Matt Hatchett named to lead Georgia House spending committee
December 7, 2022 GMTATLANTA (AP) — Georgia State Rep. Matt Hatchett, a Dublin Republican, was named Wednesday to lead the state House Appropriations Committee, a key role in writing the state's $58 billion budget.
New committee assignments will be made after the newly elected General Assembly convenes on Jan.
Groups sue Florida officials over migrant relocation program
December 2, 2022 GMTMIAMI (AP) — Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis and other officials are being sued in federal court by immigrant rights groups who challenge the constitutionality of the state's migrant relocation program.
The suit was filed Thursday by three groups — Florida Immigrant Coalition, Americans for Immigrant Justice and Hope Community Center — against DeSantis and state Transportation Secretary Jared Perdue.
Nevada GOP Rep. Mark Amodei easily reelected to 7th term
November 9, 2022 GMTLAS VEGAS (AP) — Six-term Republican Rep. Mark Amodei has defeated Elizabeth Mercedes Krause, as expected, in Nevada’s rural northern district where no Democrat has ever won.
The 2nd Congressional District was considered the only safe seat for either party among the four in the western battleground of Nevada, where three incumbent Democrats faced stiff challenges.
Hall, former Mississippi Transportation Commissioner, dies
November 2, 2022 GMTJACKSON, Miss (AP) — Dick Hall, a former Mississippi transportation commissioner who was one of the state's longest-serving public officials, has died. He was 84.
Hall was a member Mississippi Transportation Commission for nearly 21 years, 11 of which he spent as chairman.
Senator’s human rights objections block some US aid to Egypt
October 18, 2022 GMTWASHINGTON (AP) — A veteran senator's objections over Egypt's human rights record, including its holding of an estimated 60,000 political prisoners, have compelled the Biden administration to trim a symbolically significant $75 million off its planned annual military aid to that country.
Adidas confirms Moroccan art inspired Algerian soccer jersey
October 14, 2022 GMTRABAT, Morocco (AP) — Adidas acknowledged on Friday that the design for its new jersey collection for Algeria's national soccer team was inspired by Morocco’s zellige mosaic pattern, resolving a dispute with the Moroccan government that had accused the sport apparel company of “cultural appropriation” of its heritage.
Andy Warhol, Prince at center stage in Supreme Court case
October 12, 2022 GMTWASHINGTON (AP) — Andy Warhol and Prince held center stage in a copyright case before the Supreme Court on Wednesday that veered from Cheerios and “Mona Lisa” analogies to Justice Clarence Thomas’ enthusiasm for the “Purple Rain” showman.
Morocco fumes over Adidas design of Algerian soccer jersey
September 30, 2022 GMTRABAT, Morocco (AP) — The Moroccan government called on sports apparel company Adidas to pull off the market its new jersey collection for Algeria’s national soccer team, alleging that the featured mosaic pattern amounted to “cultural appropriation” of Moroccan heritage.
Missouri Senate committee negotiates income tax cut
September 19, 2022 GMTCOLUMBIA, Mo. (AP) — Missouri state senators on Monday advanced two strategies for cutting income taxes, but behind-the-scenes negotiations were still ongoing.
The Senate Appropriations Committee voted out two bills on income taxes for the full Republican-led chamber to debate.
South Dakota Highway Patrol struggles with trooper shortages
September 15, 2022 GMTSIOUX FALLS, S.D. (AP) — The South Dakota Highway Patrol is struggling with a shortage of officers after over two dozen left the agency this year, the head of the department told state lawmakers Thursday.
Indiana city OKs paying $1.75M in deadly police chase crash
September 13, 2022 GMTEVANSVILLE, Ind. (AP) — The city of Evansville has agreed to pay $1.75 million to settle a woman's lawsuit stemming from a 2017 police chase crash that killed her two children and her husband and left her seriously injured.
Pennsylvania launching free school breakfast program
September 9, 2022 GMTHARRISBURG, Pa. (AP) — More than 1.7 million public and private school students in Pennsylvania will be able to get breakfast for free under a plan that will begin next month and run through the school year, officials announced Friday.
Michigan GOP governor nominee Dixon picks running mate
August 19, 2022 GMTLANSING, Mich. (AP) — Michigan Republican gubernatorial nominee Tudor Dixon chose former state Rep. Shane Hernandez of Port Huron as her running mate Friday in her bid to unseat Democratic Gov. Gretchen Whitmer.
Honor or cultural appropriation? Hospital name spurs debate
August 16, 2022 GMTST. LOUIS (AP) — While segregation was still casting its ugly shadow over the U.S., the Homer G. Phillips Hospital was providing top-notch medical care to a predominantly African American part of St.
Smokies to require parking passes beginning next March
August 15, 2022 GMTGATLINBURG, Tenn. (AP) — Beginning next March, visitors to Great Smoky Mountains National Park will need to purchase a parking pass to use the facilities.
Park Superintendent Cassius Cash said in an interview the fee is needed to keep up with maintenance and staffing demands at the country's most visited national park.
Ford receives $101M incentive package to expand in Michigan
June 27, 2022 GMTLANSING, Mich. (AP) — Michigan lawmakers approved a $101 million incentive package for Ford Motor Co. for a planned project that will create 3,030 jobs and $1.16 billion in manufacturing facility investments throughout the state.
Lawmakers rewrite Ducey’s plan for $1 billion for new water
June 24, 2022 GMTPHOENIX (AP) — Arizona Gov. Doug Ducey's plan to create a new state agency to boost the desert state’s increasingly strained water supply morphed into a plan to give an existing state entity the authority to leverage and dole out a new $1 billion appropriation.
Senate panel OKs last minute bills on initiatives, schools
June 23, 2022 GMTPHOENIX (AP) — The Arizona Senate's appropriations committee on Wednesday advanced a series of last minute measures on hot-button issues as the Legislature prepares to adjourn for the year.
The new or revived bills that now move to the full Senate include a big new tax credit for film production, a measure requiring a supermajority vote for initiatives if they increase taxes or other fees, and a bill that would force failing schools to implement improvement plans.
Panel rejects plan to close Georgia pilot training center
June 20, 2022 GMTSAVANNAH, Ga. (AP) — A congressional subcommittee has rejected the Biden administration’s proposal to close a training center for military pilots in Georgia.
U.S. Rep. Buddy Carter said Monday the decision by the House Appropriations Defense Subcommittee is a big step toward keeping open the Combat Readiness Training Center in Savannah.
Wolf, lawmakers launch budget season with billions to spend
June 13, 2022 GMTHARRISBURG, Pa. (AP) — Pennsylvania Gov. Tom Wolf and state lawmakers are launching into their busiest stretch: the horse-trading and budget-making weeks of June that are vastly different this year than any other in memory, with billions of extra dollars to spread around.
Virginia lawmakers send Youngkin compromise state budget
June 1, 2022 GMTRICHMOND, Va. (AP) — Virginia's divided General Assembly passed a compromise state budget Wednesday that would offer nearly $4 billion in tax relief, increase pay for teachers and other public employees, boost K-12 education spending and fund a wide range of projects from roadwork to school construction.
New marijuana crime included in Virginia budget proposal
May 30, 2022 GMTRICHMOND, Va. (AP) — Virginia legislative leaders are proposing a new criminal misdemeanor in state law for possession of more than four ounces of marijuana in public.
Florida insurance bills clear committee, move to Senate
May 23, 2022 GMTTALLAHASSEE, Fla. (AP) — The Florida Legislature on Monday began a special session focused on fixing the state's turbulent property insurance market, advancing sweeping legislation to create a $2 billion reinsurance fund and place new rules around attorney fees and coverage denials as lawmakers attempt to stabilize a market plagued by rising rates and insurer insolvencies.
Lawmakers want money for National Park maintenance
May 21, 2022 GMTBAR HARBOR, Maine (AP) — Lawmakers from Maine and Colorado are calling on senators to increase funding for infrastructure maintenance on federal lands.
Independent Sen. Angus King of Maine and Democratic Rep.
New rules about guns on movie sets fail in California
May 20, 2022 GMTSACRAMENTO, Calif. (AP) — New rules about how and when actors can use guns while filming failed to pass the California Legislature on Thursday just months after a gun actor Alec Baldwin was holding went off and killed a cinematographer on a movie set in New Mexico.
Pennsylvania lawmakers see terms ended by primary defeats
May 18, 2022 GMTHARRISBURG, Pa. (AP) — One of the Pennsylvania Legislature’s most powerful Republicans lost a primary race and another was in real danger Wednesday of going down to defeat, both targeted by challengers from the right.
House Dems propose $28 million to address formula shortage
May 17, 2022 GMTWASHINGTON (AP) — House Democrats unveiled a $28 million emergency spending bill Tuesday to address the shortage of infant formula in the United States.
Idaho Lt. Gov. McGeachin to finish year with budget deficit
May 9, 2022 GMTBOISE, Idaho (AP) — Republican Lt. Gov. Janice McGeachin, who is running for governor against incumbent Republican Brad Little, has a $2,000 budget deficit in her office that will have to come out of next year’s appropriation.
Former state lawmaker Herschella Horton of Tucson dies at 83
May 7, 2022 GMTTUCSON, Ariz (AP) — Former Democratic state lawmaker Herschella Horton of Tucson has died, her family announced Friday. She was 83.
A registered nurse, Horton died Wednesday, her son and daughter, Jon Horton and Cheryl Walker, said.
Hill bargainers seek Ukraine aid deal, COVID aid in question
May 6, 2022 GMTWASHINGTON (AP) — Lawmakers are working toward compromise on President Joe Biden’s $33 billion Ukraine aid request, even as signs emerge that Democrats may need to swallow another COVID-19 setback and drop their goal of wrapping pandemic spending into the package.
Hill bargainers seek Ukraine aid deal, COVID aid in question
May 5, 2022 GMTWASHINGTON (AP) — Lawmakers are working toward compromise on President Joe Biden’s $33 billion Ukraine aid request, even as signs emerge that Democrats may need to swallow another COVID-19 setback and drop their goal of wrapping pandemic spending into the package.
Defense leaders say Russia learning from mistakes in Ukraine
May 3, 2022 GMTWASHINGTON (AP) — The U.S. has learned a great deal about Russian military shortfalls and capabilities in the first two months of the war in Ukraine, top Pentagon leaders told Congress Tuesday.
Maine Legislature returning to work with 1-day extension
April 24, 2022 GMTAUGUSTA, Maine (AP) — It's unclear whether lawmakers will take up a proposal to give Native Americans in Maine the same sovereignty enjoyed by their counterparts across the nation when lawmakers reconvene Monday.
Lawmakers approve budget with $850 checks for most Mainers
April 19, 2022 GMTAUGUSTA, Maine (AP) — The Maine Legislature overwhelmingly approved a supplemental budget on Tuesday that includes $850 relief checks for most residents.
Democratic Gov. Janet Mills proposed returning more than half of the $1.2 billion budget to residents, and the Legislature's appropriations committee unanimously adopted a bipartisan spending proposal with some changes.
Louisiana House panel advances budget; debate set Thursday
April 18, 2022 GMTBATON ROUGE, La. (AP) — A Louisiana House panel advanced a proposed state operating budget Monday that includes $148 million for pay raises for teachers and school support staff and $104 million for increases for higher education, but strips a proposed $100-per-month increase in state supplemental pay for local police and firefighters.
VCU gets nearly $1 million to study Richmond gun violence
April 16, 2022 GMTRICHMOND, Va. (AP) — Virginia Commonwealth University has received nearly $1 million in federal funds to study gun violence in Richmond as the city experiences an increase in the number of homicides.
Panel signs off on budget that includes $850 payments
April 15, 2022 GMTAUGUSTA, Maine (AP) — The Maine Legislature's appropriations committee unanimously approved a supplemental budget early Friday that includes $850 payouts to more than 850,000 residents amid inflationary worries.
Democrats advance ‘COVID relief budget’ for consideration
April 7, 2022 GMTWith Connecticut flush with federal COVID-19 relief funds, the Democratic-controlled Appropriations Committee advanced a one-year, $24.16 billion spending plan on Thursday that attempts to address the pandemic's continuing impacts.
Governor highlights $50M investment in behavioral health
April 5, 2022 GMTBOISE, Idaho (AP) — Idaho Gov. Brad Little and other state officials on Tuesday highlighted one of the state’s largest-ever investments in behavioral health care.
The Republican governor in a ceremonial event that included Idaho Supreme Court justices and lawmakers marked the $50 million approved by the Legislature in a series of appropriations bills this year that Little has already signed into law.
With NY budget overdue, lawmakers approve stopgap spending
April 4, 2022 GMTALBANY, N.Y. (AP) — New York lawmakers approved stopgap legislation to help keep state government running Monday as negotiations on the overdue budget continued behind closed doors.
Gov. Kathy Hochul and legislative leaders, all Democrats, were unable to reach a deal on a state spending plan before the new fiscal year began Friday.
House panel OKs major overhaul of Arizona K-12 funding
April 1, 2022 GMTPHOENIX (AP) — A major overhaul of large parts of Arizona's K-12 school funding formula backed by a school choice group and the Republican leader of the House Education Committee got last-minute approval in the House Appropriations Committee on Monday.
Arizona Coyotes seek gambling law change for ASU arena
March 30, 2022 GMTPHOENIX (AP) — The Arizona Coyotes want a new state law that legalizes sports betting changed to allow them to keep running their mobile sports gambling operation when they move from Glendale to Arizona State University's hockey arena next season.
Nebraska gives initial OK to $1B pandemic spending plan
March 23, 2022 GMTLINCOLN, Neb. (AP) — A plan to spend roughly $1 billion in federal pandemic cash won initial approval from state lawmakers on Wednesday despite squabbles over specific projects.
The package would pour millions of dollars into job-training programs, housing grants, food pantries, meat processors, a new law enforcement training center and dozens of other projects throughout the state.
Georgia senators seek to base health payments on outcomes
March 23, 2022 GMTATLANTA (AP) — Budget writers in the Georgia Senate want to take a different approach to spending on health care and mental health, saying they want to base payments on outcomes. That could spark debate with a House pushing for significant hikes in mental health spending.
Howe’s SOS plan: Modernize office, build faith in elections
March 19, 2022 GMTBISMARCK, N.D. (AP) — As North Dakota voters later this year prepare to elect a new secretary of state for the first time in nearly 30 years, the only declared candidate so far has a natural pitch: He's out to modernize the office.
Ex-Congressman Victor Fazio of California dies at 79
March 17, 2022 GMTSACRAMENTO, Calif. (AP) — Victor Fazio, a Democratic congressman from California who served for 20 years and rose to become an influential party leader in the House, has died. He was 79.
Fazio's death was announced Wednesday by House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, although her office didn't provide details.
Revolutionary War monument in Boston to get a makeover
March 15, 2022 GMTBOSTON (AP) — A Revolutionary War monument in Boston that commemorates a pivotal event in the conflict is getting a multimillion dollar makeover, the National Park Service said Tuesday.
The funding for the 115-foot (35-meter) Dorchester Heights monument and the surrounding park from an appropriation from the Great American Outdoors Act will be announced on Thursday, known as Evacuation Day in the city because it marks the day British forces left Boston during the war.
Georgia House 2023 budget raises pay and agency funding
March 11, 2022 GMTATLANTA (AP) — Georgia state government's 2023 budget promises more money for teachers, state employees, lawmakers and retirees, lower fees for university students and more spending on mental health and policing, thanks to bountiful state revenues.
Idaho leaders don’t act on McGeachin legal fee request
March 11, 2022 GMTBOISE, Idaho (AP) — The Legislature’s budget-setting committee on Friday decided not to act on a request by Republican Lt. Gov. Janice McGeachin for extra money to pay a private attorney she hired in a public records dispute.
Lobstermen to get federal help to comply with whale rules
March 11, 2022 GMTPORTLAND, Maine (AP) — A funding package approved by federal lawmakers includes more than $17 million to help the lobster fishing industry adjust to new rules designed to protect rare whales.
The money is part of the Commerce, Justice and Science Appropriations bill passed by Congress on Thursday.
Michigan lawmakers finalize $666M transfer for GM projects
March 9, 2022 GMTLANSING, Mich. (AP) — Lawmakers on Wednesday authorized a $666 million transfer of state funds to finalize incentives for General Motors to locate an electric vehicle plant and an electric vehicle battery factory in Michigan.
Bill to allow marijuana resentencing killed by GOP lawmakers
March 7, 2022 GMTRICHMOND, Va. (AP) — A Republican-led panel of Virginia House members on Monday blocked a bill that would have allowed people incarcerated or on probation for marijuana-related crimes to ask a court for a modified sentence.
Idaho budget committee OKs $3.4 billion for public schools
March 7, 2022 GMTBOISE, Idaho (AP) — The Legislature’s budget committee on Monday approved spending $3.4 billion to teach Idaho’s 310,000 K-12 students, money that includes $1,000 bonuses for teachers, administrators and support staff.
$150 million of Noem’s workforce housing stalls in House
March 4, 2022 GMTPIERRE, S.D. (AP) — South Dakota Republican lawmakers are locked in a battle over a plan from Gov. Kristi Noem to send $200 million to workforce housing after part of the proposal failed to pass the House Thursday.
Work progressing on Virginia’s $25M Capitol Square tunnel
March 2, 2022 GMTRICHMOND, Va. (AP) — A second phase of work on an approximately $25 million tunnel to connect Virginia's Capitol with a nearby building that will house lawmakers' offices has begun.
Fencing recently went up near the Capitol in Richmond as the project entered its second dig phase, said Dena Potter, a spokeswoman for the state's Department of General Services.
Mississippi Senate OKs pay bill ‘by teachers, for teachers’
March 2, 2022 GMTJACKSON, Miss. (AP) — Mississippi senators acted quickly Wednesday to unanimously pass a teacher pay raise bill, sending it back to the House for possible debate within the next three weeks.
The vote came a day after the Senate Education and Appropriations committees approved a version of the bill, which would give teachers an average $4,700 raise over two years.
Georgia Senate seeks bigger raises for nurses, prison guards
February 28, 2022 GMTATLANTA (AP) — Georgia state senators want prison guards and school nurses to get larger raises and want to set aside a big chunk of money to cover the state's share of an upcoming federal transportation program.
Kentucky bill proposes phase out of individual income taxes
February 25, 2022 GMTFRANKFORT, Ky. (AP) — A key House Republican proposed gradually reducing Kentucky's individual income tax — with the long-term goal of eliminating the levy — as part of a sweeping measure introduced Friday that would extend the state sales tax to a host of services.
Senate Republicans in Kentucky unveil tax rebate proposal
February 24, 2022 GMTFRANKFORT, Ky. (AP) — Senate Republicans unveiled a tax-relief proposal Thursday that would deliver income tax rebates to Kentucky taxpayers in the latest proposal aimed at offering relief from rising consumer prices.
House panel OKs revised ban on videotaping police
February 22, 2022 GMTPHOENIX (AP) — An Arizona House committee on Monday approved a proposed law that would make it illegal to make video recordings of police in many circumstances after the Republican sponsor made changes he said were designed to address constitutional concerns.