Tag

Legislature

All articles tagged with #legislature

policy1 day ago•10 min saved

Arizona's Colorado River deal heads to lawmakers — do they have power to change it?

Federal planners have moved forward with a Colorado River plan that would sharply cut water for Arizona, California, and Nevada, with Phoenix and Tucson hardest hit. Arizona’s 1980 statute requiring legislative approval for interstate agreements could force a special session to ratify or modify related deals, though experts say the federal plan would proceed regardless of approval. Lawmakers could shape the outcome by approving a three-state deal to share reductions and by tweaking Arizona groundwater rules to adapt to less river water, but they cannot unilaterally block the federal plan.

via KJZZ|

#arizona #colorado-river #legislature

world-news19 days ago•22 min saved

Capybaras crash voting session in Brazil's Mato Grosso legislature

Capybaras wandered into the Cuiabá-based Mato Grosso state legislature during a voting session, calmly traversing the floor before staff removed them to a nearby wildlife park; no damage was reported and the animals were drawn to the fountain and nearby water

via New York Post|

#animals #brazil #capybaras

world21 days ago•11 min saved

Capybaras Wander Into Mato Grosso Assembly

Capybaras, the world’s largest rodents and social media darlings, were filmed wandering the Mato Grosso state legislative building in Brazil as a civil servant calmly guided them back outside, creating a lighthearted moment inside the government complex.

via AP News|

#animals #brazil #capybaras

politics21 days ago•11 min saved

Hemp ban showdown crowds NC Capitol as lawmakers push bill

Hundreds of protesters packed the North Carolina Capitol as Republicans pushed HB 328 to ban most intoxicating hemp products and impose stricter age limits, with the measure having passed the Senate and a House vote delayed. Gov. Josh Stein backs some provisions but opposes a near-total ban, while law-enforcement groups back stricter controls and hemp-industry onlookers warn of economic disruption as lawmakers decide the bill’s fate alongside budget and elections changes.

via WRAL|

#cannabis-regulation #hemp #legislature

politics1 month ago•7 min saved

Whitmer vetoes nine bills after court-ordered presentment ends 18‑month standoff

Gov. Gretchen Whitmer vetoed nine bills that had been tied up in litigation for 18 months and were only presented to her after a Michigan Supreme Court order, effectively blocking measures on Detroit museums, corrections officer pensions, debt collection, and health care contributions. Republicans argue the bills were delayed by the House, while Democrats and labor groups lament the veto, saying it undermines democracy; Whitmer cited administrative burdens and ongoing litigation as reasons to veto despite the court order.

via The Detroit News|

#legislature #michigan #note-only-five-tags-allowed-adjust-to-five

politics1 month ago•10 min saved

Michigan ends marathon budget sprint with an $84B plan

After nearly 24 hours, Michigan lawmakers approved an $84 billion budget for FY2027 and sent 67 policy bills to Gov. Gretchen Whitmer, missing the July 1 deadline but avoiding a government shutdown; the package relies on accounting tricks to mask federal education funding shifts, increases per-pupil funding and literacy investments, includes $125 million in earmarks, and rejects new taxes while reallocating funds elsewhere.

via Bridge Michigan|

#budget #earmarks #education-funding

politics2 months ago•15 min saved

Utah GOP incumbents topple in pivotal primary, reshaping the Legislature

In Utah’s primary, three high-profile Republican incumbents were defeated: Senate President Stuart Adams trailed Stephanie Hollist and conceded; Hollist will face Democrat Garret Rushforth in November. In the House, Rep. Trevor Lee lost to Bob Stevenson, who will face Democrat Abigail Treasure. In the Senate, Dan McCay was upset by Doug Fiefia, who will face Democrat Dane Anderson. Adams’ loss comes amid controversy over a Box Elder County data-center project, signaling voter demand for change as the GOP shapes Utah’s legislative future.

via KSL.com|

#elections #legislature #politics

politics2 months ago•3 min saved

Florida lawmakers balk at DeSantis’ city backfill plan

Florida lawmakers balk at DeSantis’ proposal to backfill local revenue losses from his property tax plan by removing a dedicated trust fund; House Speaker Sam Garrison and Senate leaders say backfill should come from regular budgeting rather than an entitlement, casting doubt on the governor’s promise of statewide relief for cash-strapped counties as the budget process moves forward.

via Miami Herald|

#desantis #florida #legislature

politics2 months ago•5 min saved

California braces for a post-Newsom era and a reshaped Capitol

California is entering a post-Gavin Newsom era as the governor's race signals a major shift in Sacramento: Xavier Becerra would steer a steadier course, Tom Steyer would push a more progressive platform with tax implications, and Steve Hilton presents a Republican referendum on Democratic governance; Newsom's national profile will endure, while the Legislature moves to reassert its power in 2027.

via Politico|

#california #governor #legislature

politics2 months ago•9 min saved

Illinois edges past budget limit with record $55.9B plan and new taxes

Illinois lawmakers approved a record $55.9 billion FY 2027 budget in a late-night vote, financed by more than $800 million in new taxes and several one-time revenue maneuvers, including a cap on net-operating-loss deductions for corporations, social-media and digital-asset taxes, a tax on targeted advertising, and a fantasy-contests tax; the package also contains fund sweeps, raises lawmakers’ pay, and signals ongoing pension-funding challenges as Illinois’ debt remains long-term and the plan relies on temporary fixes rather than structural reform.

via Illinois Policy|

#budget #illinois #legislature

politics3 months ago•6 min saved

DeSantis proposes staged end to homestead property taxes in Florida

Gov. Ron DeSantis unveiled a plan to phase out Florida’s property taxes on homesteaded homes, starting with a ballot measure to lift the homestead exemption to $250,000 and a stepwise path to full relief. The proposal requires 60% support in both the Legislature and among voters, and DeSantis has called a special session to move it forward. While backers say non-homestead taxes could fund essential services and rural counties could receive a relief trust, critics warn the revenue loss could affect parks, libraries and other local services; Democrats call it a distraction from the property-insurance crisis, and state data shows the share of homeowners affected is contested by the EDR.

via Orlando Sentinel|

#desantis #florida #homestead-exemption

state-politics3 months ago•4 min saved

New York lawmakers mull multiple redistricting amendments as session winds down

Democratic New York lawmakers are weighing several state constitutional amendments to overhaul the redistricting process, aiming to keep options open as the session ends June 4 and the June 23 primary approaches. They may pass multiple versions for a second passage next year, with any change requiring voter referendum. Proposals range from minor tweaks to potentially scrapping the map-drawing commission entirely, while Republicans push for independent redistricting in line with broader national debates after a Virginia court ruling.

via Politico|

#constitutional-amendment #gerrymandering #legislature

colorado-politics3 months ago•39 min saved

Colorado wraps 2026 session with 101 notable bills

Colorado’s 2026 legislative session ended after 120 days with roughly 650 measures considered; a curated list highlights 101 bills that passed or failed, spanning housing, homelessness, gun policy, budget and taxes, elections, AI regulation, and education. Many measures await the governor’s signature, veto, or enactment timing, while others died in committees; the year featured major housing groundwork, budget-balancing moves, and policy shifts across energy, health and technology as part of a Capitol News Alliance project.

via The Colorado Sun|

#colorado #colorado-politics #elections

politics4 months ago•6 min saved

Kelly vetoes 24 bills and 31 budget items, signaling a renewed Kansas budget showdown

Gov. Laura Kelly vetoed 24 bills and 31 budget provisions in a clash with a Republican‑led Kansas Legislature, after signing a budget that removed a lawmakers’ pay raise, a large loan and a no‑bid contract she deemed wasteful. She framed the budget as flawed but necessary, urging collaboration; lawmakers will consider overrides as they push on issues from voter access and privacy to mental health funding and education mandates amid ongoing budget pressures.

via Kansas Reflector|

#budget #kansas #laura-kelly

politics4 months ago•10 min saved

California's governor race tests if a GOP bid can shake a blue state

Two Republican candidates, Steve Hilton and Riverside Sheriff Chad Bianco, lead California's 2026 governor race and, with President Trump's endorsement, raise the prospect of a political upheaval in the blue state. They pledge sweeping deregulation and MAGA-style governance, but would clash with a Democratic Legislature, powerful unions, and an independent judiciary that could blunt their agenda, likely resulting in gridlock or pushback rather than rapid change. Analysts note that undecided voters may still coalesce around Democrats, making the November general election far from certain and raising the possibility of California electing its first Republican governor since Schwarzenegger only if dynamics shift markedly.

via Los Angeles Times|

#california #governor-race #legislature