Category: Newsletters

  • Supreme Court hears case about presidential control of independent agencies

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    The Checks and Balances Letter delivers news and information from Ballotpedia’s Administrative State Project, including pivotal actions at the federal and state levels related to the separation of powers, due process and the rule of law. This edition:  In this month’s edition of Checks and Balances, we review U.S. Supreme Court cases concerning Medicaid work…

  • Ballotpedia’s Union Station: Third Circuit rejects challenge to class action suit over union fees

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    Third Circuit rejects challenge to class action suit over union fees On Jan. 15, 2021, a three-judge panel of the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Third Circuit upheld the U.S. District Court for the Middle District of Pennsylvania’s decision in Bethany LaSpina v. SEIU Pennsylvania State Council et al. The lower court had dismissed…

  • Ballotpedia’s Weekly Transition Tracker: January 16-22, 2021

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    President Joe Biden (D) and his team have been preparing for the transition between presidential administrations since the election, including selecting senior White House staff and appointees to top government positions. In 2020, there were 1,472 government positions subject to presidential appointment: 1,118 positions required Senate confirmation and 354 did not. The new administration is…

  • House, Senate approve waiver for ret. Gen. Lloyd Austin for secretary of defense

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    January 22, 2021:The House and Senate approved a waiver that would allow retired Gen. Lloyd Austin to serve as secretary of defense before a seven-year cooldown period for former service members. President Joe Biden (D) and his team have been preparing for the transition between presidential administrations since the election, including selecting senior White House…

  • Ballotpedia’s Daily Brew: The history of U.S. Senate ties

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    U.S. Senate split evenly for fourth time in history After Vice President Kamala Harris took the oath of office on Jan. 20, she presided over the swearing in of three new Democratic Senators: Alex Padilla (Calif.), Jon Ossoff (Ga.), and Raphael Warnock (Ga.). The U.S. Senate now has 50 Republicans, 48 Democrats, and two independent…

  • Documenting America’s Path to Recovery: January 21, 2021

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    Since our last edition What rules and restrictions are changing in each state? For a continually updated article, click here. Kansas (divided government): The state is starting Phase 2 of its vaccine distribution plan Jan. 21. Individuals over the age of 65, high-contact essential workers (including police officers, grocery store workers, and school staff), and…

  • Senate confirms Haines for director of national intelligence

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    January 21, 2021: The Senate confirmed Avril Haines for director of national intelligence on Wednesday night by a vote of 84-10. President Joe Biden (D) and his team have been preparing for the transition between presidential administrations since the election, including selecting senior White House staff and appointees to top government positions. In 2020, there…

  • Ballotpedia’s Daily Brew: Looking back—CA voters approved 62% of local measures in 2020

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    62% approval rate for California’s 2020 local ballot measures Ballotpedia’s annual report on California local ballot measures is out. We’ve been covering all local ballot measures in California since 2008. California voters decided 719 local ballot measures across seven election dates last year. Below are some highlights from the report.  Voters approved 62.4% percent of…

  • Ballotpedia’s Daily Brew: Average MOV in last year’s House races—29 percentage points

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    Average margin of victory in last year’s U.S. House races was lowest since at least 2012 The average margin of victory (MOV) in last year’s U.S. House elections was 28.8 percentage points, down from 31.8 percentage points in 2018 and the narrowest average MOV in U.S. House elections since at least 2012. Ballotpedia has analyzed…

  • Documenting America’s Path to Recovery: January 20, 2021

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    Since our last edition What rules and restrictions are changing in each state? For a continually updated article, click here. Connecticut (Democratic trifecta): Gov. Ned Lamont (D) announced Phase 1b of the vaccination plan will be rolled out in tiers. Individuals age 75 and older started making appointments Jan. 18. The next group will be…