State Politics
Governors, state legislatures, ballot measures, and state-level policy.
NT children’s commissioner resigns over child-protection law changes
Northern Territory Children’s Commissioner Shahleena Musk has resigned over the CLP government’s child-protection reforms, saying the changes were not properly consulted on and could weaken safeguards for Aboriginal children. The government rejects that criticism and says the bill is designed to put child safety first.
Private schools in Telangana suspend classes during statewide bandh
Many private and corporate schools across Telangana suspended classes on July 10 during a statewide bandh called by student organisations, even though the School Education Department had not объявлено an official holiday.
NGO claims Rs 10cr loss in GIDC plot allotment, seeks criminal probe
A Goa NGO has alleged that industrial plot allotments by the Goa Industrial Development Corporation caused a loss of about Rs 10 crore and is seeking a criminal probe. The claim follows earlier demands for vigilance scrutiny and comes against the backdrop of a prior CAG finding of losses linked to GIDC.
Wide Bay Manufacturing Hub to open in Maryborough with $925k
Queensland will establish a Wide Bay Manufacturing Hub in Maryborough with $925,000 from the 2026-27 state budget, expanding the state’s manufacturing hub network into the Fraser Coast.
Towns asked to document storm costs as Connecticut eyes federal disaster aid
Gov. Ned Lamont is asking Connecticut towns and cities to document storm-related costs and damage after the July 4 severe thunderstorms, saying the estimates will help determine whether the state qualifies for federal disaster aid. He said homeowners should also photograph damage for insurance claims and expects a threshold decision within about a week.
Mumbai chief minister announces Rs 13,000 crore flood-control project
Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis has announced a Rs 13,000 crore flood-control project for Mumbai after severe monsoon disruption this week. The plan is meant to strengthen stormwater drainage and reduce flooding in the city, but details on funding, execution and timing have not yet been made public.
Somers budget cuts now include Saturday library closure: 'Out of things to cut'
Somers officials have added another round of cuts after a fourth failed budget referendum, including closing the public library on Saturdays and reducing staffing ahead of a July 14 vote on a revised $41.64 million plan.
MP seeks export infra boost from Centre
Madhya Pradesh asked the Centre for new export-support infrastructure at a Board of Trade meeting in New Delhi, including a textile testing facility, a regional Export Promotion Council office in Indore and inland container depots in Jabalpur and Rewa.
Damien Tudehope steps aside from NSW Liberal frontbench ahead of ICAC hearings
Damien Tudehope has stepped aside from his NSW Liberal frontbench roles after being called as a witness in ICAC’s Operation Rosny inquiry. The public hearings are due to begin on July 27 and will examine alleged illegal political donations and branch stacking involving NSW Liberal figures.
NT scraps council power hike plan, replaces with 30% tariff cap
The Northern Territory government has abandoned a plan to move councils onto full cost-reflective electricity pricing and will instead cap the increase at 30% above previous commercial rates. The wider 5.3% electricity price rise for Territorians from July 1 remains in place.
Victorian toll customers to receive refunds after misclassification error
Transurban says about 90,000 vehicles may have been misclassified on Victorian toll roads, affecting about 1.4 million trips on CityLink and the West Gate Tunnel. Affected customers will be contacted and refunded automatically, with no action required.
New Jersey is set to charge companies with workers on Medicaid. Other states may follow
New Jersey has enacted a fee on employers with at least 50 workers covered by Medicaid, with state budget writers projecting $145 million in first-year revenue. The charge starts at $325 per person and rises to $725 for larger employers, while temporary, seasonal and part-time workers are exempt. Business groups and some policy advocates warn the measure could distort hiring, while other states are now weighing whether to follow New Jersey’s lead.
DSA Co-Chair Taunts Democrats After Melat Kiros Upset in Colorado Primary
Democratic socialist Melat Kiros defeated longtime Rep. Diana DeGette in Colorado’s 1st Congressional District primary, and DSA co-chair Megan Romer used the result to warn mainstream Democrats that the party’s left wing is gaining leverage.
University of Tennessee launches new degree in civic and constitutional thought
The University of Tennessee has approved a new undergraduate degree in civic and constitutional thought, a program tied to its Institute of American Civics and announced just before the July 4 holiday.
California bans 'sell by' food labels and standardizes date wording
California began enforcing a new food-labeling law on July 1, banning consumer-facing 'sell by' dates and requiring standardized wording to reduce confusion and food waste.
These new California laws go into effect July 1
Several California laws take effect July 1, including standardized food-date labels, school smartphone policies, restaurant allergen disclosures and local wage increases.
California’s new allergen-menu law takes effect for large restaurant chains
California’s first-in-the-nation restaurant allergen disclosure law is now in force, requiring large chains to list the Big 9 allergens on menus or through equivalent materials.
DeSantis nixes Tampa Bay's storm hardening funds
Gov. Ron DeSantis signed Florida’s final budget of his tenure on June 29 and vetoed nearly $5 million in Tampa Bay-area storm resilience projects, including shelter, flood relief and shoreline work in Pinellas County, Tampa and Clearwater.
UC Berkeley plans Pelosi-backed democracy institute for January launch
UC Berkeley and Nancy Pelosi say they will launch a new democracy institute in January 2027, with Pelosi co-teaching a Congress course, a nonpartisan mission and more than $35 million in philanthropic commitments.
Avenal recall fight escalates at first council meeting after ouster vote
Avenal residents confronted recalled council members at the first meeting after three of them voted to stay in office despite an April recall. The dispute now heads to Kings County Superior Court for a Monday quo warranto hearing approved by California Attorney General Rob Bonta.
RTI activists serve legal notice to Maharashtra govt, seek rollback of new RTI rules
Transparency activists, journalists and former information officials have sent Maharashtra a legal notice demanding withdrawal of the RTI Rules, 2026 within 15 days, intensifying opposition to the state’s new information-access framework.
RTI activists serve legal notice to Maharashtra government over new RTI rules
RTI activists, journalists and former information officials have sent Maharashtra a legal notice demanding withdrawal of the state’s new RTI Rules, 2026 within 15 days, escalating a backlash that already forced one partial rollback.
CT Department of Transportation to close bridge on I-691 in Meriden for 2 months
CTDOT says the North Wall Street bridge over I-691 in Meriden will close to vehicles for about two months starting Sunday evening for rehabilitation. Pedestrians will still be allowed, and detours will be posted as part of the larger interstate interchange rebuild.
Somers sets temporary mill rate after voters reject budget three times
Somers selectmen approved a temporary 23.46 mill rate after voters rejected three budget proposals in June. Officials said the stop-gap rate is needed to keep bills and bond notes paid while the town prepares for another referendum on June 30.