Author: Jerrick Adams
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Washington legislature approves Janus response bill
The Washington State Legislature sent legislation to the governor’s desk that would amend state labor union law. On April 18, the Washington House of Representatives approved an amended version of HB1575, which the Washington State Senate adopted on April 12. This bill would declare that public employers and public-sector unions are not liable for claims involving…
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In first quarter of 2019, legislatures act on donor disclosure policy
A little over three months into 2019, state legislatures nationwide have introduced 73 bills regarding donor disclosure policy in the states. As of April 12, 34 states had seen such legislation introduced. Of these 73 bills, 34 were sponsored by Democrats and 21 by Republicans; the remainder were sponsored by bipartisan groups or committees.…
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SCOTUS hears arguments in two partisan gerrymandering cases
On March 26, the Supreme Court of the United States heard oral arguments in two partisan gerrymandering cases, Rucho v. Common Cause and Lamone v. Benisek. During the course of arguments, the justices appeared divided over the issues central to both cases: are partisan gerrymandering claims justiciable under federal law, and should federal courts intervene…
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Pennsylvania Rep. Brian Ellis resigns after allegations of sexual misconduct
On March 18, 2019, Rep. Brian Ellis (R) resigned his seat in the Pennsylvania House of Representatives amid allegations of sexual misconduct. Ellis, who represented Pennsylvania’s 11th state House district, said the following in his resignation letter: “It is with immense gratitude to the sacrifices made by my family, the support of my constituents, and…
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Legislatures take early action on public-sector union policy
Two months into 2019, and state legislatures nationwide have taken early action on public-sector union policy in the states, responding either directly or indirectly to the Supreme Court’s decision last summer in Janus v. AFSCME. In Janus, the high court ruled that public-sector unions cannot require non-member employees to pay agency fees to cover the…
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Federal appeals court rejects exclusive representation challenge in Washington
On February 26, 2019, a three-judge panel of the United States Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit found that a Washington state policy granting exclusive bargaining rights to a union did not violate workers’ First Amendment rights. In 2006, the state authorized child care providers working under a state-subsidized program to select an…
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Federal judge strikes down Mississippi state senate district as violation of Voting Rights Act
On February 13, 2019, Judge Carlton W. Reeves, of the United States District Court for the Southern District of Mississippi, issued an order striking down the state legislative map for Mississippi State Senate District 22. Judge Reeves ruled that the district constituted a violation of the Voting Rights Act by denying racial minorities “an…
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How do primaries in your state work?
The first statewide primary of 2019 is approaching – here’s a rundown of five facts about primary systems. 1. An open primary is any primary election in which a voter either does not have to formally affiliate with a political party in order to vote in its primary or can declare his or her…
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Wonder why you’ve been receiving more robo-calls? A 2018 ruling by a federal appellate court has something to do with it
According to a January 29, 2019, report by The Washington Post, Americans received approximately 26.3 billion automated phone calls in 2018, a 46 percent increase over the total number of automated calls received in 2017. The increase can be attributed in part to a federal appellate court ruling that expanded the types of equipment that…
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New Mexico Supreme Court upholds constitutionality of closed primaries
On February 5, 2019, the New Mexico Supreme Court dismissed a challenge to the legality of closed primaries in the state. The initial suit was brought by former attorney general Paul Bardacke (D), who argued that New Mexico’s closed primary process serves private organizations (in this case, political parties) in violation of a state law…