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TX: Texas to end voter citizenship review
Texas had questioned the citizenship status of almost 100,000 registered voters, but many naturalized citizens turned out to be on the list. The deal was announced as part of an agreement to settle three legal challenges brought by citizens and voting rights groups.
SC: South Carolina students turn to parking lots to find wi-fi for homework
Rural schoolchildren in South Carolina and elsewhere often get rides to a library or fast-food parking lot to finish homework with free wi-fi. That’s why rural wi-fi should be at the top of the list for infrastructure improvements to be planned this week by House Democrats, South Carolina Democratic U.S. Rep. Jim Clyburn said.
FL: Florida AG pushed for census citizenship question despite expected undercount in state
The population count in Florida could be depressed as much as anywhere by an upcoming U.S. Supreme Court ruling on whether a citizenship question should be included on the census questionnaire. Yet state officials are among those pushing hardest for it to be included.
AR: Arkansas rethinks lawmaker term limits
Nearly three decades after Arkansas became one of the first states to cap how long someone can serve in the legislature, lawmakers may find out just how far voters are willing to go to limit their time in office thanks to competing measures on next year’s ballot.
WA: Washington passes bill to become first state to compost human bodies
In backyard gardens across Washington state, it may soon be legal for the dead to push daisies, or any other flowers. The state legislature recently passed a bill that, if signed by the governor, allows human bodies to be composted — and used for mulch.
CA: L.A. firefighters distracted by politicians during wildfire
Los Angeles Fire Department officials said their response to a deadly November wildfire in California was complicated by requests from local politicians to check on specific addresses of homes to ensure their protection.
MO: Missouri prisons provide free pads – but charge for tampons
The Missouri Department of Corrections currently supplies female offenders with one size of menstrual pads for free, but they must pay for tampons. State lawmakers are seeking to change this practice.
AZ: Arizona judges can overrule parents on treatment for transgender children
Judges can require parents to provide counseling, therapy and other expert help transgender children, even if one parent doesn’t support treatment, the Arizona Supreme Court ruled. But the courts can only intervene when a child would be “at risk for physical danger or significantly impaired emotionally” without access to those services.
WI: Wisconsin Republicans seek compromise on Medicaid expansion
Some Wisconsin Republicans are open to a compromise with Democratic Gov. Tony Evers on Medicaid expansion and are looking at ways to accept the federal funding while not appearing to cave in on the issue. GOP leaders remain steadfastly opposed.
HI: Hawaii group to sue over ‘red flag’ law
Hawaii lawmakers have approved a “red flag” law to keep firearms away from people who may pose a danger to themselves or others, but the Hawaii Rifle Association says it will sue the state if Democratic Gov. David Ige signs the measure into law.
LA: More Louisiana professionals to be lured to teaching under new plan
Louisiana education leaders are behind a push in the legislature to make it easier for midcareer professionals to become teachers. Instead of requiring a mandatory grade-point average to enter a teacher-training program, the state’s top school board would spell out alternative requirements based on an applicant’s post-college work record.
NC: North Carolina sheriff opts to stay with immigration enforcement deal
In North Carolina, Henderson County Sheriff Lowell Griffin said that he will renew an agreement with federal immigration authorities despite criticizing the 287-g program in his reelection campaign last year. The program requires immigration checks during the arrest process.
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