You Don’t Say “I’m interviewing for the job one county at a time.” Republican Lt. Gov. candidate Hal Weatherman, on campaigning for the GOP runoff. (Wilmington Star News, 4/23/24) Felony Voters Gary D. Robertson, The Associated Press, 4/23/24 A federal judge has halted the enforcement of a North Carolina law that made it a serious crime for someone to vote while still on probation or parole for a felony conviction when they had simply violated the voting law by mistake. ... The post Insider for April 24, 2024 appeared first on State Affairs ..read more

INDIANAPOLIS — Five hopefuls vying for the chance to be Indiana’s next governor took each other to task — and at times fought the questions themselves — on economic development, social issues, election integrity and more during Tuesday’s Republican gubernatorial debate hosted at Indiana University-Purdue University Indianapolis.  The debate, the last of the primary cycle and sponsored by the Indiana Debate Commission, at times spiraled into revolt, as candidates disagreed with moderator Jon Schwantes’ yes-no questions on election integrity and immigration. In other moments, the candidates ..read more

The Gist  Georgia homeowners living in communities governed by homeowners’ associations now get time to fix a covenant violation before the HOA can take legal action, thanks to legislation signed into law Monday. Gov. Brian Kemp signed House Bill 220 at the Capitol, continuing his flurry of bill-signings across the state. To date, Kemp has signed about three dozen bills since sine die, which marked the end of the 2024 legislative session, his spokesman Garrison Douglas told State Affairs. Sine die ended in the early hours of March 29. The governor has until May 7 to sign, veto or take no ..read more

U.S. Sen. Mike Braun is facing criticism from other Republican candidates for governor over possibly missing their final televised debate because of scheduled Senate votes Tuesday on providing military assistance to Ukraine, Israel and Taiwan.  Tuesday evening’s 90-minute debate will go on as planned with the remaining five Republican candidates still expected to participate, according to the Indiana Debate Commission, the nonprofit group organizing the matchup.  “Braun’s campaign team notified the commission late Monday that he must be in Washington, D.C., for a vote,”  the com ..read more

Happy birthday, Trackers! — Tuesday, April 23: Former Rep. Buddy Mincey and former Rep. Dorothy Sue Hill — Wednesday, April 24: Former Rep. Malinda White, Ian Paul Auzenne and Darren Gauthier — Thursday, April 25: Rep. Neil Riser and Jace LeJeune — Friday, April 26: Bo Staples — Saturday, April 27: Tina Vanichchagorn and Michelle Shirley — Sunday, April 28: Former Rep. Pat Smith, Tom Clark, Kenny Smith and Rochelle Michaud Dugas — Monday, April 29: Former Councilman ..read more

CASINO RESORT EXPANSION! Coushatta breaking ground on $150 million renovation… Massive economic impact anticipated in region… In a momentous occasion last month, the Coushatta Tribe of Louisiana embarked on a groundbreaking journey — the expansion of the tribally owned corporation, the Coushatta Casino Resort. This endeavor, set to reach completion by 2027, promises to provide high quality accommodations and gaming experience. Planned additions include approximately 200 high-quality rooms with 104 suites, a refurbished Big Sky restaurant and an upgraded high limit room. A new connector betwee ..read more

This week is all about bricks and mortar and dollars and cents as the Appropriations Committee tackles an agenda packed with the regular session’s most important money bills. The committee gaveled in at 9 a.m. this morning to give attention to capital outlay, the MFP, supplemental spending and the operating budget, to name a few of the 11 agenda items. Looking for policy action? Tune into the meeting. Tucked into HB 1, for example, are proposed raises for most department secretaries. But don’t get in a rush. The main money bills are typically approved during the s ..read more

— CC24 VOTE: HB 800, to enable the proposed constitutional convention, is scheduled for another hearing on Wednesday in the House and Governmental Affairs Committee. Conventional wisdom suggests the legislation has a decent chance in the House, but will face a rougher road in the Senate. — SOURCES: REDISTRICTING RULING COMING: Any day now, the results of the federal trial held in Shreveport to determine whether the new congressional map will remain in place could be announced. Congressman Garret Graves and his camp have repeatedly expressed confidence the map, which puts him in ..read more

— The Advocate: As more Louisianans get fortified roofs, debate emerges over size of insurance discounts — KPLC-TV: Entergy Louisiana’s ‘resilience plan’ approved, will raise customers’ bills for five years — The Advocate: Louisiana lands $156 million to help people get solar panels — Illuminator: Louisiana House votes to ban ‘free’ to describe government giveaways — WDSU-TV: Louisiana Legislative Auditor says Bogalusa on non-compliance list, mayor responds — WDSU-TV: ‘Love the Boot Week’ returns to beautify Louisiana — VOA: How a Louisiana speed trap could b ..read more

Here’s what you may have missed in the latest issue of LaPolitics Weekly, published last week… — LANDRY AND NEW ORLEANS: New Orleans was a political foil for Gov. Jeff Landry before he took office as Louisiana’s chief executive, so it’s no surprise that his renewed focus on the city since being inaugurated has raised alarm bells. But rhetoric aside, residents and non-residents alike wonder where the Executive Branch will strike next, especially with the possibility of a constitutional convention on the horizon… — SPECIAL INTERESTS AND THE CONVENTION QUESTION:House ..read more