Legislators Embrace the Role of Fashion Police
by FOCUS, a Leonine Business
With California and New York enacting first-of-their-kind laws regulating the fashion and textile industries last year, more states are jumping on board as state legislatures begin to embrace their role as the fashion police.
New north Carolina governor suesover more laws meant to weaken him
The Associated Press
Recently elected North Carolina Democratic Gov. Josh Stein says more recent laws enacted by state Republicans that erode some gubernatorial appointment powers are “partisan power grabs that thwart North Carolina voters’ decisions at the ballot box.” The governor sued House Speaker Destin Hall, R-Caldwell, and Senate leader Phil Berger, R-Caswell, in Wake County court on Friday, aiming to strike down provisions within legislation that removed his power to fill court vacancies and name members of a commission that regulates companies that offer electricity, natural gas and other services.
Wisconsin Supreme Court justice rejects Republican call to step down in key union case
The Associated Press
A liberal Wisconsin Supreme Court justice on Wednesday rejected a Republican request that she not hear a pending case that seeks to restore collective bargaining rights that tens of thousands of teachers, nurses and other state workers lost in 2011. Her decision came at the same time the court, without comment, declined to hear the case as unions requested before it first goes through a lower appeals court.
Alabama, Alaska, Arizona, Arkansas, California, Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, Georgia, Hawaii, Idaho, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Mississippi, Missouri, Montana, Nebraska, Nevada, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, North Carolina, North Dakota, Ohio, Oklahoma, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, South Carolina, South Dakota, Tennessee, Texas, Utah, Vermont, Virginia, Washington, West Virginia, Wisconsin and Wyoming are in regular session. The District of Columbia Council and U.S. Congress are also in session.
The following states are expected to convene for the 2025 legislative session on the dates provided: Florida (March 4) and Louisiana (April 14).
Virginia is scheduled to adjourn its 2025 legislative session on February 22.
Florida convened another special session on February 11 to focus on immigration. According to CBS News, Republican Gov. Ron Desantis planned to veto the immigration legislation passed during the state’s previous special session. Lawmakers decided to convene again to pass new immigration bills that are supported by the governor. The legislation would increase penalties for undocumented immigrants who commit crimes and institute the death penalty for undocumented immigrants who are convicted of rape or murder.
District of Columbia Democratic Mayor Muriel Bowser has 10 days from presentment, weekends excepted, to act on legislation or it becomes law without signature. Michigan Democratic Gov. Gretchen Whitmer has 14 days from presentment to act on legislation or it is pocket vetoed. New Jersey Democratic Gov. Phil Murphy has 45 days from presentment to act on legislation or it becomes law without signature. New York Democratic Gov. Kathy Hochul has 10 days from presentment, excluding Sundays, to act on legislation or it becomes law without signature.
Interim Committees/Prefiles
Louisiana is currently holding interim committee hearings.
Florida is currently posting prefiles and interim studies.
Special Elections
Delaware is scheduled to hold a special election for Senate districts 1 and 5 on February 15.
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