Three More States Could Legalize Marijuana in November
FOCUS, A Leonine Business
As the 2024 election quickly approaches, three more states are poised to vote on legalizing marijuana in November. As the 2024 election draws near, voters in Florida, South Dakota, and Nebraska will have the opportunity to decide on the future of cannabis policy in their states. Each measure faces unique challenges, from the high voter threshold required in Florida to South Dakota’s history of narrowly defeated efforts.
Wisconsin Supreme Court grapples with governor’s 400-year veto, calling it “crazy”
The Associated Press
Justices on the Wisconsin Supreme Court said Wednesday that Democratic Gov. Tony Evers’ creative use of his expansive veto power in an attempt to lock in a school funding increase for 400 years appeared to be “extreme” and “crazy” but questioned whether and how it should be reined in.
Georgia Supreme Court reinstates six-week abortion ban, reversing lower court ruling
ABC News
The Georgia state Supreme Court reinstated the state’s six-week abortion ban on Monday after a lower court allowed abortions to resume in the state. The ruling will remain in place while the court hears the state’s appeal, which was filed by Republican Attorney General Christopher Carr.
Michigan, New Jersey and Pennsylvania are in regular session. The District of Columbia Council and U.S. Congress are also in session.
Ohio is in recess until November 13.
North Carolina passed an adjournment resolution that calls for the regular session to reconvene periodically through December. The legislature adjourned a session on September 11 and plans to reconvene on October 9.
California Democratic Gov. Gavin Newsom called the legislature into a special session immediately following its adjournment on August 31. According to the Associated Press, Governor Newsom called the session to debate measures that would reduce gas prices. Californians pay the highest gas prices in the country and Newsom said the special session is necessary to “prevent price spikes next year and beyond.”
West Virginia began a special session on September 30, though it is in recess until October 6. According to a proclamation from Republican Gov. Jim Justice, the goal of the session is to lower costs for residents of the state. Governor Justice calls for the legislature to cut personal income taxes by five percent, create a childcare tax credit and increase funding for education and infrastructure.
Louisiana Republican Gov. Jeff Landry announced that he will call a special session in November to consider tax reforms. According to Yahoo News, Governor Landry hopes to overhaul the state’s current tax system by reducing income tax and charging sales tax on more items. In explaining his plan, Landry said it would “provide an immediate increase in take-home pay for every Louisiana taxpayer.” If the legislature approves of the tax reforms, they would then need to be ratified by voters next March before becoming law.
California Democratic Gov. Gavin Newsom had until September 30 to act on legislation or it became law without signature.
Delaware Democratic Gov. John Carney has 10 days from presentment, excluding Sundays, to act on legislation or it becomes law without signature. Illinois Democratic Gov J.B. Pritzker has 60 days from presentment 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. New Hampshire Republican Gov. Chris Sununu has five days from presentment, excluding Sundays, to act on legislation or it is pocket vetoed. New York Democratic Gov. Kathy Hochul has 10 days from presentment, excluding Sundays, to act on legislation or it becomes law without signature. Rhode Island Democratic Gov. Daniel McKee has six days from presentment, excluding Sundays, to act on legislation or it becomes law without signature. Tennessee Republican Gov. Bill Lee 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, Alaska, Arizona, Arkansas, California House and Senate, Colorado, Connecticut, Georgia, Hawaii, Idaho, Illinois House and Senate, Indiana, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maine, Maryland, Minnesota, Mississippi House and Senate, Missouri House and Senate, Montana, Nebraska, Nevada, New Hampshire House and Senate, New Mexico, New York Assembly, North Dakota, Oklahoma House and Senate, Oregon, Rhode Island, South Carolina, South Dakota, Tennessee, Texas House, Utah, Vermont, Virginia, Washington, West Virginia and Wyoming.
The following states are currently posting bill drafts, prefiles and interim studies: Alabama, Florida, Iowa, Nebraska, Nevada, New Hampshire, North Dakota, Montana, Oklahoma House and Senate and Utah.
Special Elections
Alabama held a special election on October 1 for House District 52. According to CBS 42, the seat was won by Democrat Kelvin Datcher, who beat Republican Erskine Brown, Jr. with 84 percent of the vote. Datcher will join the legislature when its next session begins in early 2025.
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