Thursday, March 23, 2023

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A proposed flavored tobacco ban is back on the table in Minnesota, Trump attorney Evan Corcoran must testify in the documents probe, and a "clean slate" bill in Missouri would make "expungement" automatic.

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The Fed raises interest rates and reassures the banking system is sound, Norfolk Southern reaffirms a commitment to the people of East Palestine, and TikTok creators gather at the Capitol to support free expression.

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Finding childcare is a struggle everywhere, prompting North Carolina's Transylvania County to try a new approach. Maine is slowly building-out broadband access, but disagreements remain over whether local versus national companies should get the contracts, and specialty apps like "Farmers Dating" help those in small communities connect online.

Civic Engagement

According to County Recorder Stephen Richer, Maricopa County is the second-largest voting jurisdiction in the country. (Gage Skidmore / Flickr)

Wednesday, March 22, 2023

AZ Election Official 'Pessimistic' about Democracy's Future

An Arizona election official shared his concerns at a recent national conference about threats to safe and fair elections. Multiple experts at the …

Legislation being considered by Texas lawmakers would prevent Houston from adopting labor union bills meant to protect workers from the summer heat. (peuceta/AdobeStock)

Tuesday, March 21, 2023

TX Lawmakers Consider Legislation to Prevent Cities from Self-Governance

Texas' GOP-dominated legislature is considering bills to flip the script on powers traditionally afforded home-rule cities, instead forcing them to …


The VOTES Act also ensures the Commonwealth joins the Electronic Registration Information Center, or ERIC, a multi-state consortium which aims to keep voter registration rolls up to date, encourage voter registration and prevent voter fraud. (Adobe Stock)

Tuesday, March 21, 2023

Funds Aim to Support Municipalities With Expanded Mail Voting

Voting rights advocates in Massachusetts are applauding Governor Maura Healey's budgetary backing of new policies stemming from last year's passage of…

Multiple states have strengthened protections for election workers, following a surge in threats and harassment over the past few years. (Krakenimages.com/Adobestock)

Monday, March 20, 2023

Election Officials Call for Action to Protect Democracy

American democracy is in mortal danger as the 2024 election approaches, according to experts at a conference held at the University of California…


ERIC has operated as a nonprofit membership organization created by state election officials to help improve the accuracy of state voter rolls since 2012, according to its website. (Adobe Stock)

Monday, March 20, 2023

Former Secretary of State Calls WV Leaving ERIC 'Shortsighted'

Critics say West Virginia is taking a step backward by dropping out of the Electronic Registration Information Center system known as ERIC. Run by …

The Tennessee House passed House Bill 2106 last year, which requires that Black history be taught to 5th through 8th graders. It takes effect July 1, 2025. (Adobe Stock)
TN Group Heads to State Capitol for 'Day On The Hill'

Advocates and leaders are headed to the state capitol next week to voice their concerns over issues affecting Black communities in Tennessee…


Grace Raymond Hebard's second home, known as the Doctor's Inn at 318 S. 10th St. in Laramie, is listed on the National Register of Historic Places as part of the University Neighborhood Historic District. (Andrea Graham/Alliance for Historic Wyoming)
Project Highlights Women Who Forged, Documented Wyoming's History

Wyoming became the first U.S. territory to give women the right to vote in 1869, half a century before the nation finally followed the Cowboy State's …

In Pennsylvania, polls are open from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. for primary municipal elections. The first time you vote, you must bring a valid photo or non-photo form of identification. (Vesperstock/Adobe Stock)
PA Group Pushes to Educate Voters Ahead of Municipal Primary

As the municipal primary election fast approaches, there is an urgent push for more voter education in Pennsylvania. More than 8.7 million …


According to an analysis by the Brennan Center for Justice, the financial power of small donors could increase sevenfold, from 6% to 41% of all campaign funds through the Public Campaign Finance Program. (Adobe Stock)
Campaign Finance Program Facing Delays From NY Legislators

New York's Public Campaign Finance Program is facing delays from the very people who approved it - New York legislators. The program was approved by …

It costs taxpayers $13,400 to provide supportive housing per person each year, compared with between $21,000 and $40,000 for medical care, incarceration, detox treatment and shelter services. (Adobe Stock)
Report: Denver Mayoral Candidates Off the Mark on Homeless Crisis

Advocates for people experiencing homelessness are pushing back against proposals by several Denver mayoral candidates who are including forced mental…


Among the 1,648 suggested book bans in 2022, 41% explicitly address LGBTQ+ themes while 40% contain protagonists or prominent secondary characters of color, according to PEN America. (Adobe Stock)
Maine Librarians Fight Bill to Ban Books Considered 'Obscene'

School librarians in Maine are fighting a bill that would ban schools from providing students with books considered "obscene," saying it could potenti…

A report by the Virginia Coalition for Open Government finds some reasons state agency websites weren't in compliance with Virginia's Freedom of Information Law is they didn't say what kind of records they maintained, didn't say what records the agency withholds, and there was no link to FOIA on the agency's homepage. (Adobe Stock)
Report: VA State Agencies, Public Colleges Not Complying with FOIA

A new report finds Virginia's state agencies are failing to post key Freedom of Information Act links. The report from the Virginia Coalition for …


 

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