SNAP Restrictions & Crackdown: States Target Sugary Foods in Push to ‘Make America Healthy Again
Ryan StevensAcross the country, states are proposing new policies that would restrict the use of Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits for the purchase of sugary foods, such as soda and candy. These efforts to implement...
Plastic Bag Ban Legislation: States Push Forward on Single-Use Plastics Reform
Ryan StevensAs concerns over plastic pollution continue to grow, state legislatures across the country are revisiting and expanding policies aimed at reducing single-use plastic waste. Plastic bags, widely used for retail checkout, have become a primary...
Weekly State of the States: May 30th, 2025 Edition
Ryan StevensState legislatures were active this week, with governors signing key bills, lawmakers wrapping up their sessions, and budget deadlines fast approaching. From Florida’s recognition of gold and silver as legal tender to Hawaii’s new “green...
Weekly State of the States: May 23rd, 2025 Edition
Ryan StevensState legislatures were busy this week, with governors signing off on major bills and lawmakers racing to wrap up their sessions. From Alabama’s new protections for law enforcement to Hawaii’s climate-driven tourism tax and Delaware’s...
Pennsylvania 2025 Primary Results: Major Races and Legislative Implications
Ryan StevensThe 2025 Pennsylvania primary election results are in. From Pittsburgh’s tightly contested mayoral race to Harrisburg’s crowded Democratic primary and key judicial contests across the state, voters made their voices heard. Meanwhile, several state legislators...
Kratom Regulation in 2025: Comprehensive Legislative Updates Across the U.S.
Ryan StevensIn 2025, kratom, derived from the Mitragyna speciosa plant, continues to spark nationwide debate due to its potential for pain relief and opioid withdrawal support, alongside concerns about safety and dependency. As its use grows,...
Reading Is Ready: Local Leadership, Big Impact, and Relentless Optimism with Jack Gombach
Ryan StevensLocal government often gets overlooked in political discourse, but in this episode of Back in Session, we learn just how vital it can be. Jack Gombach, Managing Director for the City of Reading, joins the...
Weekly State of the States: May 16th, 2025 Edition
Ryan StevensAs state legislative sessions reach their spring peak, lawmakers across the country are advancing major policy changes on issues ranging from education and taxes to healthcare, public safety, and climate resilience. With many states approaching...
State-Level Geoengineering Bans: Florida, Montana, and Beyond
Ryan StevensIn 2025, several U.S. states have introduced legislation to prohibit geoengineering, defined as intentional large-scale interventions in Earth’s atmosphere or climate systems, such as cloud seeding or solar radiation modification. These geoengineering bans address practices...
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