Topic: National Conference of State Legislatures
All Content
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New laws on New Year's Day, from gay marriage to ‘Caylee’s Law’
While much attention has been paid to the ‘fiscal cliff’ and the federal legislation behind it, thousands of new state laws took effect more quietly at the start of 2013.
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Ballot measures: What message did America send on Election Day? (+video)
American voters rejected ballot measures at a higher rate than usual – suggesting voter fatigue – but two big liberal social issues - legalizing marijuana and same-sex marriage - made historic headway.
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State legislatures: why Republican wave of 2010 is here to stay
Election 2012 is not expected to be a repeat of the historic 2010 Republican sweep, but recent redistricting might have helped the GOP cement its ascendancy for a few more years.
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Illegal immigration: why eyes will be on Maryland this Election Day
Maryland's in-state tuition referendum is the only big-ticket illegal-immigration issue before voters this Election Day. How Maryland goes could influence other states – and Congress.
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Focus
Election 2012: Ballot initiatives reflect nation's moodThe 174 propositions on state ballots point to evolving opinions on marijuana, same-sex marriage, health care, and more. Do the initiatives show the power of direct democracy or lack of legislative leadership?
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In looming federalism fight, three states say feds can't 'unmarry' gay couples
Vermont, New York, and Connecticut argue in a US court of appeals brief that it’s states, not the federal government, that license official relationships, including gay marriages.
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Arizona: Did Supreme Court take the steam out of states' immigration activism?
A majority of Americans want to see their states adopt immigration laws similar to Arizona’s. But the Supreme Court’s decision Monday may give state legislators more wiggle room to avoid the subject.
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Job interviewer asks for Facebook password. Should you give it?
Some companies now ask for Facebook and social media passwords so they can check out job applicants. One state is banning the practice, and at least 10 others are weighing similar bans.
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Sandusky child sex abuse scandal raises questions about state laws
In the wake of the Jerry Sandusky child abuse scandal at Penn State, many states are reexamining their laws requiring people to report suspected abuse.
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Bath salts: Gruesome Miami attack adds to drug's bizarre history
Reports suggest that synthetic drugs euphemistically named 'bath salts' might be behind a notorious recent Miami attack. Police are well aware of curious cases involving the drug.
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Amanda Clayton, lottery winner, defends food stamps. Michigan disagrees.
Amanda Clayton made headlines for acknowledging that she still received $200 in monthly food assistance after winning $1 million in Michigan lottery money. Legislation could now pass.
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With 2012, state laws kick in on everything from immigration to shark fins
State legislatures passed close to 40,000 new laws in 2011, and a number of those measures take effect on Jan. 1. On some issues, like immigration, state laws are taking markedly different stands.
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Tax VOX
A fix on the horizon for the online sales tax messThe new measure would allow states to require online retailers to collect sales taxes on all purchases, as long as the states first agree to simplify their sales tax rules. Remarkably, the idea has broad support in the business community and may actually pass.
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The Monitor's View: Public pensions must be on the table
With the cost of retirement plans soaring, public employees need to do their part in balancing state budgets.
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Rick Perry's HPV vaccine problem
Rick Perry is in a political bind over ordering girls to receive injections to protect against a sexually transmitted disease. The controversy is of special interest to tea party and social conservatives.
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Why North Carolina vote to ban gay marriage might help Obama
North Carolina's Republican House could have put the gay-marriage ban on the November ballot, when it might have boosted the vote for President Obama's Republican challenger. Instead, the House scheduled it for May.
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When can you eavesdrop on police? Chicago case exposes legal gray area.
Illinois state law prohibits secretly recording conversations with police – or anyone else. But a woman was acquitted of the charges because she said she was exposing criminal behavior.
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States' bottom line improves, but can the good news last?
States' 2011 budgets are heading in the right direction as tax revenue increases, new indicators report. But with federal support waning and local demand on programs like Medicaid up, will the good news last?
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On the Economy
Texas and the government are chummier than you'd thinkThough Texas has lost its fair share of jobs in the private sector, it's added a huge number of government jobs
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Washington deadlocked? States lead in cutting deficits
New Jersey, Ohio, and others have tackled tough budget deficits. They're addressing deficits by cutting spending, not hiking taxes, and looking at the long term.
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The Vote
How will New York's gay marriage law affect the 2012 election and beyond?New York’s new same-sex marriage law could change the dynamic in next year’s elections – particularly for President Obama, who’s tried to straddle the issue.
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Will Supreme Court ruling on immigrants pit Big Business against states?
The Supreme Court ruling affirming Arizona's right to yank licenses from firms that employ illegal immigrants may spur similar laws in other states, pitting politicians against their business allies.
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Arizona legislature OKs guns on campus
Arizona's legislature passed a bill Thursday to allow guns on the streets and sidewalks of public college campuses. Texas is also considering a broader bill to allow guns in campus buildings.
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Tuition breaks for illegal immigrants? Montgomery College faces lawsuit.
Montgomery College recently formalized a policy of granting its lowest tuition rates to a group that includes some undocumented students. A lawsuit claims the policy violates federal and state laws.
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School shootings: In Nebraska, a proposal to arm teachers
A Nebraska state senator proposes allowing school districts to authorize teachers to carry concealed guns to deter school shootings. In 43 states bringing guns to K-12 schools is prohibited.
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