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Editor’s Picks From Around the Web
KS: Kansas’ Brownback to sign controversial restrictions on welfare recipients
Kansas won’t be the first state to limit where welfare recipients can spend public benefits money when Republican Gov. Sam Brownback signs the restrictions into law. But the restrictions are among the most extensive, including swimming pools, massage parlors, cruise ships and lingerie shops. Recipients will still be able to spend their benefits money on guns.
AL: Alabama joins states in supporting Oklahoma’s execution drug combination
Alabama and 12 other states filed a brief with the U.S. Supreme Court supporting the three-drug combination being used by Oklahoma to execute inmates. Lethal injections in Alabama and several states have been halted pending a decision on the constitutionality of using the lethal drugs. Justices will hear the case April 29.
CT: Connecticut lawmakers clash over allowing Keno
Lawmakers argued over whether to allow the gambling game in as many as 1,000 Connecticut bars, restaurants and other establishments to raise revenue to balance the state’s two-year $40 billion budget.
AZ: Arizona’s Ducey veto clears way for powdered alcohol
Arizonans may soon be able to turn water into rum, vodka or even a margarita. Republican Gov. Doug Ducey vetoed a bill that would have banned powdered alcohol in the state.
TN: House votes to make Bible Tennessee’s official book
The Holy Bible is the official state book in the view of the Tennessee House of Representatives, despite questions of constitutionality. Republican Gov. Bill Haslam has called the measure disrespectful.
CA: California considers limiting spending on expensive ‘specialty drugs’
Covered California, the state agency that offers health insurance under the federal health law, is considering a plan to limit patient spending to $500 per prescription. But the state’s insurance commissioner and several patient advocacy groups say the plan doesn’t go far enough to protect patients from sticker shock.
ME: Maine legislator withdraws ‘religious freedom’ bill
Sen. David Burns, R-Whiting, said the anticipated backlash and protests would prohibit his so-called religious freedom bill from getting a fair hearing. The measure is similar to legislation that has sparked controversy, protests and threats of boycotts in Indiana and other states.
CO: Colorado strengthens vaccination rules
The Colorado Board of Health passed new immunization rules that will require parents seeking non-medical exemptions from school vaccine requirements to request the exclusions annually.
TX: Texas lawmakers in no rush to disclose wining and dining
Two bills aimed at disclosure of lobbyist wining and dining are on the verge of being snuffed out in a Texas Senate committee, according to the sponsor of the measures. That’s despite Republican Gov. Greg Abbott’s vow to “dedicate this session to ethics reform.”
WI: Wisconsin lawmakers advance bill to regulate Uber and Lyft
The Wisconsin Assembly has passed a bill that would regulate ride-sharing companies such as Uber and Lyft at the state level and preempt stricter local regulations.
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