Latest news with #Legislature
Yahoo
6 hours ago
- General
- Yahoo
Does Ryan Walters need a history refresher? Many Oklahomans say yes
For years, Oklahoma state schools Superintendent Ryan Walters has had many missions on reforming the education system. Here's the latest on recent Oklahoma initiatives. WRONG AGENDA: Oklahomans aren't willing to sit idly by while Ryan Walters rides off into the sunset chasing his political dreams at the expense of taxpayers, writes former legislator Mark McBride. LETTERS TO THE EDITOR: Our kids deserve better than Ryan Walters' disguised political agenda, David L. Myers, of Oklahoma City, writes in a letter to the editor. FORCED UPON: Christian nationalism is being pushed in public schools, guest columnist writes, and secular students made to feel "less American" in violation of church/state separation. MISPLACED PRIORITIES: There's no money in the new state budget for higher teacher pay, but the Legislature may authorize more inexperienced "adjunct" teachers in classrooms. WHAT'S THE PLAN?: A new classroom cell phone ban law will be futile unless Ryan Walters' Oklahoma agency steps up to provide direction. Sign up for the Public Square newsletter here. This article originally appeared on Oklahoman: Social studies rules show Walters needs history refresher | Cartoon
14 hours ago
- Politics
Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz's next move: Energizing Democrats in South Carolina and California
MINNEAPOLIS -- Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz will seek to energize activists at Democratic state conventions in South Carolina and California on Saturday, as the party's 2024 vice presidential nominee works to keep up the high national profile he gained when Kamala Harris selected him as her running mate. Walz, a former schoolteacher who went to Congress and then became his state's governor, will keynote the South Carolina gathering in Columbia, traditionally a showcase for national-level Democrats and White House hopefuls. Another leader who often appears on those lists, Maryland Gov. Wes Moore, spoke Friday night at the party's fundraising dinner. South Carolina held the first Democratic presidential primary of the 2024 campaign, and the party hopes for a repeat as first in line in 2028. But the national party organizations haven't settled their 2028 calendars yet, and party officials in Iowa, New Hampshire and Nevada are also vying to go first. 'From the classroom to the governor's office, Tim Walz leads with compassion and common sense,' the South Carolina party posted on social media earlier this month when it announced his appearance. 'He's proof that you can govern with both heart and backbone, and he's bringing that message to South Carolina.' Walz, who's on a long list of potential 2028 candidates who have been traveling to early-voting states, will also be a featured speaker as California Democrats gather in Anaheim on Saturday. 'We're fired up to welcome Minnesota Governor Tim Walz to the Convention stage in Anaheim,' state chair Rusty Hicks said in a statement. 'He's a former teacher, a veteran, and a trailblazer who's spent his career fighting for working families and standing up for the values we all share — fairness, dignity, and opportunity for all.' Democrats have been debating since Harris lost to President Donald Trump in November over which direction the party should take. That self-examination reflects deep frustrations among Democratic voters that their leaders are failing to put up enough resistance against Trump, who has taken a much more aggressive approach to his second term in the White House. Walz hasn't officially said if he'll seek a third term in 2026, but acknowledges he's thinking about it. He said in a recent interview with KSTP-TV that he would probably wait to decide until July, after he calls a special session of the closely divided Minnesota Legislature to finish work on the state's next budget. Those negotiations have gone slowly despite his frequent meetings with legislative leaders. He's given mixed signals on a 2028 presidential run while keeping up his attacks on Trump. He told The New Yorker Radio Hour for an interview that aired in March that he would 'certainly consider that' if circumstances were right. He told CNN's 'State of the Union' last month that he was 'not thinking about running in 2028.' But he hasn't ruled it out, either, and has signaled possible interest in other ways. Following the Democratic ticket's defeat in November, Walz returned to the road in March when he went to Iowa to launch a series of town halls in competitive congressional districts represented by Republicans, after House Speaker Mike Johnson advised GOP representatives to avoid holding town halls because of protests at them. Walz's gubernatorial campaign organization, which has been actively raising money, has used his travels in 'Support Tim on the Road' fundraising pitches. 'For the past few weeks, I've been showing up where Republicans won't,' he wrote in one recent message. 'I've hosted town halls in Iowa, Nebraska, Wisconsin, Minnesota, and Texas to hear from people the GOP is neglecting.'
Yahoo
16 hours ago
- Business
- Yahoo
With time running out, Florida's GOP-led Legislature forges budget deal
TALLAHASSEE, Florida — Florida legislative leaders said late Friday they have forged a budget deal that will guarantee $2.25 billion shifted into tax cuts and reserves while also establishing a path for legislators to avoid a potential shutdown of state government this summer. The agreement does not include a permanent reduction in the overall sales tax rate, which at one point had been a top priority of state House Speaker Daniel Perez but had come under fire by Gov. Ron DeSantis amid a bitter feud between Sunshine State Republicans. The deal announced late Friday by Perez and Senate President Ben Albritton is on top-line level spending levels that will be used to hammer out a final budget in June. In a memo to senators, Albritton said the plan is for lawmakers to start budget conference meetings Tuesday, with the goal to work over the next two weeks and vote out the budget no later than June 16. 'The framework set forth in these allocations provides for a fiscally responsible, balanced budget that reduces state spending, lowers per capital spending, and reduces the growth of state bureaucracy,' Albritton wrote. Albritton and Perez have been at odds for weeks over the size and scale of potential tax cuts, as well as a disagreement on how much spending should be authorized in the coming year. Perez had maintained that the Republican-controlled Legislature and DeSantis had spent too much the last several years. The state House and Senate on Friday evening did not release all the details of the proposed deal, including the amount of state tax dollars that will be allocated to specific areas such as the environment, health care and education. A spokesperson for Albritton said those numbers would be released Monday. But the agreement calls for the Legislature to reduce 'recurring revenue' by $2.25 billion including the elimination of sales tax charged on commercial leases and what is being billed as 'permanent sales tax exemptions targeted toward Florida families.' This was not explained further, but Albritton earlier in the year had proposed the permanent elimination of sales taxes on clothing and shoes valued at less than $75. The $2.25 billion, however, also includes $750 million for the state's main budget reserve while also setting aside $250 million a year to pay off outstanding debt — another top priority for DeSantis. Legislative leaders also announced that they would ask voters to increase the size of the Budget Stabilization Fund mandated in the state constitution. The fund is currently capped at 10 percent of the net revenue collected for the state's main budget account. Lawmakers want voters to increase the amount authorized for the fund to 25 percent and to require the state to set aside $750 million a year until that cap is reached. The proposed amendment would go on the November 2026 ballot. Perez and Albritton have promised to keep $1.5 billion in reserves over the next two years before the ballot measure goes before voters. During their regular 60-day session, the state House and Senate initially pushed out starkly different spending plans that had a $4.4 billion spending gap as the House proposed a massive $5 billion permanent reduction in the state's sales taxes. The session was supposed to end earlier in early May, but lawmakers were forced to extend it beyond the normal 60 days due to their budget disagreement. On what was supposed to be the final day of the session, Albritton and Perez said they had agreed to slash taxes by $2.8 billion, including a permanent reduction in the state sales tax rate. But that deal blew up after DeSantis threatened to veto the sales tax plan, saying it would undermine efforts to cut property taxes the governor has been championing. Albritton earlier this month stated in a memo that many senators were also concerned about the impacts of such a large cut. Perez reacted harshly, saying Albritton had broken his promise.
Politico
17 hours ago
- Business
- Politico
With time running out, Florida's GOP-led Legislature forges budget deal
TALLAHASSEE, Florida — Florida legislative leaders said late Friday they have forged a budget deal that will guarantee $2.25 billion shifted into tax cuts and reserves while also establishing a path for legislators to avoid a potential shutdown of state government this summer. The agreement does not include a permanent reduction in the overall sales tax rate, which at one point had been a top priority of state House Speaker Daniel Perez but had come under fire by Gov. Ron DeSantis amid a bitter feud between Sunshine State Republicans. The deal announced late Friday by Perez and Senate President Ben Albritton is on top-line level spending levels that will be used to hammer out a final budget in June. In a memo to senators, Albritton said the plan is for lawmakers to start budget conference meetings Tuesday, with the goal to work over the next two weeks and vote out the budget no later than June 16. 'The framework set forth in these allocations provides for a fiscally responsible, balanced budget that reduces state spending, lowers per capital spending, and reduces the growth of state bureaucracy,' Albritton wrote. Albritton and Perez have been at odds for weeks over the size and scale of potential tax cuts, as well as a disagreement on how much spending should be authorized in the coming year. Perez had maintained that the Republican-controlled Legislature and DeSantis had spent too much the last several years. The state House and Senate on Friday evening did not release all the details of the proposed deal, including the amount of state tax dollars that will be allocated to specific areas such as the environment, health care and education. A spokesperson for Albritton said those numbers would be released Monday. But the agreement calls for the Legislature to reduce 'recurring revenue' by $2.25 billion including the elimination of sales tax charged on commercial leases and what is being billed as 'permanent sales tax exemptions targeted toward Florida families.' This was not explained further, but Albritton earlier in the year had proposed the permanent elimination of sales taxes on clothing and shoes valued at less than $75. The $2.25 billion, however, also includes $750 million for the state's main budget reserve while also setting aside $250 million a year to pay off outstanding debt — another top priority for DeSantis. Legislative leaders also announced that they would ask voters to increase the size of the Budget Stabilization Fund mandated in the state constitution. The fund is currently capped at 10 percent of the net revenue collected for the state's main budget account. Lawmakers want voters to increase the amount authorized for the fund to 25 percent and to require the state to set aside $750 million a year until that cap is reached. The proposed amendment would go on the November 2026 ballot. Perez and Albritton have promised to keep $1.5 billion in reserves over the next two years before the ballot measure goes before voters. During their regular 60-day session, the state House and Senate initially pushed out starkly different spending plans that had a $4.4 billion spending gap as the House proposed a massive $5 billion permanent reduction in the state's sales taxes. The session was supposed to end earlier in early May, but lawmakers were forced to extend it beyond the normal 60 days due to their budget disagreement. On what was supposed to be the final day of the session, Albritton and Perez said they had agreed to slash taxes by $2.8 billion, including a permanent reduction in the state sales tax rate. But that deal blew up after DeSantis threatened to veto the sales tax plan, saying it would undermine efforts to cut property taxes the governor has been championing. Albritton earlier this month stated in a memo that many senators were also concerned about the impacts of such a large cut. Perez reacted harshly, saying Albritton had broken his promise.
Yahoo
18 hours ago
- Business
- Yahoo
Lombardo's housing attainability plan shrinks, now expected to help 5,000 households
LAS VEGAS (KLAS) — A scaled-back version of Gov. Joe Lombardo's Nevada Housing Access and Attainability Act will help fewer people, according to state officials. The ambitious plan to use state funds to encourage housing construction and other help for Nevadans who need affordable housing solutions has shrunk. When Lombardo presented the plan in April, it was described as a $250 million plan that would provide homes for 16,000 households. Pressure on state budgets has forced adjustments as spending plans move through the Nevada Legislature. Funding for the affordable housing plan is now set at $133 million, and it's expected to reach about 5,000 households, according to Christine Hess, chief financial officer for the Nevada Housing Division. The lower spending levels didn't seem to dampen support for affordable housing. Kathi Thomas, chief housing officer of the Southern Nevada Regional Housing Authority, called in to support Lombardo's plan. 'We are in the midst of a housing crisis, and we understand that this legislative body has a number of competing priorities and challenges with the budget. But we are all committed to building a strong economy, and there is no economic model that does not have housing at its core,' Thomas said. Hess outlined the new spending levels during a Friday hearing before the Senate Government Affairs Committee. The $133 million will fund programs in three ways: $83 million to support the development of attainable housing to serve those at or below 150% of area median income. The help will come in the form of loans, grants or rebates. This category will also support the development of low-income tax credit properties and land acquisition for attainable housing. $25 million for home ownership opportunities in the form of down payment assistance and interest rate buydowns. $25 million for incentives to develop attainable housing, expected to be in the form of matching grants Hess said previous plans to fund supportive housing development, rental assistance and eviction diversion programs will not be implemented initially as Assembly Bill 540 — the Nevada Housing Access and Attainability Act — ramps up. Those will still be eligible uses, but are not expected to be funded initially because they are available elsewhere. The bill didn't receive an immediate vote after it was heard Friday. 'This is not a fund for 3,000-square-foot homes. This is a fund to really catalyze and get the housing built,' Hess said. 'More housing to have people that are living in RV parks not have to live in RV parks.' Democratic Sen. Edgar Flores said he was concerned that the plan didn't specify goals to help people buy a starter home. He said that's the problem that's happening right now. Ryan Cherry, chief of staff for Lombardo, said that was discussed but not written into the language of the housing act because goals will change over time. He said the governor wants the agency to have the ability to adjust its goals to meet current needs. 'For-sale homes was really the impetus of this initiative,' Hess said. She said that will influence the amount of funding that goes toward helping families who can't qualify. The initial plan included $50 million for home ownership initiatives. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
