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MD: Judge postpones Maryland primaries
The Maryland Court of Appeals postponed the state’s primary election from June 28 to July 19, placing it in the middle of summer vacation season and shortening the general election campaign. A series of continuing legal challenges to Democratic-created maps have created uncertainty about what the final districts will look like.
WA: Russia’s war with Ukraine ripples into Washington wheat fields
Washington wheat farmers have seen a nice bump in their price per bushel, but it’s not enough to make up for the one-third increase in costs from rising gasoline prices over the same period. Both appear to be ripples from Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, one of the largest wheat exporters in the world.
TN: ‘Age-appropriate’ school library bill heads to Tennessee governor’s desk
Tennessee’s legislature is sending a school library bill to Republican Gov. Bill Lee’s desk aimed at scrutinizing library materials for “age appropriateness.” The legislation would require each public school library to publish the list of materials in their collections and periodically review them to make sure they are “appropriate for the age and maturity levels of the students who may access the materials.”
MS: Mississippi bill that seeks to ban critical race theory signed into law
Despite widespread opposition from Black lawmakers, civil rights organizations, and educators across the state, Mississippi Republican Gov. Tate Reeves signed into law legislation that seeks to ban the teaching of critical race theory in the state’s K-12 schools, colleges and universities.
NY: New York health department underreported nursing home deaths by more than 4,000: audit
The administration of former Gov. Andrew Cuomo, a Democrat, failed to publicly account for the deaths of about 4,100 nursing home residents in New York during the pandemic, according to an audit by the state comptroller.
WI: Wisconsin Elections Commission won’t punish fake electors
The Wisconsin Elections Commission unanimously decided not to sanction 10 Republicans—including one of the commissioners—for falsely claiming to be presidential electors in 2020. The decision comes as scrutiny falls on Republicans around the country who sent paperwork to the National Archives purporting to be members of the Electoral College.
IN: Indiana gets new electronic monitoring law
The new law will require Indiana agencies to create back-up verification methods to confirm the location of someone whose monitor goes offline. Much of the legislation was written in response to recent reports of people on pre-trial release later being accused of committing violent acts.
WY: Wyoming redistricting plan leaves some districts underrepresented
Republican Gov. Mark Gordon has yet to sign the Wyoming Legislature’s redistricting bill which includes several districts that are out of “deviation,” which means they fall out of legally permissible district proportions. Gordon said he will give the attorney general a chance to review it first.
LA: Lawsuit challenges constitutionality of Louisiana’s Senate, House redistricting maps
The American Civil Liberties Union of Louisiana and the NAACP Legal Defense and Educational Fund filed a federal lawsuit against the Louisiana secretary of state, challenging the state House and Senate maps approved by the legislature last month. The suit alleges violations of Section 2 of the Voting Rights Act of 1965.
MT: Conservation groups sue governor for records on Montana mining sites
Conservation groups are suing Montana Republican Gov. Greg Gianforte’s administration for records related to its decision to drop legal claims against a mining executive over decades of pollution from several Montana mines. The groups say they’ve been seeking the records since late November.
MI: Michigan Senate approves suspension of state’s gas tax
Michigan senators approved a six-month suspension to the state’s 27-cent-per-gallon gas tax. The proposal would eliminate the motor fuel tax beginning April 1, 2022, through September 30, 2022. The bill has not yet been approved by the House, and Democratic Gov. Gretchen Whitmer has indicated she will veto it.
KS: Kansas lawmakers consider NRA gun training in schools
Days after a shooting shook a Johnson County high school, the Kansas State Rifle Association is asking the Legislature to ensure NRA-approved training is the only gun safety program allowed in Kansas schools. The program was proven ineffective in a 2004 study from the American Academy of Pediatrics.
AK: Alaska House debates bringing back limits to campaign donations
The Alaska House of Representatives is debating a bill that would bring limits to campaign contributions back to the state. The bill would limit individual contributions to candidates to $2,000 over two years.
CA: Californians used more water as state braces for another dry year
New data from California’s urban areas suggests that people are ignoring Democratic Gov. Gavin Newsom’s pleas for voluntary conservation during the drought. Some experts say it’s time for Newsom to issue a mandatory order.
OR: Oregon announces last-minute extension for pandemic rent applications
Oregon renters will have one additional week to apply for emergency rent relief after the federal government sent a last-minute infusion of funds to the soon-to-close program. Representatives of the Oregon Housing And Community Services said the U.S. Treasury Department told agency officials that Oregon would get another $16 million for pandemic rent aid.
AZ: As Arizona faces vet shortage, Legislature considers loan forgiveness for vet students
Arizona veterinary students could see up to $100,000 in student loan forgiveness amid a statewide shortage of veterinarians, a problem particularly affecting rural and ranching communities, humane societies and other nonprofit animal shelters.
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