Category: State
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One state has been under the same party’s trifecta control since 1985
A state government trifecta occurs when one political party holds the governorship and majorities in both state legislative chambers. While most states have seen at least one change in their trifecta status within the last 20 years, five states—Nebraska, Idaho, North Dakota, South Dakota, and Utah—have not had a trifecta change since at least 1999.…
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Mass. governor proposes amendments to omnibus public-sector labor bill
On July 12, Republican Governor Charlie Baker sent an omnibus public-sector labor bill back to the Democratic state legislature with recommendations for amendments. What does the bill, as adopted, propose? The legislature’s version of H3854 would authorize employers to disclose personal employee information to unions. It would also permit unions to require non-members to…
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Kentucky gubernatorial candidates square off at forum
Governor Matt Bevin (R) and Kentucky Attorney General Andy Beshear (D) attended a gubernatorial candidate forum hosted by the Kentucky Farm Bureau on July 17. The two discussed agricultural issues, the state budget, public pensions, and taxes during the hour-long forum. Bevin told the audience that the 2019 election has national implications, saying he…
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New state legislative special election in Georgia
A new state legislative special election has been added to our list. The special election is for the District 71 seat in the Georgia House of Representatives on September 3, 2019. The general runoff election is on October 1, if needed, and the filing deadline is on July 19.
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Oregon voters will decide on increasing the cigarette tax and creating an e-cigarette tax to fund healthcare-related programs in 2020
House Bill 2270 would do the following if approved by voters in 2020: Increase cigarette tax from $1.33 per pack to $3.33 per pack; Impose a tax on inhalant delivery systems (such as e-cigarettes) at a rate of 65% of the wholesale price; and Increase the cap on cigar taxes from 50 cents to $1.00.…
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Tobacco age increased to 21 in Delaware, New York governor signs bill to do the same
A Delaware law increasing the tobacco age restriction from 18 to 21 took effect Tuesday, making Delaware the ninth state to raise the age restriction to 21 since 2015. Gov. John Carney (D) signed the increase into law on April 17 after it passed the state House by a 25-16 vote and the state Senate…
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Recall initiated against Colorado state Sen. Pete Lee
An effort to recall Colorado state Sen. Pete Lee (D) was approved for circulation on July 12, 2019. Supporters have until September 10, 2019, to collect 11,304 signatures to force a recall election. Another recall petition targeting state Sen. Brittany Pettersen (D) received approval by the secretary of state on July 12 but it was…
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One Democrat, four Republicans file for California Assembly special election
The filing deadline to run for the District 1 seat in the California State Assembly passed on July 3. The following five candidates filed: Elizabeth Betancourt (D), Megan Dahle (R), Patrick Henry Jones (R), Lane Rickard (R), and Joe Turner (R). The top two vote recipients in the August 27 primary, regardless of their…
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Three Republicans declare their candidacies ahead of Louisiana Supreme Court special election filing deadline
The District 1 seat on the Louisiana Supreme Court is up for a special primary election on October 12. If no candidate wins more than 50% of the vote, a general election is scheduled for November 16. The filing deadline for interested candidates is August 8. The court comprises seven justices from seven districts elected…
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Recall effort begins against Colorado Gov. Jared Polis
An effort to recall Colorado Gov. Jared Polis (D) was approved for circulation on July 8, 2019. Supporters have until September 6, 2019, to collect 631,266 signatures to force a recall election. The recall effort has been organized by a group called Dismiss Polis. According to Colorado Politics, the group is trying to recall…