What We're Reading: Top State Stories 2/3
SD: South Dakota governor signs bill eliminating voter-approved ethics law
The measure signed by Republican Gov. Dennis Daugaard immediately repeals a law that called for establishing an independent ethics commission in South Dakota, setting strict new limits on gifts to lawmakers, and creating publicly financed campaign credits.
TX: Texas Senate committee advances anti-sanctuary cities bill
After hearing more than 16 hours of testimony, the Texas Senate State Affairs Committee voted to advance a bill that would punish local government entities and college campuses that refuse to cooperate with federal immigration officials or enforce immigration laws.
AR: After revenue report, Arkansas governor tells agencies to brace for possible cuts
Republican Gov. Asa Hutchinson is asking several Arkansas agencies to make contingency plans for potential budget cuts after finance officials said the state’s net revenue had fallen $57 million below forecast. The revenue figures were released the day after Hutchinson signed into law his $50 million plan to cut taxes for thousands of low-income residents.
MD: With veto override, Maryland Legislature enacts stronger green-energy standards
The House and Senate voted to override Republican Gov. Larry Hogan’s veto of a measure that requires Maryland to obtain 25 percent of its energy from wind, solar and other renewable sources by 2020, instead of 20 percent by 2022.
CA: After violent protests on California campus, could Trump cut Berkeley's funds?
As a large research university, the University of California, Berkeley, depends on federal funds for student aid and research. But despite a tweet from President Donald Trump threatening to withhold the money, experts said they don't think the president has the authority to do so.
OR: Oregon governor strengthens sanctuary law
Democratic Gov. Kate Brown issued an executive order that forbids state agencies and employees in Oregon from helping federal immigration officials locate or apprehend undocumented immigrants.
US: 10 more states will now collect sales taxes from Amazon shoppers
The massive internet merchant is adding 10 states to the list of jurisdictions from which it collects sales tax, bringing the total to 39.
WY: Wyoming budget bill makes further cuts to state government
Amid a decline in state revenue caused by the energy downturn, a bill authored by the Wyoming Legislature’s Joint Appropriations Committee would slice an additional $30 million from the state’s two-year, $3 billion government operations budget.
CO, US: Colorado agriculture office shares pot know-how
Colorado agriculture officials briefed officials from about a dozen states — some that have legalized weed, others that don’t expect to — on the basics of marijuana farming and swapped stories about regulating the crop. The Colorado Department of Agriculture is also working on the world's first government-produced manual on how to grow marijuana.
IA: Iowa Senate votes to halt Planned Parenthood funding
The Republican-controlled Iowa Senate voted to block public funding to Planned Parenthood and other abortion providers. The measure heads to the Iowa House, where it is almost certain to win final approval, sending it to Republican Gov. Terry Branstad, who has promised to sign it.
NM: New Mexico bill would block border wall
President Donald Trump’s plan to build a border wall could run into a roadblock in New Mexico, in the form of more than 22 miles of state-owned land and mineral rights within 600 feet of the border. A group of Democratic lawmakers filed legislation that would bar state land from being used, sold or transferred to facilitate the construction of the wall.
MO: Missouri lawmakers send ‘right-to-work’ bill to governor’s desk
Republican Gov. Eric Greitens has promised to sign the bill, which prohibits unions from requiring workers to pay dues as a condition of employment. When he does, Missouri will become the 28th right-to-work state, marking the first time in U.S. history that more than half of the nation’s workforce lives in states with such laws.
MA: Massachusetts Legislature overrides governor’s veto of their pay raise
The Massachusetts Legislature quickly overrode Republican Gov. Charlie Baker’s veto of an $18 million pay package that provides huge salary hikes — 45 percent or more for some — to legislative leaders, judges and other top state officials.
