Category: State

  • A look back at government responses to the coronavirus pandemic, May 3-8, 2020

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    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 that spring, states issued stay-at-home orders, closed schools, restricted travel, issued mask mandates, and changed election dates. Many of those policies remain in place today.  Here…

  • Union Station: Public-sector collective bargaining legal in Virginia as of May 1

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    Virginia to allow public-sector collective bargaining starting on May 1st A change in Virginia law allowing for public-sector collective bargaining goes into effect May 1. In anticipation, the city of Alexandria adopted an ordinance allowing public-sector collective bargaining in the city on April 17. About the law The Virginia General Assembly approved legislation in March…

  • Louisiana State Senate District 7 special election set for July 10

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    Election officials have scheduled a special election for the District 7 seat in the Louisiana State Senate for July 10, 2021. The seat became vacant after Troy Carter (D) was elected to the U.S. House to represent Louisiana’s 2nd Congressional District on April 24. The primary is on June 12, and the filing deadline is…

  • Florida to vote in 2022 on abolishing the Florida Constitution Revision Commission

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    The Florida State Legislature gave final approval to SJR 204 on April 27, 2021. The measure, which will appear on the November 2022 ballot in Florida, would abolish the Florida Constitution Revision Commission if approved by 60% of voters. The Florida Constitution Revision Commission (CRC) is a 37-member commission provided for in the state constitution…

  • Kenneth Paschal wins special primary runoff in Alabama House district

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    A Republican primary runoff was held on April 27 in the special election for District 73 of the Alabama House of Representatives. Kenneth Paschal earned 51% of the vote in the runoff, defeating Leigh Hulsey. Paschal and Hulsey advanced from the Republican primary on March 30. Sheridan Black advanced from the Democratic primary without opposition…

  • Documenting America’s Path to Recovery #236: April 29, 2021

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    Welcome to Documenting America’s Path to Recovery. Today we look at: The end of outdoor mask requirements in Maryland and North Carolina A plan in Michigan that links the removal of restrictions to COVID-19 vaccination rates Vaccine distribution School closures and reopenings Travel restrictions Federal responses COVID-19 policy changes from this time last year  We…

  • Wisconsin State Assembly District 37 special election set for July 13

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    Image of a red sign with the words "Polling Place" a pointing arrow.

    Election officials have scheduled a special election for the District 37 seat in the Wisconsin State Assembly for July 13, 2021. The seat became vacant after John Jagler (R) was elected to the Wisconsin state Senate on April 6. The primary is on June 15, and the filing deadline is on May 18.

  • Arkansas Legislature sends third and final constitutional amendment concerning religious freedom to November 2022 ballot

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    On April 27, the Arkansas State Legislature passed a third constitutional amendment titled the “Arkansas Religious Freedom Amendment,” which will appear on the state’s November 2022 ballot. The measure would amend the state constitution to provide that “government shall not burden a person’s freedom of religion even if the burden results from a rule of…

  • Montana State Legislature sends ballot measure to change the state supreme court election process to 2022 ballot

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    Voters will decide in 2022 on a measure to change the election of state supreme court justices in Montana from nonpartisan statewide elections to by-district elections. The measure would not remove any sitting state supreme court justice. Associate justices would be assigned district numbers according to their seat number, and the chief justice would be…

  • Florida State Legislature sends constitutional amendment to 2022 ballot concerning flood resistance improvements and property taxes

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    On April 26, 2021, the Florida State Legislature gave final approval to House Joint Resolution 1377. Voters will decide the constitutional amendment in November 2022. The measure would authorize the state legislature to pass laws prohibiting flood resistance improvements to a home from being taken into consideration when determining a property’s assessed value for property…