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OK: Oklahoma recognizes role of drilling in earthquakes
In some of its strongest language to date, the Oklahoma Geological Survey said the state’s swarm of earthquakes is likely triggered by the underground disposal of billions of barrels of wastewater from oil and gas wells.
NV: Nevada Senate passes governor’s tax plan
The Senate approved Gov. Brian Sandoval’s plan to raise business taxes more than $430 million a year to bolster the state’s education system and economic development efforts. Sandoval is one of at least 10 Republican governors supporting tax hikes this year.
TX: Texas House backs bill pushing “Right to Try” experimental drugs
The bill would allow terminally ill patients in Texas who have exhausted other treatment options to try experimental drugs that have passed at least the first of three U.S. Food and Drug Administration trial phases.
TN: Two abortion bills head to Tennessee governor’s desk
One bill requires a 48-hour waiting period after counseling. The other would make Tennessee one of 23 states to hold abortion clinics to the same standards as outpatient surgery centers. Republican Gov. Bill Haslam is expected to sign them.
MN: Minnesota House backs higher fine for serial texting
House lawmakers have embraced a plan to raise fines from $50 to $150 for people caught more than once reading, composing and sending messages from wireless devices while driving.
ND: North Dakota Democrats warn of $6 billion in lost oil taxes
Democratic lawmakers said that North Dakota could lose $6 billion in revenue over the next decade if a House-passed bill that would lower the oil extraction tax rate becomes law.
FL: Florida governor says he’ll call special session if lawmakers don’t act
If lawmakers can’t resolve their budget differences before May 1, Republican Gov. Rick Scott warned he’d call them back into session to adopt a “continuation budget” to fund the critical needs of the state at existing levels next year.
KS: Kansas lawmakers see $25 million surprise hit on school funding
The state faces an additional $25 million hit in its next state budget to provide the aid it promised to public schools — something Kansas officials learned less than three weeks after Republican Gov. Sam Brownback signed legislation to prevent such surprises.
WI: Senate votes to end Wisconsin’s handgun waiting period
The Wisconsin Senate voted to repeal the state’s two-day waiting period to buy a handgun and has sent the measure to the Assembly.
MD: Maryland local officials, teachers, urge governor to spend education cash
Top education advocates, prominent state Democrats and some Republicans implored Republican Gov. Larry Hogan to released $68 million the legislature set aside for the state’s 13 costliest school districts.
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