Skip to: Content
Skip to: Site Navigation
Skip to: Search

December 3, 2008 12:51:21 PM CST

Learn about Newser Points »

state legislature

state legislature news stories

10 Stories

Calif. Dems Urge State Court to Dump Gay Marriage Ban

Supporters call move a 'hail mary'

Los Angeles Times Los Angeles Times Nov 11, 08 10:04 AM CST
(Newser) - Democratic legislators in California have filed a brief calling on the state Supreme Court to reject a ballot proposition that would ban gay marriage in the state, the Los Angeles Times reports. The measure, Proposition 8, passed by some 500,000 votes. The lawmakers argue that such sweeping change would require a full constitutional revision by the legislature. More »

More about:  California • gay marriage • gay rights • Proposition 8 • constitution • state legislature • California state supreme court

 Mass. Puts Rent-a-Dog
 Firms in Doghouse

Recent laws, bans making pay-as-you-play pets unavailable

Newsweek Newsweek Jul 30, 08 12:48 PM CDT
(Newser) - Massachusetts lawmakers have put the kibosh on a lucrative pet rental business, which caters to busy urbanites who want to spend time with dogs without the full-time commitment. The state senate passed a bill yesterday prohibiting the renting or leasing of dogs and cats; like previous bans in Boston and London, the action was prompted by ethical considerations, reports Newsweek . More »

More about:  dog • pets • animal rights • state legislature

 Governator Signs
 Calif. Trans Fat Ban

Nation's first state-wide restrictions hits restaurants in 2010, baked goods in '11

Los Angeles Times Los Angeles Times Jul 25, 08 4:22 PM CDT
(Newser) - California became the first state to ban trans fats from restaurant and bakery cooking today, the Los Angeles Times reports. Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger signed the bill passed last week by the legislature, saying it would help Californians’ health. Some restaurateurs, such as Wolfgang Puck—who had already phased the oils out due to customer requests—supported the measure. More »

More about:  California • Arnold Schwarzenegger • restaurant • ban • state legislature • trans fat • trans fats • Wolfgang Puck

OPINION

Obama's Antiwar Stance:
That Was Then, This Is Now

2002 state vote not enough to hang a campaign on

Politico Politico Jul 25, 08 2:30 PM CDT
(Newser) - There's no reason to assume that Barack Obama would have voted against the war if he’d been in the Senate in 2002, James Kirchick writes for Politico. As a state senator, Obama was aligned with his liberal constituency in opposing the Iraq invasion; as a thoroughly briefed US senator with access to high-level intel, he might very well have been on the winning end of the 77-23 vote that approved the invasion. More »

More about:  Barack Obama • John McCain • Iraq • troop surge • state legislature • war authorization

NJ Assemblyman Under Investigation for Child Porn

Neil Cohen allegedly stored images on office computer

Star-Ledger Star-Ledger Jul 25, 08 12:55 PM CDT
(Newser) - New Jersey Assemblyman Neil Cohen faces allegations of storing child pornography on his office computer, the Star-Ledger reports. Two of his fellow Democratic lawmakers turned him into authorites after being alerted by a staffer. Cohen, 57, has served 17 years in the Assembly, currently as deputy speaker, and has sponsored bills against child porn and pedophilia. He made no public comment and is said to be under psychiatric care. More »

More about:  New Jersey • child abuse • child pornography • pedophile • state legislature

 New York State
 to Recognize
 Gay Marriages 

Out-of-state same-sex unions win equal treatment

New York Times New York Times May 29, 08 5:56 AM CDT
(Newser) - New York's governor has directed all state agencies to recognize same-sex marriages performed in other states and countries, the New York Times reports. Terms like "spouse," "husband," and "wife" will now legally apply to same-sex partners in state regulations concerning everything from income tax filings to fishing license applications. The directive is seen as a huge step on the way to legalizing gay marriage in the Empire State. More »

More about:  New York • gay marriage • same-sex marriage • David Paterson • state legislature • marriage rights • New York state

 Louisiana Pockets
 Ban on Droopy Drawers 

'Can't regulate everything,' gripes senator

Times-Picayune (New Orleans) Times-Picayune (New Orleans) Apr 23, 08 10:27 AM CDT
(Newser) - A proposed ban on saggy pants didn’t fly in Louisiana, where a Senate panel rejected the legislation as a violation of freedom of speech, reports the Times-Picayune . “This is a situation that is disgusting and needs state attention,” insisted the state senator pushing the bill. “I have the right to walk down the street and not see your dirty drawers.” More »

More about:  fashion • Louisiana • state legislature • baggy pants

 In the Works:
 Wireless Bill of Rights 

States fight feds over who will regulate

BusinessWeek BusinessWeek Mar 21, 08 3:33 PM CDT
(Newser) - Wireless carriers seem to have angered a few too many consumers with hidden fees and surprise charges. Politicians in 22 states are considering various versions of a wireless consumers’ bill of rights, reports BusinessWeek . But the wireless industry, daunted at facing different regulations in every state, is throwing its weight behind a federal bill and opposing the state measures. More »

States Push to Restrain Insurers

Legislators see rise in unfair cancellations
of individual plans

USA Today USA Today Feb 21, 08 5:10 PM CST
(Newser) - As more Americans buy individual health insurance, states are acting to make sure insurers don’t cancel the plans without fair cause, USA Today reports. Plans can be canceled if applicants misreport their medical history, whether accidentally or on purpose. But amid complaints that companies are cutting the plans unjustly, legislators across the country are working to impose stricter laws to protect consumers. More »

More about:  insurance • health care industry • state governments • state legislature • health insurers • insurance fraud • Blue Cross

States Weigh Allowing Guns on Campuses

Bills pending in 12 legislatures; advocates want ability to protect selves

USA Today USA Today Feb 15, 08 5:23 PM CST
(Newser) - Twelve states are considering bills that would allow people to carry guns at public universities, USA Today reports, a response to last year's Virginia Tech massacre. "The only way to stop a person with a gun is another person with a gun," says a University of Cincinnati sophomore who has a license but is barred from having a weapon on campus. More »

More about:  gun • gun control • Virginia Tech shootings • Virginia Tech • legislation • gun violence • Northern Illinois University • state legislature

10 Stories

Today's Most Popular

Loading...

Premium Articles from HighBeam

Find more articles like this

What is Newser?

2008 Codie Finalist

Face it: there's too much news. At Newser a team of editors and writers culls the most important stories from hundreds of U.S. and international sources and reduces them to a headline, picture, and two paragraphs. It's the Newser guarantee: we can take any report or column or video and pack what you need to know into 120 words or less. Newser's short-form aggregation, visual format, and unique information tools help you get more of the kind of news you want, in a quicker and more entertaining way. And we do it 24/7—you can come back morning, noon, night (and in between) for something new that matters. Read less, know more.

Learn more »