Apr 15 WATCH: Democrats introduce legislation to expand Supreme Court By Kevin Freking, Associated Press President Joe Biden last week created a commission to spend the next six months examining the politically incendiary issues of expanding the court and instituting term limits for justices. Continue reading
Mar 30 Hungary approves extra government powers, with no end date By Pablo Gorondi, Associated Press Hungary's parliament has approved a bill giving Prime Minister Viktor Orban's government extraordinary powers during the coronavirus pandemic, and setting no end date for them. Continue reading
Jan 01 Watch 6:24 How upcoming state laws could make it to Washington next As the calendar turned to 2019 this week, new laws are taking effect, and new state legislatures are looking to push even more changes. In some states, these measures will address gun safety, roll back business licensing regulations and legalize… Continue watching
Nov 04 Past midterms, some zero in on amending Constitution By Matt Sedensky, Associated Press Some on the right are working to cement change by amending the Constitution and bypassing the usual process. Continue reading
Oct 20 California’s ban on bikes in swimming pools – and other strange laws on the books By Julia Griffin Photographer Olivia Locher's latest project, “I Fought the Law,” chronicles the bizarre and obscure laws that have made their way into America’s state and local legislation. Continue reading
Jul 23 California governor turns to housing, rail after climate win By Kathleen Ronayne, Associated Press Gov. Jerry Brown's aggressive plea for lawmakers to renew California's signature climate change law proved fruitful this week. Continue reading
Jun 24 Illinois could be 1st state with ‘junk’ credit due to budget By Sara Burnett, Associated Press Illinois is on track to become the first U.S. state to have its credit rating downgraded to "junk" status, which would deepen its multibillion-dollar deficit and cost taxpayers more for years to come. Continue reading
Jan 06 A snapshot of the new laws that take effect in 2017 By Joshua Barajas, Gretchen Frazee Eighteen states raised the minimum wage. California broadened restrictions on cellphone use for drivers. Continue reading
Oct 28 Watch 6:09 The woman behind the sexual-assault survivor ‘bill of rights’ By PBS News Hour Rape kits are essential evidence for prosecuting sexual assault. But in many parts of the country, they’re destroyed after six months. While assault victims can fight to preserve them longer, that information isn't necessarily shared. It's an issue Amanda Nguyen… Continue watching
Sep 29 Watch 3:48 News Wrap: Congress considers fix to bill allowing 9/11 victims to sue Saudi Arabia By PBS News Hour In our news wrap Thursday, Republican congressional leaders opened the door for changes in a new law allowing the relatives of 9/11 victims to sue Saudi Arabia. White House spokesman John Earnest said Congress may be having buyers remorse after… Continue watching