GOVERNING: State government news on politics, management & financ 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. Sun, 19 May 3:3:33 PDT California to Use Health Exchange for Voter Registration 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. New Fracking Rules Issued by Interior Department http://www.governing.com/news/federal/mct-new-fracking-rules-issued-by-interior-department.html Fri, 17 May 9:30:00 PDT The Interior Department proposed new rules to regulate hydraulic fracturing for oil and gas drilling on federal lands, drawing criticism from environmentalists and the industry. Texas Enacts Law Requiring Prosecutorial Transparency http://www.governing.com/news/state/tt-texas-enacts-law-requiring-prosecutorial-transparency.html Fri, 17 May 9:25:00 PDT Known as the Michael Morton Act, the law aims to avoid wrongful convictions by preventing prosecutors from suppressing evidence. Brewer's Immigrant-License Policy Upheld in Court 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. Washington State's Marijuana Rules Taking Shape http://www.governing.com/news/state/Washington-States-Marijuana-Rules-Taking-Shape.html Fri, 17 May 8:8:00 PDT State officials released proposed rules for a legal seed-to-store marijuana system that would allow adults to buy an ounce of tested, labeled pot seven days a week. Facing a Strike, UC Medical Centers Cancel Elective Surgeries http://www.governing.com/news/state/Facing-a-Strike-UC-Medical-Centers-Cancel-Elective-Surgeries.html Fri, 17 May 8:7:00 PDT Facing a possible two-day strike next week by patient care and technical workers, the five large University of California medical centers are starting to cancel elective surgeries. LAPD Freed from Federal Oversight After 12 Years 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. Proposal to Raise Legal Cigarette Age to 21 Catches on in New Jersey http://www.governing.com/news/state/Proposal-to-Raise-Legal-Cigarette-Age-to-21-Catches-on-in-New-Jersey.html Fri, 17 May 8:5:00 PDT New Jersey and New York are both considering raising the minimum age for buying cigarettes and other tobacco products to 21. Bill Allowing Armed Personnel in Schools Becomes Tennessee Law http://www.governing.com/news/state/Bill-Allowing-Armed-Personnel-in-Schools-Becomes-Tennessee-Law.html Fri, 17 May 8:4:00 PDT Gov. Bill Haslam has signed a bill that allows school districts to let people with police training be armed in schools. Impact of Louisiana School Voucher Ruling Beginning to Show http://www.governing.com/news/state/Impact-of-Louisiana-School-Voucher-Ruling-Beginning-to-Show.html Fri, 17 May 8:3:00 PDT As the 2013-14 funding plan boomeranged between the Legislature and the state board of education, the state education superintendent revealed that the state had to find an extra $29 million for the current school year; meanwhile, parents of students in the voucher program rallied to keep their kids enrolled.