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The Joint Committee on Administrative Rules voted along party lines to strike down the rule that labeled conversion therapy as an unprofessional intervention to change a person’s sexual orientation or gender identity.
Kim Phuong Taylor, the wife of Woodbury County Supervisor Jeremy Taylor, was arrested on Jan. 12 for providing false information in registering and voting, as well as fraudulent registration and voting; she pleaded not guilty.
West Virginia Gov. Jim Justice, regarding his consideration to run for U.S. Senate after his governorship. (Twitter — Jan. 12, 2023)
Historic federal investments aim to improve building efficiency standards. A new report highlights the states that could benefit the most. But updating the codes won’t be quick or easy, say experts.
The governor’s two-year plan would put the budget over $10 billion for the first time, a $900 million increase over the current cycle’s funds. It includes $58 million for free school meals, $400 million for transportation and more.
Counties across the state have been challenging the accuracy of the federal Internet expansion map ahead of a Friday deadline. Westmoreland County alone identified 14,527 sites that don’t appear at all on the address maps.
While they are disruptive for the lives of the affected workers, experts and economists argue that the layoffs don’t necessarily foreshadow economic collapse as the classic indicators of recession haven’t happened yet.
Former New York county elections commissioner Jason T. Schofield pleaded guilty to 12 counts of voter fraud charges, admitting to fraudulently filing absentee ballots in 2021. Schofield will be sentenced in May 2023.
U.S. Rep. George Santos, speaking with reporters about the calls for his resignation amid controversy over his string of false claims about his work and personal background during last year’s election campaign; Santos later clarified that the 142 was referring to the more than 142,000 people who elected him in November. However, as he was walking into his office during a separate exchange with reporters, he said he will not resign. On Jan. 11, more than a dozen Republican officials demanded that the newly elected congressman step down. (Reuters — Jan. 12, 2023)
So far, nine Democrats have officially declared their intention to run for the mayorship. Meanwhile true bipartisan leadership exists at the state level, Ohio's attorney general does double dipping and more.
Some state DOTs and conservatives in Congress thought it prioritized Biden's newly passed infrastructure bill to emphasize spending on highway maintenance, not expansion. In fact, the memo didn't change how the funds can be used.
As the president honored 14 ordinary Americans who defended democracy, Republicans in Congress engaged in a silly game to elect a speaker of the House. The contrast could not have been greater.
The bills and five proposed constitutional amendments cover a range of topics, including establishing Filipino American History Month, blocking low-level marijuana conviction records from public view and repealing ranked-choice voting.
In Oregon, data centers and cryptocurrency miners would have to adhere to the same standards as big private utilities. If the bill passes, violation of the rules would result in hefty penalties and withheld tax breaks.
Idaho employs an average of 53,000 farmers annually, but the state only has 274 homes subsidized by the federal government for farmworkers. The state is looking for ways to build more farmworker housing.
Washington’s biggest county has proposed a requirement that retailers in unincorporated areas accept up to $250 in cash for a single transaction and would prohibit marking up prices for cash-paying customers.
Baltimore Deputy Mayor Faith Leach, regarding squeegee workers in the downtown area. There has been growing debate about these young men washing windshields for cash after a deadly confrontation occurred last summer. On Tuesday, Jan. 10, the city’s police department launched a new program that would allow officers to issue panhandling citations in six zones where squeegee work is most common, but many argue that the workers are simply trying to survive under difficult circumstances and systemic issues facing the Black community. (Associated Press — Jan. 10, 2023)
CARES. ARPA. IIJA. These bills and more have put billions into the state and local government market. We break down the major federal funding packages and how they’re being put to use.
Our attention to attacks on political figures fades quickly as we move on, seeing them as the isolated acts of deranged individuals. But we need to face up to the deep problems they reflect in our society.
State lawmakers convene this week and will tackle a variety of issues this session, including amending the state’s near-total abortion ban, relieving urban traffic congestion and gender reassignment surgery.
The state’s comptroller announced an additional $6 billion to the state’s projected budget surplus, sparking discussions about how to spend the cash. Including the surplus and transfers, there will be $188.2 billion in funds.
A new study has found that the arts, entertainment and recreation industry offers the least job security for the year. Jobs in the federal government were the most safe, with state and local education jobs ranked second in security.
Donald Trump, in a post on Truth Social, regarding the death of Lynette ‘Diamond’ Hardaway, known for being half of the MAGA duo “Diamond and Silk” who rose to fame during the 2016 presidential election by using their online platform to urge voters to vote for Trump. Hardaway’s death was announced Monday night and did not specify the cause of death; she was 51. (NPR — Jan. 10, 2023)
State coffers are overflowing, but inflation could put a pinch on spending plans and tax cuts. The labor market remains tight just when the demand for more teachers is skyrocketing. And then there are the ongoing culture wars. Welcome to 2023.
They will help fund energy-saving and climate projects for businesses and homeowners. Congress’s approval of the Greenhouse Gas Reduction Fund could supercharge green banks across the nation.
Lawmakers across the country are preparing to make election changes ahead of next November. Republicans are looking to give more prosecution authority to state officials while Democrats want to expand voting access.
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