State of the States – Aug’22

As we enter the final days of summer, state legislators across the country are wrestling with a variety of hot-button issues. Economic relief, voting restrictions, and abortion access are trending in legislation news, as well as how these issues may play out in the polls this upcoming midterm elections. Here’s a highlight of the latest legislative developments:

Arkansas

Lawmakers in Arkansas approved a $500 million tax cut package as proposed by Gov. Asa Hutchinson. Hutchinson signed this legislation along with $50 million for a school safety grant program.

Indiana

Indiana’s governor passed a relief bill that issues $200 rebate payment for taxpayers and $45 million for state agencies that support families, children, and people who want to adopt. The relief bill is aimed to “support the health of pregnant women, postpardum mothers, and infants,” while abortion ban was signed on August 5.

Idaho

The Idaho Sumpreme Court has ruled that the state’s strict abortion ban will go into effect. The ruling criminalizes all abortions but allows doctors to defend their decision to claim the abortion was done to save the pregnant person’s life. 

Kansas

On August 2, Kansas voters reject the proposed amendment that would tighten restrictions or ban abortions altogether. This outcome has reinforced a sense in both parties that the overturning of Roe v. Wade may have altered the dynamics of the upcoming midterm elections.

Maryland

The Maryland State Board of Elections voted to file an emergency petition in court that seeks an earlier count of mail-in ballots for the election in November. Maryland is currently the only state that forbids counting mail-in votes until two days after Election Day.

Missouri

The Missouri Supreme Court struck down tax breaks for clean energy production in the 2013 state law that granted property tax exemption for certain solar energy systems. The solar energy farm from Springfield that was involved in the case will owe $423,360 in property taxes from 2017-2020. 

Montana

Three new voting laws are being challenged in the Montana Supreme Court. The Montana democratic party claims these voting laws make voting more difficult for Native Americans, young voters, the elderly, and people with disabilities.

New York

New York Gov. Kathy Hochul has approved the amended state laws language to replace the word “inmate” with “incarcerated person” in reference to people who are serving prison time. The replacements were put into effect to reduce the stigma of being in jail.

Utah

Phil Lyman, a Republican state lawmaker, announced a proposal that requires clergy to report child abuse to authorities. Lyman’s proposed legislation helps to prevent any delayed intervention for victims due to clergy exception.

West Virginia

Gov. Jim Justice rejected Democrats suggestion to let voters decide whether abortion should be legal in West Virginia. The governor asserts that the state's abortion law falls under the scrutiny of the Legislature and the attorney general.

State of the States Summary 

While the economy is a top priority for many states as evidenced by recent tax breaks and relief bills, that’s not the only issue shaping lawmakers’ agendas. Voting restrictions, abortion access, and special interests — such as Utah’s victim advocacy proposal and New York amending its prison laws — signal that the months leading up to midterm elections will see a flurry of legislative activity.    

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