State legislature
Maryland Gov. Larry Hogan, a Republican, announces a bipartisan budget agreement to allocate $3.9 billion in federal funding that the state expects to receive through the American Rescue Plan Act during a news conference with legislative leaders on Wednesday, March 31, 2021 in Annapolis. House Speaker Adrienne Jones, a Democrat, is standing left, and Senate President Bill Ferguson, a Democrat, is standing right. (AP Photo/Brian Witte)
A glance at bills passed by the Maryland General Assembly

By Brian Witte an hour ago

Editorial Roundup: Iowa

By The Associated Press 2 hrs ago
Dubuque Telegraph Herald. April 9, 2021. Editorial: Proposed ethanol bill good for Iowa economy, environment Area...

Editorial Roundup: Texas

By The Associated Press 2 hrs ago
Houston Chronicle. April 5, 2021. Editorial: A tawdry attack on voting rights, Senate Bill 7 should be rejected by the House ...

Maryland lawmakers reach last day of legislative session

By Brian Witte 2 hrs ago
ANNAPOLIS, Md. (AP) — Maryland lawmakers have reached the final day of their legislative session with mostly fine-tuning to do. They had a productive three...

President Pro Tempore Beth Mizell during the Senate Select Committee on Women and Children at the Louisiana State Capitol in Baton Rouge, La. Thursday, April 8, 2021. (Scott Clause/The Daily Advertiser via AP)
Louisiana's latest legislative session moves past pandemic

By Melinda Deslatte 11 hrs ago

Indiana House Speaker Todd Huston, R-Fishers, talks during a news conference in the House chamber on Thursday, April 1, 2021. The House voted Monday, April 5, 2021, to give the Legislature more authority to intervene during emergencies declared by the governor. Gov. Eric Holcomb has said he will veto the bill, and Huston said he expected courts will ultimately decide whether it is allowed under the state constitution. (AP Photo/Tom Davies)
Indiana lawmakers planning on return for redistricting votes

By Tom Davies Apr. 11, 2021 09:32 AM EDT

FILE - In this Wednesday, Dec. 30, 2020, file photo, Democratic Gov. Laura Kelly receives a COVID-19 vaccine injection in Topeka, Kan. In March 2021, Kelly enacted a law giving legislative leaders power to revoke her emergency orders. Top Republican lawmakers immediately used it to scuttle a Kelly order meant to encourage counties to keep mask mandates in place. (AP Photo/Charlie Riedel, File)
Lawmakers seek long-term limit on governors' emergency power

By David A. Lieb Apr. 10, 2021 10:34 AM EDT

State Sen. Beth Mizell, R-Franklinton, the Senate's second-highest ranking member, speaks about legislative work in response to a report that details Louisiana State University's repeated mishandling of sexual misconduct allegations, on Friday, March 19, 2021, in Baton Rouge, La. (AP Photo/Melinda Deslatte)
Louisiana lawmakers ready for latest session starting Monday

By Melinda Deslatte Apr. 10, 2021 10:14 AM EDT

FILE - In this Friday, Jan. 15, 2021 file photo, nursing home residents wait on line to receive a COVID-19 vaccine at Harlem Center for Nursing and Rehabilitation, a nursing home facility in the Harlem neighborhood of New York. After a deadly year in New York’s nursing homes, state lawmakers have passed legislation that could potentially force facility owners to spend more on patient care. (AP Photo/Yuki Iwamura, File)
Reforms follow deadly year in New York nursing homes

By Marina Villeneuve Apr. 10, 2021 08:06 AM EDT

Cook clerk touts bill's transparency, but critics disagree

By Josh Mcgee Of Injustice Watch Apr. 10, 2021 01:01 AM EDT
CHICAGO (AP) — Cook County Circuit Court Clerk Iris Martinez has walked back a campaign pledge to give the public more access to records from her office under...

Gun rights advocates sue lawmakers over virtual meetings

By Randall Chase Apr. 09, 2021 07:00 PM EDT
DOVER, Del. (AP) — Gun rights advocates have filed a federal lawsuit challenging continued virtual meetings of the Delaware General Assembly after Democrats...

Idaho lawmakers add penalty to proposed ban on mask mandates

Apr. 09, 2021 05:24 PM EDT
BOISE, Idaho (AP) — Lawmakers amended a bill that would ban the state, public health departments and even school districts from requiring masks to add a...

Indiana House Speaker Todd Huston, R-Fishers, talks during a news conference in the House chamber on Thursday, April 1, 2021. The House voted Monday, April 5, 2021, to give the Legislature more authority to intervene during emergencies declared by the governor. Gov. Eric Holcomb has said he will veto the bill, and Huston said he expected courts will ultimately decide whether it is allowed under the state constitution. (AP Photo/Tom Davies)
Indiana governor vetoes bill curtailing emergency power

By Tom Davies Apr. 09, 2021 05:21 PM EDT

First-grader Kayden Welch gets frustrated with his computer during the first day back to in-person learning at Cliffdale Elementary School in Fayetteville, N.C., on Monday, March 15, 2021. Students last went to school buildings for classes on March 13, 2020. (Andrew Craft /The Fayetteville Observer via AP)
Cooper OK's bill offering K-12 students summer school option

By Bryan Anderson Apr. 09, 2021 04:19 PM EDT

Editorial Roundup: Idaho

By The Associated Press Apr. 09, 2021 03:06 PM EDT
Recent editorials from Idaho newspapers: Welcome back, Idaho legislators. Wear a mask. We’re not paying for another recess ...

Open carry, hate crime bills clear deadline in SC Statehouse

By Jeffrey Collins And Michelle Liu Apr. 09, 2021 12:37 PM EDT
COLUMBIA, S.C. (AP) — Thursday marked a key deadline in the 2021 South Carolina General Assembly. It's called the crossover deadline. Bills...

Court rules for Democrats in debate over legislative session

By Kathy Mccormack Apr. 09, 2021 09:00 AM EDT
CONCORD, N.H. (AP) — A federal appeals court has vacated a judge's ruling that upheld the New Hampshire House Speaker's refusal to provide remote access to...

Democratic Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham speaks following the end of New Mexico's annual legislative session on Saturday, March 20, 2021, in Santa Fe, New Mexico. (AP Photo/Cedar Attanasio)
New Mexico governor signs bill to require paid sick leave

Apr. 08, 2021 10:27 PM EDT

Maryland bill would remove parole veto powers from governor

By Kimberly Seif Of Capital News Service Apr. 08, 2021 08:08 PM EDT
A bill that would remove the governor from the parole process is on a bumpy path through the Maryland Legislature, as both chambers have different versions of...

Senators give initial OK to $9.7B Nebraska budget package

By Grant Schulte Apr. 08, 2021 07:45 PM EDT
OMAHA, Neb. (AP) — Nebraska lawmakers gave initial approval Thursday to a $9.7 billion state budget that includes more money for property tax credits and...