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Top State Stories 7/11
LA: As Louisiana abortion ban is reinstated, doctors describe ‘chilling effect’
It was not only women at abortion clinics who faced confusion and differences in care in Louisiana as a trigger law took effect after a court battle. Several emergency room doctors and OB-GYNs described how the ban, even when temporarily lifted, was already affecting patient care.
WI: Wisconsin Supreme Court rules absentee ballot drop boxes are illegal
Voters casting absentee ballots this fall for the highest state offices won’t be able to return their ballots in upcoming elections by using drop boxes following a ruling by the Wisconsin Supreme Court’s conservative majority.
TX: Texas Republicans warn Dallas law firm that paying for abortion travel could be illegal
Members of the legislature’s conservative Freedom Caucus say they’ll propose bills to block Texas companies from paying for employees to travel to other states for abortions.
NY: New York’s newest gun laws could reduce suicide, experts say
New laws further limiting legal access to guns in New York may result in a reduction in firearm-related suicides. The laws are expected to be challenged in court.
VA: Hundreds of Virginia state employees quit after governor changes telework policy
Some state workers in Virginia have opted to leave rather than return to the office. More than 300 employees from five state agencies have resigned since Republican Gov. Glenn Youngkin changed the state’s telework policy in May.
AZ: Across Arizona, elections officials leave office following harassment over 2020
Five of Arizona’s 15 counties have new elections directors this cycle. Ever since the 2020 election concluded, reports of departing elections workers have rippled across the nation.
DE: Delaware to use federal COVID money for housing initiatives
Delaware Democratic Gov. John Carney announced some American Rescue Plan Act funding will go towards affordable housing and housing development initiatives. Approximately million will be divided accordingly for four new programs administered through 2026.
CA: California governor says state will make its own low-cost insulin
California will make its own low-cost insulin in an effort to make the life-saving medication more accessible, Democratic Gov. Gavin Newsom said. The state budget recently signed by Newsom allocates million to the plan.
NE: Nebraska conservatives, Trump populists take over state Republican party
A motivated group of old-guard conservatives and Trump-era populists took over the Nebraska Republican Party, ousting state GOP Chair Dan Welch. The move sparked at least a dozen resignations from GOP leaders.
KS: Kansas identifies 1st monkeypox case
Kansas health officials said Saturday they have identified the state’s first presumed case of monkeypox. The patient is an adult in Johnson County who recently traveled out of state.
OK: Influential Oklahoma PAC agrees to shut down after being caught taking illegal donations
The Republican Senatorial Committee agreed to shut down in 60 days and pay ,750 for taking contributions that were earmarked to go to a specific candidate. The PAC also was fined ,000 for accepting pay-to-play contributions and failing to report funds paid to “sponsor” events.
MN: Big winner of federal broadband money in Minnesota faces hurdles, delays
The big winner in a 2020 federal auction to build more broadband in rural America was a relatively small company started by a Minnesota entrepreneur. Since then, not much has gone right for the firm or the people waiting for better internet.
TN: Tennessee governor asks feds to approve National Guard COVID vaccine exceptions
Tennessee Republican Gov. Bill Lee asked the U.S. Department of Defense to approve COVID-19 vaccine exemptions for 313 Tennessee National Guard members under a federal vaccination order.
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