December 20, 2015 Western Marylanders push to secede from state A push by frustrated western Maryland residents to part ways with their state is gaining momentum as the initiative turns to social media to get its message out.
December 20, 2015 Kentucky must recognize same-sex marriages performed in other states, judge rules In 23-page a ruling issued Wednesday, U.S. District Judge John G. Heyburn II concluded that Kentucky's laws treat gay and lesbians differently in a "way that demeans them."
December 20, 2015 Target of 'secret' Wisconsin probe files suit, claims prosecutors punishing Walker allies The only target of a Democrat-driven "John Doe" investigation to speak out publicly against what many Wisconsin conservatives see as a political witch hunt has made good on his promise to take prosecutors to court, charging they violated his civil rights.
December 20, 2015 Washington state Gov. Inslee suspends death penalty Gov. Jay Inslee said Tuesday he was suspending the use of the death penalty in Washington state, announcing a move that he hopes will enable officials to "join a growing national conversation about capital punishment."
December 20, 2015 Hollywood’s big break: Virginia House votes to boost film tax credits by 400 percent Members of Virginia’s House of Delegates have voted to increase the state’s cap on refundable corporate income tax credits to the film industry from $5 million every two years to $25 million.
December 20, 2015 Oklahoma lawmakers advance 'Merry Christmas Bill' allowing traditional greetings The House Common Education Committee approved by a 15-1 vote legislation saying that public school students, teachers and other staff members can greet each other with such traditional phrases as merry Christmas, happy Hanukkah and happy holidays.
December 20, 2015 Nevada drops defense of state's same-sex marriage ban Nevada's attorney general and governor said Monday that they won't defend the state's gay marriage ban when it goes before a federal appeals court, saying that a recent court decision makes the state's arguments supporting its constitutional amendment "no longer defensible."
December 20, 2015 Florida bill would set hard prison time for welfare fraudsters Florida welfare fraudsters beware. A bipartisan legislative effort designed to clobber public assistance abuse may soon send welfare perps to prison for a long time.
December 20, 2015 Lawsuit challenging Ariz. gov's Medicaid plan dismissed A lawsuit challenging Arizona Gov. Jan Brewer's Medicaid expansion plan that was filed by fellow Republicans in the state Legislature was dismissed in a ruling released Saturday, handing Brewer a major victory in her battle against conservative members of her own party.
December 20, 2015 Washington seniors fight city after gambling ban shuts down poker game A group of seniors in Washington state is pushing back against the state Gambling Commission's decision to shut down their nickel-and-dime card games at a local senior center.
