All articles tagged with #democratic governor
Republicans in North Carolina have passed a bill to consolidate their power by increasing control over elections, removing judges who ruled against them, and limiting the authority of the incoming Democratic governor and attorney general.
Maine's state legislature passed sweeping gun safety laws, including background checks on private gun sales, waiting periods for gun purchases, and criminalizing gun sales to prohibited individuals, following a mass shooting that claimed 18 lives. The legislation also includes funding for violence prevention initiatives and a mental health crisis receiving center. The governor's bill was approved, but a proposal for a "red flag" law did not see action. Lawmakers worked through the night to pass the legislation, with the shooting serving as a tragic backdrop for the session.
Wisconsin's GOP-controlled Legislature has passed legislative maps proposed by Democratic Gov. Tony Evers in a move to prevent the liberal-controlled state Supreme Court from implementing potentially worse maps for Republicans. The political stakes are high in the battleground state, where Republicans have held legislative control since 2011 despite Democrats winning statewide elections. The new maps, if signed by Evers, could greatly reduce Republican majorities in the Legislature, but concerns remain about the timing of their implementation and potential legal challenges.
The GOP-led Wisconsin Senate has passed legislative maps proposed by Democratic Governor Tony Evers, a move that could prevent the liberal-controlled state Supreme Court from implementing potentially worse maps for Republicans. The plan now goes to the Assembly for expected approval before reaching Evers, who has promised to sign it into law. The political stakes are high in this battleground state, where Republicans have controlled the Legislature since 2011 despite Democrats winning statewide elections. The passage of these maps comes amid ongoing litigation and political maneuvering, with both parties vying for advantageous district boundaries.
New York Governor Kathy Hochul has dropped her plan to pass legislation mandating housing growth in individual communities, citing the upcoming election season and the lack of political benefit. The proposed "New York Housing Compact" aimed to build 800,000 new homes and affordable housing over the next decade, but faced opposition from lawmakers and local leaders who opposed Albany's involvement in local zoning. Hochul, who is focused on regaining congressional seats for Democrats in the upcoming elections, will instead use her executive powers to address the state's housing crisis.
Georgia Republican Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene criticized the election results, particularly voters in Ohio supporting a constitutionally protected right to abortion and the defeat of the Kentucky Republican state attorney general by the Democratic governor, stating that "Republicans are weak."
Brandon Presley, an elected public utilities commissioner and former mayor of Nettleton, Mississippi, is running for governor with a focus on expanding Medicaid and mobilizing a coalition of Black and liberal-to-centrist white voters. Despite facing difficult odds in a state that has not elected a Democratic governor in 24 years, Presley has gained momentum and raised over $11 million for his campaign. While the race is classified as "lean Republican," Presley's efforts to unite Democrats and Republicans through Medicaid expansion and his personal connection to poverty have resonated with voters. However, recruiting enough Republicans to support Presley may prove challenging in the polarized political climate.
Jeff Landry, the hard-line conservative and Republican state attorney general, is leading the race for governor of Louisiana, dominating the primary field to replace the term-limited Democratic governor. Landry's aggressive litigation against the Biden administration and his conservative opponent has garnered him a significant war chest and early Republican endorsements, giving him a comfortable lead in the crowded primary. If he wins, Landry is expected to drive Louisiana further to the right on issues such as crime, the environment, and LGBTQ rights. The race highlights the shift in Louisiana's politics towards nationalized issues and the struggle to energize voters disillusioned by bitter national divisions and the lasting effects of the pandemic.
Republican lawmakers in Wisconsin voted to cut the University of Wisconsin System's budget by $32 million, leaving the university nearly half a billion dollars short of what it requested. The cut comes in reaction to Republican anger over diversity, equity and inclusion programs on the system's 13 universities. Democratic Governor Tony Evers threatened to veto the entire state budget if the university's budget was cut.