Author: Jerrick Adams

  • NYC votes on RCV tomorrow

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    On Nov. 5, voters in New York City will decide on a city charter amendment (Question 1) that would establish ranked-choice voting (RCV) for municipal primary and special elections beginning in 2021. If approved, New York City will be the largest city in the nation to use RCV for local elections. How would Question 1…

  • North Carolina court approves new legislative maps, enjoins current congressional maps

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    On October 28, 2019, a three-judge panel of North Carolina’s superior court approved new state legislative district maps. The remedial maps were adopted by the state legislature after the panel had struck down the existing district plan as an impermissible partisan gerrymander under the state constitution. The panel comprises Judges Paul C. Ridgeway, Joseph N.…

  • Federal courts rule against New York, New Jersey donor disclosure laws

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    Since Sept. 30, two U.S. District Courts have struck down or enjoined donor disclosure laws in New York and New Jersey. New York: Citizens Union of the City of New York v. Attorney General of the State of New York (case number: 1:16-cv-09592-DLC-KHP) Who are the parties to the suit? The plaintiffs are the Citizens…

  • California bill proposing public-sector union release time for union activities vetoed

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    On Oct. 12, California Governor Gavin Newsom (D) vetoed AB314, legislation proposing that all public-sector employers in the state grant union representatives paid time off, known as release time, for union activities. What does the bill propose? If enacted, AB314 would repeal existing release time provisions in the state’s various public-sector labor laws and replace…

  • California governor vetoes public-sector union release time bill

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    On Oct. 12, California Governor Gavin Newsom (D) vetoed AB314, legislation proposing that all public-sector employers in the state grant union representatives paid time off, known as release time, for union activities.   What does the bill propose? If enacted, AB314 would repeal existing release time provisions in the state’s various public-sector labor laws and…

  • Minnesota Supreme Court rules city of Brainerd engaged in unfair labor practices

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    In a 5-2 decision issued Oct. 9, the Minnesota Supreme Court ruled the city of Brainerd engaged in unfair labor practices when it restructured the fire department. The city eliminated the positions of five full-time fire equipment operato rs who were members of Firefighters Union Local 4725. The move effectively dissolved the union. Who are…

  • Three Pennsylvania public-sector unions amend contracts, allow members to opt out at any time

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    Three public-sector unions in Pennsylvania have recently ratified labor contracts allowing their members to resign at any time. Previously, these unions allowed members to resign during an annual 15-day window preceding the expiration of their labor contracts. This provision is referred to as a maintenance-of-membership clause. Who are the unions, and who do they represent?…

  • Analysis: The 2020 elections and their impact on redistricting

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    In 2020, voters across the country will elect new state legislators and governors, and in many cases, these officials will play a direct part in drawing the district maps that govern elections for the next 10 years.   The process by which district maps are drawn is called redistricting. Every 10 years, the U.S. Census…

  • Where will RCV be in November 2019?

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    Ranked-choice voting round-up: the state of play heading into November On Nov. 5, voters in New York City will decide on a city charter amendment that would, if adopted, establish ranked-choice voting (RCV) for municipal primary and special elections beginning in 2021. If approved, the amendment will make New York the largest city in the nation to use RCV…

  • Federal court considers case over refund of previously paid agency fees

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    Note: This story concerns a lawsuit following up on the Supreme Court’s 2018 ruling in Janus v. AFSCME. The case that is the subject of this story has the same name but is distinct. On September 20, a three-judge panel of the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Seventh Circuit heard oral arguments in Janus…