State Capitals across the country saw a flurry of activity from both lawmakers and governors alike. Several governors gave their annual State of the State Addresses, while lawmakers in different states tackled issues including generative AI, mobile sports betting, paid family leave, and casino smoking bans.
Alaska
Governor Mike Dunleavy (R) delivered his State of the State address this week. His address emphasized improving public safety and the pursuit of comprehensive education reform.
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Arizona
Senator Anthony Kern (R) introduced Senate Concurrent Resolution 1014 this week, which looks to give the legislature the authority to select presidential electors, regardless of the popular vote outcome.
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California
Governor Gavin Newson (D) has pledged to push forward more than half a dozen projects aimed at removing or bypassing dams across the state. This commitment would help restore salmon in California and allow them to return to the streams to lay eggs and grow their dwindling population.
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Connecticut
State lawmakers are considering a bill to ban legacy admissions. If passed, all colleges in Connecticut, both public and private, would be barred from considering legacy status during the admissions process.
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Florida
Two pieces of legislation were discussed in the legislature this week that look to establish a registry for dogs that have been deemed dangerous, putting them in a statewide database. These bills exclude police and hunting dogs from being admitted into the proposed system.
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Georgia
In Georgia, a bipartisan group of senators introduced Senate Bill 392 to protect election integrity. The bill combats deep fakes by criminalizing their creation, usage, and solicitation. Deep fakes are considered criminal election interference under the proposed legislation.
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Hawaii
Governor Josh Green (D) proposed a new tourist tax that would require travelers to pay an extra fee when entering the state. The funds from this new fee would be invested back into prevention efforts for natural disasters and statewide emergencies.
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Illinois
In Illinois, lawmakers from both parties have introduced legislation to raise the estate tax threshold for family farms. This move aims to provide financial relief and preserve the viability of family farms across the state.
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Indiana
On Monday, the Indiana House approved a bill to ban cities from prohibiting the sale of dogs at pet stores, overriding ordinances by 21 municipalities that aimed to curb so-called “puppy mills” and encourage shelter adoptions. The bill passed 59-36 and now heads to the Senate.
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Iowa
Lawmakers have advanced legislation that would require students to show proof of U.S. citizenship in order to receive in-state tuition. This legislation would apply to Iowa’s three regent universities and several community colleges.
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Kansas
Lawmakers held hearings for Governor Laura Kelly’s (R) tax plan this week. Governor Kelly’s proposed tax plan has bipartisan support but comes as lawmakers are expected to attempt a veto-override of the GOP-backed plan that the governor previously vetoed. The key difference between the two plans: Kelly’s plan lacks a flat income tax rate.
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Kentucky
Legislation passed out of the House this week that aims to make voluntary paid family leave insurance accessible to Kentucky employees. HB 179 would expand benefits to workers who would not normally be able to take off of work to take care of their families.
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Louisiana
On the final day of their special session, lawmakers approved repealing the state’s open primaries for certain races, including Congress, the Louisiana Supreme Court, the Louisiana Public Service Commission and the state Board of Elementary and Secondary Education.
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Maine
Governor Janet Mills (D) delivered her State of the State address this week. Her speech focused on challenging current laws related to gun control. Mills looks to strengthen the state’s yellow flag law, increase background checks, and address the ongoing mental health crisis.
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Maryland
On Thursday, Maryland’s Senate Finance Committee discussed a bill (SB160) that would affect the state’s restaurant industry. The bill aims to remove the tip credit for restaurant workers, which has sparked differing opinions. Servers and bartenders in Maryland currently make $3.63 an hour and the legislation would eliminate the tip credit beginning in 2027 while simultaneously raising server and bartender wages to meet Maryland’s minimum wage.
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Mississippi
Lawmakers advanced a bill this week to legalize mobile sports betting. Under the bill, gambling companies would be required to contract with brick and mortar gaming establishments.
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Missouri
This week, lawmakers debated legislation that would ban child marriage in the state under the age of 18; current law allows 16 and 17 year olds to get married if they have parental consent.
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Nebraska
State lawmakers are considering a bill to provide students with annual $1,500 vouchers to be used towards private school tuition, supplies, and other educational expenses.
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New Jersey
After three years of deadlock, New Jersey’s Senate Health Committee approved a bill prohibiting smoking in Atlantic City casinos.
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New Mexico
A House committee advanced legislation that would change current marriage laws in the state. HB 232 would ban child marriages, prohibiting the issuing of licenses to anyone under the age of 18.
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New York
New York City restaurant owners are sounding the alarm over legislation in Albany that would raise the minimum wage for servers.
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North Carolina
Governor Roy Cooper (D) has signed an executive order that looks to help formerly incarcerated individuals adjust to life after serving their sentences.
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Ohio
Governor Mike DeWine (R) announced a two-year suicide prevention plan that intends to increase public awareness and data gathering along with expanding access to healthcare and long term support for families dealing with loss from suicide.
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Oklahoma
Governor Kevin Stitt (R) called a special legislative session this week. During this session, he called for the legislature to reduce the personal income-tax rate.
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Oregon
Governor Tina Kotek (D) declared a state of emergency in Portland this week. The declaration comes after an increase in the number of fentanyl deaths that have occurred in the city.
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Pennsylvania
Governor Josh Shapiro (D) has announced his economic development plan for the state. This initiative seeks to establish a 10-year long plan that invests millions into improving state infrastructure.
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South Carolina
Governor Henry McMaster and other leaders in the state hosted the first South Carolina Governor’s Economic Summit this week. The summit focused on evaluating ways to expand business ventures in the state.
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South Dakota
Governor Kristi Noem (R) signed two bills into law this week focused on the state’s relationship with existing tribal groups. These bills extend the time allowed for a tax agreement with a tribe and defines public infrastructure with the intention to allow tribes to be eligible for housing grants, loans, and the ability to declare an emergency.
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Utah
Governor Spencer Cox (R) signed a bill into law this week that would prohibit trangender people from accessing public restrooms and locker rooms.
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Virginia
Lawmakers passed a bill this week that had previously failed twice in the House. The legislation would grant local governments the authority to raise their local sales tax for funding school constructions initiatives.
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Washington
Governor Jay Inslee (D) signed an executive order into law this week that looks to develop guidelines and regulations related to generative AI.
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Wyoming
Governor Mark Gordon (R) unveiled a new initiative to address the ongoing mental health crisis in the state. The “Mental Health Roadmap” plan looks to advance behavioral health reform and expand existing programs.
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