0:00
News Story
WI: In divided Wisconsin, governor and lawmakers barely talk
Republicans and Democrats in Wisconsin can’t agree on much — including why they can’t agree. Democrats say Republicans spoiled chances for bipartisanship with a lame-duck session that peeled power away from Democratic leaders. Republicans say the governor packed so much liberal policy into the state budget he introduced in February that he left no room for compromise.
AR: Arkansas bill banning ‘sanctuary’ cities dies
A proposal to prohibit Arkansas cities from refusing to cooperate with federal immigration authorities failed before a House committee after the state’s Republican governor said he wanted the legislation changed to ensure it wouldn’t open the door to racial profiling.
CO: Colorado close to passing net neutrality law
The Colorado House and Senate have passed a bill that prohibit internet service providers from receiving state taxpayer money if they slow access to the internet or unfairly favor certain websites. Democratic Gov. Jared Polis, who founded an internet company while in college, supports the net neutrality measure.
NY: To get Trump’s tax returns, New York Democrats try a new strategy
In an attempt to work around the White House, Democratic lawmakers in Albany are trying to do what their federal counterparts have so far failed to accomplish: to obtain President Donald Trump’s tax returns. New York lawmakers are seeking state tax returns, not the federal ones at the heart of the current standoff in Washington.
KS: Kansas must pay legal fees over ‘In Cold Blood’ notes, appeals court says
Kansas must pay legal fees arising from its efforts to stop publication of notebooks kept by the lead investigator into the 1959 murders of a Kansas family chronicled in Truman Capote’s book “In Cold Blood.” The Kansas Court of Appeals ruled the state must pay more than $168,000 to attorneys representing the investigator’s son and a literary memorabilia dealer.
MS: Mississippi requests new hearing in redistricting lawsuit
Two Republicans in Mississippi took steps to block the court-ordered redrawing of a state Senate district that could increase black representation at the state Capitol.
MA: Massachusetts bans gay conversion therapy for minors
The measure signed by Republican Gov. Charlie Baker bars health care providers in Massachusetts from attempting to change “the sexual orientation and gender identity” of anyone younger than 18. Critics liken gay conversion therapy to child abuse, and at least 16 other states have banned the practice.
TX: Texas campuses could soon have more armed marshals
In the first legislative session after a deadly shooting at Santa Fe High School that left 10 dead and 13 others wounded, the Texas Senate advanced a bill that would abolish the limit on how many school marshals can carry guns on campus.
FL: Bill making it harder to amend Florida Constitution advances
A move to make it harder to change the Florida Constitution was backed along party lines by a House committee, with Republicans saying it would lessen the influence of “outside interests.”
MO: Anti-vaccination proposals aired in Missouri legislature
Amid international concern about the reappearance of diseases that were once thought to be eradicated, Missouri lawmakers are pushing plans favored by people who believe vaccinations are harmful. The push comes against the backdrop of an outbreak of measles, prompting a national call for people to vaccinate their children.
AZ: Bill to set special tuition for Arizona ‘Dreamers’ stalls
The rate would apply to Arizona high school graduates who don’t meet the residency requirements to qualify for in-state tuition. While costlier than in-state tuition, the measure would provide some reprieve from paying the expensive out-of-state tuition rates at Arizona universities. Republicans opposed the measure.
NV: Nevada bill would do away with judicial elections
Nevada lawmakers are considering a constitutional amendment that would remove judges from the ranks of elected officials in the state. Under the proposed amendment, the governor would appoint judges, who would be term-imited to no more than four six-year terms in office and subjected to periodic performance reviews.
UT: As part of lawsuit settlement, Utah will transition disabled adults out of institutional housing
Utah has agreed to transition 250 people with developmental and intellectual disabilities out of care facilities over the next five years as part of settling a lawsuit that accused the state of “unlawful institutionalization and segregation” of disabled adults. The change will cost an estimated $7 million in the first year and even more afterward.
Our stories may be republished online or in print under Creative Commons license CC BY-NC-ND 4.0. We ask that you edit only for style or to shorten, provide proper attribution and link to our website. AP and Getty images may not be republished. Please see our republishing guidelines for use of any other photos and graphics.
Related News
