State and Local Politics

[Bad Dingo]

I wasn't sure where to put this but since we just started our legislative session in CT yesterday I thought I'd start a thread for discussing state and local issues.


www.dailyructions.com/state-representative-quentin-q-williams-killed-in-highway-collision/
This is just so tragic.  CT has been trying to do something about wrong way drivers but since they are generally impaired it almost seems like a losing battle.  I'm so heartbroken for his family and sad at such a loss for our local government.

ETA: Info and work that's been done so far to try to combat the growing wrong way driver tragedies in CT.

portal.ct.gov/-/media/DOT/documents/dtrafficdesign/WrongWayInfopdf.pdf

www.nbcconnecticut.com/news/local/technology-unveiled-to-deter-wrong-way-drivers-in-connecticut/2896148/

[Bad Dingo]

To see when your state legislative session starts/ends:
www.ncsl.org/research/about-state-legislatures/2023-state-legislative-session-calendar.aspx

[scm1011]

Today my state (MA) is swearing in Maura Healey, the first openly lesbian Governor in US history! Also one of the first all-female governor / lt. governor tickets.

[Velar Fricative]

Bad Dingo, how tragic! He was so young.

[seeyalater52]

Jan 5, 2023 10:57:53 GMT -5 scm1011 said:

Today my state (MA) is swearing in Maura Healey, the first openly lesbian Governor in US history! Also one of the first all-female governor / lt. governor tickets.

Tina Kotek will also be sworn in as Gov of Oregon this term although I think the swearing in won’t happen until next week.

Good news all around!

[seeyalater52]

This is not news related specifically, but my high priority leg sessions for Medicaid advocacy this year are NH, NC, WY, AL, SD, KS, with a side of the election in MS and possibly some wrap up in MO.

I’m expecting state politics hell in pretty much all of the above. I swear it gets more dismal every year.

[pixy0stix]

I don't remember anything exciting happening in CO. We're still a very D majority at all levels of government for most places.

ETA: The legislation that only cage free eggs be sold everywhere has caused a shortage of eggs in the state. We were limping along because of avian flu, but I've been able to find eggs up until the beginning of the year. 

[Scout'sHonor]

Jan 5, 2023 11:28:50 GMT -5 pixy0stix said:

I don't remember anything exciting happening in CO. We're still a very D majority at all levels of government for most places.

ETA: The legislation that only cage free eggs be sold everywhere has caused a shortage of eggs in the state. We were limping along because of avian flu, but I've been able to find eggs up until the beginning of the year. 

The plastic bag fee before the ban next year. Though we're obviously used to it already up here

[pixy0stix]

Jan 5, 2023 11:38:04 GMT -5 Scout'sHonor said:

Jan 5, 2023 11:28:50 GMT -5 pixy0stix said:

I don't remember anything exciting happening in CO. We're still a very D majority at all levels of government for most places.

ETA: The legislation that only cage free eggs be sold everywhere has caused a shortage of eggs in the state. We were limping along because of avian flu, but I've been able to find eggs up until the beginning of the year. 

The plastic bag fee before the ban next year. Though we're obviously used to it already up here

Oh yeah, I forgot that was going in effect everywhere. I wonder if that will whittle down the last few holdouts here that were under the threshold of the ban for the city.

[pixy0stix]

OH!

@@@@@@@@@

Free all day K is going into effect this year too. Hallelujah!

[Scout'sHonor]

Jan 5, 2023 11:40:11 GMT -5 pixy0stix said:

Jan 5, 2023 11:38:04 GMT -5 Scout'sHonor said:

The plastic bag fee before the ban next year. Though we're obviously used to it already up here

Oh yeah, I forgot that was going in effect everywhere. I wonder if that will whittle down the last few holdouts here that were under the threshold of the ban for the city.

I wondered how Lowe's was getting away with still having them, but it looks like it just pertained to grocery stores before. Now they will have to charge.

[mrspez07]

CO also had the FAMLI tax take affect.
coloradosun.com/2022/12/31/new-labor-laws-employment-colorado/

[mrspez07]

Jan 5, 2023 11:47:41 GMT -5 Scout'sHonor said:

Jan 5, 2023 11:40:11 GMT -5 pixy0stix said:

Oh yeah, I forgot that was going in effect everywhere. I wonder if that will whittle down the last few holdouts here that were under the threshold of the ban for the city.

I wondered how Lowe's was getting away with still having them, but it looks like it just pertained to grocery stores before. Now they will have to charge.

I just saw on my local FB page that King soopers pulled their bag recycling because people were going through them to REUSE the bags discarded. (Facepalm).
I was also at Jimmy John’s yesterday and they had signs up that they would charge for to-go bags. I’m pretty sure Their to-go bags are paper (another face palm)

[katfco]

Super republican Ohio just signed enacted a law that requires Ohio public colleges and universities to provide all students with up to 3 days a year to observe religious practices. The law states instructors are not allowed to question students and the list is required to be "nonexhaustive." Just 3 days isn't much, but it's a start.

[basilosaurus]

Jan 5, 2023 16:47:49 GMT -5 mrspez07 said:

Jan 5, 2023 11:47:41 GMT -5 Scout'sHonor said:

I wondered how Lowe's was getting away with still having them, but it looks like it just pertained to grocery stores before. Now they will have to charge.

I just saw on my local FB page that King soopers pulled their bag recycling because people were going through them to REUSE the bags discarded. (Facepalm).
I was also at Jimmy John’s yesterday and they had signs up that they would charge for to-go bags. I’m pretty sure Their to-go bags are paper (another face palm)

Jimmy Johns never missed an opportunity to charge more and then blame liberals.

[erbear]

I don’t have a specific link but I’d love to hear what others think about Shapiro (D-PA) and the team he’s assembling to govern. I’ll try to find a link if I have a chance later today.

[anodyne]

Lucas Kunce announced he was running against Hawley, on Jan 6th of all days

[pumpkincat]

New (and former) State Superintendent of Arizona.

Oh and former State AG who sued the Obama administration to keep SB 1070

Attachments:

[sugarbear1]

Jan 7, 2023 9:49:40 GMT -5 anodyne said:

Lucas Kunce announced he was running against Hawley, on Jan 6th of all days

Well hello, Lucas.
This is a fantastic ad.

[audette]

Whelp, not shocking, I suppose.

Illinois has enacted a law requiring the registration of assault weapons. And, today, in concert, a bunch of county sheriffs have posted public notices that they disagree with the law, and won't be enforcing it. From what I've heard, the statements all have a similar feel and language...

www.mystateline.com/news/local-news/ogle-county-sheriff-says-he-will-not-enforce-illinois-law-requiring-gun-owners-to-register-assault-weapons/

[pinkdutchtulips]

Katie Porter put her hat onto the ring for Diane Fienstein's Senate seat. DiFi hasn't said if she's running again or not but Porter will run regardless. 

[lilac05]

www.thegazette.com/state-government/meatless-snap-iowa-bill-would-cut-meat-poultry-and-more-from-food-assistance-program/?amp=1

Forget Skittles…Iowa attempts No canned fruits and vegetables for poor people.

It hasn’t been assigned to a subcommittee yet, so it’ll likely change a lot between now and passage. I also assume that the timing of it is meant to distract from the nonsense they’re shoving through regarding @@@education bills.

Be warned: The speaker is who I’m assuming will be tapped to take over Chuck Grassley’s place when he dies in office or eventually decides mid-term to retire.

I hate this state more every day!

Unrelated, but post upthread reminded me…Jimmy John’s recently charged me $.45 for a water cup! (We had purchased 2 sandwiches and two bags of chips.)

(@@but at one point, we had our act together. We’ve got statewide free 4y/o preschool.)

[basilosaurus]

Jan 21, 2023 23:15:31 GMT -5 lilac05 said:

www.thegazette.com/state-government/meatless-snap-iowa-bill-would-cut-meat-poultry-and-more-from-food-assistance-program/?amp=1

Forget Skittles…Iowa attempts No canned fruits and vegetables for poor people.

It hasn’t been assigned to a subcommittee yet, so it’ll likely change a lot between now and passage. I also assume that the timing of it is meant to distract from the nonsense they’re shoving through regarding @@@education bills.

Be warned: The speaker is who I’m assuming will be tapped to take over Chuck Grassley’s place when he dies in office or eventually decides mid-term to retire.

I hate this state more every day!

Unrelated, but post upthread reminded me…Jimmy John’s recently charged me $.45 for a water cup! (We had purchased 2 sandwiches and two bags of chips.)

(@@but at one point, we had our act together. We’ve got statewide free 4y/o preschool.)

I know the cruelty is the point, but wtf do they expect people to eat?

Sure, it would be wonderful if everyone could use fresh produce, but that's just ridiculous for so many reasons. And no nuts? So, go without meat (but beef is ok?) but also without a non-meat protein source. But, here, have some jif. Hope you're not allergic because you certainly won't have an epi-pen. Would canned beans count as a canned vegetable? Probably. 

And why no staples? That seems the easiest way to keep costs down. If someone wants to bake bread, wtf not? No condiments? No skittles and no ketchup spaghetti! I know: cruelty.

[lilac05]

basilosaurus, I suspect they started with it so, SO restrictive so people will be tricked into thinking it’s a victory when they add things back in. There’s no way the state of Iowa would not allow pork.

It just doesn’t even make sense. If the argument is to save money, you’d think they would want people buying MORE of some of that stuff.

But really, you’re right. It just boils down to cruelty. Too many legislators see people receiving these “benefits” as being less worthy objects, not actual humans with stories, goals, dreams, and things they offer to this world. It’s absolutely disgusting.

[basilosaurus]

Jan 22, 2023 9:40:35 GMT -5 lilac05 said:

basilosaurus , I suspect they started with it so, SO restrictive so people will be tricked into thinking it’s a victory when they add things back in. There’s no way the state of Iowa would not allow pork.

It just doesn’t even make sense. If the argument is to save money, you’d think they would want people buying MORE of some of that stuff.

But really, you’re right. It just boils down to cruelty. Too many legislators see people receiving these “benefits” as being less worthy objects, not actual humans with stories, goals, dreams, and things they offer to this world. It’s absolutely disgusting.

I think you're right on both accounts. They'll "concede" small bits and seem like heroes.

However, I think you don't go far enough with the cruelty justification. It's not only that they think poor people are subhuman, although they certainly do. They think that suffering will give them the kick they need to just utilize those bootstraps. It's such a cushy life subsisting on ketchup spaghetti that no one would be motivated to change, so take away that ketchup!

Assholes

[lilac05]

Jan 22, 2023 11:04:09 GMT -5 basilosaurus said:

Jan 22, 2023 9:40:35 GMT -5 lilac05 said:

basilosaurus , I suspect they started with it so, SO restrictive so people will be tricked into thinking it’s a victory when they add things back in. There’s no way the state of Iowa would not allow pork.

It just doesn’t even make sense. If the argument is to save money, you’d think they would want people buying MORE of some of that stuff.

But really, you’re right. It just boils down to cruelty. Too many legislators see people receiving these “benefits” as being less worthy objects, not actual humans with stories, goals, dreams, and things they offer to this world. It’s absolutely disgusting.

I think you're right on both accounts. They'll "concede" small bits and seem like heroes.

However, I think you don't go far enough with the cruelty justification. It's not only that they think poor people are subhuman, although they certainly do. They think that suffering will give them the kick they need to just utilize those bootstraps. It's such a cushy life subsisting on ketchup spaghetti that no one would be motivated to change, so take away that ketchup!

Assholes

Yes. I think they have convinced themselves that taking more away will make people do more to change the situation. That’s a common theme in our state politics right now. If you’re not performing where we think you should be, we’ll take away what we’re giving you so you’ll be motivated to work harder to be better. It’s ludicrous.

Pull yourself up by your bootstraps…but we’re going to take away your boots and shame you for not being able to pull yourself up. And we will take away even more if you say you don’t have boots to pull yourself up.

[tamarindy]

Jumping in with the reminder that Jimmy John’s is headed by an asshole trophy hunter, in case you needed more reasons to avoid.

[penguingrrl]

Jan 22, 2023 11:40:01 GMT -5 lilac05 said:

Jan 22, 2023 11:04:09 GMT -5 basilosaurus said:

I think you're right on both accounts. They'll "concede" small bits and seem like heroes.

However, I think you don't go far enough with the cruelty justification. It's not only that they think poor people are subhuman, although they certainly do. They think that suffering will give them the kick they need to just utilize those bootstraps. It's such a cushy life subsisting on ketchup spaghetti that no one would be motivated to change, so take away that ketchup!

Assholes

Yes. I think they have convinced themselves that taking more away will make people do more to change the situation. That’s a common theme in our state politics right now. If you’re not performing where we think you should be, we’ll take away what we’re giving you so you’ll be motivated to work harder to be better. It’s ludicrous.

Pull yourself up by your bootstraps…but we’re going to take away your boots and shame you for not being able to pull yourself up. And we will take away even more if you say you don’t have boots to pull yourself up.

All while refusing to make minimum wage a number anyone can live at, artificially driving down all salaries.

[AdaraMarie]

Jan 5, 2023 11:42:11 GMT -5 pixy0stix said:

OH!

@@@@@@@@@

Free all day K is going into effect this year too. Hallelujah!

@@@
Free K was started a few years ago, when my kid was in 1st, so memorable to me as she just missed it. Now they added free preschool.

[audette]

Iowa passes a school "choice" bill. Governor Reynolds will sign it later today. www.desmoinesregister.com/story/news/politics/2023/01/24/iowa-house-senate-lawmakers-pass-kim-reynolds-private-school-scholarships-education-bill/69822687007/