Saying “It’s 2015, and it’s time to start getting results,” Missouri Gov. Jay Nixon (D) earlier this month issued an executive order (EO 15-09) directing Show Me State government agencies under his control to root out gender-based wage differences in their departments and to identify...

Edwards Issues LGBT Order LOUISIANA Gov. John Bel Edwards (D) issued Executive Order No. JBE 2016-11 , which protects LGBT state employees and contractors from being fired, discriminated against or harassed based on their gender identity or sexual orientation. The order exempts religious organizations...

The GOP-dominated Missouri Legislature last week overrode 13 of the 20 vetoes issued this session by Gov. Jay Nixon (D) The measures lawmakers overrode include SB 656 , which allows most adults to obtain a lifetime concealed carry weapons permit while also expanding the state’s so-called “stand...

Oregon Elects First LGBTQ Governor OREGON Gov. Kate Brown’s (D) re-election marks the first time an openly LGBTQ person has been elected governor in any state. Brown is bi-sexual. She was looking to fill out the remainder of former Gov. John Kitzhaber’s (D) term after his resignation in...

In another huge electoral night for Republicans, the GOP picked up three additional governorships, with at least one more race too close to call. The party gained the chief executive office in three states previously held by Democrats – Vermont, New Hampshire and Missouri – while holding...

Gov. Scott Vetoes VT Weed Bill VERMONT Gov. Phil Scott (R) vetoed a measure ( SB 22 ) that would have made the Green Mountain State the first to legalize recreational marijuana through legislative action. Scott said he still supported the bill in concept but wanted lawmakers to toughen penalties against...

Greitens Calls MO Abortion Special Session MISSOURI Gov. Eric Greitens (R) said he will call a special session this week to consider new abortion regulations, in part to counter a St. Louis city ordinance he said made it an “abortion sanctuary city.” In a statement the governor said the...

Missouri lawmakers failed this session to agree on legislation to create a statewide prescription drug monitoring program, so Gov. Eric Greitens (R) opted to do it himself. Greitens last week issued Executive Order 17-18 , which directs state health officials to being creating the database, dubbed the...

Missouri Gov. Eric Greitens (R) is rejecting calls from a growing number of fellow Republicans to resign over allegations he attempted to blackmail a mistress into silence. Greitens has admitted to having a sexual relationship with the woman but denies he took nude photos of her and then threatened to...

Missouri Attorney General Josh Hawley (R) has opened an investigation into allegations that Gov. Eric Greitens (R) improperly sent emails through his charity to arrange political meetings as he prepared to launch his first bid for public office. Federal law bars nonprofits from participating in political...

INSLEE SIGNS QUARTET OF WA #METOO BILLS : Saying “We must do better to make sure employers understand there is no place for these behaviors in the workplace,” WASHINGTON Gov. Jay Inslee (D) signed four bills last month that address sexual harassment, including one that bars nondisclosure...

The release of a report revealing the details of blackmail accusations levied against Missouri Gov. Eric Greitens (R) have sparked calls from his fellow Republicans for him to resign or face impeachment. Greitens is already facing a criminal trial in St. Louis in May over allegations he tried to...

In spite of calls to resign from legislative leaders in both chambers, Missouri Gov. Eric Greitens (R) insisted last week he will not step down over the growing number of scandals surrounding his administration. Greitens is facing a felony trial next month over allegations he tried to blackmail...

Prosecutors abruptly dropped felony invasion of privacy charges against Missouri Gov. Eric Greitens (R) last week, just days before his trial was set to begin. The dismissal came after a court ruled that St. Louis Circuit Attorney Kim Gardner had to provide a statement under oath at the request...

With the saga of Missouri Gov. Eric Greitens (R) coming to an abrupt end last week, all eyes turned to take a new look at his replacement, fellow Republican Lt. Gov. Michael L. Parson. Parson’s ascension came with shocking swiftness. Greitens had insisted for months he would not resign in...

MAYORS PUSH MO GOV ON GUN REFORM Kansas City Mayor Sly James and St. Louis Mayor Lyda Krewson met with MISSOURI Gov. Mike Parson (R) last week to encourage him to support more local control over gun laws in the Show Me State. “I understand that most Missourians support the Second Amendment,...

ME, KY, MS GOVS FILE WORKPLACE DISCRIMINATION BRIEF MAINE Gov. Paul LePage (R), KENTUCKY Gov. Matt Bevin (R) and MISSISSIPPI Gov. Phil Bryant (R) join the attorneys general of 13 other states in an Aug. 23 brief urging the U.S. Supreme Court to rule that companies can fire workers based on their sexual...

NORTHAM WINS NC GOV BALANCE OF POWER BATTLE A NORTH CAROLINA court ruled last week that the GOP-controlled General Assembly unconstitutionally allowed outgoing Gov. Pat McCrory (R) to pick the leadership of the state Industrial Commission before he left office in 2016. The Commission rules in workers’...

Missouri Gov. Mike Parson (R) unveiled a proposal last week to bolster and expand the state’s $4 billion automotive industry. The four bills in the package include legislation that would: - Supply financial aid to adult learners pursuing education and training in high demand industries ...

NH LAWMAKERS SUSTAIN VAST MAJORITY OF VETOES The NEW HAMPSHIRE Legislature upheld all but one of the 55 vetoes issued by Gov. Chris Sununu (R), including measures on gun control, renewable energy and paid family leave. The one successful veto override came on SB 88 , a measure that removes a three...