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Editor’s Picks From Around the Web
US: Costs of police misconduct soar
The cost of resolving police misconduct cases has surged for the nation’s big cities. The cities with the 10 largest police departments have paid a combined $1.02 billion in settlements and court judgments from 2010 through last year.
IL: Illinois lawmakers fail to override governor budget vetoes
Democrats who control the Illinois General Assembly failed to override Republican Gov. Bruce Rauner’s vetoes of a new budget, leaving the state without full spending power. The political stalemate that threatens to shut down portions of state government shows no signs of dissipating.
NY: New York attorney general sets out guidelines for investigating police shootings
New York Attorney General Eric Schneiderman, a Democrat, has authorized local prosecutors to open investigations when police officers kill unarmed civilians, but still prohibits them from giving immunity to any witnesses.
CO: Colorado won’t allow medical marijuana for PTSD
The Colorado Board of Health voted not to join nine other states that allow post-traumatic stress disorder to be treated under the state’s medical marijuana program.
CA: California: Pro cheerleaders entitled to minimum wage
Cheerleaders for California’s professional sports teams must be considered employees instead of volunteers or contract workers, and thus entitled to minimum wage under a bill signed into law by Democratic Gov. Jerry Brown.
VT: Vermont starts college fund for babies using private funds
Vermont has begun collecting college money from private donors for every child born to state residents. The new program will set aside $250 for post-secondary education for each child or $500 for children born into families earning less than 250 percent of the federal poverty level.
UT: Judge says Utah must recognize lesbian mothers as legal parents
A U.S. District Court judge ruled that Utah must recognize the rights of a married lesbian couple by issuing a birth certificate for their infant daughter that lists both of the women as legal parents.
FL: Floridians’ bills rise, despite lower taxes
Although state lawmakers have cut taxes for cable and phone bills, Floridians could still be spending more on everyday expenses this year. Turnpike tolls, health and property insurance rates and utility costs are all set to rise.
NJ: New Jersey’s high court extends ‘whistleblower’ protections to ‘watchdog employees’
The New Jersey Supreme Court ruled that workers who monitor whether their employer complies with standards and regulations are protected under the state’s whistleblower laws.
TX: Student population in Texas schools rising, changing rapidly
Texas’ public school student population has grown 39.9 percent over the last 20 years; the low-income student population grew 81.9 percent.
AZ: Arizona dumps vendor after failures in 2012, 2014 elections
The secretary of state’s office has not renewed the contract with the software company that was responsible for publishing Arizona’s election results online, following persistent problems on Election Day in 2012 and 2014.
TN: Tennessee Democrats, Republicans reject talk of impeachment
Both parties in Tennessee have distanced themselves from a call by a Republican state representative to consider impeaching Republican Gov. Bill Haslam for enforcing the U.S. Supreme Court’s decision that requires states to recognize same-sex marriages.
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