Sep 29th, 2008 · A law intended to protect abandoned infants in Nebraska is having an unexpected effect. So far, 14 children — many preteens or teenagers — have been dropped off at hospitals. Now state officials, who say parents fed up with raising unruly older children are misusing the law, are calling on the legislature to restrict the age to younger children.
Sep 19th, 2008 · Republican vice presidential nominee Sarah Palin is campaigning on her record as a champion of transparency in government. Many Alaskans believe she's brought more openness to state government. But now the McCain campaign says that Palin's husband, Todd, will not testify before the state legislature, which is investigating whether Governor Palin tried to get her former brother-in-law fired as a state trooper.
Sep 15th, 2008 · New Hampshire was once a rock-solid Republican state. But in the last presidential election, Democrat John Kerry won there. In 2006, Democrats in the Granite State took control of the state legislature for the first time since the 19th century, along with re-electing its Democratic governor. But John McCain, who won the GOP presidential primary in both 2000 and 2008, is the kind of Republican who appeals to the huge contingent of independents there. This year, New Hampshire has become an important battleground, because with the presidential race so close, even small states are crucial.
Apr 29th, 2008 · Florida's legislature is working out the details of a bill that would either allow or require science teachers to present students with alternatives to the theory of evolution. It could signal a new opening in the perennial battle over evolution in public schools. Proponents say it's a matter of "academic freedom."
Apr 2nd, 2008 · The Illinois legislature is considering a law that would allow police to monitor high-risk restraining-order subjects by using GPS technology. Harvard Law School lecturer Diane Rosenfeld, who proposed a similar bill that passed in Massachusetts last year, discusses the Illinois initiative.
Apr 1st, 2008 · Instead of waiting for the federal government to take action, the Arizona legislature is proposing a bill that would create a state guest worker program. And while the federal government would have to agree to the plan, the idea has already attracted the attention of lawmakers in other states.
Mar 27th, 2008 · California is facing a massive $16-billion budget deficit. To fix the problem, Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger has proposed across-the-board budget cuts. But Democrats in the state legislature are unlikely to go along with his plan.
Mar 27th, 2008 · State courts complain that the poor economy is threatening their ability to provide constitutionally mandated services. Legislatures across the country are requiring courts to get along with less money, just like other parts of the government. But court administrators say they can't decide to hear fewer cases, and the case load goes up -- not down -- when economic times are hard.