USApp Managing Editor, Chris Gilson, looks at the week in U.S. state blogging

Gilson, Christopher

LSE Research Online

blogs.lse.ac.ukhttp://blogs.lse.ac.uk/usappblog/2015/06/27/new-york-approves-the-big-ugly-south-carolina-gops-confederate-flag-turnaround-and-south-dakotas-minimum-wage-success-us-state-blog-round-up-for-20-26/New York approves the ‘Big Ugly’, South Carolina GOP’sConfederate flag turnaround, and South Dakota’s minimumwage success: US state blog round up for 20 – 26 JuneUSApp Managing Editor, Chris Gilson, looks at the week in U.S. state blogging. Click here for our weeklyroundup of national blogs. NortheastOn Friday, PoliticusUSA reports that Democratic lawmakers in Maine are moving to impeach RepublicanGovernor, Paul LePage. The move comes after LePage was accused of blackmailing a state school board bythreatening to withhold $500,000 in funding if the extended a job offer to the state’s Democratic House Speaker.Heading south, NH Labor News says that the Granite State’s budget battle is raging as state Republicanspushed through a budget which has a $90 million hole due to tax giveaways to large out-of-state corporations atthe expense of education, healthcare and transport. Efforts by Democrats in the state Senate to amend thebudget continuing resolution that would have authorized 96 percent spending were defeated by SenateRepublicans.New York State Capitol Credit: JoePhilipson (Flickr, CC-BY-NC-SA-2.0)State of Politics writes Friday that the New York State Assembly approved the ‘Big Ugly’ budget bill after it waspassed by the state Senate earlier in the night. The measure extends a property tax cap, but other importantissues such as a minimum wage hike and Governor Cuomo’s education tax credit still remain to be tackled bylawmakers in a future legislative session.Moving on to New Jersey, PolitickerNJ reports this week that GOP Governor, Chris Christie has stated that he islikely to veto a proposed millionaires tax and other revenue increases included in state Democrats’ over $35billion budget. Proposed taxes would be a higher income surcharge on those who make over $1 million a year,and a 15 percent surcharge on corporate business tax.This week, PoliticsPA looks at whether the Keystone State will matter in 2016. They say that the state has beenmostly irrelevant in presidential primaries since 1976 and much more important in the general election. This maynow be changing, given that Democrats have carried the state in the last six general elections. Staying inPennsylvania, Raging Chicken Press has the story of how a group of legislators and activists took on the NationalRifle Association (NRA) and won. They say that the group challenged a recent House Bill which allowed the NRAto sue any municipalities’’ gun control ordinance in the state’s Commonwealth Court, which ruled that theamended bill was unconstitutional.SouthThis week Political Maryland says that despite the election promises of GOP Governor Larry Hogan Jr., Marylandhas not become a magnet for jobs and business. They say that since Hogan took office in January, 12 companieshave announced layoffs which will total more than 1,400 jobs.Heading down to the Old Dominion State, Bearing Drift says that at the same time as Republicans across thecountry are calling for the removal of the Confederate flag from public spaces, the state GOP’s leadership arecalling for a new poll tax on delegates who decide to nominate a presidential candidate via convention, somethingthat would be a violation of the 24th Amendment.In the early part of this week, all eyes were on South Carolina, as the state’s Republican Party grappled withwhether or not to take down the Confederate flag flying at the state capitol in the wake of last week’s tragicshooting in Charleston. FITS News comments that the state’s GOP rapidly went from a ‘wait and see’ attitudetowards the flag to an announcement from Governor Nikki Haley that she felt that the flag should come down.They say that corporate pressure played a big role in her decision as companies such as Boeing, BMW and Volvomade it clear that they wanted the flag to go.The Shark Tank writes on Wednesday that Florida’s GOP Governor, Rick Scott has vetoed $461 million from thestate’s budget, a potentially record-breaking amount. They say that Scott has claimed that many of the items thatwere vetoed were ‘back-door’ additions from lawmakers.Moving west, Wonkblog looks at why Alabama is the least friendly state to gays in the country. The YellowhammerState seems to have less protections for gays than the others, according to a new study on state policies towardsthe LGBT community.On Monday, Hit & Run reports that Texas has decriminalized school truancy. Previously the law had meant that100,000 students a year as young as 12 had been sent to criminal court, and some to jail for missing school.Midwest On Friday, RightMI of Michigan reacts to the Supreme Court’s marriage equality ruling to argue that states shouldno longer issue marriage licenses whatsoever. They say that the ruling is quite clear that Michigan needs a handsoff policy on marriage and that the federal government has now assumed responsibility for determining who iseligible to be married.Heading to the Badger State, Post Politics writes this week that Wisconsin Governor, Scott Walker is to signlegislation that will expand gun rights in the state. They say that the two new laws that Walker is to approve willremove a 48-hour waiting period and will also allow off-duty or retired police officers to carry concealed weaponsin public schools. Meanwhile, Blue Cheddar says that top Wisconsin Republicans are in ‘revolt’ against ScottWalker who have been spilling potentially damaging insights about the Governor to the national press.The Fix comments on Wednesday that the Governor of Minnesota, Mark Dayton has this week demonstrated whybeing a politician can be less than glamorous, as he commemorated Dairy Month in the North Star State bydrinking chocolate milk while holding an official proclamation.In Iowa this week, FreakOutNation reports that the state is now able to grant permits to people who are legally orcompletely blind to carry guns in public.There is considerable debate over the effects of raising minimum wages on employment – South Dakota seemsto have provided more evidence that helps those who are in favor of such increases. Dakota Free Press writesthis week that the state’s $1.25 minimum wage increase in January has been followed by an upswing in thecreation of new jobs and those seeking jobs. Wisconsin Governor Scott Walker Credit: GatewayTechnical College (CC-BY-NC-ND-2.0)West and PacificOn Friday, Intelligent Discontent of Montana has the reactions of topstate Republicans on the Supreme Court’s marriage equality ruling.Comments range from that from Attorney General Tim Fox, whodisagrees with the ruling, but states it is now law, to RepresentativeRyan Zinke, who stated that: “Today’s court decision underminesreligious freedom and usurps the rights of Montana and severalother states that have chosen to define marriage within their states”.Strange Bedfellows reports this week that the Seattle City Councilhas moved to put a record $930 million property tax levy on the city’sNovember ballot. The levy would replace a previous $365 millionmeasure which has not been as effective as many had desired sinceit was approved in 2006.The Atlantic  looks at a recent economic turnaround in CentralOregon after the region’s lumber industry crashed. The area’sresurgence is apparently down to an active and ambitiouscommunity college which has helped to attract industry andprepared students for high-wage and high-skilled jobs.Is the California dream over for those on middle incomes? Fox &Hounds this week examines the middle income housing affordability crisis in Southern California which they sayhas been developing for more than four decades as house price to income ratios have doubled and tripled abovehistorical levels.Heading out to Hawaii, GovBeat says that the Aloha State has raised the smoking age to 21, mostly in responseto the growing popularity of e-cigarettes.Please read our comments policy before commenting .Note:  This article gives the views of the author, and not the position of USApp– American Politics and Policy, norof the London School of Economics.Shortened URL for this post: http://bit.ly/1BLnZJ6CC BY-NC-ND 3.0 2014 LSE USAPP

New York approves the ‘Big Ugly’, South Carolina GOP’sConfederate flag turnaround, and South Dakota’s minimumwage success: US state blog round up for 20 – 26 June

New York approves the ‘Big Ugly’, South Carolina GOP’sConfederate flag turnaround, and South Dakota’s minimumwage success: US state blog round up for 20 – 26 June

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