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Editor’s Picks From Around the Web
CO: Colorado Supreme Court: Employers can fire workers for off-duty pot use
Justices unanimously ruled that employers can fire workers for using marijuana outside of work hours, even though marijuana is legal in Colorado. The case involved a medical marijuana patient who lost his job after testing positive for marijuana in violation of company policy.
DE: Delaware bills would raise taxes on wealthy
Several legislators are supporting legislation that would hike income taxes on wealthier earners as a way to close a $65 million budget gap. One version would add tax brackets for Delawareans earning more than $125,000 and $250,000 annually.
ID: Idaho one of four states failing to comply with federal prison rape rules
The U.S. Justice Department lists Idaho, Arkansas, Alaska and Utah as failing to work toward compliance with new federal guidelines intended to prevent prison rape. Requirements range from staff training to screening of inmates.
NC: U.S. Supreme Court declines to hear North Carolina’s ultrasound abortion law
The court refused to take up an appeal from North Carolina officials that sought to revive a 2011 law that had required doctors to take an ultrasound and describe the image to a woman before performing an abortion. The decision let stand an appeals court ruling that said the law violated the First Amendment.
TX: First-time Texas DWI offenders could have breathalyzers in car under new law
If Republican Gov. Greg Abbott signs the measure, judges could require first-time DWI offenders with suspended drivers’ licenses to pay to have ignition interlocking devices installed in their vehicles. The bill garnered nearly unanimous approval in both chambers of the Texas Legislature.
ME: Maine Senate narrowly rejects ‘right-to-die’ bill
Senators rejected the measure 18-17, only to see the House pass it on a 76-70 vote several hours later. The bill would have made Maine the sixth state where doctors are permitted to prescribe a lethal dose of drugs to terminally ill patients who are seeking help dying.
NY: New York rent regulation laws expire, as legislative session nears end
Regulations limiting how much landlords can charge for about 1 million apartments in New York City and its suburbs expired Monday night after state lawmakers failed to agree on how to extend them. Only two days remain in this year’s legislative session.
NJ: Lawmakers seek expanded voting options for New Jersey residents
Among the measures Democratic lawmakers introduced: Early voting for two weeks, same-day and online voter registration, and automatic registration for people receiving driver’s licenses or state ID cards unless they opt out.
CA: California judge rules governor, legislature illegally raided homeowners fund
The money was taken from a fund that contained California’s share of a $5 billion nationwide settlement of a fraud suit by states and the federal government against the nation’s five largest mortgage lending companies. It was supposed to be used for foreclosure relief, aid to homeowners and other housing purposes. Instead, it was used to pay down the state’s deficit.
HI: Hawaii’s environmental court is second established in U.S.
The court, to launch July 1, will have exclusive jurisdiction over proceedings that involve Hawaii cases of historic preservation, litter control, recycling, solid waste, safe drinking water, air pollution and environmental impact statements.
OH: Some Ohio lawmakers want to ban ‘conversion therapy’ for minors
Concerned that minors cannot end treatment that seeks to change their sexual orientation as long as their parents deem it necessary, lawmakers are pushing bills to ban the practice on someone under 18 in Ohio. Similar legislation is on the books in New Jersey, California, Oregon and the District of Columbia.
PA: Pennsylvania lawmakers propose semiautomatic rifles for hunting
The legislation would allow hunters to use semiautomatic rifles, which reload automatically after the trigger is pulled. Pennsylvania is the only state to ban the practice.
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