South Dakota Governor Larry Rhoden has signed House Bill 1044 into law, appropriating funding for the Rural Health Transformation Program — marking the first piece of legislation he has approved during the current legislative session. State officials described the move as a historic investment in rural healthcare, aimed at strengthening medical services across South Dakota’s Read More…
(The Center Square) – Six state attorneys general called on the nonprofit climate company Ceres, Inc. to halt all conduct they say is in violation of antitrust and consumer protection laws. The attorneys general, led by Florida Attorney General James Uthmeier, sent a letter to Ceres’ CEO Mindy Lubber calling on the company to refrain Read More…
Wyoming voters already basically decided they are pro-choice, the state Supreme Court has ruled in a decision that voids subsequent pro-life laws implemented when Roe v. Wade was overturned. The court struck the Life is a Human Right Act, which made most abortions a criminal act. They are a “fundamental right” and a health care Read More…
(The Center Square) – Wyoming lawmakers passed legislation to expand education savings accounts and property tax protections in 2025. However, the legislature remained divided on substantial spending increases to boost particular school capital construction projects. The Club for Growth Foundation reviewed 875 floor votes in the Wyoming legislature, with a specific focus on 19 votes Read More…
South Dakota Governor Larry Rhoden has signed House Bill 1044 into law, appropriating funding for the Rural Health Transformation Program — marking the first piece of legislation he has approved during the current legislative session. State officials described the move as a historic investment in rural healthcare, aimed at strengthening medical services across South Dakota’s Read More…
(The Center Square) – Six state attorneys general called on the nonprofit climate company Ceres, Inc. to halt all conduct they say is in violation of antitrust and consumer protection laws. The attorneys general, led by Florida Attorney General James Uthmeier, sent a letter to Ceres’ CEO Mindy Lubber calling on the company to refrain Read More…
Wyoming voters already basically decided they are pro-choice, the state Supreme Court has ruled in a decision that voids subsequent pro-life laws implemented when Roe v. Wade was overturned. The court struck the Life is a Human Right Act, which made most abortions a criminal act. They are a “fundamental right” and a health care Read More…
(The Center Square) – Wyoming lawmakers passed legislation to expand education savings accounts and property tax protections in 2025. However, the legislature remained divided on substantial spending increases to boost particular school capital construction projects. The Club for Growth Foundation reviewed 875 floor votes in the Wyoming legislature, with a specific focus on 19 votes Read More…
Idaho Governor Brad Little has appointed Don Hall to fill the District 25 House seat vacated by Lance Clow. Hall, who currently serves as Chairman of the Twin Falls County Commission and is a former Mayor of Twin Falls, will complete the remainder of Clow’s term, which runs through November 30, 2026. “I am honored Read More…
Gov. Kelly Armstrong today informed legislative leaders that he has tentatively set Jan. 21 for a special session of the 69th Legislative Assembly to act on anticipated federal funding for North Dakota’s Rural Health Transformation Program. North Dakota submitted its funding application to the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) on Nov. 3. The Read More…
North Dakota Supreme Court Justice Daniel Crothers has notified Governor Kelly Armstrong that he will retire from the state’s highest court on February 28, 2026, after more than two decades of service. “Justice Crothers has faithfully served the citizens of North Dakota and applied the laws of our state with the utmost dedication, fairness and Read More…
Governor Larry Rhoden announced that South Dakota will participate in President Donald J. Trump’s school choice initiative, part of the broader One Big Beautiful Bill program. The initiative allows states to opt in and offers families expanded educational options through tax credit scholarships. “Our students are the future of our state, and we must equip Read More…
At the Wyoming Business Alliance’s Governor’s Business Forum in Laramie, Governor Mark Gordon (R-Wyoming) presented his upcoming budget, dubbed “The Essentials,” while urging continued focus on workforce, energy, education, water, tourism, and rural healthcare to secure the state’s long-term prosperity. Gordon emphasized that the budget is designed to prioritize core areas critical to both residents Read More…
South Dakota Attorney General Marty Jackley has released the final ballot explanation for a proposed initiated Constitutional Amendment that would repeal property taxes in the state and replace them with a new “retail transaction” tax. If sponsors collect 35,017 valid petition signatures, the measure would appear on the 2026 general election ballot. Attorney General Jackley Read More…
Governor Kelly Armstrong announced Thursday that he has directed more than $1.5 million in state funds to support food assistance programs during the ongoing federal government shutdown, urging North Dakota residents to consider donating food or money to local food pantries to help families impacted by the loss of federal benefits. “The state of North Read More…
South Dakota Attorney General Marty Jackley has joined a 14-state coalition of Attorneys General supporting a petition aimed at strengthening the integrity of federal elections. The coalition submitted a letter backing the American First Legal Foundation’s petition to the U.S. Election Assistance Commission (EAC). The petition calls on the EAC to require documentary proof of Read More…
North Dakota State Superintendent of Public Instruction Kirsten Baesler was confirmed Friday by the U.S. Senate to serve as Assistant Secretary of Elementary and Secondary Education in the U.S. Department of Education, a top leadership role overseeing federal policy for the nation’s K-12 schools. “I am honored, humbled, and incredibly excited to have received this Read More…
(The Center Square) – Washington Secretary of State Steve Hobbs has no intention of complying with a U.S. Department of Justice request for information from the state’s voter registration list. On Sept. 8, the DOJ sent a letter to Hobbs requesting a copy of the state’s voter registration database within 14 days. The request included sensitive personal Read More…
Governor Brad Little announced Thursday the appointment of Amanda Ulrich as a District Judge in Idaho’s Seventh Judicial District. Ulrich, a trial attorney with more than 15 years of experience, is a partner at Casperson Ulrich Dustin, where she has practiced since 2018. Her work has focused primarily on civil litigation and employment law. She Read More…
A federal judge has issued a preliminary injunction preventing the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) from using Medicaid data obtained from Washington and 19 other states for immigration enforcement purposes. The order also bars the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) from sharing such data with DHS. The injunction comes after Washington and Read More…
Governor Brad Little signed Executive Order 2025-05, known as “The Idaho Act,” aimed at creating efficiencies in state government, reducing spending, and supporting public schools while implementing federal tax cuts for Idahoans. The order directs state executive branch agencies — excluding K-12 public schools — to identify opportunities for consolidation, revert unfilled positions, reduce contract Read More…
(The Center Square) – The nation’s largest nurses’ union is blasting Kaiser Permanente for pausing gender-affirming surgeries for patients under 19 starting next month, due to pending litigation and pressure from the Trump administration. “As the legal and regulatory environment for gender-affirming care continues to evolve, we must carefully consider the significant risks being created Read More…
North Dakota Governor Kelly Armstrong testified before the U.S. Senate Committee on Environment and Public Works, calling on lawmakers to maintain strong federal funding for transportation infrastructure, provide greater flexibility to states, and enact permitting reforms to accelerate project delivery and reduce costs. Speaking on behalf of the National Governors Association during a hearing titled Read More…
North Dakota Governor Kelly Armstrong praised the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) on Tuesday for proposing the repeal of two major Biden-era regulations affecting power plants, calling the move a win for common-sense energy policy and national security. The regulations targeted for repeal—known as the “Clean Power Plan 2.0” and updated Mercury and Air Toxics Read More…
Governor Brad Little announced today the appointment of Brendon Taylor as District Judge for Idaho’s Seventh Judicial District, filling the vacancy left by the retirement of the Honorable Bruce L. Pickett. Taylor currently serves as a Magistrate Judge in Bonneville County, a position he has held since 2022. He is also the presiding judge of Read More…
The Center Square) – The Washington State Department of Ecology is proposing updates to regulations that reduce pollution from new semi-trucks and other commercial vehicles sold in the state. Ecology contends the updates will increase flexibility and help the industry transition to zero-emission trucks. DOE is offering over $130 million in taxpayer funding to buy clean trucks and build charging infrastructure Read More…
The first quarter financial reports for Congress are in and U.S. Sen. Cynthia Lummis is seeing the green. Lummis now has more than $1.5 million cash-on-hand heading into the 2026 election season between her main campaign committee and Steer political action committee. No one has announced that they plan to challenge Lummis. If someone does, Read More…
The Wyoming Supreme Court heard arguments Wednesday regarding the classification of abortion as healthcare, a case that could significantly impact the future of abortion access in the state. The state is challenging a Teton County judge’s ruling that abortion is a form of healthcare, arguing that laws passed in 2023, which could impose a near-total Read More…
Governor Kelly Armstrong signed Senate Bill 2214 into law today, officially approving the merger of the North Dakota Securities Department into the North Dakota Insurance Department. The consolidation aims to streamline regulatory oversight of the state’s financial services industry. Under the new law, regulatory authority will be unified under the elected insurance commissioner. The merger Read More…
While nine law firms have made deals to avoid President Donald Trump’s orders targeting them, the one that works for Wyoming’s largest federally recognized Indian tribe is continuing to fight the federal government in court. As of Tuesday, nine firms had settled with Trump and agreed to perform, collectively, nearly $1 billion worth of free work in causes Read More…
Governor Kelly Armstrong has announced the appointment of Zachary Greenberg as North Dakota’s permanent Labor Commissioner. Greenberg had been serving as interim commissioner since January and has been recognized for his leadership in enforcing the state’s labor and human rights laws. “Zach has proven himself to be a capable leader these past few months, ensuring Read More…
he South Dakota Attorney General’s Office has released the final ballot explanation for a proposed constitutional amendment that would require voter approval for legislative changes to initiative and referendum procedures. The amendment, spearheaded by Rick Weiland of Sioux Falls, aims to ensure that any legislative modifications to citizen-led ballot initiatives and referendums are subject to Read More…
(The Center Square) – Wyoming Gov. Mark Gordon on Thursday signed legislation that will ban foreign funding of ballot measures in the state. House Bill 337 prohibits non-U.S. citizens from funding any statewide initiative or referendum petition drive and require political action committees or other organizations that support or oppose such measures to file reports with the Read More…
Governor Brad Little, alongside House and Senate leadership, signed House Bill 40 today, enacting the largest income tax cut in Idaho’s history. The new legislation delivers an additional $253 million in tax relief, furthering the state’s commitment to returning money to its residents. As part of Governor Little’s KEEPING PROMISES plan, the bill reduces Idaho’s Read More…
Governor Brad Little announced today that he has signed House Bill 93, establishing the Parental Choice Tax Credit program, which will provide $50 million in tax credits to help Idaho families access a wide range of educational opportunities. “With the passage of the $50 million Parental Choice Tax Credit program, Idaho is once again leading Read More…
(The Center Square) – Bitcoin and digital asset bills have been field in at least 31 state legislatures, according to a Bitcoin Laws website tracking state legislative filings. The website breaks down each bill filed and its progress in its respective chamber. Digital currency bills have been filed in the state legislatures of Alabama, Arizona, Read More…
Gov. Kelly Armstrong testified today in support of Senate Bill 2308, a proposal aimed at reducing the number of state boards and commissions to improve efficiency and cut government costs. The bill seeks to establish a task force to review over 150 existing boards and determine which should be consolidated or dissolved. “That’s too many,” Read More…
Senate Bill 58, a measure aimed at strengthening human trafficking laws in South Dakota, was unanimously approved Thursday by the Senate Judiciary Committee. Proposed by Attorney General Marty Jackley, the bill revises current human trafficking provisions, prohibits obstruction of enforcement, and introduces penalties for violations. “South Dakota is not immune from human trafficking, and this Read More…
(The Center Square) – Gov. Jay Inslee’s proposal for a “wealth tax” is drawing sharp criticism from Seattle business leader, entrepreneur and Democratic supporter Nick Hanauer. Hanauer posted on X, ripping the proposal apart, calling it “impractical” with “serious legal challenges.” “I’ve spent my life working to address income inequality & progressive taxation,” posted Hanauer. “We Read More…
Governor Doug Burgum presented his final executive budget to the 69th Legislative Assembly today, outlining a $95 million package aimed at improving housing affordability, accessibility, and stability for the 2025-27 biennium. The proposal also includes $54 million for workforce-related initiatives, such as child care support, to address North Dakota’s ongoing workforce shortage—all without introducing new Read More…
HELENA, Mont. – Governor Greg Gianforte yesterday afternoon visited the new Helena Food Share facility to support the organizations’ food drive ahead of the Thanksgiving holiday. “We have so much to be grateful for as Montanans,” Gov. Gianforte said. “This Thanksgiving week, I encourage Montanans to give what they can, including the gift of their Read More…
Governor Brad Little and Lt. Governor Scott Bedke joined farmers and water users today in Idaho Falls and Twin Falls to celebrate “Idaho Water Day,” marking the completion of a new water agreement after months of negotiations. The event highlighted the successful collaboration between farmers, water users, and state officials to secure Idaho’s water future. Read More…
North Dakota Insurance Commissioner Jon Godfread will serve as the president of the National Association of Insurance Commissioners (NAIC) for 2025, following his role as president-elect in 2024. As NAIC president, Godfread will lead the nation’s chief insurance regulators across all 50 states, the District of Columbia, and five U.S. territories. His leadership will focus Read More…
South Dakota Attorney General Marty Jackley has expressed strong support for President-elect Donald Trump’s nomination of former Florida Attorney General Pam Bondi as the next U.S. Attorney General. “I served with, and was impressed by, Pam as Florida’s Attorney General,” Jackley said in a statement. “She is an experienced prosecutor who will strengthen the relationship Read More…