Federal Impact
States Seek to Protect Tribes’ Rights in Child Custody Cases
Worried about a pending U.S. Supreme Court case, some states aim to pass new laws ensuring American Indian children can stay in their tribal communities even if they’re placed in the child welfare system. Later this year, the court will rule on a longstanding federal law designed to ensure that Native American children removed from […]
States Seek to Ease Child Care Crunch
States are spending more money and creating new incentives to ease the severe child care crisis, with most federal pandemic aid set to dry up in September. The child care shortage costs the United States billion in lost earnings, productivity and revenue each year, according to ReadyNation, a consortium of business leaders under the umbrella […]
Awash in Federal Money, State Lawmakers Tackle Worsening Youth Mental Health
The pandemic accelerated a yearslong decline in the mental health of the nation’s children and teens. The number of young people experiencing sadness, hopelessness and thoughts of suicide has increased dramatically, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. In response, states, cities and school districts are using COVID-19 relief dollars and their own money to […]
As Supreme Court Considers Student Loan Forgiveness, States May Expand Their Programs
As the U.S. Supreme Court mulls the constitutionality of President Joe Biden’s broad student loan forgiveness plan, lawmakers in many states are looking to expand their own student debt repayment programs. Every state but North Dakota has at least one loan forgiveness plan. The catch is that most of the 129 state plans are tailored […]
Top State Stories 3/8
MO: Federal judge tosses Missouri gun law, calling it unconstitutional kansascity.com A federal judge has overturned a Missouri law that declared certain federal gun laws “invalid” if they don’t have a state-level equivalent, after the U.S. Department of Justice sued to overturn the measure. OK: Oklahoma voters reject legalization of recreational marijuana oklahoman.com Oklahomans gave a […]
Top State Stories 3/7
US: Three more GOP-led states withdraw from partnership to protect voter access cnn.com Florida, Missouri and West Virginia withdrew from the Electronic Registration Information Center, the bipartisan multi-state partnership aimed at helping states maintain accurate voter rolls to fight voter fraud. Alabama and Louisiana had previously retreated from the partnership. CA: California to cut ties […]
Top State Stories 3/1
IN: Indiana Senate advances bill to criminalize school books indystar.com The Indiana Senate approved a bill that would open teachers and school librarians to criminal prosecution over the content of books and other educational materials. It now goes to the state House for consideration. Should it pass, school employees could be charged with a Level 6 […]
States Strive to Help SNAP Recipients Cope With Lower Benefits
The white words on a red background are plain. “Important notice: SNAP emergency allotments ending after February.” If there’s any doubt, the Colorado Department of Human Services SNAP webpage adds, “All Coloradans who receive SNAP benefits are going to see a reduction in their monthly benefit amount after February.” In every state, participants in the […]
Top State Stories 2/28
TN: Tennessee governor will sign drag bill, reacts to yearbook photo showing him dressed as a woman tennessean.com Tennessee Republican Gov. Bill Lee said he intends to sign an anti-drag show bill, which bans “adult-oriented entertainment” that is “harmful to minors” from public property and places where they might be seen by children. Lee said […]
Feds Push Local Election Officials to Boost Security Ahead of 2024
WASHINGTON, D.C. — Some of the nation’s top cybersecurity leaders are warning state and local election officials of ongoing foreign and domestic national security threats to election systems, urging them to upgrade their defenses ahead of next year’s presidential election. At separate conferences this month, federal officials warned gatherings of the National Association of Secretaries […]
Top State Stories 2/21
TX: Texas Republicans take battle against blue cities to a new level houstonchronicle.com This could be the most productive legislative session yet for Texas Republican lawmakers looking to rein in the state’s largest cities and counties, most of which are run by Democrats. Their ideas include enhancing state oversight of county-run elections, taking aim at progressive judges and prosecutors, slashing […]
Can Western States Agree on the Future of the Colorado River?
Read more Stateline coverage of how communities across the West are grappling with drought that’s worsening because of climate change. SAN DIEGO, Calif. — Western state water officials will spend the next few months trying to agree on how to divvy up water from the Colorado River, which sustains a region of 40 million people across seven […]