state level.…

  • Montana governor rescinds executive order compelling disclosure of political spending

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    Montana governor rescinds executive order compelling disclosure of political spending On Feb. 12, Montana Gov. Greg Gianforte (R) issued Executive Order No. 3-2021, rescinding former governor Steve Bullock’s (D) directive requiring entities doing business with the state to disclose their donations to organizations engaged in political spending.  What Bullock’s order required Bullock issued his order,…

  • Three public-sector union bills have advanced from state senates so far this year

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    Three public-sector union bills have advanced from state senates so far this year Ballotpedia is currently tracking 78 pieces of legislation dealing with public-sector employee union policy. So far, state senates have passed three of those bills. Republicans sponsored two of the bills, and Democrats sponsored one. Here’s a run-down of the three bills.  Washington…

  • South Dakota lawmakers advance bills limiting disclosure of nonprofit donor information

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    Last week, South Dakota state lawmakers advanced two separate bills limiting the disclosure of identifying information about donors to nonprofits: HB1079 and SB103.  What the bills propose HB1079 would prohibit any executive branch entity (e.g., the governor, the secretary of state, etc.) from requiring “any annual filing or reporting of a nonprofit corporation or charitable…