Latest news with #NCSL
Hamilton Spectator
2 days ago
- Business
- Hamilton Spectator
Beyond Washington diplomacy fuels U.S. trips
Trips to the U.S. this month from within the non-cabinet ranks of the UCP appear to build on an elbows-down approach to trade with Alberta's most important market. The itineraries of MLAs Glenn van Dijken and Angela Pitt also show that not all diplomacy happens in Washington. Van Dijken just returned from Cedar Rapids, Iowa, after attending the spring agricultural task force meeting of the National Conference of State Legislatures. Pitt, meanwhile, heads off to Lake Tahoe, Nev., on June 15 for the NCSL Legislative Leaders' Symposium. Their stateside presence aims to 'build on progress made with lawmakers to protect and deepen ties that bond our economies,' says an Alberta government news release. Established in 1975 by state legislators and legislative staff, the NCSL brings together lawmakers and other government leaders from all 50 U.S. states, the District of Columbia and the 16 U.S. territories. Alberta formalized its role in the NCSL by becoming an affiliate member and a member of its International Advisory Council last year. And the province also has strong ties with another U.S. governmental group, the Council of State Governments. Founded in 1933, the Council of State Governments is the only nonpartisan association serving all three branches of state government and their elected and unelected officials and staff. Four provinces are members of the council's Midwestern Legislative Conference — Alberta, Manitoba and Ontario are affiliate members, Saskatchewan is a full member. Van Dijken, the member for Athabasca-Barrhead-Westlock, was in Cedar Rapids to 'champion Alberta's role as a reliable partner in establishing U.S. food security,' the news release said. While meeting with decision-makers on state and federal policy issues, Van Dijken shared best practices in agriculture and agrifood development, and advocated for 'Alberta's unimpeded access to U.S. markets,' says the release Although not a member of cabinet, van Dijken chairs a cabinet policy committee called Alberta First. The U.S. is Alberta's largest trading partner, and Alberta is the second largest provincial exporter to the U.S. after Ontario. The government pegs exports last year to the U.S. at $162.1 billion, accounting for almost 89 per cent per cent of provincial exports. Although energy projects make up more than 82 per cent of Alberta's U.S. exports, the stateside marketplace is also critical to agriculture. Ag products worth $9.2 billion when there in 2024, up four per cent from the year before. Airdrie-East's Angela Pitt will 'reinforce the value of our trade relationship' while in Lake Tahoe. She will 'promote the benefits of working together on critical trade corridors, including pipelines, to unleash Alberta's ability to support the U.S. in its ambitions to become energy dominant,' the release says. Said Pitt: 'I have had many positive conversations with members of the NCSL over the past few months, and I look forward to advancing these discussions further in Nevada.' Error! Sorry, there was an error processing your request. There was a problem with the recaptcha. Please try again. You may unsubscribe at any time. By signing up, you agree to our terms of use and privacy policy . This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google privacy policy and terms of service apply. Want more of the latest from us? Sign up for more at our newsletter page .
The Verge
22-05-2025
- Business
- The Verge
Pro-AI, pro-pollution, pro-surveillance: what you should know about Trump's budget
The 'One Big Beautiful Bill Act' that House Republicans narrowly passed early Thursday would strip state legislatures of AI oversight and scale back consumer protection and climate initiatives while funding border surveillance, among many other provisions. The budget reconciliation bill still needs to be approved by the Senate, where some Republicans have voiced concerns with aspects of the text. But with President Donald Trump pushing for its passage into law, they could face an uphill battle in fighting for changes. Here are some of the key tech and science provisions in the House version of the text: Moratorium on state AI laws States would be stripped of their power to enforce laws regulating artificial intelligence models and 'automated decision systems' for 10 years under the budget package. That would likely preempt hundreds of AI-related bills being considered in 2025, as well as dozens that have passed into law — and on top of that, the broad 'automated decision' language could nix regulating all kinds of computer systems not frequently classed as AI. Republican supporters say the rule is necessary to let US companies innovate and keep up with rivals in China, and the idea has been promoted by OpenAI. More than 60 AI-related state bills have been enacted so far, according to the National Conference of State Legislatures (NCSL), many of which could be impacted by the proposed pause. The bills do everything from addressing algorithmic discrimination to regulating how AI can be used by government agencies. Critics worry the definition could also hamstring laws covering all kinds of systems that feature automation or use machine learning. That might include rules championed by state-level Republicans, who have passed numerous social media regulations in recent years. 'Until we pass something that is federally preemptive, we can't call for a moratorium' A couple Republican senators have expressed concern over the moratorium. Sen. Marsha Blackburn (R-TN), eyeing a run for governor, spoke at a recent congressional hearing about her state's AI law that seeks to protect a musician's right to their voice's likeness. 'We certainly know that in Tennessee we need those protections,' Blackburn said, according to The Washington Post. 'And until we pass something that is federally preemptive, we can't call for a moratorium.' Sen. Josh Hawley (R-MO), who publicly opposed Medicaid cuts in the House bill, also pushed back on the state law pause. 'I would think that, just as a matter of federalism, we'd want states to be able to try out different regimes that they think will work for their state,' Hawley recently told Business Insider. 'And I think in general, on AI, I do think we need some sensible oversight that will protect people's liberties.' The provision could also face a challenge in overcoming the ' Byrd rule,' which bars 'extraneous' additions in reconciliation bills. Biden-era tax credits for electric vehicles would be deprecated within two years if the House package is signed into law, and wind and solar energy credits would be phased out by 2032. The slashed credits include a $7,500 credit for purchasing eligible EVs, or $4,000 for an eligible used one, as well as credit for home refueling infrastructure. Updates shortly before the vote also rolled back key climate programs from the 2022 Inflation Reduction Act even further than the bill initially did, though they also pared down an effort to roll back credits for nuclear reactors. Scaling back funding for consumer financial protection The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB), which had already been decimated by Elon Musk's Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), would see its funding capped further under the bill. House Republicans seek to cap the amount it can receive from the Federal Reserve at 5 percent of the system's total operating expenses, rather than the current 12 percent. That would reduce the resources the consumer protection agency would have to respond to consumer complaints over things like imminent foreclosures and credit card fraud, and regulate digital payments services. Border tech funding The bill includes billions of dollars to lock down US borders, including $12 billion to reimburse states for border security. In addition to the $46 billion it would invest to build and 'modernize' the wall between the US and Mexico, the bill would also provide $1 billion in funding for technology to detect drugs and other contraband being brought across the border. Another $2.7 billion would go toward surveillance systems that House Homeland Security Republicans described as 'ground detection sensors, integrated surveillance towers, tunnel detection capability, unmanned aircraft systems (UAS), and enhanced communications equipment.' Health care plans beginning in 2027 that are purchased through the Affordable Care Act marketplace would be barred from offering gender-affirming care, including hormone therapy and surgery. Similarly, the bill would prohibit Medicaid from covering 'gender transition procedures' for minors and adults while requiring coverage for detransition.
Yahoo
08-03-2025
- Climate
- Yahoo
When is daylight saving time? Will you lose an hour or gain an hour when time changes?
You may be momentarily confused when you wake up Sunday. No, your power didn't go out — the time changed to daylight saving time! For some, daylight saving time is a sign that spring is on its way. And between the unusually cold periods in Texas this winter and Punxsutawney Phil and Bee Cave Bob both seeing their shadows on Groundhog Day, you might be especially ready for some sunshine and warmer weather. Here's a breakdown of daylight saving time, its potential end, and the beginning of spring. Daylight saving time begins on Sunday, March 9, 2025. In the early hours, time will jump forward by one hour from 2 a.m. to 3 a.m. This marks the shift to local Daylight Saving Time (DST). Many devices, such as phones and computers, will automatically change to DST, but non-smart devices, such as microwaves and some car radios, as well as any clock with hands, will likely need to be changed manually. Daylight saving time ends on Sunday, Nov. 2, 2025. At 2 a.m. clocks will fall back an hour to 1 a.m., granting an extra hour of sleep. The start of daylight saving time means dawn and sunset will be an hour later on Sunday, March 9 than they were on Saturday, March 8. For most Americans, except those in Arizona, Hawaii, and a handful of other places, the start of daylight saving time means losing an hour of sleep on March 9. While standard time allows for more daylight in the mornings during winter months, daylight saving time adjusts for longer days. Arizona and Hawaii are the only U.S. states that have never changed their clocks for daylight saving time. The Navajo Nation hasn't either. The U.S. territories of American Samoa, Guam, the Northern Mariana Islands, Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands also don't observe daylight saving time. Daylight saving time was enacted by the Uniform Time Act of 1966, which also allows states to remain in standard time year-round. However, many states are making efforts to remain in daylight saving time instead — which is currently barred by federal law and would require the approval of Congress. In recent years, states have considered more than 700 pieces of legislation regarding daylight saving time, according to the National Conference of State Legislatures. This includes 30 in 2024. A total of 20 states have passed laws or resolutions to move toward daylight saving time year-round, if Congress were ever to allow it, according to the NCSL. These include: Alabama Colorado Delaware Florida Georgia Idaho Kentucky Louisiana Maine Minnesota Mississippi Ohio Oklahoma Oregon South Carolina Tennessee Utah Washington Wyoming The practice of daylight saving time has made its way back to debates among Texas lawmakers. After failing in the 2023 legislative session, Sen. Judith Zaffirini, D-Laredo, has proposed a bill that would allow the state to remain in standard time all year as allowed by the Uniform Time Act of 1966. This differs from previous attempts, which have generally suggested states remain in daylight saving time — an act barred by federal law. "The twice-a-year clock change is disruptive and unnecessary," Zaffirini said in a statement to The Texas Tribune. "Studies have linked these shifts to increased traffic accidents, negative health effects, and decreased productivity." In 2022, U.S. Senator Marco Rubio, R-Florida, made such a proposal with the Sunshine Protection Act of 2023. Although the Senate passed it, the bill stalled in the House. "It's time to lock the clock and stop enduring the ridiculous and antiquated practice of switching our clocks back and forth," Rubio said toward the end of last year. The opposite happened in the 2023 Texas legislative session, in which Zaffirini and Rep. Will Metcalf, R-Conroe, proposed the state's permanent shift to daylight saving time. House Bill 1422 earned bipartisan support in the House but stalled in the Senate. Metcalf has filed a similar bill this year. "Texas doesn't need to wait for Washington," Metcalf said in a news release. "By passing HB 1393, we'll demonstrate leadership and send a strong message that Texans are ready to move forward." If Zaffirini's Senate Bill 64 is passed and Congress reverses previous rulings against the permanent adoption of daylight saving time, Texas voters could decide which time zone they would prefer to implement year-round. In recent years, Congress has faced the opportunity to stop changing clocks. In 2022, the U.S. Senate unanimously approved the Sunshine Protection Act, which would make daylight saving time permanent, however the U.S. House of Representatives did not pass it and President Joe Biden did not sign it. In December, then-President-elect Donald Trump said he aims to put an end to daylight saving time and make standard time year-round. "The Republican Party will use its best efforts to eliminate Daylight Saving Time, which has a small but strong constituency, but shouldn't!" Trump wrote on social media site Truth Social. "Daylight Saving Time is inconvenient, and very costly to our Nation." Winter officially ends with the first day of spring on Thursday, March 20, 2025. The longest day of 2025, also known as the summer solstice, is Friday, June 20. Central Texas will get around 14 hours of daylight. On the flip side, 2025's winter solstice — the shortest day of the year — is Sunday, Dec. 21. Austin will see just over 10 hours of daylight. The Earth is tilted approximately 23.5 degrees on its axis, and each solstice is dictated by the amount of solar declination, or "the latitude of Earth where the sun is directly overhead at noon," according to National Geographic. — USA TODAY contributed to this report. This article originally appeared on Austin American-Statesman: Daylight saving time 2025: Get ready to lose an hour when time changes
Yahoo
20-02-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Michigan House passes plan to close 'revolving door' of lawmakers, lobbyists
Lawmakers in the Michigan House passed legislation Thursday which would bar themselves from becoming lobbyists for two years after they leave their posts in the Capitol. Along with state lawmakers, House Bills 4062, 4063 and 4064 would ban executive officeholders, including the governor and heads of state departments, from engaging in lobbying for the first two years after they leave office. Lawmakers and officials also would be banned from receiving compensation for lobbying activities. Lobbyists are individuals who advocate for certain interests to government officials, mostly on behalf of groups or organizations. Backers of the plan argue it will crack down on the so-called lawmaker-to-lobbyist pipeline in Lansing. "We have an opportunity to show Michigan's voters the Legislature is not simply a stepping stone for career advancement," Rep. Mark Tisdel, R-Rochester, who sponsored HB 4062, said during a speech on the House floor Thursday. The bills passed with wide bipartisan support. Tisdel noted it's not the first time Michigan lawmakers have attempted to prevent their kind from immediately taking lobbyist jobs, saying similar legislation was passed in the House in Jan. 2005, although it didn't become law. Democrats introduced a bill last year to mandate a one-year 'cooling off' period before a former lawmaker could become a lobbyist, but the Legislation didn't advance through the House. A Detroit Free Press/Eye on Michigan investigation last year found lobbyists spent more than $6.3 million on state lawmakers and officials between 2001 and 2023. Current state law doesn't prohibit lawmakers from joining a lobbying firm focused on Lansing after their term ends. Michigan law does prohibit a lawmaker who resigns before the end of their term from registering as a lobbyist for the remainder of the term. In order to become law, the bills passed Thursday will have to advance through the Michigan Senate and be signed by Gov. Gretchen Whitmer. Public integrity watchdogs have longed panned Michigan's policies for government transparency and accountability. A 2015 report by the Center for Public Integrity gave Michigan an 'F' grade for its lobbying disclosure policies, ranking it 43rd out of 50 states. Most states have some sort of cooling off period for lawmakers, according to the National Conference of State Legislatures (NCSL). The typical state policy bars lawmakers from becoming lobbyists somewhere from six months to two years after they leave office, the NCSL says, but Florida has the longest cooling off period, prohibiting lawmakers from becoming lobbyists for six years after their term ends. Aside from its lobbying policies, exemptions in Michigan's open record laws also have been scrutinized by transparency groups. The state's Freedom of Information Act, or FOIA, allows residents to request records from public bodies. But the state's FOIA law carves out the governor's office and the Legislature, exempting them from public record requests. More: Michigan Chief Justice Elizabeth Clement will step down from Supreme Court Efforts to expand FOIA in Michigan have languished, though. Last year, the Michigan Senate passed bills to subject lawmakers and governor to open record requests, but the measures were never taken up in the House. The Senate made FOIA a priority at the start of the current legislative session in January, again passing measures to expand the law to the governor's office and the state Legislature. Rep. John Fitzgerald, D-Wyoming, introduced an amendment Wednesday to tie-bar the FOIA legislation to the lobbying provisions, meaning one measure could not become law without the other, but the amendment wasn't adopted in the Republican-led chamber. In January, House Speaker Matt Hall, R-Richland Township, said FOIA is unlikely to be a priority for the chamber this session. 'Don't get your hopes up too much,' Hall told a group of reporters in Lansing on Jan. 9, adding ending the 'revolving door' of lawmakers and lobbyists was a bigger issue for him. The bills passed Thursday in the House seeks to slam that door shut. Contact Arpan Lobo: alobo@ This article originally appeared on Detroit Free Press: Michigan House OKs plan to create 'cooling off' period for lobbying
