Latest Politics Headlines

All the headlines from our Politics Topic Page, ordered by recency.

Oklahoma Senate Rejects Phone Ban for Teen Drivers

Mar 15 2012 // The Oklahoma Senate has rejected a proposal that would have prevented teenagers from using cell phones while driving.The Senate voted 22-20 for the bill by Tulsa Republican Brian Crain, falling short of the 25 votes needed...

Former Democratic Senate Candidate Seeks N.D. Insurance Post

Mar 14 2012 // A former North Dakota Democratic U.S. Senate candidate says he’s running instead for state insurance commissioner.Tom Potter is a former finance instructor at the University of North Dakota. He now serves as a pastor...

Cost of Obama Healthcare Law Lowered Under Latest Congressional Analysis

Mar 14 2012 // The estimated net costs of expanding healthcare coverage under President Barack Obama’s landmark restructuring have been reduced by $48 billion through 2021, though fewer people would be covered under private...

Missouri Senate Passes Workplace Discrimination Measure

Mar 12 2012 // The Missouri Senate has given final approval to legislation aimed at changing the state’s rules for lawsuits that deal with workplace discrimination.Senators backed the bill in a 23-8 vote along party lines, sending...

Florida Gov. Scott, Insurance Chief McCarty Oppose Senate PIP Bill

Mar 9 2012 // Florida Gov. Rick Scott has blasted a Senate bill to reform the state’s personal injury protection (PIP) auto insurance system claiming the bill does not provide adequate reform and could make the system even more...

Florida House, Senate Differ on PIP Reform; Special Session Possible

Mar 8 2012 // The Florida Senate has rewritten the House’s bill aimed at reforming the state’s no-fault auto law, adding numerous provisions that are opposed by House lawmakers.As a result, there is a chance that the issue...

Oregon Senate Approves Health Insurance Exchange

Mar 7 2012 // The Oregon Senate has approved a measure implementing an online marketplace where individuals and small businesses can shop for health insurance coverage. The vote on Monday sends the measure to Gov. John Kitzhaber, who...

Senate Panel Advances Florida PIP Reform Bill

Mar 2 2012 // A Senate bill aimed at cracking down on the rampant personal injury protection insurance fraud that costs Florida drivers more than $1 billion annually in premiums is headed to the full floor for what promises to be a...

Driver Texting Ban Passes Alabama House, Moves to Senate

Feb 23 2012 // The Alabama House has voted to ban drivers from sending or reading text messages while operating a motor vehicle on Alabama roads.The bill passed the House on a 92-0 vote. It now goes to the Senate for debate. The traffic...

Florida Senate Leader Opposes Immunity for Lawmakers

Feb 22 2012 // The incoming Senate president is opposing a proposal that would allow state lawmakers to wrap themselves in absolute immunity from having to testify in lawsuits.The House Judiciary Committee cleared a Republican bill (PCB...

Missouri Senate Passes Bill Expanding Workers’ Comp to Diseases

Feb 21 2012 // In a move that Republicans contend will make Missouri more attractive to businesses, the state Senate has approved legislation to expand the workers’ compensation program.The measure, SB572, approved with a largely...

Washington Senate Passes $100 Annual Electric Car Fee

Feb 20 2012 // The Washington state Senate has passed a bill to charge electric car owners a $100 annual fee to compensate for the lack of gas taxes they pay.Sen. Mary Margaret Haugen, the Camano Island Democrat who sponsored the bill,...

Washington Senate Passes $100 Annual Electric Car Fee

Feb 14 2012 // The Washington state Senate has passed a bill to charge electric car owners a $100 annual fee to compensate for the lack of gas taxes they pay.Sen. Mary Margaret Haugen, the Camano Island Democrat who sponsored the bill,...

Arizona Senate Panel Votes to Bar ‘Wrongful Birth’ Lawsuits

Feb 9 2012 // A Senate panel voted 3-2 to overturn an Arizona Supreme Court to rule that set a precedent in “wrongful birth” lawsuits.The panel said doctors and medical professionals can be held liable only for the cost of...

Florida Senate Panel Clears PIP Fraud Bill But House Showdown Looms

Feb 5 2012 // Florida lawmakers are heading to a showdown over the state’s no-fault automobile insurance law with state Senate lawmakers seeking to reform current law as opposed to a House plan that would repeal the law in favor...

Senate Bill on Iran Sanctions Targets Banks, Subsidiaries, Insurers

Feb 3 2012 // Banking transactions with Iran and financing for its oil shipments could come under tougher scrutiny after a bipartisan sanctions bill easily passed a key U.S. Senate Committee on Thursday.The Senate Banking Committee...

Missouri Democrats Vow to Oppose Discrimination Bill

Feb 1 2012 // Black lawmakers in Missouri, fearful of reversing decades of hard-fought civil rights gains, said they will try to prevent votes in the House and Senate on a measure that would change the state’s workplace...

Oregon GOP Pushes Limits on Medical Malpractice Liability

Jan 31 2012 // Republicans in the Oregon Senate say they’ll fight Gov. John Kitzhaber’s proposed overhaul of the Oregon Health Plan unless it includes limits on medical malpractice claims, injecting a hot-button issue into...

Missouri Senate Debates Workplace Discrimination Bill

Jan 25 2012 // Democrats in the Missouri Senate say a bill revising workplace discrimination laws would make it harder for people to prove the claim against employers.Senate Bill 592 would require workers who fight firings or other...

Senate, House Scuttle Online Piracy Bills

Jan 20 2012 // Senate and House leaders have put their online piracy bills on the back burner after a week of heavy lobbying by technology industry critics of the bills.“It is clear that we need to revisit the approach on how best...