Politics Feb 01 10 GOP state senators who staged long walkout can’t run for reelection, Oregon high court says The 2023 walkout paralyzed the Legislature for weeks and only ended after Republicans forced concessions from Democrats on a sweeping bill related to expanding access to abortion and transgender health care and another measure regarding the manufacture and transfer of… By Claire Rush, Associated Press
Politics Jan 29 Lawmakers in several U.S. states push for laws defining antisemitism The efforts are triggering debates about free speech and bringing complicated world politics into statehouses. By Geoff Mulvihill, Associated Press
Politics Dec 26 Watch 5:33 What to expect from state legislatures in 2024 Repeated gridlock in Washington has brought about the rise of another power center in America, state legislatures. Lisa Desjardins explores what to expect in the coming year. By Lisa Desjardins, Matt Loffman
Politics Nov 07 Virginia Democrats take full control of statehouse The outcome is a sharp loss for Republican Gov. Glenn Youngkin, who exerted a great deal of energy, money and political capital on an effort to secure a GOP trifecta. By Sarah Rankin, Associated Press
Mar 20 State lawmakers consider harsher penalties for fentanyl possession By Gabe Stern, James Pollard, Geoff Mulvihill, Associated Press Proponents say prosecutors and police need more tools to help with the fight because fentanyl and other synthetic opioids are so deadly. But other advocates worry harsher penalties will result in even more dangerous drug supplies and punish people who… Continue reading
Jan 15 Missouri Democrats criticize ‘ridiculous’ debate over House dress code By Josh Funk, Associated Press Women who serve in the Missouri House will face a tougher dress code when they return to the floor this week after a debate that Democrats panned as a pointless distraction from the issues facing the state. Continue reading
Jan 07 Republican states aim to restrict transgender health care in first bills of 2023 By Hannah Schoenbaum, Associated Press More than two dozen bills seeking to restrict transgender health care access have been introduced across 11 states — Kansas, Kentucky, Missouri, Montana, New Hampshire, Oklahoma, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas, Utah and Virginia — for the legislative sessions beginning in… Continue reading
Nov 20 State-level anti-transgender legislation reverberates on Day of Remembrance By Hannah Schoenbaum, Associated Press Statehouse victories for Republicans around the country in this month's midterm elections are resonating for trans people as they mark Sunday's Transgender Day of Remembrance, an international observance honoring victims of anti-transgender violence and raising awareness of the threats trans people face. Continue reading
Apr 21 In some states, versions of ‘Don’t Say Gay’ bills have been around for awhile By Kate Sosin, The 19th At least 20 states have introduced “Don’t Say Gay” laws this year. But in a handful of states, versions of the legislation have existed for decades. Continue reading