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MD: After University of Maryland scandal, House bills advance
The legislation would bar no-bid contracts for the Maryland hospital network’s board members, force all members to resign and reapply for their positions, and mandate an audit of contracting practices. It would also take all elected officials off the board.
US: Most states’ sports betting revenue misses estimates
Tax revenue has fallen far short of projections in four of the six states where gambling on sporting events started last year, according to an Associated Press analysis.
NY: What’s covered under New York’s new in-vitro fertilization law?
A new law, enacted in the 2020 New York state budget, mandates that certain large-group insurance plans cover in-vitro fertilization, and requires all private insurance companies to cover medically necessary egg freezing.
AZ: Arizona governor doesn’t support threatened border shutdown
“I’ve said a thousand times or more, Mexico is our No. 1 trading partner, times four,” Arizona Gov. Doug Ducey, a Republican, told reporters. “So, I want to see us continue to be able to trade.”
GA: Georgia lawmakers vote to weaken opioid monitoring
The Georgia legislature decided to weaken the enforcement of an investigative tool used against it. The General Assembly voted to take away the ability of the Georgia Composite Medical Board to discipline doctors who fail to register for an opioid prescription tracking database.
NC: North Carolina GOP chair, major donor indicted
A federal grand jury indicted North Carolina Republican Party Chairman Robin Hayes and a major GOP campaign donor on conspiracy and bribery charges for their attempts to influence Republican state Insurance Commissioner Mike Causey.
MS: Mississippi legislature fails to address teacher shortage
At least 19 teacher shortage bills were introduced during the recently completed legislative session in Mississippi; all of them failed to pass.
MA: Massachusetts is always tricky during a census – and 2020 could be worse
With a lot of immigrants, college students and renters, Massachusetts is a tough state to count. Deportation fears in immigrant communities, a growing distrust of government, new housing units, and the shift from paper to an online count could make the next census challenging.
TX: Texas Senate OKs bill LGBTQ advocates call a ‘license to discriminate’
The measure would allow Texas occupational license holders such as social workers or lawyers to cite “sincerely held religious beliefs” when their licenses are at risk due to professional behavior or speech.
NH: New Hampshire death penalty repeal advances
Republican Gov. Chris Sununu, saying he “stands with law enforcement,” promises to veto the repeal bill, just as he did last year. But this year’s bill already passed the House by a veto-proof margin and appears to have the needed 16 votes in the Senate to override the anticipated veto.
KS: Kansas governor, Senate GOP face off over Medicaid
As Kansas Gov. Laura Kelly, a Democrat, urges lawmakers to expand Medicaid, the state Senate’s top Republican is opening the door to a health care bill that would include provisions favored by conservatives, such as work requirements.
NE: Report shows evidence of ‘racially biased policing’ in Nebraska, ACLU says
The American Civil Liberties Union of Nebraska says a state report illustrates the need for police officers to undergo new training. The number of black drivers stopped, searched and arrested is far higher than their portion of the state’s overall population, the report found.
MT: Montana Senate panel nixes Indigenous Peoples’ Day proposal
A proposal for Montana to observe Indigenous Peoples’ Day as a state holiday instead of Columbus Day failed in a state Senate committee.
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