(The Center Square) - As restrictions on law enforcement pursuing criminals is set to take effect on June 6 after passing in the Legislature, the state is offering police agencies a second funding opportunity to buy equipment capable of pursuing suspects without the use of firearms. A request for proposal put out by the Washington State Department of Commerce, Office of Firearm Safety and Violence Prevention/Community Safety Unit is intended for a law enforcement agency to...
(The Center Square) – Data from the Seattle Department of Transportation shows that despite its efforts to end traffic fatalities and serious injuries, the number of serious traffic injuries continued to increase to an all-time high in 2023. Fatalities on Seattle streets peaked in 2021 with 31 deaths, but since then has seen a modest drop to 27 deaths in 2023. While traffic deaths have fallen, serious injuries on Seattle streets continue to go up across all...
(The Center Square) – The City of Spokane is joining other municipalities in a lawsuit against chemical manufacturers that are downplaying their part in contaminating waterways nationwide. The lawsuit originated in South Carolina and seeks damages for the effects of PFAS contaminants on natural resources and public health. PFAS, or Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances, are commonly used in firefighting foam and manufacturing settings. Mayor Lisa Brown announced the...
(The Center Square) – Gov. J.B. Pritzker’s plan to address Illinois' pension woes was the subject of a House hearing Thursday. Pritzker is proposing the state increase its statutory funding ratio goal for its pension funds to 100% by fiscal year 2048. The current goal was established by former Gov. Jim Edgar and the Illinois General Assembly in 1994, which created a 50-year plan to get the state to a 90% funding ratio by 2045. The state, at a 44% funding ratio, is...
(The Center Square) – Lawmakers at a hearing Thursday raised concerns about the impact of a recent Biden administration decision to freeze permits for certain new export sites for liquefied natural gas, a major energy export for the U.S. The White House announced the freeze in January, arguing that climate change concerns justify the decision and that the U.S. is already exporting enough natural gas for now. “Today, we have an evolving understanding of the market...
(The Center Square) – The Missouri House of Representatives on Thursday sent a pair of omnibus education bills to Republican Gov. Mike Parson for approval. Senate Bill 727, passed by an 82-69 vote, increases the amount of tax credits for the Missouri Empowerment Scholarship Accounts program, allows charter schools in Columbia and increases minimum teacher pay from $25,000 to $40,000. “I've been here nine years and moving this education bill forward is a huge step...
(The Center Square) – Illinois gun owners rallied at the state capitol to show their displeasure with the state’s gun laws, and express hopes for success in the courts. In January 2023, Gov. J.B. Pritzker enacted a ban on more than 170 semi-automatic firearms. The measure faces federal lawsuits. Thursday in Springfield, the Illinois State Rifle Association hosted Illinois Gun Owner Lobby Day where Second Amendment Foundation’s Alan Gottlieb was the keynote speaker. ...
(The Center Square) — Delaware has yet to implement a new paid leave law, but Democrats are pushing for approval of a new plan to require private employers to provide sick and "safety" leave for their workers. A bill that cleared the Legislature's Committee on Labor this week would require employers to provide workers with at least one hour of earned sick time and safety leave for every 30 hours worked unless they already provide similar benefits. Businesses with fewer than 10...
Food additives ban passes Senate The Illinois Senate has passed a measure that would supersede the federal government when it comes to banning food additives. The legislation would ban several additives, including brominated vegetable oil and red dye number 3. California recently passed a similar ban, but if enacted, Illinois would have one of the strictest food bans in the country. The National Confectioners Association has gone on record saying that states...
(The Center Square) – Illinois Senate Republicans are urging for a subject matter hearing on Illinois’ ambitious plan for higher education funding, a plan that was revealed in March. The complex formula is supposed to mirror the K-12 evidence-based funding that currently exists in Illinois. State Sen. Terri Bryant, R-Murphysboro, said it’s not the same as K-12 and the formula actually punishes public universities for receiving endowments. "When you have university...
(The Center Square) - California State Sen. Catherine Blakespear withdrew her bill to expand the state’s assisted suicide program after near-universal outrage, including opposition from the author of the bill that first authorized assisted suicide in the state. “If people have an incurable illness or disease that is causing them great suffering and will in fact result in their natural death‚ I believe they should have the autonomy to make decisions that allow them to have the...
(The Center Square) – Congressman Bryan Steil has a Democratic opponent. Former one-term Democratic Congressman Peter Barca on Thursday announced he will run against Steil in November. “My record has been one of creating good-paying jobs and building a world class workforce; lowering costs and delivering tax relief to middle class families; and expanding access to health care. This stands in stark contrast to the do-nothing, dysfunctional Congress we have in...