Wednesday, January 29, 2014

If I Had A Gavel edition

Gavel-banging season continues in statehouses across the country. Utah joined the legislative fray this week, and now 36 sessions are in full swing.

As November elections creep ever closer, let's check in on some of the sexier statehouses.
  • The battle for the Kentucky House (54 D/46 R) is officially under way as the filing deadline came and went on Tuesday. Only 45 of the 100 seats will be contested this fall, and Democrats are pleased that several of their members in the increasingly conservative western part of the state will be unchallenged in November. Republicans are optimistic about their chances to win control of the state House for first time since 1921, but Democrats think the GOP fell short of fielding the candidates necessary to flip the chamber.
  • Minnesota Democrats are accusing the state Republican Party of failing to report spending in 2012 state Senate (39 D/28 R) campaigns. Last year, the GOP accused the DFL of improperly coordinating with Senate candidates, a matter settled in December with a fine. Republicans are hoping to erode Democrats' majorities in the state House (73 D/61 R) and Senate this fall.
Elsewhere...
  • Now that the Utah legislature is in session, the state AG is asking lawmakers to slow their roll on reactionary bills -- both pro- and anti-equality -- that could muddy the legal waters around an eventual SCOTUS ruling on the constitutionality of the state's ban on same-sex marriage. 
    • Speaking of marriage equality, a Republican lawmaker in Oklahoma has reacted to a court decision overturning that state's same-sex marriage ban by introducing a bill that could ban all marriages. Clever. (Not.)
      • In the event that marriage remains legal in Oklahoma, another lawmaker has introduced a bill to make ending marriages more difficult. The measure would impose a six-month waiting period on couples seeking a divorce. 
Fun fact: Oklahoma imposes no waiting period on gun purchases.
  • Department of loose threads: And while we're still on the subject, last week I announced that HJR3, the proposed constitutional ban on same-sex marriage in Indiana, had just been maneuvered to the House (31 D/69 R) floor by Speaker Brian Bosma's scheming. As predicted, the measure passed the House, but only after language banning all civil unions was stripped from it. Now the measure must pass the state Senate (13 D/37 R). 
  • Theme-spotting: "Ban the box" bills are popping up all over the place this session. Versions of the measure, which would ban questions about criminal background on job applications and help ex-offenders find employment, have surfaced in DelawareNebraskaVirginiaand New JerseyAccording to the National Employment Law Project, nine states (CA, CO, CT, HI, MA, MD, MN, NM, RI) already have "ban the box" laws (and IL has an administrative order).
  • Olympic feverThe Olympics are almost upon us, so this seems like a great time to point out that Dick "Foz" Fosbury, the Olympic track and field champion who basically invented the modern, backwards high jump (the Fosbury Flop!is running for the Idaho House of Representatives (13 D/56 R) as a Democrat. 
Headline writers and sports metaphor junkies, rejoice!

And because it all comes back home in the end...
  • In Virginia, the final recount results boosted Democrat Lynwood Lewis's lead in the SD06 special election from nine votes to 11. Lewis's swearing-in gave each party 20 members in the state Senate, but Democrats have an effective majority in most matters with Democratic LG Ralph Northam presiding. 
    • History lesson: Back in 2011, when the shoe was on the other foot, Republicans refused to enter into any kind of power-sharing agreement, despite existing precedent. Shady GOP antics (remember the re-redistricting Senate GOPers rammed through while a Democratic lawmaker and civil rights leader attended Obama's second inauguration?) followed. 
      • And the inevitable response: This recent GOP-set precedent emboldened Democrats to take the authority to which they were entitled as they reorganized the chamber yesterday.



The following 36 state legislatures are actively meeting this week: ALABAMA, ALASKA, ARIZONA, CALIFORNIA, COLORADO, DELAWARE, GEORGIA, HAWAII, IDAHO, INDIANA, IOWA, KANSAS, KENTUCKY, MAINE, MARYLAND, MASSACHUSETTS, MICHIGAN, MISSISSIPPI, MISSOURI, NEBRASKA, NEW HAMPSHIRE, NEW JERSEY, NEW MEXICO, NEW YORK, OHIO, PENNSYLVANIA, RHODE ISLAND, SOUTH CAROLINA, SOUTH DAKOTA, TENNESSEE, UTAH, VERMONT, VIRGINIA, WASHINGTON, WEST VIRGINIA and WISCONSIN.

Also meeting:  DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA, PUERTO RICO

GROUPS

The National Conference of State Legislatures will hold its Executive Committee and LSCC January 30-February 1 at The Omni Hotel in Austin, Texas. 

ARIZONA

The House Committee on Energy, Environment and Natural Resources held a public hearing January 27 to discuss H.B. 2226, regarding changes to the vehicle emissions inspection program. 

DELAWARE

The House Economic Development, Banking, Insurance and Commerce Committee met January 28 to discuss S.B. 6, which increases minimum wage to $8.25 per hour. 

The House Economic Development, Banking, Insurance and Commerce Committee will meet January 29 to discuss H.B. 60, which relates to the direct shipment of wine in the state. 

GEORGIA

The Human Relations and Aging Committee met January 27 to discuss H.B. 290, which allows employees to use sick leave for the care of immediate family members. 

INDIANA

The Courts and Criminal Code Committee met January 27 to discuss H.B. 1248, which would make any material, compound, mixture or preparation containing ephedrine or pseudoephedrine a schedule III controlled substance. 

MARYLAND

The House Ways and Means Committee met January 28 to discuss H.B. 63, which provides a tax exemption for the purchase of college textbooks. 

MASSACHUSETTS
Governor Deval Patrick (D) delivered his State of the Commonwealth Address January 28. 
NEW HAMPSHIRE
The House Environment and Agriculture Committee met January 28 to discuss multiple bills addressing an exemption from FDA labeling standards if the product is produced and remains in the state. 
The House Labor, Industrial and Rehabilitative Services Committee held a hearing January 28 to discuss H.B. 1592, which requires the state to pay prevailing wages on state-funded public works projects. 
TEXAS 
A runoff election was held January 28 for House District 50, which was vacated by Mark Strama (D). Democrat Celia Israel won with 59% of the vote. Her victory gives the Texas legislature two out members for the first time.
WISCONSIN
The Senate Health and Human Services Committee met January 29 to discuss A.B. 445, which requires a person to present identification before a pharmacist may dispense a schedule II or III controlled substance.

Wednesday, January 22, 2014

Consequences Have Elections edition

Another week, another bunch of lawmakers doing their lawmaking. Thirty-five legislatures are now in session (also, D.C. and Puerto Rico). Over the coming months, that number will rise to 46 (Montana, Nevada, North Dakota and Texas have no sessions scheduled for this year). 

But if you're looking for a really important number, try 86. Of the 98 partisan legislative chambers in the country, that's how many will have elections this fall (Nebraska is unicameral and ostensibly nonpartisan, so it doesn't count). Some will elect entire chambers. Others will elect chunks of their state Senates. Notwithstanding those coming up against term limits, the vast majority of the legislators meeting in state capitals across the country right now are facing reelection in November.

While this may not phase lawmakers with lopsided majorities (say, Alabama, HawaiiMassachusetts or Wyoming, for instance), it's fair to say a lot of them are taking those elections into account as they go about the business of governing.

So how's that working out so far in some of the more competitive chambers?
  • In Minnesota, state Republicans are itching to take back the House (73 D/61 R) and Senate (39 D/28 R) majorities they historically snatched from Democrats in 2010, only to see them flip back in 2012. Controversy surrounding House Minority Leader Kurt Daudt won't be of much help to them, though. After a gun-related dispute associated with his attempt to purchase a Ford Bronco in Montana, as well as his perceived failure as a fiscal conservative, GOP leaders in his home district planned a vote of "no confidence" in him on Tuesday. They cancelled at the last minute after the Minority Leader showed up at the meeting to defend himself. (Minnesotans are so polite.)
  • Arizona Senate: After the state's Independent Redistricting Commission drew equitable new legislative maps in 2011, Democrats made significant gains in the 2012 elections; now winning a majority in the state Senate (13 D/17 R) seems within striking distance over the next cycle or two. So, in the waning hours of last year's legislative session, state Republicans rammed through a restrictive elections bill. Opponents organized and effectively halted the implementation of the bill by placing it on the 2014 ballot as a referendum. Now Republicans are considering an end-run around the referendumHB 2196 would repeal the law and cancel the November referendum. Legislators then plan to reintroduce parts of the old law as new bills so that, if reenacted, citizens would have to launch an entirely new petition drive (or drives) to halt the measure(s) and put them back on the ballot.
  • Democrats in the Washington Senate (23 D/23 R/2 MCC) hope to move from their weird tie/power sharing/effective minority situation to an outright majority this fall. The state enjoyed a great deal of progressive attention last November as SeaTac voted to raise its minimum wage, so now a GOP state Senator is pushing legislation that would prohibit all future attempts by localities to pass minimum wage measures. Even if it passes the Senate, though, the measure will likely die in the state House (55 D/43 R).
  • In Kentucky, House (54 D/46 R) Democrats may have a shot at getting a felons voting rights measure through the state Senate (14 D/23 R/1 I) this year. 
Stay tuned for news from MichiganIowa, New Hampshire and beyond as sessions unfold!

Elsewhere...
  • While the Indiana legislature is not considered especially competitive by most folks, Democrats did hold a majority in the state House as recently as 2010. Since Republicans took over, the state has created one of the biggest school voucher programs in the country, passed a so-called "right to work" law, and otherwise just generally been terrible for progressive interests. Now GOP House Speaker Brian Bosma is leading the charge on a constitutional same-sex marriage ban. After realizing the measure (HJR 3) would likely fail in one committee, the Speaker simply shunted it to another. The amendment just passed the Elections and Apportionment Committee earlier this evening and will go before the full House, which is expected to pass it. If the amendment also passes the Senate, it will go before voters this fall.
  • There was another special election in Virginia yesterday. Democrat Jennifer Wexton won Attorney General Mark Herring's state Senate seat rather handily. If Democrat Lynwood Lewis can hold on to his tiny lead in the SD06 race (recount next week), Democrats will have effective majority control of the state Senate.
  • States all over the country have pretty much run out of one of the drugs in the classic death row cocktail, so some lawmakers are going old school when it comes to killing people in the name of the law. Virginia legislators are mulling bringing back the electric chair full-time. A Missouri lawmaker thinks firing squads are a totally humane way to execute folks, which was shocking when a Wyoming lawmaker said pretty much the same thing last week, but now I guess is old hat. 
    • Meanwhile, after the state became the first to use a new lethal injection drug combo (with apparently horrifying results), some legislative Democrats in Ohio are pushing measures to abolish the death penalty or to require the governor to be personally present during future executions.
  • Death penalty too heavy? Well, if you're still in Ohio, you might be able to get some insanely strong beer (21% ABV!) in the not-so-distant future...


For the Week of January 22, 2014

The following 35 state legislatures are actively meeting this week: ALABAMA, ALASKA, ARIZONA, CALIFORNIA, COLORADO, DELAWARE, GEORGIA, HAWAII, IDAHO, INDIANA, IOWA, KANSAS, KENTUCKY, MAINE, MARYLAND, MASSACHUSETTS, MICHIGAN, MISSISSIPPI, MISSOURI, NEBRASKA, NEW HAMPSHIRE, NEW JERSEY, NEW MEXICO, NEW YORK, OHIO, PENNSYLVANIA, RHODE ISLAND, SOUTH CAROLINA, SOUTH DAKOTA, TENNESSEE, VERMONT, VIRGINIA, WASHINGTON, WEST VIRGINIA and WISCONSIN.

Also meeting:  DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA, PUERTO RICO
 
GROUPS

The United States Conference of Mayors will hold its Winter Meeting January 22-24 in Washington, D.C. 

The Democratic Attorneys General Association will hold its Winter Policy Conference at The Loews Portofino Hotel January 23-25 in Orlando, Florida.

ALASKA

The Legislature convened the 2014 Legislative Session January 21.         

ALABAMA

The House Committee on Agriculture and Forestry will hold a hearing January 22 to hear H.B. 49 relating to water conservation and drought prevention.             

DELAWARE

The House Economic Development, Banking, Insurance, Commerce Committee will meet January 22 to discuss S.B. 6, which increases minimum wage to $8.25 per hour. 

Governor Jack Markell (D) will deliver his State of the State Address January 23. 

HAWAII

Governor Neil Abercrombie (D) delivered his State of the State Address January 21.  

INDIANA

The Senate Local Government Committee will meet January 22 to discuss SB 353 which establishes an interim study committee to review and study education legislation. 

The Senate Agriculture and Natural Resources committee will meet January 24 to discuss SJ0009, which relates to the right to hunt, fish and harvest. 

LOUISIANA

The House Committee on Administration of Criminal Justice and Senate Committee on Judiciary B met January 21 to discuss the feasibility and practicality of authorizing Internet gaming in Louisiana.
  
MARYLAND
  
The Senate Education, Health and Environmental Affairs Committee will meet January 22 to discuss S.B. 30, which limits the collection of student data in higher education. 

Governor Martin O'Malley (D) will deliver his State of the State addressJanuary 22. 

MASSACHUSETTS

The Joint Committee on Transportation will meet January 22 to discuss H.B. 3369 which allows the operation of autonomous vehicles on state roads for the purpose of technological testing. 

MISSOURI

Governor Jay Nixon (D) delivered his State of the State address January 21. 

The Senate Seniors, Families and Pensions Committee met January 21 to discuss S.B. 518, which expands the Medicaid managed care program statewide. 

NEW HAMPSHIRE

The House Labor, Industrial and Rehabilitative Services Committee met January 21 to discuss HB 1405, which prohibits an employer from using an employee's credit history in employment decisions. 

The House Commerce and Consumers Affair Committee will meet January 23 to discuss HB 1288, which requires bottled water to label its source.
NEW YORK
The Assembly Consumer Affairs and Protection Committee met January 21 to discuss A.B. 2648, which creates the "New York Safe Child Care Act," an act to ban unsafe toys from day care centers. 
OKLAHOMA
The Senate Health and Human Services Committee will meet January 22 to hear SSP 26, a study to propose ways to reduce the risk of death and disease among smokers by considering policies that encourage smokers to switch from cigarettes to other tobacco products that pose less risk. The Committee will also discuss HSP 3083, a study to investigate appropriate regulation of vapor and other emerging nicotine products.
RHODE ISLAND
A special primary election was held January 21 for Lisa Baldelli-Hunt's (D) former seat in House District 49 as a result of her resignation. It was pretty much the general, though, because the winner will be the only candidate on the ballot in the 2/25 general special.
SOUTH CAROLINA
Governor Nikki Haley (R) will deliver her State of the State Address January 22. 
WASHINGTON
The House Committee on Technology and Economic Development met January 21 to discuss HB 2183, which creates goals for energy independence. 
An executive session will be held January 22 for H.B. 2133, which addresses student personal identifiable data and issues of privacy. 



Wednesday, January 15, 2014

Just Dropped In (To See What State My State Was In) edition

Statehouses all over the country are hopping. As of this week, 33 of the nation's legislatures are in session (also, D.C. and Puerto Rico). 

And with the beginnings of legislative sessions come the annual (in most states) reports by the nation's governors on how things are going: the State of the State addresses (State of the Commonwealth addresses for Virginia, Pennsylvania, Massachusetts and Kentucky, of course). 

Gov. Christie's State of the State address received disproportionate attention, but typically these speeches fly below out-of-state radars. If you're itching to catch one in particular, though, NASBO has a handy list of states and datesBonus: They post a link to the text of each address after it's delivered. 

  • Wisconsin's State of the State address won't happen until next week, which the state GOP is no doubt looking forward to -- if for no other reason than to distract from Rep. Joel Kleefish's repeated attempts to reduce a rich donor's post-divorce payments. In 2011, Kleefish introduced a bill that would have effectively nullified a judge's order for multimillionaire Michael Eisenga to pay spousal support (the bill was terrible and failed). This year, Eisenga helped write a bill that would reduce his child support payments -- a bill Rep. Kleefish introduced as AB 540, Kleefish has just withdrawn the measure, but he plans to rework the proposal and reintroduce it later in session.
  • Indiana Gov. Mike Pence used part of his State of the State speech to urge the legislature to pass a same-sex marriage ban. A committee vote on the measure was just postponed for the second time this week. GOP Speaker Brian Bosma claims he wants to give the House Judiciary Committee "more time to digest the issue," but it sounds like he hasn't pressured enough Republicans into supporting the ban (if three of the committee's nine Republicans vote with the four committee Democrats, the measure will be defeated). Fun fact: Speaker Bosma can replace committee members pretty much whenever he wants. Smart money is on the same-sex marriage ban making it to the House floor one way or another.

In other news,
  • "State legislature to consider measure making voting easier" is not a headline often seen in recent years. However, this one in The Republican comes pretty close. The Massachusetts state Senate, dominated by Democrats, will vote tomorrow on a bill that would implement early voting and online voter registration. 
  • Live Free or High is an obvious pun to make about this evening's vote by the New Hampshire House to legalize recreational marijuana. Gov. Maggie Hassan has promised to veto the legislation, but it probably won't pass the Senate, anyway. This is reportedly "the first time a legislative chamber has voted to treat the drug like alchohol" (recreational pot was approved in Colorado and Washington via ballot measures).
  • I don't really feel the need to talk about Wyoming state Senator Bruce Burns, since everyone else already has... but he wants to bring back the firing squad for state executions because he thinks the gas chamber is "cruel and unusual," so I just can't help myself.


For the Week of January 15, 2014

The following 27 state legislatures are actively meeting this week: ARIZONA, CALIFORNIA, COLORADO, DELAWARE, GEORGIA, IDAHO, INDIANA, KANSAS, KENTUCKY, MAINE, MARYLAND, MASSACHUSETTS, MICHIGAN, MISSISSIPPI, MISSOURI, NEBRASKA, NEW HAMPSHIRE, NEW JERSEY, NEW YORK, OHIO, PENNSYLVANIA, RHODE ISLAND, SOUTH CAROLINA, SOUTH DAKOTA, VERMONT, WASHINGTON, and WEST VIRGINIA

Also meeting:  DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA, PUERTO RICO

ALABAMA

The Legislature convened the 2014 Legislative Session January 14.

ARIZONA

The Legislature convened the 2014 Legislative Session January 13.

Governor Janice K. Brewer (R) delivered her State of the State Address January 13.

ARKANSAS

A special election was held January 14 for Senate District 21. Turnout was less than 17%. The Republican won, a pickup for the GOP, but with a 21 R/13 D Senate going in, chamber control wasn't exactly at stake. 

DELAWARE

The General Assembly convened the 2014 Legislative Session January 14.

FLORIDA

The House Agricultural Subcommittee met January 14 to discuss H.B. 157 and H.B. 71, which address hydraulic fracking.

The Senate Governmental Oversight and Accountability Committee will meet January 16 to discuss S.B. 238, which expands an existing public records exemption for certain personal identification and location information of current and former public defenders, of current and former criminal conflict and civil regional counsel, and of the spouses and children of such defenders and counsel. 

GEORGIA

The General Assembly convened the 2014 Legislative Session January 13.

Governor Nathan Deal (R) will deliver his State of the State address January 15.

HAWAII

The Legislature is scheduled to convene the 2014 Legislative Session January 15.

IOWA

The Legislature convened the 2014 Legislative Session January 13.

Governor Terry Branstad (R) delivered his State of the State address January 14.

KANSAS

The Legislature convened the 2014 Legislative Session January 13.

MARYLAND

The Senate Finance Committee and House Health and Government Operations Committee met January 14 to discuss S.B. 134 and H.B. 119. Both measures, sponsored by Governor Martin O'Malley's (D) administration, would provide retroactive health insurance to residents who tried but were unsuccessful at signing up for coverage in the state's health care exchange before December 31, 2013. 
MICHIGAN

Governor Rick Snyder (R) will deliver his State of the State address January 16
The Senate Education Committee and Senate Appropriations Subcommittees on K-12, School Aid and Education will jointly meet January 15 to discuss options for assessments aligned with the Common Core State Standards. 
MISSOURI
The House Workforce Development and Workplace Safety Committee met January 13 to discuss H.B. 1099, the state's right-to-work bill. 
NEBRASKA
Governor Dave Heineman (R) will deliver his State of the State Address January 15
NEW HAMPSHIRE
The House Labor, Industrial and Rehabilitative Services Committee met January 14 to discuss H.B. 1168, which requires employers to maintain files documenting an employee's eligibility to work in the U.S. 
The House Labor, Industrial and Rehabilitative Services Committee met January 14 to discuss H.B. 1368, which prohibits an employer from requesting a job applicant's criminal history unless certain circumstances exist. 
NEW JERSEY
The Legislature adjourned the 2013 Legislative Session January 13. 

The Legislature convened the 2014 Legislative Session January 14
NORTH DAKOTA
The Health Care Reform Review Committee will meet January 15 to discuss the immediate needs and challenges of the North Dakota health care delivery system. The committee will also discuss the feasibility of developing a plan for a private health care model that will comply with the federal Affordable Care Act.
OREGON
The Senate Interim Committee on Environment and Natural Resources will host an informational hearing January 15 regarding proposed legislative concepts and discussion centered on climate change and renewable portfolio standards.
RHODE ISLAND
Governor Lincoln Chaffee (I) will deliver his State of the State address January 15
SOUTH CAROLINA
The General Assembly convened the 2014 Legislative Session January 14
SOUTH DAKOTA
The Legislature convened the 2014 Legislative Session January 14
Governor Dennis Daugaard (R) delivered his State of the State Address January 14
TENNESSEE
The General Assembly convened the 2014 Legislative Session January 14.  
VERMONT
Governor Peter Shumlin (D) will deliver his Budget Address January 15
VIRGINIA
Governor-elect Terry McAuliffe (D), Lieutenant Governor-elect Ralph Northam (D), and Attorney General-elect Mark Herring (D) took office on January 11. Governor McAuliffe's inauguration was January 11. 
WASHINGTON 
Governor Jay Inslee (R) delivered his State of the State Address January 14.

Wednesday, January 8, 2014

Legislative Therapy Session edition

It's that time again...

Gavels get dropped
Budgets get chopped
Legislation gets filed
Partisans get riled
It's the best time of the year --
Legislative session season is here!

Legislative sessions are convening in 19 states this week, and 36 states will have begun their sessions by the end of January. 

Many of the over 3000 legislators converging on their state capitals this month also face elections this fall. (The hottest ones to watch: Michigan House, Kentucky House, Arkansas House, New Hampshire Senate, Pennsylvania Senate, Iowa Senate, Colorado Senate, Arizona Senate, Nevada Senate, Washington Senate. But that's a discussion for another time.)

Let the fun begin!
  • Department of loose threads: Somewhat less than shockingly, Michigan Gov. Rick Snyder signed a bill into law on December 27 that doubles campaign contribution limits and protects the secrecy of "issue ad" donors. Look for a bruising campaign season here this fall as Republicans try to defend their 6-seat majority from Democratic encroachment.
    • Also, as Ohio convenes its legislature this week, they'll be considering some controversial measures held over from last year, including a voter suppression measure that would eliminate the state's "golden week" -- during which voters can register and cast ballots at the same time -- and a version of Florida's infamous "stand your ground" law.
    • Another recount is undoubtedly coming in Virginia. This one will probably determine control of the state Senate.
  • Show Me a war on workersMissouri House Speaker (and notorious birther) Tim Jones has proclaimed his intention push a so-called "right to work" measure during this year's session. While the GOP likely lacks the numbers to override an almost-certain veto by Democratic Gov. Jay Nixon, the legislature could pass the measure as a Joint Resolution, placing it on the ballot this fall.
  • Cows don't take weekends off -- so why should you? In Wisconsin, one GOP lawmaker wants to give workers the "freedom" to be work seven days a week. Current law requires employers to provide at least one 24-hour rest period in each calendar week. Workers could actually end up working 12 days in a row, as long as the day off fell at the beginning and end of that 2-week period. (Dairy workers, understandably, are exempt. Cows' milk waits for no one.)
    • Meanwhile, in Maine, Gov. Paul LePage is still banging the child labor drum. He told a group on Tuesday that 12-year-olds should get off their pint-sized duffs and get to work.
  • Bummer. Things are lousy for Democrats in Tennessee, but some bright spots pepper the situation. Democrats hold the mayor's office in the state's seven largest cities -- a platform that served as a nice springboard to higher office for Bob Corker, Bill Haslan, and Phil Bredesen. And it's easy to forget that, before the 2008 elections, Democrats held a majority in the state House, and the state Senate was tied. In 2006, the state reelected a Democratic governor, and the five Democrats in the congressional delegation won reelection handily. Never say die.
  • What's the matter with Kansas? According to some Kansas Republicans, the problem is GOP Gov. Sam Brownback. A former state House Speaker and two other retired Republican lawmakers have endorsed Democratic House Leader Paul Davis for governor. Keep in mind, Kansas reelected Democratic governor Kathleen Sebelius not so long ago, and Davis has already raised just over $1 million in less than five months.
  • Depressing personal asideThis picture made me cry today. It's so wonderful that Virginia Senator Creigh Deeds is back in Richmond to serve in the General Assembly, but it's so heartbreaking to know he carries so much pain. I'm not sure anyone can imagine how hard it is to deal with everyday life -- much less a legislative session -- after what he's endured. But his district and his Commonwealth are fortunate that he's back in Mr. Jefferson's Capitol.


For the Week of January 8, 2014

The following 19 state legislatures are actively meeting this week: CALIFORNIA, COLORADO, IDAHO, INDIANA, KENTUCKY, MAINE, MARYLAND, MASSACHUSETTS, MICHIGAN, MISSISSIPPI, MISSOURI, NEBRASKA, NEW HAMPSHIRE, NEW JERSEY, NEW YORK, RHODE ISLAND, VERMONT, VIRGINIA and WEST VIRGINIA

Also meeting: DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA, PUERTO RICO 


CALIFORNIA
The Assembly Higher Education Committee met January 7 to discuss student financial aid, as well as other aspects of education funding in the state. 
COLORADO
The General Assembly is scheduled to convene the 2014 legislative session January 8. 
DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA
The Council District of Columbia convened the 2014 legislative session January 7. 
FLORIDA
The Senate Criminal Justice Committee will meet January 8 to discuss S.B. 224, which prohibits giving sample nicotine dispensing devices to persons younger than 18. 
GEORGIA
A special election was held January 7 for House districts 2 and 22. 
IDAHO
The Legislature convened the 2014 legislative session January 6. 
Governor Butch Otter (R) delivered his State of the State address January 6. 
INDIANA
The Legislature convened the 2014 legislative session January 6. 
IOWA
A special election was held January 7 for House district 25.
KENTUCKY
The Legislature convened the 2014 legislative session January 7.
MAINE
The Legislature is scheduled to convene the 2014 legislative session January 8. 
The Joint Insurance and Financial Services Committee will hold a hearing January 9 to discuss L.D. 1037, which provides access to health plans for all state residents by 2020. 
MASSACHUSETTS
A special election was held January 7 for the 9th Norfolk House district. 
MINNESOTA
The MNSure Legislative Oversight Committee will meet January 9 to review MNSure's operations and recommend any necessary changes in policy, implementation and statutes to the Board of Directors of the Minnesota Exchange Marketplace and the state Legislature. 
MISSOURI
The General Assembly will convene the 2014 legislative session January 8. 
MONTANA
The Environmental Quality Council will host an information public hearing January 8-9 to discuss updates to the State Water Plan, including updates on the Clean Water Act. 
NEW HAMPSHIRE
The General Court will convene the 2014 legislative session January 8. 
NEW YORK
The Senate Health Committee and Senate Insurance Committee met January 7 to hear from stakeholders on the implementation of the New York State Health Insurance Exchange, to discuss the impact federal health care reform is having on insured individuals, families and small businesses and to explore possible state options for providing assistance to those affected. 
Governor Andrew Cuomo (D) will deliver his State of the State address January 8. 
RHODE ISLAND
The General Assembly convened the 2014 legislative session January 7. 
VERMONT
The General Assembly convened the 2014 legislative session January 7. 
Governor Peter Shumlin (D) will deliver his State of the State address January 8. 
VIRGINIA
A special election was held January 7 for House district 11 and Senate district 6. 
The General Assembly is scheduled to convene the 2014 legislative session January 8. 
WEST VIRGINIA
Governor Earl Ray Tomblin (D) will deliver his State of the State address January 8. 
WISCONSIN
The Assembly Urban Education Committee will hold a public hearing January 9 to discuss A.B. 549, which pertains to charter school authorization. 
WYOMING
The Joint Labor, Health and Social Services Committee will meet January 9-10 to hear an explanation of proposed bill drafts regarding Medicaid expansion with limited benefits; Medicaid with premium assistance options (Arkansas model); and Medicaid expansion-insurance pool (Arkansas model with modifications).