Category: State
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Ninety-two percent of state legislative incumbents filed for re-election in 2021
In 2021, state legislative incumbents filed for re-election at a higher rate than any other year in the past decade other than 2013. When an incumbent does not run for re-election, his or her seat is left open, meaning it is guaranteed to a newcomer at the start of the next state legislative session. Of…
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Louisiana reinstates indoor face covering requirement
On Aug. 2, Louisiana Gov. John Bel Edwards (D) signed an executive order reinstating the indoor mask requirement for vaccinated and unvaccinated individuals. Louisiana was the only state to reintroduce a statewide indoor mask policy between July 30 and August 5. Gov. Edwards said the order would be in place until Sept. 1, and could…
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Promo note
A new state legislative special election has been added to our list. The special election is for the District 10 seat in the Texas House of Representatives on Aug. 31, 2021. There is no primary, and the filing deadline is on Aug. 12.
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A look back at government responses to the coronavirus pandemic, August 10-14, 2020
Although the first case of COVID-19 in the U.S. was confirmed on Jan. 21, 2020, it wasn’t until March when the novel coronavirus upended life for most Americans. Throughout the year, states issued stay-at-home orders, closed schools, restricted travel, issued mask mandates, and changed election dates. Here are the policy changes that happened August 10-14,…
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Initiative filed in Massachusetts to classify app-based drivers as independent contractors
On August 4, Massachusetts Coalition for Independent Work filed two versions of a ballot initiative with the Massachusetts Attorney General’s office that would classify app-based transportation (rideshare) and delivery drivers as independent contractors. It would also adopt labor and wage policies specific to app-based drivers and companies. The initiative is similar to California’s Proposition 22…
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New York attorney general releases results of sexual harassment inquiry into Gov. Cuomo, impeachment inquiry approaches conclusion
On Aug. 3, New York Attorney General Letitia James (D) released the findings of an investigation into accusations of sexual harassment and inappropriate behavior against Gov. Andrew Cuomo (D). The report found that Cuomo sexually harassed at least eleven women, breaking state and federal laws in doing so. The report’s executive summary stated that Cuomo…
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Special election to be held in Connecticut Senate district
A special election is being held on Aug. 17 for District 36 of the Connecticut State Senate. Alexis Gevanter (D), Ryan Fazio (R), and John Blankley (I) are running in the general election. Candidates running for special elections in Connecticut are nominated through party conventions. The winner of the special election will serve until January…
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Keith Hayashi assumes office as interim superintendent of the Hawaii State Department of Education
Keith Hayashi assumed office as interim superintendent of Hawaii’s state department of education on Aug. 1. The Hawaii State Board of Education in June appointed Hayashi to serve as the interim superintendent, after outgoing superintendent Christina Kishimoto announced she would not seek a contract renewal. Hayashi will serve in the role until the Board selects…
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Primaries held in four states on Aug. 3
Ballotpedia covered primaries in Arizona, Kansas, Michigan, and Washington on Aug. 3. On the ballot were two state Senate special primaries and regular mayoral, city, and county primaries. Democratic and Republican primaries were held for Michigan State Senate Districts 8 and 28. Both elections were called after the previous incumbents, Peter Lucido (R) and Peter…
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Rep. Sheryl Williams Stapleton resigns from New Mexico House of Representatives
Representative Sheryl Williams Stapleton (D) resigned on July 30 following allegations of racketeering and money laundering. In July 2021, a federal grand jury subpoena was served on the Albuquerque Public Schools district where Stapleton was working as the district’s director of career and technical education. According to the Albuquerque Journal, the investigation was triggered by…