en-us GOVERNING magazine provides leading intelligence articles on management, policy and politics to help guide and inspire innovative leaders across state and local government. Mon, 20 May 10:4:03 PDT http://www.governing.com/news/state/Virginia-GOP-Launches-Tea-Party-Ticket.html Mon, 20 May 8:6:00 PDT Rejuvenated by a Democratic scandal in Washington and a tea party conservative atop their ticket, Virginia Republicans nominated a trio of statewide candidates whose fate will be closely watched as an indicator of the health of the national GOP. http://www.governing.com/news/state/Arkansas-Early-Abortion-Ban-Blocked----for-Now.html Mon, 20 May 8:5:00 PDT The law was briefly the earliest abortion ban in the nation. But later the same month, North Dakota went even further, passing a ban on abortions after six weeks. http://www.governing.com/news/state/Arizona-Gov-Brewer-Looking-to-Leave-Legacy-with-Medicaid-Expansion.html Mon, 20 May 8:3:00 PDT Gov. Jan Brewer, one of the state’s conservative firebrands who has attracted a national following with her messages of states’ rights and border security, is walking a political tightrope as she pushes to reshape how the state provides health care to the poor. http://www.governing.com/news/state/Bill-to-Make-Illinois-19th-State-to-OK-Medical-Marijuana-on-Gov-Quinns-Desk.html Mon, 20 May 8:1:00 PDT The Democratic governor must weigh not only the merits of the bill but also the politics, given his re-election campaign next year. http://www.governing.com/news/state/New-York-Lawmaker-Lopez-Set-to-Resign-Amid-Sexual-Harassment-Accusations.html Mon, 20 May 8:0:00 PDT While the resignation of Assemblyman Vito Lopez, a veteran Brooklyn Democrat accused of sexually harassing several women, ends an effort to expel him from the legislature, the scrutiny is not over for Assembly Speaker Sheldon Silver. http://www.governing.com/news/state/mct-calif-uses-hix-for-voter-registration.html Fri, 17 May 9:35:00 PDT In a move that other states are expected to follow, California is giving people who contact the state's new health exchange to buy insurance the opportunity to register to vote at the same time. http://www.governing.com/news/state/Brewers-Immigrant-License-Policy-Upheld-in-Court.html Fri, 17 May 8:9:00 PDT A federal judge refused to suspend Gov. Jan Brewer’s policy denying driver’s licenses to young undocumented immigrants who receive work permits through President Barack Obama’s deferred-action policy. http://www.governing.com/news/local/LAPD-Freed-from-Federal-Oversight.html Fri, 17 May 8:6:00 PDT In a brief, three-line order, a judge formally lifted the binding agreement the U.S. Department of Justice imposed on the LAPD in 2001, which spelled out dozens of major reforms the police agency had to implement and frequent audits it was required to undergo. http://www.governing.com/news/state/Minimum-Wage-Increase-Hits-Roadblock-in-Minnesota.html Fri, 17 May 8:2:00 PDT Once a top priority, a hike in the minimum wage is falling off the agenda as the House and Senate disagree on how much it should rise. http://www.governing.com/news/state/mct-illinois-to-allow-17-year-olds-to-vote-in-primaries.html Thu, 16 May 9:45:00 PDT The Illinois legislature has passed a bill allowing 17-year-olds to vote in primaries if they are going to turn 18 by the November general election. In doing so they become the 13th state to allow this group of teens to vote in primaries.