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NJ: New Jersey gets $29 million emergency grant to help laid-off casino workers
New Jersey will receive a federal grant of up to $29.4 million to help provide job training for many of the thousands of unemployed former casino workers in Atlantic City, where four of 12 casinos closed in 2014.
ME: College officials question Maine governor’s plan to tax nonprofits
Republican Gov. Paul LePage’s proposal to allow communities to tax large nonprofit organizations such as hospitals, colleges and private schools would place an “undue economic burden” on students, force changes to financial aid for Mainers and impair longstanding relationships with host communities, college officials said.
AZ: More Arizona children than ever separated from families
Arizona’s new child welfare agency hasn’t triggered an immediate turnaround in children’s fortunes as more kids than ever have been separated from their families, a new report shows.
SC: Bill would expand South Carolina mental health courts
A state senator has filed legislation to expand mental health courts in a move praised by advocates for the mentally ill as the first step toward creating a statewide system of alternative justice for some who have found themselves in trouble with the law.
NC: Democrats hope to avoid further defections in North Carolina
When a state House member from the Outer Banks changed his political party to unaffiliated last week, it represented one more blow for an endangered species at the legislature: the rural, moderate Democrat.
AL: Bill would allow loaded handguns in cars without permit
An Alabama lawmaker says people should be able to keep their loaded handguns in their vehicles without having to get a concealed-carry permit.
TN: GOP leader backs Insure Tennessee
A leading Republican in the state House is backing Republican Gov. Bill Haslam’s plan to expand health coverage in the state, but doesn’t think there are enough votes to pass the plan in the House at the moment.
KS: Legislation would require Kansas police to have body cameras
Kansas lawmakers plan legislation that would require police agencies across the state to equip at least some of their officers on the street with body cameras.
OH: Ohio’s pullback on renewable energy said to be driving away business
Ohio’s renewable energy policies sparked tremendous investment in the industry, but recent moves by state lawmakers have slowed that growth and threaten its future, a report says.
DE: Bill would lock up armed, repeat offenders
Delaware’s attorney general is pushing a bill that would guarantee prison time for adult offenders caught with guns, even if their first felony occurred when they were teens.
WV: Mayors say new GOP legislative majority should help them
Mayors of two of West Virginia’s largest cities say they think GOP lawmakers who now have a majority may help them expand home rule powers and solve a municipal pension crisis.
OK: Some Oklahoma bills create fodder for comedians’ jokes
Some Oklahoma lawmakers have become the butt of jokes for their views, ranging from proposing a “hoodie ban” to calling homosexuality more dangerous than terrorism.
TX: Agriculture commissioner grants amnesty to cupcakes
Newly elected Agriculture Commissioner Sid Miller reassured Texas parents that it’s legal to bring cupcakes and other treats to school — and that he’ll protect that right. Texas rules that once banned cupcakes and other junk food from classrooms were repealed last July.
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