Category: State
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55% of state legislators are Republican, 44% Democratic
At the end of November 2024, 55% of all state legislators in the United States are Republican while 44% are Democratic. There are 7,386 state legislative seats in the country. Republicans control 56 chambers, while Democrats hold 41. Two chambers (Alaska House and Alaska Senate) were organized under multipartisan, power-sharing coalitions. Democrats hold 836 state…
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Ohio enacts education bill reducing licensing requirements, repealing education regulations
An Ohio K-12 education bill went into effect Oct. 24, reducing educator licensing requirements and repealing certain education regulations from the Ohio Revised Code. Senate Bill 168 included provisions: State Sen. Michele Reynolds (R), who sponsored the bill, said it would “eliminat[e] excess and burdensome regulations and [address] teacher shortages.” Matt Dotson, a lobbyist with…
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New Hampshire lawmakers override public participation law veto
New Hampshire lawmakers on Oct. 10 overrode Gov. Chris Sununu’s (R) veto of a bill regarding public participation in agency rulemaking. The bill requires rulemaking agencies to compile reports describing how suggestions from public comments were incorporated into final rules. It also requires agencies to “provide a detailed explanation that includes the facts, data, interpretations,…
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Nevadans may decide on two initiatives, related to teacher strikes and attorney contingency fees, in 2026
Two Nevada initiative campaigns submitted signatures for initiatives targeting the 2026 ballot. If at least 102,362 signatures are found valid, the initiatives will be presented to the Nevada State Legislature. If approved by the legislature and signed by the governor, the proposed statute becomes law. If not, the law is submitted to voters at the…
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New York City pension system joins net zero asset group
What’s the story? The New York City Employees’ Retirement System (NYCERS)—under the direction of city Comptroller Brad Lander (D)—joined the Net-Zero Asset Owner Alliance (NZAOA), extending its commitment to ESG investment strategies. NZAOA’s members manage more than $9.5 trillion and commit to using their investments to reduce carbon emissions. Why does it matter? The NYCERS…
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State supreme court vacancy count for October 2024
In this month’s state supreme court vacancy update, Ballotpedia tracked announced retirements, nominations, appointments, confirmations, and the swearing-in of justices from October 1, 2024, to November 1, 2024. Ballotpedia tracks court vacancies in all 52 state supreme courts. Announced retirements: In October 2024, one justice resigned. Robert Brutinel stepped down from the Arizona Supreme Court…
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Voters in Nevada must approve Question 6, related to abortion, and Question 7, related to voter ID, again due to Nevada’s two-election requirement
Voters in Nevada approved two citizen-initiated constitutional amendments on Nov. 5. Question 6 would provide for a state constitutional right to an abortion. Question 7 would establish voter ID requirements in the state. Voters rejected Question 3, which would have established top-five primaries and ranked-choice voting for general elections. Nov. 5 was the second election…
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South Dakota voters approve constitutional amendment allowing Medicaid work requirements
On Tuesday, South Dakota voters approved Amendment F, amending the South Dakota Constitution to allow the state to set work requirements for Medicaid if approved by the federal government. The measure was passed 56% to 44% per the unofficial results. The federal government does not establish work requirements for Medicaid. States that wish to add…
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Voters decided 12 education-related ballot measures on Nov. 5, rejecting three measures that would have expanded school choice policies
Voters decided on 12 education-related ballot measures—the most in 18 years—on Nov. 5. The ballot measures covered various education-related topics, including school choice programs, non-public education, standardized testing, school board elections, and school governance and funding. Measures were on the ballot in Alabama, Arkansas, California, Colorado, Florida, Kentucky, Massachusetts, Nebraska, Nevada, New Mexico, Rhode Island,…
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Oklahoma AG appeals ESG ruling to state Supreme Court
What’s the story? Oklahoma Attorney General Gentner Drummond (R) filed an appeal with the state Supreme Court seeking to overturn a lower court’s ruling against the state’s anti-ESG law. The statute prohibits state contracts and investments with asset managers who—in the state treasurer’s view—boycott the fossil fuel industry. Why does it matter? Oklahoma’s decision on…