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State Watch
Missouri
Missouri lawmakers pass legislation requiring consent for public employee union fee collections.
The State Government Leadership Foundation (SGLF) firmly believes that real government reform, innovative policy changes, and the big ideas that will solve America's problems are going to be found in state capitols and not Washington, D.C. As has been the case for several years, there is grid-lock in Washington, and Federal government spending and regulation are out of control, while our country's problems continue to be unaddressed by Washington.
Contrast this with the states, who are getting things done -- some better than others. America is at its most prosperous and productive when there is limited government, less spending, less taxes, less dictation from Washington, and less encroachment into the states.
SGLF will promote innovative reforms advocated by our conservative elected leaders and defend them when the special interest proponents of the status quo attack these elected leaders. SGLF is dedicated to educating policymakers and the public about the benefits of smaller government, lower taxes, balanced budgets, and efficiency in governing.
SGLF is a 501 (c)(4) social welfare organization and is a strategic partner to the Republican State Leadership Committee (RSLC) - home to the Republican Lieutenant Governors Association, Republican Attorneys General Association, Republican Legislative Campaign Committee, and the Republican Secretaries of State Committee.
Contrast this with the states, who are getting things done -- some better than others. America is at its most prosperous and productive when there is limited government, less spending, less taxes, less dictation from Washington, and less encroachment into the states.
SGLF will promote innovative reforms advocated by our conservative elected leaders and defend them when the special interest proponents of the status quo attack these elected leaders. SGLF is dedicated to educating policymakers and the public about the benefits of smaller government, lower taxes, balanced budgets, and efficiency in governing.
SGLF is a 501 (c)(4) social welfare organization and is a strategic partner to the Republican State Leadership Committee (RSLC) - home to the Republican Lieutenant Governors Association, Republican Attorneys General Association, Republican Legislative Campaign Committee, and the Republican Secretaries of State Committee.
The Supremes Get It Fundamentally Wrong
What a depressing day for America: Chief Justice John Roberts joined the liberal justices on the Supreme Court as the fifth and pivotal vote that allowed most of Obamacare to survive.
While much of the speculation in the academic and media world was about Justice Anthony Kennedy as the possible swing vote, one of the lawyers in my office kept saying over the past few months that Roberts was actually the weak link. Unfortunately, that prediction turned out to be all too accurate.
By upholding the individual mandate, the Court got it exactly wrong. They’ve issued a ruling with terrible implications for the future
While much of the speculation in the academic and media world was about Justice Anthony Kennedy as the possible swing vote, one of the lawyers in my office kept saying over the past few months that Roberts was actually the weak link. Unfortunately, that prediction turned out to be all too accurate.
By upholding the individual mandate, the Court got it exactly wrong. They’ve issued a ruling with terrible implications for the future
Defeat of Calif. teacher bill shows union power
Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa slammed it as "cynical political manipulation," Los Angeles schools Superintendent John Deasy termed it shameful, but for the California Teachers Association, it was a victory.
The defeat Wednesday of a proposed law that would have made it easier for school districts to fire teachers in cases of sexual and other egregious misconduct has shone a spotlight on the strong sway of the California Teachers Association, widely considered the state's most politically influential labor union with more than 325,000 members.
The defeat Wednesday of a proposed law that would have made it easier for school districts to fire teachers in cases of sexual and other egregious misconduct has shone a spotlight on the strong sway of the California Teachers Association, widely considered the state's most politically influential labor union with more than 325,000 members.
Collective bargaining veto override defeated in House
Gov. John Lynch's veto of a bill that would have required legislative approval of union contracts with state workers has been upheld by the state House of Representatives.
The 225-124 vote fell short of the two-thirds majority required to enact the bill over Lynch's objection. Because the House acted first and sustained the veto, no Senate action was required.
Supporters of the bill HB 1666, claimed it would help the Legislature control the costs of state worker pay and benefits which are a large part of state spending.
The 225-124 vote fell short of the two-thirds majority required to enact the bill over Lynch's objection. Because the House acted first and sustained the veto, no Senate action was required.
Supporters of the bill HB 1666, claimed it would help the Legislature control the costs of state worker pay and benefits which are a large part of state spending.
Arizona v. United States: What the States Can Do to Enforce Immigration Laws
Written by Hans A. von Spakovksy for Heritage Foundation on June 27, 2012Immigration & Homeland Security
Since the Supreme Court issued its decision on June 25 on Arizona’s immigration law,[1] numerous news reports and commenters have mistakenly said that most of the Arizona law was struck down. That is simply wrong. The error is apparently based on the mistaken assumption that the four provisions reviewed by the Supreme Court were the entire law. But in reality, most provisions of the law were upheld by the federal district court in Arizona that issued the initial injunction against the four provisions at issue before the Supreme Court.[2] The remaining provisions will allow Arizona—and, by extension, other states—to assert some control over immigration within their borders.
Court Upheld the “Heart” of the Law
It certainly would have been better for the security of the country as well as the system of federalism if the majority of justices had followed the dissents of Justices Antonin Scalia and Clarence Thomas and respected state sovereignty by upholding all four of the provisions of S.B. 1070 that were before the court. But Governor Jan Brewer (R) is correct when she said that the provision the court upheld was the “heart” of the law.[3]
Court Upheld the “Heart” of the Law
It certainly would have been better for the security of the country as well as the system of federalism if the majority of justices had followed the dissents of Justices Antonin Scalia and Clarence Thomas and respected state sovereignty by upholding all four of the provisions of S.B. 1070 that were before the court. But Governor Jan Brewer (R) is correct when she said that the provision the court upheld was the “heart” of the law.[3]
CANSECO: Over-regulation is killing jobs in America
As I travel through the 23rd District of Texas and visit with small business owners, I constantly hear about the burden of Washington’s red tape and the avalanche of regulations that they have to comply with. When you look at the facts about the regulatory burden small businesses face, it’s shocking. Recently, the Office of Information and Regulatory Affairs (OIRA) came to an alarming determination: current regulations imposed by the federal government require U.S. businesses to spend over 10.3 billion in paperwork compliance hours each year. Even more shocking, OIRA determined that the cost of the 10.3 billion hours of paperwork compliance equaled $77.2 billion, money these businesses could have used to hire more employees or invest in their companies.
Christie: Scutari won't consider tort reform
When it comes to creating jobs and enacting any significant tort reform, Gov. Chris Christie blames the Democrats for the lack of progress. With regards to tort reform, Christie said during a town hall here that it would be a good thing to reduce the number of lawsuits.
After Arizona
Looking at the Supreme Court's Decision About S.B. 1070
What do you make of today’s Supreme Court ruling? What does it mean for Arizona and the rest of us? What is the state of immigration policy today? We asked some experts.
HANS VON SPAKOVSKY - This was unquestionably a significant loss for the Obama administration, no matter how much they try to spin it as a win. After all, the Court upheld the core provision of S.B. 1070 that the Justice Department had challenged and the administration publicly attacked: the requirement that law-enforcement officials find out the immigration status of individuals they arrest or detain if they have a “reasonable suspicion” that the person is illegally in the U.S.
HANS VON SPAKOVSKY - This was unquestionably a significant loss for the Obama administration, no matter how much they try to spin it as a win. After all, the Court upheld the core provision of S.B. 1070 that the Justice Department had challenged and the administration publicly attacked: the requirement that law-enforcement officials find out the immigration status of individuals they arrest or detain if they have a “reasonable suspicion” that the person is illegally in the U.S.
Supreme Court Allows Immigration Checks
The Supreme Court struck down much of Arizona's effort to crack down on illegal immigrants but left one key part intact in a ruling that gave both sides of the debate something to cheer.
In a 5-3 ruling, the court said Arizona in effect had tried to set up a parallel enforcement system that punished illegal immigrants more harshly and interfered with congressional authority over the nation's borders. The court rejected parts of the state law known as SB1070 that made it a crime for illegal immigrants to seek work and that authorized warrantless arrests of people suspected by state and local police of committing deportable offenses.
In a 5-3 ruling, the court said Arizona in effect had tried to set up a parallel enforcement system that punished illegal immigrants more harshly and interfered with congressional authority over the nation's borders. The court rejected parts of the state law known as SB1070 that made it a crime for illegal immigrants to seek work and that authorized warrantless arrests of people suspected by state and local police of committing deportable offenses.
High Court Affirms Maryland's Redistricting Map
Matter Could Still be Put Before Voters on November Ballot
The U.S. Supreme Court affirmed Monday a lower court's ruling upholding Maryland's new congressional redistricting plan, which counts inmates as living at their last-known addresses instead of in their prison cells. But it may not be the last word on the matter.
Some Republican lawmakers opposed to the map, drawn once each decade based on U.S. census counts, have until Saturday to submit the nearly 56,000 signatures needed to put it on the November ballot and let voters decide whether the plan stays.
Some Republican lawmakers opposed to the map, drawn once each decade based on U.S. census counts, have until Saturday to submit the nearly 56,000 signatures needed to put it on the November ballot and let voters decide whether the plan stays.
South Dakota lawmakers ponder new bills after immigration law decision
The U.S. Supreme Court’s partial rejection of an Arizona immigration law will affect South Dakota, lawmakers said Monday.
Rep. Manny Steele, R-Sioux Falls, said if he brings legislation addressing illegal immigration next year, he’ll pay close attention to what the Supreme Court on Monday ruled was unconstitutional.
Rep. Manny Steele, R-Sioux Falls, said if he brings legislation addressing illegal immigration next year, he’ll pay close attention to what the Supreme Court on Monday ruled was unconstitutional.
Oregon reins in tax credits for clean energy
Clean energy companies in Oregon are finding lawmakers more reluctant to give them tax credits.
Tax credits for clean energy companies ballooned from about $100 million in 2006 to more than $300 million in 2010, according to Legislative Revenue Office figures.
That prompted lawmakers facing troubled budgets to rein in the credits, The Bend Bulletin reported Sunday.
That prompted lawmakers facing troubled budgets to rein in the credits, The Bend Bulletin reported Sunday.
Pennsylvania’s Voter ID Law Spurs Debate
A top Pennsylvania Republican’s remark this weekend that the state’s new voter ID law would help Mitt Romney win the state has reignited a debate over whether the law is intended to curb fraud, as Republicans say, or to depress Democratic turnout, as Democrats charge.
The remark was made by Mike Turzai, the state’s House majority leader, when he spoke over the weekend to a meeting of the Republican State Committee and ticked off a number of recent conservative achievements by Pennsylvania’s Republican-led legislature.
The remark was made by Mike Turzai, the state’s House majority leader, when he spoke over the weekend to a meeting of the Republican State Committee and ticked off a number of recent conservative achievements by Pennsylvania’s Republican-led legislature.
Another View: NH's most vulnerable students need educational choices
On Wednesday, New Hampshire's legislators will decide whether to give low- and middle-income families the option to look beyond their zip code when selecting the best school for their child. Lawmakers will have the opportunity to override the governor's veto of SB 372 and thereby provide some of the state's most vulnerable students the opportunity to attend the school that best fits their learning style and needs.
Tuition tax credit scholarships for low- and middle-income K-12 students have a track record of improving student learning and public school performance. National testing data show that low-income New Hampshire students need help — help achievable through this legislation. New Hampshire legislators should, therefore, reaffirm their commitment to equalizing educational opportunity for students of modest means by, once again, passing tax credit scholarships.
Tuition tax credit scholarships for low- and middle-income K-12 students have a track record of improving student learning and public school performance. National testing data show that low-income New Hampshire students need help — help achievable through this legislation. New Hampshire legislators should, therefore, reaffirm their commitment to equalizing educational opportunity for students of modest means by, once again, passing tax credit scholarships.
Ohio Gov. John Kasich signs third grade reading guarantee bill into law
Gov. John Kasich on Monday signed a bill that steps up public education standards across Ohio and includes a requirement that some third-graders be held back if they cannot read at grade level.
The third grade reading guarantee was the hot-button topic in Senate Bill 316, a multi-faceted education and workforce development bill that the Republican governor signed in Cincinnati. Kasich said he doesn't intend the new law to be a form of punishment for 8- and 9-year-old boys and girls who want to move on to the fourth grade, but more of a necessary investment in their futures.
The third grade reading guarantee was the hot-button topic in Senate Bill 316, a multi-faceted education and workforce development bill that the Republican governor signed in Cincinnati. Kasich said he doesn't intend the new law to be a form of punishment for 8- and 9-year-old boys and girls who want to move on to the fourth grade, but more of a necessary investment in their futures.
NJ lawmakers pass teacher tenure bill
A bill to make teacher tenure harder to get and easier to lose was sent to Gov. Chris Christie's desk on Monday after both chambers of the Legislature approved it unanimously.
The Republican Christie administration worked on crafting the bill, and the governor's spokesman praised the effort, indications that the governor will sign it.
The Republican Christie administration worked on crafting the bill, and the governor's spokesman praised the effort, indications that the governor will sign it.
Rachel Maddow verbal tirade shockingly misleading
On Rachel Maddow's website yesterday (21 June 2012), her show highlighted a specific piece of commentary, As unions go, so goes the Democratic Party. In this five minute verbal escapade -- and yes, it's basically a quick trip to fantasy land -- Maddow suggests that Democrats will soon be unable to compete in terms of campaign spending, because the Republican Party is single handedly trying to "dismantle" Unions, the backbone of the Democratic Party's political base. Really? That's news to me.
Supreme Court Upholds Workers’ Rights Not to Fund Union Politics
Today’s Supreme Court ruling in favor of nonunion workers in Knox v. Service Employees International Union (SEIU) significantly strengthens nonunion members’ First Amendment rights not to contribute to union political activities.
California requires state employees who choose not to join a government union to nonetheless pay the union for expenses related to collective bargaining. However, unions cannot force workers to pay for their political and ideological spending. In prior cases, the Supreme Court has ruled that workers have a First Amendment right to certain procedural protections to enforce their underlying right not to subsidize political opinions they disagree with.
California requires state employees who choose not to join a government union to nonetheless pay the union for expenses related to collective bargaining. However, unions cannot force workers to pay for their political and ideological spending. In prior cases, the Supreme Court has ruled that workers have a First Amendment right to certain procedural protections to enforce their underlying right not to subsidize political opinions they disagree with.
Cuomo’s Teacher-Evaluation Bill Approved by New York Legislature
Governor Andrew Cuomo’s bill that would limit disclosure of teacher evaluations to parents passed the New York Legislature today, the last day of the session.
The measure, introduced by Cuomo minutes before a midnight deadline June 18, won approval after Senate Republicans, who control the chamber, backed it. It has the support of New York State United Teachers, the largest educators union, and is opposed by New York Mayor Michael Bloomberg, who wants wider evaluation disclosures.
“It struck a balance between parents’ right to know and some confidentiality,” said Senate Majority Leader Dean Skelos, a Long Island Republican.
The measure, introduced by Cuomo minutes before a midnight deadline June 18, won approval after Senate Republicans, who control the chamber, backed it. It has the support of New York State United Teachers, the largest educators union, and is opposed by New York Mayor Michael Bloomberg, who wants wider evaluation disclosures.
“It struck a balance between parents’ right to know and some confidentiality,” said Senate Majority Leader Dean Skelos, a Long Island Republican.
Supreme Court upholds House redistricting plan
The state’s highest court Tuesday unanimously upheld the constitutionality of the state law redistricting all 400 seats in the New Hampshire House of Representatives.
The Supreme Court rejected the arguments of five lawsuits that maintained the plan ignored a 2006 amendment to the state constitution meant to ensure that town and city wards with a certain population threshold would get their own legislators.
$9 Billion in ‘Stimulus’ for Solar, Wind Projects Made 910 Final Jobs -- $9.8 Million Per Job
The Obama administration distributed $9 billion in economic “stimulus” funds to solar and wind projects in 2009-11 that created, as the end result, 910 “direct” jobs -- annual operation and maintenance positions -- meaning that it cost about $9.8 million to establish each of those long-term jobs.
At the same time, those green energy projects also created, in the end, about 4,600 “indirect” jobs – positions indirectly supported by the annual operation and maintenance jobs -- which means they cost about $1.9 million each ($9 billion divided by 4,600).
At the same time, those green energy projects also created, in the end, about 4,600 “indirect” jobs – positions indirectly supported by the annual operation and maintenance jobs -- which means they cost about $1.9 million each ($9 billion divided by 4,600).
McConnell calls for EPA to back off on coal reg
The U.S Senate's top Republican is calling again for the Environmental Protection Agency to back off a "heavy-handed regulatory process" that he said is costing jobs in the private sector.
Sen. Mitch McConnell urged his colleagues Wednesday to force the EPA to rewrite stringent regulatory standards on emissions from coal-fired power plants.
The Senate voted down a resolution Wednesday that would have prevented the EPA from implementing the so-called "Utility MACT" regulation that McConnell and others insist is part of a "war on coal."
Confidence in US public schools at record low
A new poll says that confidence in U.S. public schools has dropped to the lowest level in nearly four decades.
Twenty-nine percent of those questioned in a Gallup poll said they had a "great deal" or "quite a lot" of confidence in public schools. Forty percent had some confidence while 30 percent expressed little or none.
Twenty-nine percent of those questioned in a Gallup poll said they had a "great deal" or "quite a lot" of confidence in public schools. Forty percent had some confidence while 30 percent expressed little or none.
Mississippi voter ID regulations are being developed
Mississippi Secretary of State Delbert Hosemann said Tuesday that he's trying to answer all questions that might arise as the state seeks federal approval for its proposed voter ID law. Hosemann told The Associated Press in a phone interview that he and his staff are reviewing documents related to the Justice Department's rejection of voter ID laws in Texas and South Carolina. That includes filings in Texas' appeal of its case to a federal court, which is set for trial in early July.
Clash Over Teacher Bill
Written by LISA FLEISHER And JACOB GERSHMAN for Wall Street Journal on June 19, 2012Education Reform
Mayor Michael Bloomberg's administration on Tuesday was lobbying heavily to kill an effort by Gov. Andrew Cuomo and unions to limit the release of individual teachers' evaluations, people familiar with the matter said.
Mr. Bloomberg's opposition remained an important obstacle for the prospects of Mr. Cuomo's last-minute bid, the governor's latest attempt to squeeze a compromise on a fiercely debated education issue. The legislation represents a test of the mayor's influence over a statehouse dominated by Mr. Cuomo.
Mr. Bloomberg's opposition remained an important obstacle for the prospects of Mr. Cuomo's last-minute bid, the governor's latest attempt to squeeze a compromise on a fiercely debated education issue. The legislation represents a test of the mayor's influence over a statehouse dominated by Mr. Cuomo.
The Entrepreneur's Dilemma
Next week’s expected Supreme Court decision on the constitutionality of the Affordable Care Act will undoubtedly spark discussion about how the ruling affects patients, doctors, and politicians. But don’t forget to consider another important demographic. Business owners like me stand to be powerfully impacted by the Justices’ announcement and the ensuing implications for health care reform.