Archive for the ‘State Legislature News’ Category

From LJWorld.com:

House Republicans this morning pushed for a proposed constitutional amendment aimed at rejecting the federal health reforms signed into law by President Barack Obama.

The measure was set for debate later today.

Speaking to the House GOP caucus, House Speaker Mike O’Neal, R-Hutchinson, said a vote for the proposal “is one of the most important statements that the House can make in 2011.”

O’Neal said Republican success in the 2010 election was a “referendum on the restoration of state’s rights” against Washington, D.C.

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From Hampton Roads:

Gov. Bob McDonnell is among 28 state chief executives who have signed a letter urging President Barack Obama to direct the U.S. Justice Department to back an expedited appeal of the health care litigation initiated in Virginia and Florida.

All of the signatories on the letter (a copy of which is below) are Republicans.

Attorney General Ken Cuccinelli, who previously expressed his desire to fast-track the case to the U.S. Supreme Court, formally filed a petition to that effect last night. It can be viewed here.

Cuccinelli prevailed in the opening round of the health care challenge in federal court; a judge agreed with his argument that Congress exceeded its power to regulate interstate commerce by mandating that the uninsured obtain medical coverage or face a tax penalty.

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From The Tennessean.com:

Tennessee Republicans have proposed legislation that calls for the state to join an interstate compact challenging the new federal health-care law.

Senate Speaker Ron Ramsey and several members of the Tennessee Tea Party joined Senate sponsor Mae Beavers in announcing the measure on Monday.

The proposal would provide a waiver for each participating state to create its own health-care system. The legislation would have to be approved by Congress.

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From thenewsstar.com:

State Rep. Bubba Chaney of Rayville has become the latest Louisiana Democrat to switch to the Republican Party.

Chaney, who is serving his first term in the Louisiana Legislature, changed his party affiliation at the Richland Parish Courthouse late Monday afternoon.

“I just didn’t feel that my philosophy as a traditional conservative Blue Dog Democrat has a place anymore in the national party,” Chaney said. “The Republican Party better fits that philosophy and my personal values.

“This isn’t a reflection of my fellow Democrats in the Legislature. I have developed strong relationships and deep respect for my Democratic colleagues, and that won’t change. But for me, the national Republican Party better reflects my beliefs.”

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Nebraska Republican Attorney General files to run for US Senate.

From JournalStar.com:

Republican Attorney General Jon Bruning took another widely expected step Wednesday, filing paperwork with the Federal Election Commission to become an official candidate for U.S. Senate.

“The excitement and show of overwhelming support from Nebraskans statewide has us moving on to the next step in this process. I look forward to a more formal announcement in the coming weeks,” Bruning said.

Bruning, a former state senator, has been less than shy about voicing his desire to serve in the Senate.

In 2007, Bruning initially ran for the seat of outgoing Republican Sen. Chuck Hagel, but eventually withdrew when former governor and U.S. Agriculture Secretary Mike Johanns entered the race.

Bruning raised some $1 million for that bid and said he hoped to use the money for a future campaign

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From DesMoinesRegister.com:

Republican leaders pledged Tuesday to keep their focus primarily on economic issues, but they said the Iowa House would debate several hot-button social issues.

Among them: further restrictions to abortion and a push to amend the Iowa Constitution to ban same-sex marriage.

The measures’ potential fates in the Senate, where Democrats have a slim majority, are uncertain.

Republicans have sought a public vote on same-sex marriage since an April 2009 Iowa Supreme Court decision legalized such unions.

Attention on the abortion law intensified late in 2010 when Nebraska abortion provider Dr. LeRoy Carhart said he intends to open a late-term abortion clinic in Council Bluffs.

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From StarTribune.com:

As babies cried and flashbulbs sparkled, newly elected Republicans claimed control of the Minnesota Legislature on Tuesday, ushering in the most profound change in the body in four decades.

“Our job now is to govern,” Republican House Speaker Kurt Zellers said moments after his election to the state’s second-most powerful post.

To taxpayers, Zellers pledged to “treat every one of your dollars that you send to us with the same common sense and frugality” used around the family kitchen table.

The House floor, usually restricted to legislators and staff, was overflowing with family and friends on the first day of the 2011 session.

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From Cleveland.com:

Ohio House Republicans today picked veteran lawmaker Richard Hollington Jr. to fill the vacancy left when Sen. Tim Grendell decided to remain in the Senate despite running for and winning election to the House of Representatives in November.

Hollington was appointed to represent the 98th House District last year after Matt Dolan left the House in a failed bid for Cuyahoga County executive.

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