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PA: Pennsylvania taking steps toward allowing college athletes to be paid
Two House Democrats have circulated a bill, the Pennsylvania “Fair Pay to Play Act,” that would enact many of the same proposals its California counterpart will — namely, that college athletes would be able to sign endorsement deals, ink licensing contracts and profit off their name, likeness and image.
NH: Strict new limits on chemicals in New Hampshire water supplies take effect
New Hampshire’s new limits on the now-common industrial contaminants, PFAS chemicals, in public drinking water supplies are the nation’s strictest and largely the first of their kind.
DC: District of Columbia quietly increases tax on sodas and sugary drinks
A new tax on sodas and sugary drinks has gone into effect in the District of Columbia, though unlike other similar rules across the country, this one was adopted with little fanfare and very little debate.
IA: Judge strikes down parts of Iowa voting reform law
A judge has upheld part of a new Iowa voting law that requires voters to present an ID at the polls. While the judge did agree with some claims in the lawsuit, he stood by two of the law’s most disputed requirements: that identification be presented at the polls and that a voter identification number be presented when requesting an absentee ballot.
GA: Federal judge blocks Georgia anti-abortion law
A federal judge handed an early win to abortion rights activists by blocking Georgia’s restrictive law from going into effect — but it is only the first step as a lawsuit makes its way through the court system.
AL: Fired for having a baby? Alabama is OK with that
Alabama still has no laws that specifically protect the rights of pregnant workers and nursing moms, even as more than half of all states – including Southern states like Texas, Louisiana, South Carolina and this year, Kentucky – do.
MA: Massachusetts to continue accepting refugees following executive order, governor says
The Trump administration’s new executive order caps refugee admissions nationwide at 18,000 and puts the onus on municipalities and states to give written consent to allow refugees to resettle in their communities. Massachusetts is poised to offer that written consent, according to Republican Gov. Charlie Baker’s office.
NY: Judge strikes down New York lobbying disclosure law
A federal judge has struck down a sweeping New York state law that required nonprofits engaging in lobbying to disclose far more information about their donors than previously called for. The measure had been pushed by Democratic Gov. Andrew Cuomo’s administration.
WV: Foster children sue West Virginia
A federal lawsuit has been filed against Republican Gov. Jim Justice and the West Virginia Department of Health and Human Resources, alleging the government violated the federal and constitutional rights of the more than 6,000 children in state custody. The suit cites high rates of out-of-state placements and overloaded caseworkers, among other problems.
MO: Missouri won’t cut off aid to poor people over medical marijuana use
After months of review, Republican Gov. Mike Parson’s administration will allow Missourians who receive certain welfare benefits to use medical marijuana. The administration’s decision answers one of a wide array of questions about how to implement a medical marijuana initiative approved by more than 65% of voters last November.
WA: Washington governor proposes new wolf management methods with fewer kills
Gov. Jay Inslee, a Democrat, is asking the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife to pursue more non-lethal methods to “better support co-existence between Washington’s livestock industry and gray wolves in our state.”
AR: Arkansas gas tax increase is first in 20 years
For the first time in 20 years, Arkansas drivers will see an increase in the gas tax, but drivers said they didn’t mind the price increase with its promised improvements. As the price at the pump rises, so does the revenue to make much needed highway improvements.
WI: Wisconsin’s 6-month waiting period to remarry after divorce could be eliminated
Wisconsin couples who want to give love another try after divorce might no longer have to wait. A bipartisan bill is working its way through the state legislature that would eliminate the six-month waiting period after a divorce is finalized before a person can remarry.
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