Latest Politics Headlines

All the headlines from our Politics Topic Page, ordered by recency.

North Carolina Senate Committee Holds Hearing on Medical Marijuana

Jun 25 2021 // A bipartisan effort to legalize marijuana for medical use in North Carolina got a legislative committee hearing on Wednesday. But it’s unclear whether enough legislators are ready now to alter their views on pot to...

Some House Republicans Eye Private Sector Plan to Address Climate Change

Jun 24 2021 // U.S. House Republicans aim to use private sector to tackle climate change WASHINGTON, June 23 (Reuters) – More than 50 Republicans in the U.S. House of Representatives on Wednesday formed a group to discuss how to...

Supreme Court Rejects Latest Republican Challenge to Obamacare

Jun 17 2021 // The U.S. Supreme Court on Thursday rejected a Republican bid that had been backed by former President Donald Trump’s administration to invalidate the Obamacare healthcare law, ruling that Texas and other challengers...

Panel Approves Pennsylvania House GOP Bill to Ban Employer Vaccine Mandates

Jun 17 2021 // A ban on employers mandating vaccines for their workers inched ahead in the Pennsylvania House on Tuesday with a committee vote supported by all Republicans and opposed by every Democrat. The main sponsor, Rep. Russ...

Louisiana Bill to Ban Handheld Phone Use While Driving Fails in Senate

Jun 8 2021 // Louisiana senators put the brakes on a bill that would have required motorists to use a handsfree device or speaker mode to talk on a cellphone while driving. The proposal by Republican Rep. Mike Huval fell one vote short...

GOP Opposes Weakening Liability Shield for Police Officers

Jun 3 2021 // The Senate’s top Republican on Tuesday linked Democrats’ efforts to make it easier to sue police officers to problems many law enforcement agencies are having recruiting and retaining personnel, drawing a hard...

Louisiana Senate Rejects Limits on Police Officer Immunity

Jun 2 2021 // A proposal to place new limits on police officers’ broad immunity from civil lawsuits has rejected by Louisiana state senators, stalling a key recommendation from a task force created to suggest policy changes...

Debate Over Liability Holds Up Self-Driving Car Legislation in Senate

May 24 2021 // A debate over who to blame — or sue — when a self-driven car hits someone is holding up legislation the industry says it needs to advance. “If another driver hits you, it’s clear who the driver...

Texas Senate Passes Commercial Auto Tort Reform Bill

May 21 2021 // A bill that proponents say will help control abusive lawsuits against commercial motor vehicle operators following accidents has passed the Texas Senate. House Bill 19 would have a big impact on the commercial auto...

Louisiana Private Flood Insurance Bill Returned to House from Senate

May 20 2021 // A Louisiana bill that would make it easier for private flood insurance carriers to offer flood insurance in the state has been sent back to the House to contemplate amendments added by the Senate. House Bill 577, by Rep....

Texas Commercial Vehicle Crash Liability Bill Advances in Senate

May 18 2021 // People affected by crashes causing bodily injury or death involving commercial motor vehicles would find it harder to win damages from companies under a bill that was approved by the Texas House and is making its way...

Democrat State Rep. Wilson to Run for Georgia Insurance Commissioner

Apr 30 2021 // A Democratic state House member announced on Wednesday that he’s running for Georgia insurance commissioner, aiming to defeat appointed Republican incumbent John King. Rep. Matthew Wilson of Brookhaven said he will...

Florida Senate Passes Property Insurance Reform Bill

Apr 9 2021 // A bill backed by the Florida insurance industry and other stakeholders aimed at addressing the state’s insurance market woes was passed in the Senate chamber this week but faces an uncertain future as the companion...

Indiana Senate OKs Bill Making Pregnant Worker Accommodations Optional

Apr 9 2021 // Indiana legislators gave final approval to a bill that won’t require businesses to make accommodations for pregnant workers, despite an appeal from Gov. Eric Holcomb for a law requiring more protections. The proposal...

South Carolina Senate Passes Bill to Ticket Slow Drivers in Left Lane

Apr 1 2021 // The South Carolina Senate has passed a bill to fine people who don’t get over from the left lane of a three-lane highway when overtaken by traffic. The version passed last week by the Senate fines drivers $25 but...

Bill to Legalize Recreational Pot Dies in North Dakota Senate

Mar 29 2021 // North Dakota’s Republican-led Senate has killed legislation to legalize recreational marijuana in the state. Only 10 of the chamber’s 47 senators voted for the measure. The bill passed the GOP-led House last...

Maryland Senate Passes Measure to Fight Climate Change

Mar 16 2021 // The Maryland Senate voted Friday for a package of steps to fight climate change by planting 5 million trees over 10 years, increasing energy efficient buildings and committing to more electric state vehicle use. The...

Florida Senate Weighs Legal Immunity Against COVID Lawsuits

Mar 16 2021 // A measure that would shield businesses from COVID-related lawsuits could make it before the Florida Senate later this week, providing another key test for a measure that supporters assert will protect against frivolous...

Lawmakers Reviewing Alabama Medical Marijuana Legislation Passed by Senate

Mar 12 2021 // The Alabama House of Representatives began a lengthy review of medical marijuana legislation on Wednesday, requiring the bill to go through two committees before it can secure a vote by the full House. The Alabama Senate...

South Dakota Senate Pushes Permissive Medical Pot Law, Defying Governor

Mar 12 2021 // South Dakota Gov. Kristi Noem’s push to scale back a voter-approved measure to legalize medical marijuana was left clinging to life on March 10 after Republican senators defied her. The issue of implementing a...