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Tennessee Honors Retiring Senator Douglas Henry after 60 Years of Unparalled Service
By Rebecca Herrigel on Friday, April 18, 2014Last week, Tennessee lawmakers honored the longest serving state legislator, Senator Douglas Henry, retiring after 60 years of service. Senator Henry was a stalwart of Progressive politics in the Tennessee state legislature for over a half a century. His leadership on the Finance committee, for women's rights, and public education is unrivaled and will be part of Senator Henry's lasting legacy.
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Okla. Republicans Pass Ban on Minimum Wage Hikes
By Geoffrey Montes on Thursday, April 17, 2014Republican legislators in Oklahoma took an extreme stand against the state's working families this week by passing SB 1023. The bill, which bans all state municipalities from setting their own minimum wage laws, was promptly signed by Republican Governor Mary Fallin. The law's other provisions also ban the establishment of mandatory employee benefits, including vacation or sick leave days.
Gov. Fallin’s action appears to thwart efforts by an Oklahoma City group that had been circulating a petition calling for a local vote on whether to increase the city’s minimum wage from the national standard of $7.25 an hour up to $10.10 an hour.
Oklahoma City attorney David Slane, who serves as spokesman for the group circulating the petition, said his coalition is contemplating its next move.
“Of course we’re disappointed that the governor and the Republican Legislature stood in the way of the people having the right to vote on whether they want to raise minimum wage,” Slane said. “We’re looking now at the possibility of a constitutional challenge to the law that was signed because we think that it abrogates the people’s right to have an initiative petition. ... We’re going to explore all options, including the possibility of a statewide initiative petition.”
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Minnesota House DFL crushing GOP in 2014 fundraising
By Nathan Thomas on Wednesday, April 16, 2014
The Minnesota House is again one of the nation's top legislative battlegrounds this year, but House Democrats are out-raising Republicans by nearly 3-to-1 in 2014, according to the Star Tribune's analysis of recent campaign finance filings:DFLers outraised or have more in the bank than Republicans in nearly every instance, whether it is a direct party matchup or the fight for the House...
The House DFL caucus held a commanding lead in fundraising. It has raised $596,907 so far this year, with more than $1 million in the bank.
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DLCC SHOWCASES EXTREMIST GOP RHETORIC IN WORST OF THE WORST CATALOGUE
By Nathan Thomas on Wednesday, April 16, 2014— #WOTW Memorializes Some of the Most Bigoted, Sexist, Homophobic, Most Calloused Voices that Comprise the Republican Party’s Future in Easy-to-Use Database —
Washington, D.C. (April 16, 2014)—To highlight the GOP’s failed promises to be more inclusive, promote the middle class, reach out to communities of color and support women, the Democratic Legislative Campaign Committee (DLCC) launches its Worst of the Worst (#WOTW) catalogue.
Compiled with input from legislative leaders, caucus directors and labor partners who work with the DLCC, the catalogue is designed to memorialize examples of the extremist rhetoric that consistently emanates from Republican lawmakers and candidates in state legislatures across the U.S.
Legislators designated Worst of the Worst will be listed at www.dlcc.org/WorstOfTheWorst. The inaugural Worst of the Worst catalogue recaps 25 of the most outrageous incidents since the start of the GOP’s 2013 Autopsy project.
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TN Legislators Concerned Mop Sink in State Capitol Bathroom is Part of Muslim Prayer Ritual
By Geoffrey Montes on Tuesday, April 15, 2014
From April 14, 2014: The Chattanooga Times Free Press reports that two state legislators expressed concerns about a mop sink in a recently renovated restroom of the Tennessee State Capitol, fearing the sink was actually a "Muslim foot bath." Senate Clerk Russell Humphrey confirmed he had been approached by a House and Senate member regarding the sink's intended usage.
According to the Times Free Press:
Republican Sen. Bill Ketron, R-Murfreesboro, confirmed that he had spoken to Humphrey about whether there were religious reasons for the new sink after the issue was raised by Rep. Judd Matheny, R-Tullahoma.
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Tennessee Honors Retiring Senator Douglas Henry after 60 Years of Unparalled Service
By Rebecca Herrigel on Friday, April 18, 2014Last week, Tennessee lawmakers honored the longest serving state legislator, Senator Douglas Henry, retiring after 60 years of service. Senator Henry was a stalwart of Progressive politics in the Tennessee state legislature for over a half a century. His leadership on the Finance committee, for women's rights, and public education is unrivaled and will be part of Senator Henry's lasting legacy.
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DLCC SHOWCASES EXTREMIST GOP RHETORIC IN WORST OF THE WORST CATALOGUE
By Nathan Thomas on Wednesday, April 16, 2014— #WOTW Memorializes Some of the Most Bigoted, Sexist, Homophobic, Most Calloused Voices that Comprise the Republican Party’s Future in Easy-to-Use Database —
Washington, D.C. (April 16, 2014)—To highlight the GOP’s failed promises to be more inclusive, promote the middle class, reach out to communities of color and support women, the Democratic Legislative Campaign Committee (DLCC) launches its Worst of the Worst (#WOTW) catalogue.
Compiled with input from legislative leaders, caucus directors and labor partners who work with the DLCC, the catalogue is designed to memorialize examples of the extremist rhetoric that consistently emanates from Republican lawmakers and candidates in state legislatures across the U.S.
Legislators designated Worst of the Worst will be listed at www.dlcc.org/WorstOfTheWorst. The inaugural Worst of the Worst catalogue recaps 25 of the most outrageous incidents since the start of the GOP’s 2013 Autopsy project.
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VIDEO: AK Republican proposes free pregnancy tests in bars; calls birth control "social engineering"
By Geoffrey Montes on Tuesday, April 15, 2014
From March 25, 2014:
For more evidence of Republicans' jarring inconsistencies on women's health issues, look no further than Alaska state Senator Pete Kelly, who is proposing a state-funded plan to put free pregnancy tests in bars and restaurants, while at the same time opposing access to forms of contraception because it "is for people who don’t necessarily want to act responsibly."
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DLCC Statement Responding to SD Sen. Phil Jensen's Comments Condoning Discrimination Against African American, LGBT Customers
By Geoffrey Montes on Tuesday, April 15, 2014
From March 20, 2014:
WASHINGTON, D.C. — In the wake of South Dakota Senator Phil Jensen’s comments to the Rapid City Journal, the South Dakota Democratic Party and Democratic Legislative Campaign Committee (DLCC) demand a response from South Dakota Governor Dennis Daugaard and South Dakota State Senators.
Senator Jensen’s comments, made in an interview that appeared on March 16, 2014, explain his is belief that his recently-killed bill (SB 128) that would have allowed businesses to discriminate against Lesbian and gay customers should also have allowed business owners in the Ku Klux Klan to refuse service to African-Americans.
Senator Jensen explains that his bill would have protected “the constitutional right to free association, the right to free speech and private property rights." The South Dakota Democratic Party and DLCC have issued the following statements:
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Missouri GOPer Wants Morning After Pill Restricted, Blames Raped Pregnant Women For Not Taking It
By Geoffrey Montes on Tuesday, April 15, 2014
From March 14, 2014: Following in the footsteps of failed Senate candidate Todd Akin, yet another Missouri Republican has made indefensible statements about rape while at the same time sponsoring legislation aimed at restricting a woman's right to choose.
Missouri state Sen. David Sater (R) is sponsoring Senate Bill 519, which would amend the current waiting period to have an abortion from 24 hours to 72 hours. Left out of that bill is an emergency exception for cases of rape.
“If a woman decides not to go to the hospital and not get the ‘Plan B’, they’re making a decision to keep that child if they get pregnant,” Sater said, according to PoliticMo. “If the woman found out she was pregnant three or four weeks down the line, they had made the decision not to do some preventative things like Plan B.”
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Okla. Republicans Pass Ban on Minimum Wage Hikes
By Geoffrey Montes on Thursday, April 17, 2014Republican legislators in Oklahoma took an extreme stand against the state's working families this week by passing SB 1023. The bill, which bans all state municipalities from setting their own minimum wage laws, was promptly signed by Republican Governor Mary Fallin. The law's other provisions also ban the establishment of mandatory employee benefits, including vacation or sick leave days.
Gov. Fallin’s action appears to thwart efforts by an Oklahoma City group that had been circulating a petition calling for a local vote on whether to increase the city’s minimum wage from the national standard of $7.25 an hour up to $10.10 an hour.
Oklahoma City attorney David Slane, who serves as spokesman for the group circulating the petition, said his coalition is contemplating its next move.
“Of course we’re disappointed that the governor and the Republican Legislature stood in the way of the people having the right to vote on whether they want to raise minimum wage,” Slane said. “We’re looking now at the possibility of a constitutional challenge to the law that was signed because we think that it abrogates the people’s right to have an initiative petition. ... We’re going to explore all options, including the possibility of a statewide initiative petition.”
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TN Legislators Concerned Mop Sink in State Capitol Bathroom is Part of Muslim Prayer Ritual
By Geoffrey Montes on Tuesday, April 15, 2014From April 14, 2014: The Chattanooga Times Free Press reports that two state legislators expressed concerns about a mop sink in a recently renovated restroom of the Tennessee State Capitol, fearing the sink was actually a "Muslim foot bath." Senate Clerk Russell Humphrey confirmed he had been approached by a House and Senate member regarding the sink's intended usage.
According to the Times Free Press:
Republican Sen. Bill Ketron, R-Murfreesboro, confirmed that he had spoken to Humphrey about whether there were religious reasons for the new sink after the issue was raised by Rep. Judd Matheny, R-Tullahoma.
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Montana Republican Sends Ominous Warning Letter to Rental Tenants, Mocks Single Mothers
By Geoffrey Montes on Tuesday, April 15, 2014
From April 14, 2014:
Montana state Rep. Dave Hagstrom (R) sent a pointed warning letter to the low-income tenants of one of his eleven rental properties in South Billings, cryptically telling them they should "accept that not everyone, including yourself, needs to live as long as they currently do, or as ‘comfortably’ as they currently do.”
Hagstrom also rails against a host of government services, saying the nation's financial problems stem from “free healthcare services at Riverstone Health, more money for food in schools for the kids, more money to help pregnant single moms stop smoking, more money to help elderly people get out of nursing homes and get individualized care in their own homes, etc." He also accuses his tenants, and all Americans, of "living in a bit of a fairytale lifestyle."
From Montana Street Figher blog:
If that weren’t enough, the Representative from Billings goes on to mock single mothers. The government “creates a mindset that if I have kids and their dads are dead-beats, the government should buy my groceries and help me get a job while they provide day-care for my kids and send me to school to educate me so I can get a better job.”
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DLCC Honors Republican Glenn Grothman (WI) as Model for GOP Diversity Push
By Geoffrey Montes on Tuesday, April 15, 2014
From April 1, 2014:Washington, D.C. — Today, Democratic Legislative Campaign Committee (DLCC) Executive Director Michael Sargeant released the following statement applauding the efforts of Wisconsin state Senator Glenn Grothman to showcase the Republican Party’s true values for women and minority voters.
“Senator Grothman is the most accurate messenger Republicans could ask for as they seek to broaden their appeal to women and minority voters,” said Sargeant. “Grothman has single-handedly made it his mission to show every non-white-male voter in America how the Republican Party’s values and policies impact them every day.”
“Whether he’s educating women about why ‘money is more important to men’ or restricting access to birth control on the basis that ‘unwanted or mistimed’ pregnancies are ‘the choice of the women,’ Sen. Grothman demonstrates the Republican Party’s responsiveness to the needs of women voters. Specifically, their supposed need to ask Republican politicians like Grothman for permission to earn money and make health care choices,” Sargeant continued.
“Senator Grothman is also leading the way in Republican outreach to African Americans,” Sargeant noted.
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Kansas Senate Republican Leader: Spending money on education “offensive”
By Dan Roth on Tuesday, April 15, 2014
From October 7, 2013:
There is a battle brewing in the Sunflower State, and it is the 460,000 students in Kansas’ public schools that may be the ultimate victims.
At issue, whether the Kansas Legislature has to uphold the constitutional guarantee to fund education.
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Minnesota House DFL crushing GOP in 2014 fundraising
By Nathan Thomas on Wednesday, April 16, 2014The Minnesota House is again one of the nation's top legislative battlegrounds this year, but House Democrats are out-raising Republicans by nearly 3-to-1 in 2014, according to the Star Tribune's analysis of recent campaign finance filings:DFLers outraised or have more in the bank than Republicans in nearly every instance, whether it is a direct party matchup or the fight for the House...
The House DFL caucus held a commanding lead in fundraising. It has raised $596,907 so far this year, with more than $1 million in the bank.
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VA Republican Refers to Pregnant Women as "Hosts"
By Geoffrey Montes on Tuesday, April 15, 2014
From February 28, 2014:
Virginia state Senator Steve Martin (R-Chesterfield) posted an angry Facebook rant referring to pregnant women as a "child's host" after receiving a Valentine from a pro-choice group asking him to reconsider his position on issues relating to women's health. In the post, he attacked the group, saying their position was "nonsense" and he would "never" support them.
Formerly the chairman of the Senate Education and Health Committee, Martin has a lengthy history of supporting efforts to restrict women's access to reproductive health care. He was a proponent of Virginia's mandatory ultrasound bill, and he also supports the fetal personhood bill that would make all abortions illegal and jeopardize many forms of contraception. Yet, thanks to the two special elections that put the chamber back in Democratic hands, Martin no longer chairs the Committee.
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GOPer who pledged not to "allow minorities to run roughshod" running for re-election
By Nathan Thomas on Tuesday, April 15, 2014
From June 6, 2013:
Arkansas Republican state Sen. Jason Rapert, made infamous by his promise that "we're not gonna allow minorities to run roughshod," just announced his re-election bid in Senate District 35, instantly making him the public face of Republican legislative candidates in 2014.
Last cycle, Republicans were forced to disavow three of their state House nominees (including one incumbent and two former Representatives) for, respectively, advocating "the death penalty for rebellious children," calling slavery "a blessing in disguise" for "the blacks," and describing Abraham Lincoln as a war criminal and a Nazi.
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Poll: Dems Up 10 Points in Michigan
By Geoffrey Montes on Tuesday, April 8, 2014A new PPP poll reveals state Democrats have gained considerable ground over their Republican counterparts in Michigan. In a generic legislative match-up, Democrats best Republicans by a 10-point margin. Accompanying these gains for Democrats are dramatically improved perceptions of the Affordable Care Act. From PPP:
Democrats have a 10 point lead on the generic legislative ballot in the state at 46/36. Legislative Democrats (41/39) have a narrowly positive favorability rating while legislative Republicans (29/51) continue to be extremely unpopular.
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How a first-time candidate turned a Republican stronghold Blue
By Nathan Thomas on Friday, April 4, 2014
Westfield, Massachusetts' 4th Hampden House District has a well-earned reputation as a patch of crimson in a sea of blue. It's reliably sent Republicans to the state House since 1979 (that's 35 years, for those counting) and often votes about 20 points more Repulican than the state as a whole in federal elections. Less than a year ago, GOP nominee Gabrial Gomez racked up a punishing 25-point margin in Westfield, in a race he ultimately lost in a blowout.
Western Mass Politics & Insight explores the team effort that helped Democrat John Velis - a 35-year-old Afghanistan veteran and first-time candidate - crack the code: