Category: State
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Sports betting initiative qualifies for 2022 ballot in California
An initiative to legalize sports betting qualified for the ballot in California. Voters will decide the issue on November 8, 2022. The ballot initiative would amend the state constitution and state statutes to legalize sports betting at American Indian gaming casinos and licensed racetracks in California. The measure would tax profits derived from sports betting…
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Thirteen states prohibit proof-of-vaccination requirements
In 13 states, governors have issued orders or signed bills prohibiting some or all levels of government from issuing COVID-19 vaccine identification cards or requiring proof of vaccination as a condition for people to enter premises or receive services. A proof-of-vaccination requirement can be a private or government requirement that people prove they’ve received a…
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Missouri governor appoints Robin Ransom to state supreme court
Missouri Gov. Mike Parson (R) appointed Robin Ransom to the Missouri Supreme Court on May 24. Ransom was appointed to fill the vacancy left by Laura Denvir Stith, who retired on March 8. Ransom is Parson’s first appointee to the state’s highest court. Under Missouri law, the Missouri Appellate Judicial Commission selects supreme court judges…
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Illinois voters will decide ballot measure in 2022 to make collective bargaining a state constitutional right
In 2022, voters in Illinois will decide a constitutional amendment to make collective bargaining a right. The ballot measure would also prohibit a future right-to-work law in Illinois. In the General Assembly, the constitutional amendment needed to receive 36 votes in the Senate and 71 votes in the House. The Illinois Senate voted 49 to 7 on May…
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Top-two vote-getters in Alabama House District 78 Democratic primary head to June 2 primary runoff
A special Democratic primary was held for Alabama House District 78 on May 25. Kenyatté Hassell and Donald Williams advanced to the Democratic primary runoff after defeating Terance Dawson and Roderick Thornton. The primary runoff is scheduled for June 22. The Democratic primary runoff winner will face Loretta Grant (R) in the general election on…
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Mike Hunter announces resignation as Oklahoma attorney general
Oklahoma Attorney General Mike Hunter (R) announced on May 26 that he would be resigning effective June 1. Hunter cited “personal matters that are becoming public” as the reason for his resignation. The Oklahoman reported that Hunter allegedly had an affair with another state employee. In a statement, Hunter said, “It has been a distinct…
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Redistricting review: Ohio, Census Bureau reach settlement in lawsuit over release of redistricting data
Ohio: On May 25, Ohio Attorney General Dave Yost (R) announced that the state had reached a settlement agreement with the Census Bureau in its lawsuit over the Census Bureau’s plan to deliver redistricting data to the states by September 30, 2021, instead of April 1, 2021, the deadline set forth in federal law. Under the terms…
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Texas voters will decide changes to the homestead tax exemption for surviving spouses of military service members
On May 23, the Texas State Legislature voted to send a constitutional amendment that would authorize a total residence homestead property tax exemption for a surviving spouse of a member of the armed services “who is killed or fatally injured in the line of duty.” Currently, the constitution grants the exemption to the surviving spouse…
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New Hampshire state Representative David Danielson dies
New Hampshire state Representative David Danielson (R) died on May 22. Danielson had represented the Hillsborough 7 district in the New Hampshire House of Representatives since 2012 and was a member of the House Finance Committee. Sherman Packard (R), the current state House speaker, said in a statement, “He [Danielson] worked tirelessly for his community…