From the States
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Arizona Democrat governor vetos bill requiring local and state cooperation with ICE
“I will continue to work with the federal government on true border security, but we should not force state and local officials to take marching orders from Washington,” Hobbs said in the veto letter.
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Illinois legislation to protect public university press raises concerns about 'blanket immunity'
Under bill, state-sponsored institutions of higher learning would be immune from lawsuits over expression made by public media.
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Nevada attorney general starts Social Security disruptions webpage
The 11-question webpage does not offer any additional help to fix the issue of unclaimed Social Security.
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Bill cracking down on fentanyl traffickers advances in Senate
Bill permanently classifies fentanyl-related substances as Schedule I under the Controlled Substances Act.
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Despite legislative ban, Texas public universities still implementing DEI policies
Despite a state legislative ban, Texas public universities are still implementing so-called diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) policies, state lawmakers have found. Several institutions renamed or relaunched new units under a different name to continue
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RFK Jr. is being asked to weigh in on Pennsylvania’s Medicaid expansion
4 Senate Republican signatories on a Feb. 21 letter sent to HHS Director Robert F. Kennedy Jr. asking for his intervention, arguing that the expansions are “a risk to fiscal stability”
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Trump calls for balanced budget: experts say goal is worthy but at 'odds with fiscal reality'
"Troublingly, America's fiscal imbalances have grown so large that balancing the budget is likely out of reach in the medium term," said Maya MacGuineas, president of the Committee for a Responsible Federal Budget
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DOGE looking at 'aggressive' overhaul at Veterans Affairs, cutting more than 80,000 employees
The VA added staff quickly during the Biden administration as it staffed up to address increased coverage under the PACT Act, a law that expanded VA health care and benefits.
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TX Gov. Abbott: Human Life Protection Act doesn't need amending, women have medical access
While outlawing elective abortions, Abbott and the Texas legislature advanced significant funding to help pregnant mothers and their families.
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PA Sen. Fetterman criticizes Dem responses, saying they only help Trump
“A sad cavalcade of self owns and unhinged petulance,” Fetterman said of his fellow lawmakers’ response. “It only makes Trump look more presidential and restrained.
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TX Gov. Abbott, state legislature, have plans to reduce red tape for small businesses
Small businesses account for “99% of all businesses in the state” and employ nearly half of the entire private-sector workforce in Texas, the report notes.
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Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass facing a recall effort over her wildfire response
Bass’s political strategist dismissed the recall effort against the mayor, telling the LA Times it's “nothing more than another extreme right-wing political stunt designed to divide Los Angeles.
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AZ Senator Kelly introduces bill to fight fentanyl trafficking
The state has a history of dealing with smugglers and making high-profile drug busts. In 2023, Arizona law enforcement agencies seized more than 123 million fentanyl pills and 2,001 kilograms of fentanyl powder.