December 20, 2015 Signatures submitted to fight California plastic bag ban Business groups trying to overturn a new California law that bans single-use plastic bags said Monday that they've collected more than enough signatures to put their referendum on the November 2016 ballot.
December 20, 2015 Bill aims to get inspectors out of home kitchens, after residents complain Virginians who try to sell homemade food from their kitchens are feeling the heat from state and local inspectors.
December 20, 2015 Republicans prepare for battle with unions in 2015, after midterm gains Republicans in statehouses across the country are plotting a tough new campaign to check the power of labor unions and chip away at their political influence.
December 20, 2015 Vermont's giving up on single-payer health care over ballooning costs Vermont Gov. Peter Shumlin is canceling his dream plan to create a single-payer health system in the state.
December 20, 2015 Kasich will sign red light, speed camera restrictions bill Ohio Gov. John Kasich will sign a bill to limit how municipalities can use red light and speed cameras, said his spokesman, Rob Nichols.
December 20, 2015 Texas legislature looks to expand gun rights, roll back ban on open carry Known as the capital of the American gun culture, lawmakers in Texas are preparing to push a handful of bills through the state legislature that expands the rights of gun owners. Lawmakers say some of the bills being considered include lifting a ban on open carry of handguns. If Texas, which currently allows concealed handguns, rolls back its century-old ban, it would be the largest state in the country to do so.
December 20, 2015 House spending bill would bar implementation of DC legal pot measure According to the board of elections, nearly 65 percent of D.C. voters voted in favor of the measure, which made it legal to possess up to two ounces of pot and up to three mature marijuana plants for personal use.Â
December 20, 2015 De Blasio's bill to ban NYC horse carriages heads to council New York Mayor Bill de Blasio's long-delayed plans to ban the city's horse carriages are moving forward with a bill that phases out the industry by 2016 and dangles a carrot for the soon-to-be unemployed drivers: a career driving a taxi.
December 20, 2015 In Midwest, property taxes climb despite increased state aid Minnesota legislators boosted the local government aid program for cities by $80 million in 2013 and sold it as a slam dunk toward lowering property tax levies.
December 20, 2015 Chicago council votes to increase minimum wage to $13 by 2019 The Chicago City Council has overwhelmingly supported a measure to increase the city's minimum wage to $13 by 2019.