• Supermajority No Longer Required for Tax Increases in Washington State
• Source: AP/Seattle Times   |   Washington state   |   March 1, 2013
• The Washington Supreme Court has struck down a requirement for a two-thirds majority vote in the Legislature to pass a tax increase.

• Some State Legislators Want to Work More, Not Less
• BY: J.B. Wogan   |   March 2013
• Four state legislatures meet every other year instead of annually. Lawmakers in North Dakota and Texas want to leave biennial budgeting in the past.

• Supreme Court Appears Divided on Voting Rights Act
• Source: Stateline   |   Nation   |   February 28, 2013
• At issue is whether the act’s Section 5 provision, which requires all or part of 16 states to get any changes to election law pre-approved by either the Justice Department or a federal court, is still necessary and constitutional in today’s world.
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• Democratic Governors Fear Gun Reform Moment Has Passed
• Source: Politico   |   Nation   |   February 28, 2013
• Now that expanded background checks seem to be the only initiative that may pass Congress, the most powerful bloc of gun-control proponents in the country is conceding that the gripping sense of outrage following the Sandy Hook massacre has ebbed.

• Gov. Haslam's Workers' Comp Reform Plan Draws Criticism
• Source: Tennessean   |   Tennessee   |   February 28, 2013
• Critics say the Tennessee governor's plan would give him immense power in setting the tone for how workers’ claims are received.

• Gay Marriage Battle Begins in Minnesota Legislature
• Source: Minneapolis Star Tribune   |   Minnesota   |   February 28, 2013
• After Minnesota’s November defeat of the GOP-led constitutional ban and the ouster of Republicans from legislative leadership, advocates now believe they have their best shot at overturning the state’s statutory ban

• Pennsylvania Governor's Pension Proposal Faces Challenges
• Source: AP/Philadelphia Inquirer   |   Pennsylvania   |   February 28, 2013
• The Republican governor's proposal to reduce benefits for current employees is the centerpiece of his initiative. But it faces an uphill fight in the legislature and possibly in the courts.

• Bill to Block Medicaid Expansion in North Carolina Heads to Gov. McCrory
• Source: Raleigh News & Observer   |   North Carolina   |   February 27, 2013
• Republican Gov. Pat McCrory is poised to sign legislation that rejects any effort to have a state-sponsored insurance exchange or expand Medicaid coverage to 500,000 low-income residents.

• Online Gambling Legalized in New Jersey
• Source: Newark Star-Ledger   |   New Jersey   |   February 27, 2013
• After conditionally vetoing the bill earlier, Gov. Chris Christie signed a measure allowing internet gambling in Atlantic City, a move his administration expects to provide a lifeline to the struggling seaside resort.

• 1 of Many Gun Bills Sent to Michigan Gov. Snyder
• Source: Detroit Free Press   |   Michigan   |   February 27, 2013
• While several other states are trying to tighten gun controls, Michigan is introducing legislation to expand gun rights.

• Illinois, Only State Without Concealed Carry, Debates the Issue
• Source: Chicago Tribune   |   Illinois   |   February 27, 2013
• The Democratic-led majority in the Illinois House voted in favor of banning guns in schools, casinos and on public transit during an unusual debate allowing lawmakers to vote piece by piece on where people should be allowed to carry concealed weapons.

• Red-Light Cameras Keep Popping Up Despite Public, Legislative Outcry
• BY: Stateline   |   Nation   |   February 26, 2013
• This year, lawmakers in 22 states have filed more than 100 bills dealing with traffic cameras.

• Congressional Bill Gives States Right to Legalize Medical Marijuana
• Source: Politico   |   Nation   |   February 26, 2013
• The legislation, which has 13 co-sponsors would create a framework for the FDA to eventually legalize medicinal pot and would also block the feds from interfering in any of the 19 states where it's legal.

• Immigrant Tuition Bill Passes Major Hurdle in Colorado Senate
• Source: Denver Post   |   Colorado   |   February 26, 2013
• A bill that would allow illegal immigrants to attend college at in-state tuition rates passed the Colorado Senate and for the first time, had the support of some Republicans.

• Opposition to Online Sales Tax Bill in Congress Wanes
• Source: Politico   |   Nation   |   February 26, 2013
• The tech industry’s passion for opposing the issue has waned.