State News Shot

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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Republican Elected Secretary of State in Maine

Last Updated on Thursday, 2 December 2010 09:44 Written by rslcpol Thursday, 2 December 2010 09:44

Charles Summers Jr, who has served two terms as a state senator, was elected as Maine’s Secretary of State yesterday.

From StarCourier.com:

In Wednesday’s legislative election, held at the beginning of the new term, Summers, 50, defeated six-term incumbent Mark Dunlap, the Democratic nominee, for a two-year term.

“We except Charlie to go even farther,” said proud father Charles Summers of Kewanee, after he and wife Pat watched the vote live from their home on the Maine legislature’s Internet video link. “It was quite an accomplishment in a state that has been heavily Democratic in the past.”

Summers, who grew up in the family business — parents Charles and Pat owned and operated the Hotel Kewanee — managed motels and several other small businesses in Maine before entering politics. He also served as New England administrator for the U.S. Small Business Administration.

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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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Alaska Governor Appoints next Attorney General

Last Updated on Wednesday, 1 December 2010 02:48 Written by rslcpol Wednesday, 1 December 2010 02:48

From Legal News Line:

Alaska Gov. Sean Parnell on Tuesday announced his appointment of Fairbanks attorney John J. Burns to the state’s attorney general post.

Alaska is one of the few states in which the attorney general position is appointed by the governor and then confirmed by the state’s Legislature.

Burns, a partner in the law firm Borgeson & Burns, will succeed Attorney General Dan Sullivan, who was picked in October to become the commissioner of the state Department of Natural Resources effective Dec. 6, Parnell’s office said. Sullivan had served as the state’s top lawyer since June 2009.

“John Burns is an extraordinary attorney who is committed to Alaskans’ interests,” Parnell said in a statement.

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Maine: Republican Lawmakers make their Attorney General Pick

Last Updated on Wednesday, 1 December 2010 02:51 Written by rslcpol Wednesday, 1 December 2010 02:41

With Republicans in charge, William Schneider will most likely be the first Republican Attorney General in Maine since 1980.

From MPBN.net:

Maine Republican lawmakers have nominated Assistant U.S. Attorney William Schneider to be Maine’s next attorney general.

Schneider also worked as an assistant attorney general and served as assistant minority leader in the Maine House of Representatives during his two terms in the Legislature.

Schneider competed for the nomination against Sen. Doug Smith of Dover Foxcroft, a retired probate judge who is now an attorney in private practice.

Schneider is making a bid for the post now held by Democrat Janet Mills. With Republicans in the majority, Schneider is virtually assured of winning the post.

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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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Special Election Called to fill Senate Seat

Last Updated on Tuesday, 30 November 2010 02:56 Written by rslcpol Tuesday, 30 November 2010 02:56

From theadvertiser.com:

Louisiana Senate President Joel Chaisson has called a special election to fill the District 22 Senate seat previously held by Troy Hebert.

The primary election will be Jan. 22, 2011, with the general election on Feb. 19, 2011. Qualifying will run from 8 a.m. Dec. 15 to 5 p.m. Dec. 17.

Hebert recently resigned to take on the job of the state’s alcohol and tobacco control commissioner.

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Indiana: AG Looks to Change Forfeiture Distribution

Last Updated on Tuesday, 30 November 2010 02:54 Written by rslcpol Tuesday, 30 November 2010 02:50

Attorney General Greg Zoeller is looking at changing how money from the sale of seized items from criminals is distributed. He wants to divide it up between police, prosecutors, and schools.

From nwi.com:

Zoeller is representing the prosecutors in the lawsuit. Zoeller on Monday said he also will work outside the courtroom and ask the legislature to enact a formula dividing forfeiture revenues among police, prosecutors and schools.

“There needs to be clarity of intent from the Indiana General Assembly as to whether assets seized and forfeited from criminal defendants should be directed to law enforcement to fund drug interdiction and enforcement efforts, or to the Common School Fund,” Zoeller said. “The place to have that debate is in the legislative branch, which has the ability to change the statute — not in court, through a lawsuit.”

State Rep. Linda Lawson, D-Hammond, the assistant House Democratic leader, said she expects a significant battle for the money in the legislature.

“The fairest thing would be for all parties involved to share it, but you’re going have everybody wanting as much money as they can get their hands on, just for operating expenses, just to keep the lights on,” said Lawson, a former Hammond police captain.

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