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MS: Mississippi leads US in filing legislation that other people wrote
Mississippi has more model bills, which are essentially copied from a bill in a different state, introduced in its legislature than any other state in the country, according to a USA Today investigation.
TX: Texas ICE raid the latest in series of enforcement actions
The arrest of nearly 300 people at a Texas technology company near Dallas was one of the largest enforcement actions of its kind in a decade, punctuating the Trump administration’s push to target companies employing people who federal authorities say are not authorized to be in the United States.
AR: Arkansas panel advances anti-‘sanctuary cities’ proposal
An Arkansas legislative panel approved a proposal to cut off funding to cities that don’t cooperate with federal immigration authorities or that prevent law enforcement from asking people if they’re in the country illegally, even though no cities in the state have adopted such “sanctuary” policies.
SC: Conservative South Carolina ready to make money in the marijuana business
The push to make marijuana legal for medical purposes is gaining steam in conservative South Carolina. Businesses are positioning themselves to cash in first on hemp, then on marijuana.
NJ: New Jersey governor disapproval rate rises
Gov. Phil Murphy’s standing with New Jerseyans has slipped, with those who don’t believe the Democrat is doing a good job rising by double digits since the fall, according to a new poll. The governor’s disapproval rate was 43%, compared with 28% who disapproved in November.
IA: Felon voting rights constitutional amendment suffers setback in Iowa Senate
The Iowa Senate will not advance a proposal that would amend the state’s constitution to restore voting rights for former felons, dealing a blow to one of Republican Gov. Kim Reynolds’ top legislative priorities.
KS: Kansas lawmakers adopt K-12 funding program, hope for court approval
Kansas lawmakers sent a school finance plan to the governor, ending days of skirmishes over the injection of $90 million in annual funding and the preservation of increases they adopted last year. Senators passed legislation on a 31-8 vote and expressed optimism that the package would put to rest a decade-long fight with Schools for Fair Funding.
NM: New Mexico governor signs spending increase
New Mexico Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham, a Democrat, has authorized a nearly 12% increase in general fund spending for the coming fiscal year that includes across-the-board pay increases for teachers and state workers. Record-breaking oil and natural gas production in Southeast New Mexico has produced a windfall in state income.
MN: Minnesota Senate approves package of GOP health care bills
The Minnesota Senate gave bipartisan approval to a package of Republican-authored bills aimed at making health care more affordable, accessible and transparent.
VT: Vermont Senate OKs abortion-rights constitutional amendment
The state Senate gave overwhelming approval to a proposed constitutional amendment protecting abortion rights in Vermont.
KY: Lobbyists can’t donate to Kentucky candidates, but give big to parties
Last year, registered lobbyists contributed $319,805 to the two Kentucky parties, with nearly all of that money going to the Republicans.
SD: South Dakota governor declares statewide Day of Prayer
Republican Gov. Kristi Noem has declared a statewide Day of Prayer for South Dakotans affected by flooding and disaster conditions. South Dakota has been impacted by extreme weather and flooding in the last few weeks, and as a result, many communities have been left with destroyed roads, bridges and culverts, stranded livestock and flooded homes.
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