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US: Recession, politics policy stretch school budgets across 30 states
At least 30 states spent less per student this school year than in the year before the economic downturn began, and 14 states have cut per-pupil funding by more than 10 percent over that period. The drop is not simply a reflection of state economies. Experts say politics and policy have also played a role.
MO: Missouri’s Nixon vetoes ‘right-to-work’ legislation
The legislation, which would stop workers from being required to join unions or pay dues, would have made Missouri the 26th right to work state.
NM: New Mexico leaders strike deal on taxes, construction spending
Ranking New Mexico lawmakers and Republican Gov. Susana Martinez say they have reached a deal on tax breaks and $295 million in spending on highways, colleges and water projects, setting the stage for a special legislative session as soon as next week.
KS: Kansas Legislature plans to ease one welfare restriction
Lawmakers are expected to loosen one of the controversial restrictions they imposed on Kansas welfare recipients last month by raising the limit on how much cash they can take out of ATMs each day. The current limit of $25 would be increased to .
MT: Student ballot proposal would allow Montana teachers to carry guns
A high school student is proposing an initiative for next year’s ballot that would allow Montana teachers from elementary school through college to carry concealed handguns if they have permits. He says responsible gun owners should be allowed to help prevent mass shootings at schools.
CA: California Senate approves aid-in-dying bill
Senators voted 23-14 to pass the bill, which would allow terminally ill Californians to end their lives with doctor-prescribed drugs. It needs approval from the Assembly and Democratic Gov. Jerry Brown to become law.
CT: Connecticut lawmakers open to ‘tweaking’ tax bill as GE threatens to leave state
Democratic Gov. Dannel Malloy and legislative leaders say they are open to tweaking the business tax increases in the budget that have alarmed several large Connecticut employers. General Electric has told employees it has assembled a team to look for “another state with a more pro-business environment.”
MN: Minnesota legislators reach deal on public works bill
Leading lawmakers agreed on a $373 million list of debt-backed construction projects that will get a vote in an upcoming special session, a sign of progress in an ongoing budget stalemate.
LA: Louisiana lawmakers approve medical marijuana bill
Those with a doctor’s recommendation could obtain the drug in oil or pill form at one of 10 dispensaries scattered across the state. Republican Gov. Bobby Jindal has said he will sign the measure, which would make Louisiana the 24th state (plus Washington, D.C.) to legalize marijuana for medical use.
TX: Texas governor signs bill ending investment fund touted by predecessor
The bill signed by Republican Gov. Greg Abbott eliminates a controversial startup investment fund long touted by his predecessor, Republican Gov. Rick Perry, and directs much of its money to a new researcher recruitment effort.
NJ: Don’t make terminally ill patients wait to get married, New Jersey bill says
A bill that would eliminate a 72-hour waiting period for marriage licenses if one of the partners is terminally ill is moving through the New Jersey Assembly. It also would allow people to designate someone to acquire the license for them.
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