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MI: Michigan schools can ban guns on property, court rules
The Michigan Supreme Court has ruled that two school districts have a right to ban guns from their schools — a closely watched case that deals a blow to gun rights advocates who had argued state law prohibits schools from enacting such policies.
CA: California runs up huge firefighting bill
With more than 7,600 firefighters battling nine major blazes across the state, California has already spent $114.7 million, a quarter of its annual wildfire budget, in less than one month.
MA: Massachusetts could impose hotel tax on Airbnb
Massachusetts legislative leaders reached a deal that would, with few exceptions, impose the 5.7 percent hotel tax on short-term rentals such as Airbnb. Cities and towns would have the option to add an additional 6 percent, as they do with hotels now. (Boston can go up to 6.5 percent.)
TX: ‘Red flag’ gun law chances dim in Texas
Republican Gov. Greg Abbott said he sees a “coalescence” against the idea of having a “red flag” law in Texas, further dooming the proposal’s chances in the Legislature. Abbott had asked lawmakers to consider the idea as part of the school safety plan he released earlier this year after the deadly Santa Fe High School shooting.
RI: Rhode Island begins pot sales to out-of-state customers
While Rhode Island lawmakers last month rejected adding more medical marijuana dispensaries in the state, one surviving component of the legislation has quietly begun: sales to out-of-state residents.
PA: Pennsylvania, environmentalists settle pipeline dispute
Pennsylvania environmental regulators and groups that oppose the construction of a $2.5 billion pipeline across southern Pennsylvania have settled their dispute over the permits that were issued for the project, requiring the state to put into place additional safeguards for future pipeline projects.
GA: Georgia Tech officials misused tax money, report says
High-ranking Georgia Tech University officials earning six-figure salaries used their positions to line their pockets, internal investigations have found. With little or no accountability, three misused taxpayer funds and exploited relationships with vendors. There were parties in a football suite, courtesy of a bookstore vendor. Golf outings during work hours. Meals and after-hours drinking billed to taxpayers.
NC: North Carolina governor vetoes two bills affecting the November elections
Democratic Gov. Roy Cooper vetoed a bill that revoked the authority of a North Carolina commission to write short captions for the six proposed constitutional amendments that will be on the ballot this fall. He vetoed another bill that would keep a Republican candidate, Chris Anglin, from having his party affiliation on the ballot.
NY: New York votes to kick cable company out of the state
The New York State Public Service Commission has moved to kick Charter Communications’ Spectrum cable and internet service out of the state, citing Charter’s “repeated failures to serve New Yorkers and honor its commitments.”
NE: Nebraskans soon will pay sales tax on most online purchases
Online retailers doing significant business in Nebraska will be required to collect sales tax starting next year. The Nebraska Department of Revenue made the announcement about a month after the U.S. Supreme Court ruled that states can force online shoppers to pay sales tax.
HI: More money needed to address Hawaii’s housing shortage
A state-led panel advises that Hawaii should spend $1 billion over the next decade to address a shortage of affordable apartments. Earlier this year the Legislature appropriated $200 million to help finance new affordable rental housing.
NM: Border can’t keep New Mexico families apart
Every day, federal courtrooms in New Mexico and West Texas are filled with immigrants charged with illegal re-entry who claim they were trying to return to a spouse or children. Some families have persevered through years in prison and multiple deportations to stay together.
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