Archive for the ‘State Legislature News’ Category
NH: Republicans Take Gavels at Statehouse
Last Updated on Thursday, 2 December 2010 10:38 Written by rslcpol Thursday, 2 December 2010 10:38
The GOP is getting to work after it’s overwhelming win on election night.
From nashuatelegraph.com:
The overwhelming victory for Republicans on Nov. 2 was a clear signal from voters that they want a more fiscally conservative Legislature, O’Brien said.
“It was not a message of partisan victory and loss. Instead, it was a plea for an effective, limited, respectful and responsive state government,” he said.
“Our constituents want a government that works for them and not against them. They want a government of public servants and not elite rulers. They want a government that stands with New Hampshire citizens and not over them.”
Republicans hold super-majorities in both chambers, 298-102 in the House, 19-5 in the state Senate.
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Republicans Want Oregon Senate Recount
Last Updated on Wednesday, 1 December 2010 03:06 Written by rslcpol Wednesday, 1 December 2010 03:06
If the Republicans get the recount and flip the result, the Senate will end up tied.
From StatesmanJournal.com:
Senate Republicans said Tuesday they will pay for a recount of a Southern Oregon race, which would create a 15-15 tie in the Senate if the result is reversed.
Democratic Sen. Alan Bates of Ashland held a 275-vote lead over Republican Dave Dotterrer of Ashland of 48,884 votes cast in a count that is scheduled to be certified Thursday by Secretary of State Kate Brown. A recount cannot start until that count by Jackson County is certified, and it is likely to be done in Jackson County, where Senate District 3 is.
There is no deadline for a recount to be completed. Lawmakers start their new terms on Jan. 10, the opening day of the 2011 session.
With Bates’ re-election — he has been in the Senate since 2005 — Democrats would hold a 16-14 edge over Republicans in the Senate.
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Ohio Republicans Pick Senate President
Last Updated on Wednesday, 1 December 2010 03:02 Written by rslcpol Wednesday, 1 December 2010 03:02
From Business Courier:
The state Senate Majority Caucus on Tuesday unanimously elected Republican Sen. Tom Niehaus, R-New Richmond, as president effective Jan. 3, Columbus Business First reported. Niehaus has been a state senator since 2004 and spent four years as a representative. He has been second-in-command as president pro tempore for the past two years.
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New Hampshire Picks Republican Leadership
Last Updated on Wednesday, 1 December 2010 02:58 Written by rslcpol Wednesday, 1 December 2010 02:58
Republicans in the House and Senate chose their leadership today. The end of Democratic control of the legislature that began in 2006 is now upon New Hampshire.
From UnionLeader.com:
Legislators chose two Republicans to lead the House and Senate today.
Shortly after being sworn into office by Gov. John Lynch, members of the Senate elected Sen. Peter Bragdon of Milford as the next Senate President. Bragdon is starting his fourth term in the Senate, and succeeds Sen. Sylvia Larsen, D-Concord, who held the top Senate post for four years.
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GA: Another Democrat Switches Parties
Last Updated on Wednesday, 1 December 2010 01:25 Written by rslcpol Wednesday, 1 December 2010 01:25
We didn’t think it was over yet… and it still might not be. Another former Democrat has joined the Republican ranks. This one was in Georgia.
From ajc.com:
Joining the parade of House Democrats who joined the Republican Party since the Nov. 2 election, Sen. Tim Golden of Valdosta announced Monday he will join the GOP caucus.
Golden, recently elected to an 11th term in the General Assembly, becomes the first Democrat to switch parties in the Senate. Five House members have left the Democratic caucus for the GOP.
“I am changing my party affiliation in order to better represent the views of the majority of my constituents and my own conservative, pro-business philosophy,” Golden said in a statement. “Our state continues to face great challenges. As a member of the majority caucus, I will be able to more effectively represent the people of the 8th District on important issues including the annual state budget, tax reform, reapportionment and helping our businesses put more Georgians back to work.”
Republican leadership said they welcome Golden to their side.
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Maine: GOP Dominated State Legislature to Convene
Last Updated on Tuesday, 30 November 2010 02:47 Written by rslcpol Tuesday, 30 November 2010 02:47
After the historic Republican takeover, the State Legislature is poised to get to work.
From Bangor Daily News:
Mainers are hopeful for action — and in no mood for partisan bickering — as the state’s first Republican-majority Legislature in decades prepares to launch its two-year session this week.
“If they can get along, they might be able to take care of some of the problems” such as job creation and keeping young people from leaving the state, said retiree Judith Marinetti of Gardiner. “They have to cooperate.”
The newly elected House and Senate members will be sworn in Wednesday morning after two days of preliminary gatherings to acquaint members with their new roles and to nominate candidates for attorney general, treasurer and secretary of state.
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NY: Republicans Predict they’ll Take Control of Senate
Last Updated on Tuesday, 30 November 2010 02:37 Written by rslcpol Tuesday, 30 November 2010 02:37
Although votes are still being tallied, Republicans look to be in good position to take back the Senate.
From the Wall Street Journal:
“It’s more important than ever that we get back to governing,” Skelos said, a stab at Democrats’ intent to make sure every vote is counted in the disputed races. “Senator-elect Grisanti will be a strong voice for the 60th Senate District in Albany, and we are eager to get right to work with him on Western New York’s priorities.”
The concession was first reported by the Buffalo News.
Recounts continue for the seats held by Democratic Sen. Craig Johnson of Long Island, who is fighting off Republican challenger Jack Martins, and Westchester Democrat Suzi Oppenheimer in a race against Republican Bob Cohen.
Republicans predict they will have a 32-30 majority.
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GOP State Legislature Victory – Win that keeps on Giving
Last Updated on Tuesday, 30 November 2010 02:35 Written by rslcpol Tuesday, 30 November 2010 02:35
From 2theadvocate.com:
While not as high-profile as the battle for Congress, the 2010 battle for state legislatures was also a big win for the GOP — and that’s a victory that is expected to keep on giving.
The reason: Legislatures are in charge of drawing new district lines for the U.S. Congress, once the data from the 2010 census becomes available. Partisans want to use that power to draw lines favoring their party.
In the South, Republicans took control of both chambers of the Alabama and North Carolina legislatures, bringing the party’s total to seven of 13. Control is split in Kentucky and Virginia.
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NY: A Change in the Senate
Last Updated on Tuesday, 30 November 2010 02:34 Written by rslcpol Tuesday, 30 November 2010 02:33
From BuffaloNews.com:
The drama appears over in the 60th Senate District—except for Sen. Antoine M. Thompson’s concession speech. Opponent Mark Grisanti’s more than 500-vote lead has held through the counting of paper ballots.
Unless Democratic Party lawyers can pull a rabbit out of a hat, the senator’s tin ear for taxpayer concerns has finally done him in. Voters were not sufficiently wowed by the 102- page book, produced at taxpayer expense, heralding his legislative wonders.
Thompson’s race was one of three Senate contests statewide to reach cliff-hanger status. With the smoke clearing in all three, Democrats in Albany are bracing as though they narrowly lost Senate control to the Republicans, 32-30. (In the two other races, Republican Jack Martins appears to have defeated Democratic incumbent Craig Johnson of Nassau County, while in Westchester County, Democratic incumbent Suzi Oppenheimer appears to have held off Republican challenger Bob Cohen.)
Two things to watch for now:
First, the Democrats will have to shed some patronage jobs. Thompson’s staff numbers between 10 and 20.What to do with those faithful? They’ll swim to other patronage posts at local governments, agencies and authorities—jobs to keep them in formation for future election seasons.
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Maine: New Faces in the Legislature Learn the Ropes
Last Updated on Tuesday, 30 November 2010 02:25 Written by rslcpol Tuesday, 30 November 2010 02:25
A slew of new Republicans learn the ins and outs of the State Legislature in Maine.
From Kennebec Journal:
New lawmakers — some totally new to legislative service and others who took a break or switched chambers — began four days of training Monday that will teach them about the state budget, what’s in the law library, what ethics rules apply to them and what’s going on in other states.
“I’m looking forward to everything about the whole process,” said Rep.-elect Deborah Sanderson, R-Chelsea. “There’s so much to absorb at once.”
Unlike the first round of training that took place shortly after they were elected, these sessions would be more policy-oriented, said David Boulter, executive director of the Legislative Council.
“This week will be a little more substantive,” he said.
The 53 nonincumbent House members out of a total of 151 — and 14 nonincumbent senators out of 35 — started the day in their respective chambers to get some lessons in legislative etiquette.
In the House, one new member wanted to know when he would be assigned a seat. Majority Republicans are still working on that, but would likely be done by the end of the day, said House Clerk Millie MacFarland, who will be leaving legislative service now that Republicans have taken over the chamber.
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