DE: Delaware could join California in 2035 ban on sales of gas-powered cars
Delaware appears ready to get even more serious about cutting air pollution, by mandating that all new cars sold in the state be electric by 2035. The move is designed to cut Delaware’s main source of air pollution, which is currently the tailpipes of cars and trucks that travel on state roadways.
CA: University of California strike energizes national surge of union organizing by academic workers
The effects of the University of California strike are reverberating across the nation, helping energize an unprecedented surge of union activism among academic workers that could reshape the teaching and research enterprise of American higher education.
OH: From marijuana to tax cuts: what Ohio lawmakers might pass in the next 2 years
Ohio Republicans will aim to use their record-setting majorities to pass an ambitiously conservative agenda ranging from expanding school vouchers to reducing — or even eliminating — the state’s income tax.
MI: Michigan governor pledges gun control, relief for seniors in 2nd inaugural speech
Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer, a Democrat, promised in her inaugural speech to reduce taxes for retirees, continue record spending on K-12 education, make Michigan a center for clean energy and electric vehicles and pass “common sense” gun control legislation.
MN: Minnesota governor vows end to ‘era of gridlock’
Minnesota Democratic Gov. Tim Walz plunged into a second term pledging that a Democratic-led state government will adopt major changes to education, health care and climate policies. There is a .6 billion projected budget surplus to convert some of his promises into reality.
WA: Washington legislature considers lowering blood-alcohol limit for drivers
More than 700 people likely died on Washington’s roads in 2022, according to early estimates, a mark not reached since 1996. The most direct response to the safety crisis is a legislative proposal to lower the legally allowed blood-alcohol limit from 0.08% to 0.05%.
OR: Oregon opioid overdose deaths increased nearly threefold
Oregon saw a nearly threefold increase in opioid overdose deaths from 2019 to 2021, experts say. While Oregon’s overdose death rates are relatively low compared to other states, the growth in deaths during the pandemic was among the highest of the states for which comparable federal data is available.
NE: Healthy Nebraska revenue has lawmakers eyeing tax cuts, infrastructure
Flush state coffers have Nebraska policymakers dreaming big about politically popular tax cuts and infrastructure projects during the new legislative session. Estimates show a .9 billion surplus over the next two budget years.
KS: Kansas food sales tax cut takes effect
The Kansas sales tax on grocery food dropped Sunday from 6.5% to 4%. It is the first installment of a gradual reduction that is scheduled to fully eliminate the state portion of the sales tax in 2025.
MT: Montana legislature kicks off GOP supermajority
The 68th Montana legislature convened with the first Republican bicameral supermajority since the state adopted its current constitution in 1972. GOP legislative priorities include using the state’s billion-plus budget surplus to issue tax rebates and giving parents more control over school curricula and library offerings.
NM: New Mexico courts argue for changes to cannabis crime expungement
New Mexico’s cannabis law requires related cases to be automatically expunged, but the state’s courts say they don’t have the funding or staffing to comply.
GA: Sports betting supporters gear up for Georgia legislative session
Backers of online sports betting are heading into this year’s legislative session with high hopes that the legislature will finally pass legislation to make gaming legal in Georgia.
ID: Idaho hospital system develops its own HMO-style insurance plan for state
Idaho residents with the St. Luke Health System’s insurance card will only be able to get health care services from facilities and health care providers that belong to the St. Luke’s network — which includes St. Luke’s and other independent providers.
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