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UT: Utah lawmakers consider shifting liability away from bars, restaurants
Utah lawmakers are looking to shift liability for the bad actions of drinkers away from bars and restaurants that serve alcohol within the law and on to drinkers.
US: House farm bill passes with restrictions on food stamps
The House passed its farm bill with no support from Democrats who oppose the stricter work requirements imposed on between 5 million and 7 million recipients of food stamps while pouring billions of dollars into state education and job training programs. The Senate bill does not make major changes to the program.
TX: Hispanic population to become largest group in Texas by 2022
The new figures, which account for Texas population growth through July 2017, reflect the extent to which the white population growth rate pales in comparison to growth among Texans of color since 2010 — a disparity that has set the Hispanic community on its way to becoming a plurality of the state’s population.
WI: Campaign funds may go to child care, Wisconsin ethics panel says
The Wisconsin ethics commission has issued an advisory opinion, saying candidates may use campaign donations to pay for child care costs. It came after the campaign of a candidate for state treasurer asked the commission to weigh in on whether candidates may use money raised by their campaigns to pay for child care while they campaign.
CA: Californians could vote to end Daylight Saving Time
Californians would be asked in a November ballot measure whether to end the practice of moving their clocks ahead and back to comply with the Daylight Saving Time Act, under a bill the Legislature passed and sent to Democratic Gov. Jerry Brown. The initiative would require federal approval if passed.
MA: Boston Public Schools sued over information sharing with ICE
Several civil rights and student advocacy organizations, alarmed that a school incident report helped lead to a student’s deportation, filed a lawsuit against Superintendent Tommy Chang after Boston school officials repeatedly refused to disclose how often they give student information to federal immigration authorities.
NJ: New Jersey Legislature passes surcharge for plastic, paper bags
Single-use plastic and paper bags would be slapped with a 5-cent fee under a bill that was rushed through the New Jersey Legislature this week amid frenzied negotiations over a roughly $37 billion state budget.
AR: Arkansas court clears way for medical pot program’s launch
The Arkansas Supreme Court cleared the way for the state to launch its medical marijuana program, reversing and dismissing a judge’s ruling that prevented officials from issuing the first licenses for businesses to grow the drug.
VT: Vermont Senate OKs 3rd budget, governor still opposed
The Vermont Senate found unanimous support, even among Republicans, for a budget bill that would increase property taxes on business property, camps and second homes. The vote was 27-0 in favor of the Legislature’s third attempt at a budget and tax package.
ME: Maine lawmakers still seeking fix to get public campaign funds released
One Maine gubernatorial hopeful and 220 legislative candidates who are counting on public campaign funds are in limbo. State lawmakers argued over fixing a mistake preventing the release of the money.
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