state legislature
Coverage of state legislature in the Nexus archive.
- What’s Working: Where to find Colorado homeowners insurance discounts and grants
Two programs for Colorado homeowners insurance discounts and grants are expanding due to state legislature laws. Additional updates include job growth and Goodwill’s free solar installer training.
- New York to impose the country’s first statewide moratorium on data centers
New York will impose a one-year statewide moratorium on new hyperscale data centers to develop regulations addressing environmental and energy grid impacts. Governor Kathy Hochul will sign an executive order pausing state permitting for such facilities, which consume significant energy and water.
- New York becomes the first state to enact a data center moratorium
New York has enacted a statewide moratorium on new hyperscale data centers for up to a year, signed by Governor Kathy Hochul. The moratorium blocks environmental permits for data centers exceeding 50 megawatts, while a separate bill from the state legislature with a 20 megawatt threshold remains pending.
- Tenn. voucher schools have extra time to submit student test scores
Private schools in Tennessee participating in the voucher program will have extended time to submit student standardized test scores to the Office of Research and Education Accountability (OREA). The original June 30 deadline remains, but additional time is being granted due to the requirement being new this year. OREA will publish an academic performance report for voucher recipients after the state legislature convenes in January 2027.
- Mecklenburg's sales tax rises today, raising household costs
Mecklenburg County's sales tax rate increased from 7.25% to 8.25% after voter approval, generating $19 billion over 30 years for infrastructure projects. Charlotte households will pay an average of $20/month more in sales tax, while property taxes rose by 1.89 cents per $100 of assessed value to fund police and fire departments. Prescription drugs, groceries, and soon diapers, wipes, and feminine hygiene products are exempt from the sales tax.
- AP Decision Notes: What to expect in Oklahoma’s state primary
Oklahoma voters will choose nominees for federal and state offices, including U.S. senator, governor, and legislative positions, in a state primary on Tuesday.
- NYC Public Schools roll out class size plan to meet state mandates. Here’s what it means for students and parents.
NYC Public Schools announced a 2027 Class Size Reduction Plan with a $1.5 billion investment in school expansions to meet state mandates requiring smaller class sizes. Mayor Zohran Mamdani and School Chancellor Kamar Samuels emphasized partnerships with City Hall, the State, and Unions to address space constraints and reduce student-teacher ratios to no more than 25 students per class.
- Greg Abbott wants data centers to stop passing the bill to Texans
Texas Gov. Greg Abbott proposed new regulations requiring data centers to pay for their own electricity and water infrastructure and repeal tax exemptions, citing concerns about rising residential utility costs and community backlash over energy and water consumption.
- ‘We should not have to sacrifice’: New York could become first state to temporarily ban large datacenters
New York could become the first US state to temporarily ban large datacenters, with the legislature approving a one-year moratorium targeting facilities over 20MW. The bill, authored by state senator Kristen Gonzalez, now awaits Governor Kathy Hochul's decision.
- King County public defenders join lawsuit against WA for funding
Public defenders in King County are joining a lawsuit against Washington state to secure more funding. Advocates have grown impatient with the state Legislature's lack of action and are pursuing alternative legal routes.
- Albany Democrats poised to impose 1-year ban on new AI data center construction in NY
The state legislature plans to vote on imposing a one-year ban on constructing new, massive energy-devouring data centers in New York amid a backlash.
- Lack of contested legislative races and overflow of ballot questions reflect democracy in decline
The article discusses the correlation between few contested legislative races and a high number of ballot questions in Massachusetts, suggesting this reflects a decline in democratic engagement. Jay Kaufman, a former state representative, argues that unopposed elections lead to legislative underperformance and reduced accountability, with citizens resorting to initiatives due to legislative inaction and hierarchical control by House and Senate leaders.
- Brooks Fuller of Common Cause North Carolina on proposals to make voting in our state harder
Brooks Fuller of Common Cause North Carolina discusses proposals to reduce early voting days, ease dismissal of provisional and mailed ballots, and restrict voter demonstrations. These measures, introduced by GOP-controlled bodies, aim to complicate voting processes and increase partisan oversight of elections.
- South Carolina Signs Pro-Crypto, Anti-CBDC Bill Into Law
South Carolina has signed legislation into law that supports cryptocurrency adoption while explicitly rejecting central bank digital currencies (CBDCs). The bill represents a pro-crypto stance at the state level.