Legislators Eye Earned Wage Access Programs
by FOCUS, a Leonine Business
Over the past several years, earned wage access (EWA) programs have emerged as a modern solution for workers seeking quicker access to their wages. These programs allow employees to receive a portion of their paycheck before their scheduled payday, providing a flexible alternative to payday loans or overdraft fees. EWA services can be offered directly by employers or through third-party providers. The third-party model typically includes either a one-time fee or a subscription service with solicited “tips” from users.
Texas Senate passes $336 billion state budget. Here’s what’s proposed for 2026-27
Austin American Statesman
The Texas Senate quickly passed its version of the state’s roughly $336 billion proposed budget, which would fund the operations of the state government through 2027. SB 1, the upper chamber’s version of the biennial budget, passed unanimously Tuesday afternoon after about two hours of deliberation. The move sets the stage for budget negotiations with the House on contentious issues like school vouchers and property tax reform.
Nearing legislative deadline, Georgia businesses battle bill to ban THC drinks
Augusta-Aiken WRDW-TV
With just a week left in Georgia’s legislative session, lawmakers have found themselves facing the wrath of several businesses over a bill that would ban THC drinks and lower limits for other consumables. Right now, you can legally buy CBD, delta 8, and delta 9 hemp products in Georgia as long as they contain less than 0.3 percent THC.
Forty-four states are currently in regular session. The District of Columbia Council and U.S. Congress are also in session.
Louisiana is expected to convene for its 2025 legislative session on April 14.
The following states adjourned their 2025 legislative sessions on the dates provided: Maine (March 21) and New Mexico (March 22).
The following states are scheduled to adjourn their 2025 legislative sessions on the dates provided: Kentucky (March 28), South Dakota (March 31) and Georgia (April 4).
Maine began a special session on March 25 to finish up work on legislation following its adjournment on March 21. According to Yahoo News, Democrats moved to adjourn the regular session to speed up the timeline for the budget to take effect. Democratic Gov. Janet Mills then called the special session to allow legislators the ability to pass bills that have been carried over from the regular session.
The crossover deadline for West Virginia is April 2.
Virginia Republican Gov. Glenn Youngkin had until March 24 to act on legislation or it became law without signature.
Utah Republican Gov. Spencer Cox has until March 27 to act on legislation or it becomes law without signature. New Mexico Democratic Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham has until April 11 to act on legislation or it is pocket vetoed. Maine Democratic Gov. Janet Mills has 10 days from presentment, Sundays excluded, 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.
Interim Committees/Prefiles
Louisiana is currently holding interim committee hearings and posting prefiles.
Special Elections
Mississippi held special elections for House districts 23 and 82 on March 25. Special elections in the state are nonpartisan and if no candidate gets a majority, the top two candidates will head to a runoff election. According to 270toWin, in House District 23, Perry Von Bailey received 40.8 percent of the vote and Colby Bollinger received 32.2 percent of the vote so both candidates will now go to a runoff. In House District 82, Gregory Elliott won 40.3 percent of the vote and Joseph Norwood received 30 percent, meaning these two candidates will also head to a runoff election.
Pennsylvania held special elections for House District 35 and Senate District 36 on March 25. According to The New York Times, in House District 35, Democrat Dan Goughnour defeated Republican Charles Davis with 63.4 percent of the vote. In Senate District 36, Democrat James Malone won a surprising victory against Republican Josh Parsons with 50 percent of the vote in the conservative district. Malone’s win will narrow the Republican majority in the Senate to 27-23.
South Carolina held a special election for House District 113 on March 25. According to ABC News 4, Democrat Courtney Waters ran unopposed in the seat and won the election with over 90 percent of the vote.
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