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A former federal judge explains why courts aren’t the fastest or clearest way to solve election disputes.
The state launched an investigation into the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department three years ago after a string of controversial shootings and costly lawsuits. Now the case is expected to settle.
Thirty-two lawsuits now target fossil fuel companies over climate damage.
The state’s gambling deal with the Seminole Tribe of Florida is expected to bring in $750 million annually, totaling $6 billion through 2030. Currently, 96 percent of the funds are committed to water-quality projects.
Bill Jones, head of enforcement for the California Department of Cannabis Control. Despite voter approval of legalized recreational marijuana back in 2016, sales still occur mostly through the black market. Only about 40 percent of local jurisdictions in the state permit cannabis stores. State officials are trying to crack down on the growing illegal industry, but the penalty for getting caught selling unlicensed marijuana is relatively light, usually a $500 fine, which results in officers having to raid the same storefronts multiple times. (NPR — April 5, 2024)
After shedding nearly 1 million jobs, staffing levels are now higher than at the start of 2020. But severe shortages remain in several fields such as nursing, public safety and education.
Future in Context
Cities and states are working on novel solutions to old, intractable problems. Governing magazine’s return to print showcases stories of the people who are making them work across the country.
Researchers predict there will be 11 hurricanes, five of which will reach major hurricane strength, and 23 named storms due to a historically warm Atlantic Ocean and probable La Niña conditions.
Democratic Gov. Laura Kelly and GOP legislators have agreed to reduce the state’s top income tax bracket, starting at $30,000, from 5.7 percent to 5.5 percent. The proposal would cost $1.4 billion over the next three years.
Emergency management officials in Ohio have been prepping for the event for months, anticipating large crowds and slow traffic. Aside from inconvenience, stalled traffic threatens response times to everyday emergencies.
A complaint from six inmates in the Woodbourne Correctional Facility in Woodbourne, N.Y., after the state corrections department decided to lock down prisons during the total solar eclipse on April 8. The inmates filed a lawsuit in federal court, saying the lockdown violates inmates’ constitutional rights to practice their faiths by preventing them from taking part in a religiously significant event. The celestial event won’t be seen in the U.S. again until 2044. The total eclipse will occur in upstate New York around 3:15 p.m. and last just a few minutes. (NPR — April 2, 2024)
Democrats hope an abortion measure gives Biden a chance, but the Sunshine State remains pretty red. The outcome of the presidential race, meanwhile, may turn on a vote in Nebraska.
Many center-city downtowns continue to struggle, but Americans, especially younger adults, still want walkability.
With California facing a serious budget crunch, lawmakers may have to curb their policy ambitions in a variety of areas. Ahead of April tax collections, it's not yet clear if proposed cuts will be deep enough.
Experts predict that the celestial event could drive millions of dollars for local businesses, including a $179.8 million boost to the restaurant industry and $221.8 million for hotels.
Although electric vehicle sales grew by 50 percent last year, that is far below the 70 percent growth the industry had forecast. High costs, infrastructure access, charging concerns and grid reliability continue to dissuade drivers.
The shift to the Next-Generation 911 program will provide more accurate caller location information, increase the communication methods accessible to dispatchers and will reduce response time, potentially by minutes.
Pauline Wasserman, a Kansas City, Mo., voter, regarding the rejection of a proposed ballot measure that would have established a new stadium, ballpark district and residential and retail development. Many voters questioned the need for their tax dollars to aid the teams and their wealthy owners. Others questioned whether the investment of public funds into a new Royals stadium would provide enough economic benefit. (The Kansas City Star — April 3, 2024)
Officials at Laguna Beach High School in Orange County, Calif., have launched an investigation after a student allegedly created and circulated inappropriate AI images of other students.
Housing used to be primarily a local concern. With millions of units needed, state policymakers are looking for ways to boost supply.
Biden’s budget would provide billions, along with heavy-handed regulation, but it won’t expand the supply. The way to build more housing and tame prices is for states to encourage local innovation.
Texas’ recent unwinding of Medicaid and CHIP has been criticized, dropping more than a million people eligible for the health insurance programs. Decades ago, Texas officials got kids health insurance in record time.
The Silicon Valley billionaires that are trying to build a utopian city in Solano County, Calif., won a key court decision. A judge refused landowners’ request to throw out a lawsuit accusing them of price fixing.
Since 2016, there’s been more than a 50 percent increase in Fire Department vehicles being pulled from service due to breakdowns or malfunctions. Currently, 45 percent of the department’s fire engines are older than 15 years.
California officials say that the state’s 31 prisons are necessary to accommodate the fluctuating inmate population. Analysts say the cash-strapped state could save money by closing five more.
Scott Berkowitz, founder and president of the Rape, Abuse and Incest National Network, regarding new guidance from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services stating that hospitals must receive written informed consent from patients before performing breast, pelvic, prostate and rectal exams for “educational and training purposes.” Doctors and medical students sometimes perform exams of sensitive areas for training purposes when a patient is under anesthesia. Already, at least 20 states have passed laws requiring a patient’s consent. (Associated Press — April 2, 2024)
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