State 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 legalization of medical aid in dying, states tackled a wide range of issues. Some states closed out their sessions with [...]
Photo credit: iStock.com/rarrarorro The 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 chasing new roles could shake up the delicate balance of the Pennsylvania House. Here is a breakdown [...]
kratom In 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, states across the U.S. are crafting diverse approaches to kratom regulation, ranging from consumer protection laws to outright bans. [...]
Local 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 Ryans to talk about his transition from government relations to city operations, and how he’s helping to lead a quiet [...]
As 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 key deadlines or wrapping up their regular sessions, this week’s roundup highlights the most significant developments and debates in every [...]
Photo credit: iStock.com/Niiaz Sabirov In 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 that alter weather or sunlight intensity, often regulated under state environmental laws. This article examines recent [...]
Photo credit: iStock.com/24K-Production Across the United States, lawmakers are increasingly reconsidering psilocybin policy in response to growing evidence of its therapeutic potential. Psilocybin is a naturally occurring psychedelic compound found in particular species of mushrooms. Once stigmatized and criminalized, scientists and policymakers are reevaluating it as a promising treatment for mental health conditions such as [...]
Photo credit: iStock.com/AnnaStills Families across the U.S. are readying for summer 2025 barbecues amid a growing debate over the meat on those grills. Cultivated meat, a product of cutting-edge food science, offers an alternative to traditional meat by culturing animal cells in a lab, reducing environmental impacts and animal slaughter. However, several states are responding [...]
In the latest episode of the Back in Session Podcast, hosts Ryan Stevens and Ryan DeMara sit down with Massachusetts State Senator Brendan Crighton for an engaging conversation about the state’s legislative landscape. Representing the Third Essex District, which includes coastal communities like Lynn and Nahant, Senator Crighton brings a wealth of experience from his [...]
State legislatures across the country are advancing a wide array of bills addressing varying concerns, from economic reform and healthcare expansion to public safety and environmental policy. In Alabama, lawmakers are cracking down on pharmacy benefit managers to support independent pharmacies, while states like Alaska and Iowa are navigating contentious budget and tax reforms. Alabama [...]
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