Category: State
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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…
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Redistricting review: Colorado Supreme Court adjusts redistricting deadlines
The Colorado Supreme Court modified its schedule for reviewing congressional and state legislative redistricting plans on July 26. This prompted the state’s congressional redistricting commission to adjust its own deadlines for submitting a final plan to the court for review. The court’s July 26 order requires the congressional commission and all other interested parties to…
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Douglas Peters resigns from Maryland Senate on July 30
Maryland Sen. Douglas Peters (D) resigned from his position in the Maryland Senate on July 30. Peters, who represented District 23, first assumed office in 2007, and was subsequently re-elected three times. Peters had announced his resignation at the beginning of July, following his appointment to the University of Maryland’s Board of Regents by Maryland…
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Lawsuit filed over Newsom recall voter guide language
On July 29, 2021, recall organizer Orrin Heatlie and the California Patriot Coalition sued California Secretary of State Shirley Weber (D) in Sacramento County Superior Court seeking to change the language in the official voter guide for the recall election against Gov. Gavin Newsom (D). Newsom’s proposed official argument in the voter guide describes the…