Special Elections Could Reshape Party Control In Minnesota and Beyond
FOCUS, A Leonine Business
The 2024 elections left state legislatures across the U.S. with razor-thin majorities. Minnesota, Michigan and Virginia are now at the center of high-stakes special elections that could reshape party control. Read more about these pivotal contests.
Illinois Supreme Court to decide on law limiting where people can sue state
Washington Examiner
It’s now up to the Illinois Supreme Court to decide if a recently enacted state law limiting where people can file constitutional challenges against the state in Sangamon and Cook counties, and not any of the other 100 counties.
Candy would lose sales tax exemption under Massachusetts governor’s budget proposal
CBS Boston
Massachusetts Democratic Gov. Maura Healey released her $62 billion budget plan on Wednesday, proposing big investments in transportation and education. And in a potential change that shoppers could notice at the grocery store, the governor is seeking to cover a small portion of the spending by removing the sales tax exemption from candy purchases.
Alaska, Arizona, Arkansas, California, Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, Georgia, Hawaii, Idaho, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Mississippi, Missouri, Montana, Nebraska, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, North Carolina, North Dakota, Ohio, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, South Carolina, South Dakota, Tennessee, Texas, Utah, Vermont, Virginia, Washington, 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: Nevada and Oklahoma (February 3); Alabama (February 4); West Virginia (February 12); Florida (March 4) and Louisiana (April 14).
California gaveled in its ongoing special session on January 9. According to KCRA, the special session, which had been in recess since the end of last year, is meant to provide the state’s Department of Justice with an extra $25 million to prepare for legal battles with the Trump administration. However, Democratic leaders have expanded the session to also address the wildfires in the southern part of the state and are planning to provide $2.5 billion in relief efforts through legislation in the session.
Florida Republican Gov. Ron Desantis has announced a special session scheduled to begin on January 27 to address illegal immigration. CBS News reports, Governor Desantis is planning the special session for the week after President Donald Trump’s inauguration so that the state can implement the incoming president’s new policies on immigration. Desantis explained the session, saying, “State and local officials in Florida must help the Trump administration enforce our nation’s immigration laws.” The session will also address other issues, including hurricane recovery and the ballot initiative process.
Tennessee Republican Gov. Bill Lee announced a special session scheduled to convene on January 27 to advance his school voucher legislation. According to The Tennessean, Governor Lee’s school voucher bill failed last year through failed votes and legislative gridlock, but he plans to make it one of the main focuses of the special session. The session will also include other topics, such as immigration and disaster relief funding.
District of Columbia Democratic Mayor Muriel Bowser has 10 days from presentment, weekends excepted, to act on legislation or it becomes law without signature. Massachusetts Democratic Gov. Maura Healey has 10 days from presentment 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
The following states are currently holding interim committee hearings: Alabama, Louisiana, Minnesota, Nevada, Oklahoma House and Senate and West Virginia.
The following states are currently posting bill drafts, prefiles and interim studies: Alabama, Florida, Nevada and Oklahoma.
Special Elections
The following seats are scheduled to be filled by special election on January 28: Iowa Senate District 35 and Minnesota House District 40B and Senate District 60.
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