Welcome to this week’s edition of “DMGS Weekly State of the States,” where we provide a comprehensive roundup of the latest state legislative and policy news from across the country. This week, we highlight efforts to restore campaign finance limits in Alaska, a new partnership for semiconductor production in Arizona, and challenges to school voucher laws in Nebraska. Stay informed on these key developments and more as we explore the actions shaping state policies and impacting communities nationwide.
Alaska
A group of Alaskans, led by Citizens Against Money in Politics, is petitioning to restore state campaign finance limits, which were previously struck down by the federal 9th Circuit Court of Appeals. The initiative aims to reduce the influence of large corporations and unions in elections, reflecting the public’s strong support for contribution caps, as demonstrated by a 2006 ballot initiative that passed with 73% approval.
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Arizona
Governor Katie Hobbs (D) unveiled a partnership with Intel Corporation, looking to expand semiconductor production in the State. The partnership includes a new apprenticeship program aimed at training manufacturing facility technicians.
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Arkansas
Secretary of State John Thurston is being sued for the state’s rejection of ballot measures relating to protecting abortion rights. The petitions, sponsored by Arkansans for Limited Government, received enough signatures to reach the November ballot but were not verified.
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California
Governor Gavin Newsom (D) signed Assembly Bill 1955, prohibiting school districts from requiring schools to notify parents of gender identification. The law has been subject to controversy, sparking a lawsuit by an opposing school district.
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Connecticut
Legislation has been proposed to fund cold case investigations. The bill aims to allocate state and federal funds to hire retired homicide investigators to work on unsolved murders.
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Delaware
The General Assembly has passed a bill aimed at enhancing school construction projects by incorporating solar energy systems and improving student protection measures. The legislation focuses on promoting renewable energy use in schools.
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Florida
A Florida panel has approved a financial impact statement for a November ballot initiative on abortion, stating the initiative will negatively affect the state budget by potentially increasing abortions and decreasing live births. Supporters of the amendment, who argue the panel’s decision is politically motivated, note that the Financial Impact Estimating Conference’s statement also highlights possible legal costs and uncertain requirements for state-funded abortions.
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Kentucky
Several new laws impacting children, including measures addressing truancy and discipline, took effect in Kentucky this week following the conclusion of the Kentucky General Assembly’s 60-day legislative session on April 15. These laws became effective 90 days post-adjournment, as stipulated by the Kentucky Constitution.
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Maine
Supporters of requiring photo identification to vote in Maine are pushing for a referendum on the November ballot. The proposal, led by the state’s Republican Party and The Dinner Table PAC, aims to mandate voter ID for federal, state, and local elections. They have collected around 40,000 signatures and need at least 67,000 by August 8 to qualify for the November ballot; otherwise, it will be moved to the 2025 ballot.
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Maryland
A Maryland board approved $148.3 million in state spending reductions to balance the budget and allocate more funds for child care and Medicaid, aligning with Democratic Gov. Wes Moore’s priorities to boost the economy. The Board of Public Works, chaired by Moore and including Treasurer Dereck Davis and Comptroller Brooke Lierman, made cuts across various state agencies to meet the higher-than-expected demand for these programs.
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Massachusetts
Lawmakers reached a compromise on a bill cracking down on untraceable firearms or “ghost guns”. The bill increases oversight on the ownership of privately-made firearms.
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Michigan
Michigan lawmakers have introduced a legislative package aimed at expanding voting rights for marginalized communities. The proposed legislation seeks to remove barriers to voting, ensure fair access to the ballot, and enhance protections for voters in underserved areas.
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Missouri
Governor Mike Parson (R) has signed a bill preventing local governments from imposing taxes on online video streaming services. The legislation aims to protect consumers from additional costs associated with digital entertainment and ensure that streaming services remain affordable.
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Nebraska
Public school advocates in Nebraska claim they have gathered over 86,000 signatures, surpassing the nearly 62,000 required, to put a repeal of a law providing taxpayer money for private school tuition on the November ballot. Organizers from Support Our Schools delivered the petitions to the Nebraska Secretary of State’s office for validation. Cynthia Peterson from the League of Women Voters highlighted voter frustration over being previously denied a vote on school vouchers. If the repeal measure qualifies for the ballot, proponents anticipate legal challenges from school choice supporters.
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New Hampshire
A new law signed by New Hampshire Gov. Chris Sununu (R) requires public and private high schools to provide voting information to students. House Bill 1014 mandates that civics instruction include details on election and voting laws, supplementing current curriculum requirements on the New Hampshire and U.S. Constitutions and the functions of government. This law aims to enhance students’ understanding of their civic duties and engagement opportunities.
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New Jersey
New Jersey Gov. Phil Murphy (D) and Rep. Mikie Sherrill (D) have called for the Senate to expel Sen. Bob Menendez (D) following his conviction on 16 charges, including bribery and acting as a foreign agent. Murphy, who would appoint Menendez’s replacement until January 2025, urged Menendez to resign immediately and stated that if Menendez refuses, the Senate should vote to expel him.
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New Mexico
On Thursday, New Mexico Democrats in the state legislative majority resisted Governor Michelle Lujan Grisham’s (D) proposals for immediate action on crime and homelessness, rejecting her calls for enhanced criminal penalties, panhandling restrictions, and expanded involuntary mental health detention and treatment. Instead, they passed a bill to expand pilot programs for voluntary treatment of severe mental illness and addiction and approved an emergency aid package for the village devastated by June wildfires.
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North Dakota
Lawmakers are reviewing policy on workplace harassment after a sharp rise in complaints to the Ethics Commission. The policy outlines reporting and investigation processes for lawmakers alongside lobbyists, media, and other third parties.
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Oklahoma
Efforts to legalize sports betting in Oklahoma have stalled again in the state legislature. Despite multiple attempts and ongoing discussions, the bill did not gain sufficient support, leaving the issue unresolved for the foreseeable future.
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Oregon
Governor Tina Kotek (D) declared a state of emergency following severe wildfires in the northwest region of the state.
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Pennsylvania
On Thursday, Governor Josh Shapiro (D) signed Act 72 of 2024, an anti-SLAPP measure aimed at ending frivolous lawsuits and preserving freedom of speech, as stated by state Rep. Ryan Bizzarro. The bill, H.B. 1466, aligns Pennsylvania with 30 other states by curtailing Strategic Lawsuits Against Public Participation (SLAPPs), which have historically been used to silence individuals or organizations from speaking out on matters of public interest.
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Tennessee
A new law in Tennessee initiated by Governor Bill Lee (R) allows developers to hire their own building safety inspectors, a move intended to expedite construction projects.
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Wisconsin
Wisconsin Governor Tony Evers (D) and Attorney General Josh Kaul have joined a lawsuit filed by Planned Parenthood against Sheboygan County District Attorney Joel Urmanski, challenging the enforcement of a near-total state abortion ban as unconstitutional. Evers, who has pledged to support abortion access since the overturning of Roe v. Wade, and Kaul are asking the Wisconsin Supreme Court to declare an 1800s-era state statute unenforceable and to affirm that the Wisconsin Constitution guarantees the right to bodily autonomy, including abortion.
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Virginia
The Virginia General Assembly has approved two bills imposing additional restrictions on sex offenders. The first bill, unanimously passed by both the Senate and the House of Delegates, mandates that the circuit court hearing date for sex offenders seeking access to schools and day care centers be published in a local newspaper for two weeks, allows public testimony against the request, and requires notification to the school board chairman, in addition to the superintendent. The second bill, contingent on funding in the upcoming budget, extends the Virginia State Police sex offender registry to include offenses committed between July 1, 1980, and July 1, 1994.
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