Category: State
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Florida attorney general launches investigation of climate groups
Florida Attorney General James Uthmeier (R) announced yesterday an investigation into two climate groups—the Climate Disclosure Project (CDP) and the Science Based Targets Initiative (SBTi)—over alleged deceptive trade practices and antitrust violations. Uthmeier argued SBTi “sells companies validation of their climate goals—then directs them back to CDP to report their progress, creating what appears to…
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North Carolina Legislature overrides veto to pass REINS-style legislative oversight of rules bill
On July 29, both houses of the North Carolina legislature voted to override a gubernatorial veto, passing House Bill 402 into law. HB 402 shares features with the proposed federal-level REINS Act, by requiring legislative approval of agency rules that exceed a cost threshold. North Carolina Gov. Josh Stein (D) vetoed HB 402 on June…
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ESG opponents argue BlackRock still boycotts Texas energy
Consumers’ Research (CR), a nonprofit critical of ESG investing, and the American Energy Institute (AEI), an energy advocacy group, released a report arguing BlackRock, the world’s largest asset manager, is still boycotting Texas energy. The report contradicts BlackRock’s claims and those made by former Texas Comptroller Glenn Hegar (R), who earlier this summer removed the…
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On this date in 1933, Oregon voters repealed a tax on the sale of oleomargarine, the fourth veto referendum to repeal margarine laws in 13 years
Ninety-two years ago, on July 21, 1933, Oregon voters decided a veto referendum against legislation proposing a tax on the sale of oleomargarine. Voters repealed the tax. The contested legislation would have created a sales tax of four cents per pound on the sale of all oleomargarine, commonly known as margarine, sold in the state of…
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Federal appeals court blocks enforcement of Maine’s Question 2, which barred election spending by corporations that are at least 5% foreign‑owned
In Maine, a federal appellate court upheld a district court’s injunction blocking enforcement of Question 2, which prohibited foreign governments and certain entities from contributing to ballot measure elections. Voters passed Question 2 in 2023 by a margin of 86% to 14%. The First Circuit Court of Appeals ruled that Question 2 would be unconstitutional…
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California Gov. Newsom says the legislature could take up congressional redistricting. Changing the process may require a constitutional amendment and special election.
After Texas Gov. Greg Abbott (R) called a special legislative session to revise the state’s congressional districts, among other issues, California Gov. Gavin Newsom (D) responded, “Well, two can play that game.” President Donald Trump (R) stated that a mid-decade redistricting effort in Texas could net Republicans five seats and “there could be some other…
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Missouri attorney general investigates proxy advisory services
Missouri Attorney General Andrew Bailey (R) announced last week his office is investigating Institutional Shareholder Services (ISS) and Glass Lewis, the two largest U.S. proxy advisory firms, alleging they prioritized political agendas over fiduciary duties in their voting recommendations. ISS and Glass Lewis have drawn recent attention in ESG debates. Critics argue their combined market…
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Missouri Gov. signs bill limiting state judicial deference, becoming fourth state to do so in 2025
On July 11, Missouri Gov. Mike Kehoe (R) signed Senate Bill 221 into law. The bill limits judicial deference by state courts to state agencies. Judicial deference is the practice of courts adopting or yielding to an agency’s interpretation of an ambiguous law or regulation. SB 221 was designed to prohibit state courts from deferring…
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Missouri governor signs law repealing provisions of 2024 paid sick leave and minimum wage ballot initiative
Missouri Gov. Mike Kehoe (R) signed House Bill 567 (HB 567) on July 10, repealing provisions of Proposition A, which voters approved in 2024. HB 567 repealed the paid sick leave requirements and the provision that tied future minimum wage increases to inflation. Proposition A is an initiated state statute that was approved by nearly…
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States passed 27 bills either supporting or opposing environmental, social, and governance (ESG) investing this year
In case you’re not familiar, here’s a quick background on ESG. ESG investing is an asset management approach that considers environment, social issues, and corporate governance practices. It’s a type of stakeholder investing which says shareholder returns should not be the only goal. Stakeholder investing contrasts with traditional approaches that exclusively consider financial factors like…