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OK: Oklahoma moves ahead with 3 executions after US Supreme Court clears way
The state said it would set new execution dates for three inmates following Monday’s U.S. Supreme Court ruling that a drug Oklahoma used in its executions did not violate the Constitution’s prohibition on cruel and unusual punishment. Executions had been put on hold in Oklahoma and several other states pending the decision.
AZ: US Supreme Court upholds Arizona’s method of redistricting
The U.S. Supreme Court upheld Arizona’s method of drawing congressional districts, concluding voters have the constitutional right to take redistricting away from a legislature and place it in the hands of an independent commission.
US: County clerks across South begin issuing marriage licenses to same-sex couples
County clerks in Southern states that had struck a defiant tone on same-sex marriage began issuing marriage licenses to gay couples, with state leaders pledging to protect the religious liberties of county workers who oppose such unions.
TX: US Supreme Court puts Texas abortion law on hold
Justices barred Texas from implementing a law on Wednesday that would have required abortion clinics to meet hospital-like standards, including minimum sizes for rooms and doorways, pipelines for anesthesia and other infrastructure. Only nine clinics meet those standards and all are in major metropolitan areas.
NJ: New Jersey’s Christie announces speedier gun permits for victims
Republican Gov. Chris Christie announced a new regulation to speed up the processing of gun permits for victims of domestic violence or other violent crimes or for “those living under a direct or material threat.”
US: US Supreme Court halts EPA rule on toxic power plant emissions
A Supreme Court ruling stops the Environmental Protection Agency, at least for now, from imposing new rules designed to reduce the amount of mercury and other toxins that pollute the nation’s air, at an unknown net cost to companies and consumers. Twenty states, joined by industry groups, had challenged the rules.
NY: New York makes ban on fracking official
New York has formalized its ban on high-volume hydraulic fracturing for natural gas after a seven-year environmental and health review. The Department of Environmental Conservation concluded that existing safety precautions are inadequate to protect against harm to water, air, ecosystems, wildlife, community character and public health.
OH: Ohio, other states sue EPA over water regulations
Ohio is among at least 16 states suing the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers over new regulations that critics fear would give the federal government oversight over nearly every body of water under the Clean Water Act.
CT: Connecticut Legislature votes to scale back business tax hikes
After weeks of complaints from General Electric and other major corporations, the Senate and House voted to pull back on some business tax increases that were approved in the budget earlier this month.
WI: Wisconsin Democrats want to remove marriage definition in state constitution
Democratic lawmakers called for amending Wisconsin’s Constitution to remove nullified language that defines marriage as between a man and a woman following last week’s U.S. Supreme Court decision saying same-sex couples can legally marry.
FL: Florida taxpayers pony up for governor’s open-government lawsuits
Republican Gov. Rick Scott for the second time in a month is negotiating a settlement using taxpayer dollars for violating state open government laws. Legal fees in the first case cost taxpayers over $228,000. The governor is negotiating a settlement to a lawsuit that accuses him of conducting public business through private email. Previously, he was sued for violating Florida’s open meeting laws.
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