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State Government

All articles tagged with #state government

state-government2 days ago•55 min saved

Md. Moves Glock-Switch Handgun Ban, Bill Heads to Governor

Maryland’s House and Senate approved a bill banning the sale of pistols that can be converted into machine guns with Glock switches, sending the measure to Gov. Wes Moore for signature. The ban targets semiautomatic pistols with a cruciform trigger bar and would bar future sales while exempting current owners, law enforcement, and military. California’s Glock ban is being challenged in court, and Maryland’s proposal is expected to face legal challenges from gun-rights groups if enacted; supporters say it moves the state closer to eliminating ‘weapons of war’ from the market.

via thebanner.com|

#glock-switch #gun-control #maryland-general-assembly

state-government2 days ago•26 min saved

Texas hemp groups sue to block smokeable-ban and licensing spike

Texas hemp industry leaders have sued the state to halt new regulations from the Department of State Health Services and the Health and Human Services Commission that ban natural smokeable hemp products and sharply raise licensing fees; they argue the agencies overstepped their authority by redefining hemp and by counting total THC (including THCA) for compliance, which would ban popular products like THCA flower and pre-rolled joints and jack up fees for facilities and retailers, while state officials cite youth-safety concerns and rising cannabis-poisoning calls as justification.

via The Texas Tribune|

#department-of-state-health-services #health-and-human-services-commission #hemp

state-government18 days ago•18 min saved

Texas Schools Ordered to Omit Cesar Chavez from Lessons

The Texas Education Agency directs all public schools to remove mentions of Cesar Chavez from lesson plans and to cancel or redirect Chavez Day events amid sexual abuse allegations; the move accompanies ongoing revisions to Texas social studies standards, with districts like Austin shifting observances to Dolores Huerta and Houston renaming Chavez Day to Farmworkers Day.

via The Texas Tribune|

#cesar-chavez #cesar-chavez-day #curriculum-standards

politics21 days ago•2 min saved

States press legal bid to restore climate protections scrapped by Trump

Twenty-three states led by California and New York filed a petition in the D.C. Circuit Court challenging President Trump’s repeal of the 2009 endangerment finding that underpins federal climate regulations, seeking to reinstate the finding and block the EPA’s rollback of tailpipe standards; several cities and counties joined the suit, with critics arguing the move would harm public health and environmental protections.

via Al Jazeera|

#climate-change #endangerment-finding #epa

state-government1 month ago•21 min saved

Abbott presses Corpus Christi over looming water crisis with threat of state takeover

Texas Gov. Greg Abbott criticized Corpus Christi leaders for delaying action on a looming water shortage and warned the state may intervene to ensure residents have reliable taps; the city has about $1 billion in supply projects coming online later this year or next, but ongoing industrial demand, drought and past planning missteps could trigger shortages within a year, prompting conservation measures and new desalination efforts that are years away.

via The Texas Tribune|

#corpus-christi #desalination #greg-abbott

state-government1 month ago•22 min saved

Abbott, Patrick cruise to GOP primaries, shaping Texas reelection race

Gov. Greg Abbott and Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick easily won their Republican primaries, keeping their bids for reelection alive; Democrat Gina Hinojosa captured the nomination to challenge Abbott, while Austin's Vikki Goodwin led the Democratic field for lieutenant governor. Abbott framed the race around conservative governance and tax restraint, with Patrick touting his leadership in the Texas Senate and alignment with Trump. Democrats hope the high-profile U.S. Senate contest could bolster turnout down the ticket.

via The Texas Tribune|

#2026-elections #abbott #dan-patrick

state-government1 month ago•29 min saved

Texas Lt. Gov. presses to delay Camp Mystic reopening until flood probe concludes

Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick urged the Texas Department of State Health Services to withhold Camp Mystic’s summer license renewal until a legislative inquiry into the July 4 Guadalupe River flood deaths is finished, amid a federal lawsuit accusing state officials of failing to enforce evacuation rules; Camp Mystic plans to reopen on a separate Cypress Lake property, prompting criticism from families and lawmakers about safety and regulatory oversight.

via The Texas Tribune|

#camp-mystic #department-of-state-health-services #evacuation-plans

higher-education1 month ago•25 min saved

UT System Sets Rules to Minimize 'Controversial' Topics in Courses

UT System Regents unanimously approved a rule requiring universities to ensure graduates can finish programs without studying “unnecessary controversial subjects,” and to have syllabi disclose covered topics with a mandate for a broad, balanced discussion. Critics warn the vague terms could push self-censorship and leave students less prepared for real-world work, and civil-rights advocates warn of potential legal challenges and bias against Black students and faculty. The policy does not ban topics like race or gender but increases oversight amid broader campus reforms and state guidance under Senate Bill 37 and related changes.

via The Texas Tribune|

#curriculum #higher-education #policy

state-government2 months ago•70 min saved

Maryland Moves to End Local ICE 287(g) Collaborations

Maryland’s Legislature approved emergency bills to bar local governments and police from partnering with ICE through the 287(g) program, which allows jail staff to check immigration status and detain noncitizens for up to 48 hours. The Senate passed the measure 32-12 and the House 99-40; eight counties already participate, with Wicomico County newly joining. Gov. Wes Moore has criticized ICE, and the 287(g) ban could take effect immediately if signed. A separate Senate measure banning law enforcement from wearing face coverings also passed, but faces potential constitutional challenges and would be a civil offense with a $1,500 fine.

via The Baltimore Banner|

#287g #ice #immigration

state-government2 months ago•23 min saved

Texas Education Agency warns districts could face state takeover over student walkouts

The Texas Education Agency issued guidance warning that districts could be taken over by the state, lose funding, or face other penalties if they facilitate student walkouts or “inappropriate political activism,” a response to Gov. Greg Abbott’s directive to have Education Commissioner Mike Morath investigate AISD protests. The guidance lists consequences such as unexcused absences, educator investigations, and potential replacement of elected school boards, as walkouts and related actions spanned multiple districts and drew political pressure from state leaders.

via The Texas Tribune|

#austin-isd #greg-abbott #mike-morath

virginia-politics2 months ago•26 min saved

Virginia judge invalidates Democrats' redistricting amendment plan

A circuit court judge in rural Tazewell County ruled that the Virginia Democrats' process to propose a constitutional amendment for redistricting is invalid, a setback in their bid to gain more blue-leaning seats; Democrats said they will appeal.

via The Washington Post|

#elections #redistricting #state-government

politics2 months ago•6 min saved

Missouri braces for budget squeeze as Kehoe unveils austere plan

Missouri's budget surplus is projected to be exhausted by the end of the next fiscal year, as Gov. Mike Kehoe unveiled a $54.5 billion plan with no new money for public schools, higher education, or state employee raises. The proposal would cut about $600 million in general revenue, rely on replacing about $1 billion in exhausted federal COVID relief funds, and offer limited spending increases—mostly a health-plan boost and a few targeted programs—while reviving a push to eliminate the state income tax via a voter referendum. Democrats warn the approach will shift costs to residents and threaten services, while Republicans tout spending restraint amid a shifting revenue outlook and Medicaid cost pressures.

via Missouri Independent|

#budget #education-funding #medicaid

state-government3 months ago•6 min saved

WA Governor Proposes Budget Cuts and Reserve Fund Use to Address $2.3B Gap

Washington Gov. Bob Ferguson proposes using reserve funds, climate law revenues, and spending cuts to address a $2.3 billion budget shortfall without raising taxes, while also supporting increased spending on public services and infrastructure. The plan includes controversial moves like redirecting climate auction proceeds and making across-the-board cuts to education and government programs, with Republican critics dismissing it as accounting tricks.

via Washington State Standard|

#budget-shortfall #climate-law-revenue #gov-ferguson

state-government5 months ago•2 min saved

Governor Phil Murphy's Official Website

Governor Phil Murphy of New Jersey declared a State of Emergency due to the suspension of federal SNAP benefits by the Trump Administration, affecting over 800,000 residents. The state is taking emergency measures to ensure food access, including allowing access to existing benefits, encouraging use of school meal programs, and providing resources through NJ 211 and food pantries. The situation remains dynamic, and residents are advised to stay informed about their benefits and available assistance.

via NJ.gov|

#emergency-declaration #food-assistance #new-jersey

politics5 months ago•1 min saved

Ex-Federal Officials Flock to California, Expressing No Regrets

Many former federal officials, especially those with expertise in environmental and scientific fields, are moving to California to work in state government, motivated by changes in federal policies and opportunities for impact, and are actively connecting and recruiting among themselves.

via Politico|

#california #environment #federal-workers