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. Wed, 19 Jun 17:6:08 PDT http://www.governing.com/news/state/mct-florida-enacts-election-reforms-to-ease-long-voter-lines.html Wed, 22 May 9:45:00 PDT Gov. Rick Scott has signed into law a number of election law changes that roll back ones made by GOP lawmakers in 2011. The changes focus on expanding voter access and easing long lines at the polls. http://www.governing.com/news/state/Arizona-Governor-Refuses-to-Sign-Bills-Over-Medicaid-Expansion-Delays.html Tue, 14 May 8:4:00 PDT Gov. Jan Brewer has told lawmakers she's done signing bills until they get moving on Medicaid expansion and the state budget. http://www.governing.com/news/politics/New-Bill-Proposed-to-Boost-Penalities-on-IRS-Lawbreakers.html Mon, 13 May 8:4:00 PDT In the wake of an admission by an IRS official that conservative groups had been targeted for additional scrutiny, Rep. Michael Turner will introduce legislation Monday that would increase the penalty for singling out ideological organizations —including the possibility of jail time. http://www.governing.com/news/state/sl-voting-rights-activists-strike-back-election-laws.html Fri, 10 May 9:30:00 PDT Trying to stem the tide of restrictive voting measures passed in recent years by Republicans, voting rights activists have successfully targeted states controlled by Democrats to win reforms expanding voting rights. http://www.governing.com/news/state/California-Assembly-Approves-Two-Bills-for-Transgender-Rights.html Fri, 10 May 8:4:00 PDT Two bills aimed at eliminating obstacles facing transgender people cleared the Assembly largely along party lines Thursday, including one measure to let students choose the bathroom and sports team that correlates with their gender identity. http://www.governing.com/news/state/mct-georgia-gov-signs-bill-expanding-immigration-crackdown.html Fri, 26 Apr 9:30:00 PDT As Congress considers immigration reform, Gov. Nathan Deal signed sweeping legislation that bars undocumented immigrants from obtaining state driver's licenses, grants, public housing and retirement benefits. http://www.governing.com/news/state/mct-gop-leaders-wisconsin-to-block-new-gun-control-legislation.html Fri, 19 Apr 9:20:00 PDT In the wake of failed firearms legislation in the U.S. Senate, Gov. Scott Walker and a top Republican lawmaker made clear Thursday that GOP officials will also block similar legislation in Wisconsin to expand background checks on gun sales. http://www.governing.com/news/state/Paid-Sick-Leave-Gaining-Momentum-in-Massachusetts.html Mon, 15 Apr 8:6:00 PDT A nearly decade-long effort to require Massachusetts employers to offer paid sick days is gaining momentum as lawmakers pass similar proposals across the country. http://www.governing.com/news/local/Louisiana-Town-Bans-Saggy-Pants.html Mon, 15 Apr 8:0:00 PDT Louisiana's Terrebonne Parish passed an ordinance to ban saggy pants in public. Offenders will be fined $50 for the first offense. http://www.governing.com/idea-center/gov-south-dakota-subsidizes-lawyers.html Fri, 12 Apr 12:0:00 PDT To help rural America's drought of lawyers, South Dakota has passed the nation's first law to pay them to live and work in rural areas.