States, Cities and Counties
Here's a look at documents covering state government, cities and counties
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Vt. Gov. Phil Scott Issues Executive Order to Extend General Assistance Eligibility for Families With Children and Medically Vulnerable Individuals
MONTPELIER, Vermont, March 29 -- Gov. Phil Scott, R-Vermont, issued the following news release:
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Governor Phil Scott Issues Executive Order to Extend General Assistance Eligibility for Families with Children and Medically Vulnerable Individuals
Montpelier, Vt. - Governor Phil Scott today issued an executive order to extend eligibility for families with children and medically vulnerable individuals scheduled to exit the General Assistance program on April 1. These individuals will remain housed in the program through June 30, 2025.
This action will allow children to remain sheltered, so
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MONTPELIER, Vermont, March 29 -- Gov. Phil Scott, R-Vermont, issued the following news release:
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Governor Phil Scott Issues Executive Order to Extend General Assistance Eligibility for Families with Children and Medically Vulnerable Individuals
Montpelier, Vt. - Governor Phil Scott today issued an executive order to extend eligibility for families with children and medically vulnerable individuals scheduled to exit the General Assistance program on April 1. These individuals will remain housed in the program through June 30, 2025.
This action will allow children to remain sheltered, sothey are not uprooted in the middle of the school year and allow those who are the most medically vulnerable to remain housed while the Department for Children and Families works with them to plan for the future. This aligns with the compromise proposal Governor Scott offered, which the Legislature declined to include in the Budget Adjustment Act.
"I believe we all have a responsibility to protect the most vulnerable. While I've been opposed to the Hotel Motel program because it doesn't serve those in the program well, I have also been clear that we have an obligation to protect children and Vermonters who are most vulnerable," said Governor Phil Scott. "This executive order does just that without unwinding the important progress we've made."
The traditional summer weather General Assistance program will continue, as designed last legislative session, and work towards the expansion of additional family and individual shelter capacity across the state remains a priority for the Agency of Human Services.
Details on the specific eligibility requirements are outlined in the Governor's Executive Order, which is available by clicking here.
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Original text here: https://governor.vermont.gov/press-release/governor-phil-scott-issues-executive-order-extend-general-assistance-eligibility
Pa. Labor Dept.: Pennsylvania's Unemployment Rate Remains Steady at 3.8 Percent in February
HARRISBURG, Pennsylvania, March 29 -- The Pennsylvania Department of Labor and Industry issued the following news on March 28, 2025:
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Pennsylvania's Unemployment Rate Remains Steady at 3.8 Percent in February
Harrisburg, PA - The Pennsylvania Department of Labor & Industry (L&I) today released its preliminary employment situation report for February 2025.
Pennsylvania's unemployment rate was unchanged over the month at 3.8 percent in February. The Commonwealth's rate remained below the U.S. unemployment rate which rose one-tenth of a percentage point over the month to 4.1 percent.
The
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HARRISBURG, Pennsylvania, March 29 -- The Pennsylvania Department of Labor and Industry issued the following news on March 28, 2025:
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Pennsylvania's Unemployment Rate Remains Steady at 3.8 Percent in February
Harrisburg, PA - The Pennsylvania Department of Labor & Industry (L&I) today released its preliminary employment situation report for February 2025.
Pennsylvania's unemployment rate was unchanged over the month at 3.8 percent in February. The Commonwealth's rate remained below the U.S. unemployment rate which rose one-tenth of a percentage point over the month to 4.1 percent.
TheCommonwealth's unemployment rate was two-tenths of a percentage point above the February 2024 level of 3.6 percent, while the national rate was up four-tenths of a percentage point over the year.
Pennsylvania's civilian labor force - the estimated number of residents working or looking for work - was down 3,000 over the month to 6,539,000 in February. Resident employment (-5,000) drove the decline while unemployment (+2,000) rose over the month.
Pennsylvania's total nonfarm jobs were down 1,000 over the month from January's record high to 6,190,800 in February. Jobs increased from January in five of the 11 industry supersectors. The largest gain was an increase of 4,700 in education & health services which rose to a record high level in February.
Over the year, jobs were up 69,700 with gains in eight of the 11 supersectors. Education & health services (+41,800) had the largest volume increase since last February.
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Original text here: https://www.pa.gov/agencies/dli/newsroom/pennsylvania-s-unemployment-rate-remains-steady-at-3-8-percent-i.html
Maine Secretary of State: Public Comment Period Now Open on Wording of Ballot Question
AUGUSTA, Maine, March 29 -- The Maine Secretary of State issued the following news release on March 28, 2025:
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Public comment period now open on wording of ballot question
AUGUSTA -- Secretary of State Shenna Bellows is now accepting public comment on the wording of a citizen initiative question that will appear on the Nov. 4, 2025, General Election ballot, unless enacted by the Legislature as written.
The department's Bureau of Corporations, Elections and Commissions certified An Act to Protect Maine Communities by Enacting the Extreme Risk Protection Order Act in March. The ballot question,
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AUGUSTA, Maine, March 29 -- The Maine Secretary of State issued the following news release on March 28, 2025:
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Public comment period now open on wording of ballot question
AUGUSTA -- Secretary of State Shenna Bellows is now accepting public comment on the wording of a citizen initiative question that will appear on the Nov. 4, 2025, General Election ballot, unless enacted by the Legislature as written.
The department's Bureau of Corporations, Elections and Commissions certified An Act to Protect Maine Communities by Enacting the Extreme Risk Protection Order Act in March. The ballot question,as drafted, reads:
Do you want to allow courts to temporarily bar a person from having dangerous weapons if law enforcement, family, or household members show that the person poses a significant danger?
State law requires Secretary Bellows to present each proposed legislation "in a clear, concise and direct manner that describes the subject matter... as simply as possible." She will be accepting public comments regarding the question's form and content for a 30-day period, beginning today, Friday, March 28 until 5 p.m. on Monday, April 28. All comments will be reviewed and considered before the ballot question is finalized.
Comments will be accepted via the online submission form, email, mail or in person:
* Use the comment submission form at: https://www.maine.gov/sos/form/act-protect-maine-communities-enacting-extreme-risk-protection-order-act-2025-03-21
* Email PublicComment.SOS@Maine.gov using subject line "Public Comment -Extreme Risk Protection"
* Mail comments to the Secretary of State, Attn: Public Comment, 148 State House Station, Augusta, ME 04333-0148
* Drop off written comments to the Office of the Secretary of State at the Nash School Building, 103 Sewall St., 2nd floor, Augusta, Maine.
The full text of the proposed legislation is available on the Citizen Initiatives webpage, along with proponent information.
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Original text here: https://www.maine.gov/sos/news/2025/PublicCommentPeriodWordingOfBallotQuestion3-28-25.html
Maine PUC Rejects Versant Power's Disconnection Proposal for Overdue Generator Fees
AUGUSTA, Maine, March 29 -- The Maine Public Utilities Commission (PUC) has declined to approve Versant Power's request to revise its Terms and Conditions (T&Cs) regarding overdue operations and maintenance (O&M) payments from interconnection customers, specifically those operating distributed generation facilities. The Commission rejected Versant's proposal to allow disconnection for customers more than 60 days late on their O&M payments.
Versant Power had sought to amend its T&Cs to enforce the payment of monthly O&M charges for Interconnection Facilities and Distribution Upgrades, proposing
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AUGUSTA, Maine, March 29 -- The Maine Public Utilities Commission (PUC) has declined to approve Versant Power's request to revise its Terms and Conditions (T&Cs) regarding overdue operations and maintenance (O&M) payments from interconnection customers, specifically those operating distributed generation facilities. The Commission rejected Versant's proposal to allow disconnection for customers more than 60 days late on their O&M payments.
Versant Power had sought to amend its T&Cs to enforce the payment of monthly O&M charges for Interconnection Facilities and Distribution Upgrades, proposinga disconnection clause for non-payment. The company argued that the change was necessary to address instances of payment reluctance and to ensure accountability as the number of distributed generation projects increases.
However, the PUC found Versant's proposal to be inconsistent with existing regulations and contractual agreements. The Commission emphasized that Chapter 324 of its rules and the Interconnection Agreement (IA) already establish the financial responsibilities of interconnection customers.
"The IA expressly addresses an Interconnection Customer's responsibility to pay for O&M," the PUC stated in its order, referencing specific sections of Versant's standard form IA.
The PUC also clarified that Versant's reliance on Chapter 815, which governs consumer protection standards for electric service, was misplaced, as it does not apply to interconnection agreements. Furthermore, the Commission noted that the IA already outlines procedures for disconnection in cases of default, though non-payment of O&M charges is not explicitly listed as a cause.
"Thus, the IA already provides Versant the authority and the necessary processes to disconnect an interconnection customer for non-payment," the PUC concluded.
The Commission suggested that if Versant believed the existing IA language was inadequate, it should request amendments to the standard form language rather than altering the T&Cs.
The PUC's decision, issued on March 28, 2025, was made by Commissioners Bartlett, Scully, and Gilbert. The order underscores the Commission's commitment to maintaining regulatory clarity and ensuring that existing agreements are upheld.
Versant Power has the right to seek reconsideration or appeal the PUC's decision within specified timeframes. The PUC also included information regarding review and appeal rights in its order.
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Docket: 2024-00202
Original text here: https://mpuc-cms.maine.gov/CQM.Public.WebUI/Common/ViewDoc.aspx?DocRefId={2067DD95-0000-C312-8F77-BBE2E26C7A43}&DocExt=pdf&DocName=2024-00202%20Order.pdf
Kansas Court of Appeals to Hear Oral Argument at Fort Hays State University
TOPEKA, Kansas, March 29 -- The Kansas Court of Appeals issued the following news release on March 28, 2025:
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Kansas Court of Appeals to hear oral argument at Fort Hays State University
TOPEKA--A three-judge panel from the Kansas Court of Appeals will hear oral argument Tuesday, April 8, at Fort Hays State University in the Black and Gold Room in Memorial Union.
Oral arguments are open to the public and students from Fort Hays State University and high schools in and around Hays have been invited to attend.
Judge Jacy Hurst will serve as the presiding judge for the docket. She will
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TOPEKA, Kansas, March 29 -- The Kansas Court of Appeals issued the following news release on March 28, 2025:
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Kansas Court of Appeals to hear oral argument at Fort Hays State University
TOPEKA--A three-judge panel from the Kansas Court of Appeals will hear oral argument Tuesday, April 8, at Fort Hays State University in the Black and Gold Room in Memorial Union.
Oral arguments are open to the public and students from Fort Hays State University and high schools in and around Hays have been invited to attend.
Judge Jacy Hurst will serve as the presiding judge for the docket. She willbe joined by Judges Thomas Malone and Angela Coble to hear two cases. Afterward the judges will answer questions about the judicial branch from students, faculty, and others who attend.
While in Hays, the judges will also meet with groups of high school students and Fort Hays State University students interested in pursuing legal careers.
"We welcome and appreciate the opportunity to visit communities and students across the entire state," Hurst said. "In particular, hearing oral arguments at local colleges and universities allows more students a chance to access the judiciary and have a firsthand view of the appellate process"
Oral arguments at Fort Hays State University are part of an effort by the Court of Appeals to engage with college and university students and the public throughout Kansas. At the same time the panel will hear oral arguments at the university, other three-judge panels will hear cases at Emporia State University, Johnson County Community College, and Pittsburg State University.
"This is the first time in our history the Court of Appeals has visited four colleges or universities during the same docket," said Sarah Warner, chief judge of the Kansas Court of Appeals. "The Court of Appeals is a traveling court, so we hear cases at courthouses throughout the state. The April docket gives us an opportunity to show students how the courts operate and answer their questions about legal education and the judicial process. This makes the court and the appellate process accessible to more Kansans."
Warner explained that the April arguments also allow Court of Appeals judges to spend time with district court judges and their staff.
"We appreciate the work that goes into hosting the Court of Appeals and want to highlight contributions from Chief Judge Curtis Brown in the 23rd Judicial District, as well as Chief Judges Jeffry Larson (5th Judicial District in Emporia), Charles Droege (10th Judicial District in Olathe), and Lori Bolton Fleming (11th Judicial District in Pittsburg) and our partners at each school," Warner said.
Oral argument
Attorneys for each side will have an opportunity to present their argument, and the judges will have a chance to ask questions. The panel will then take each case under consideration and issue a written decision.
There are 14 judges on the Court of Appeals who typically sit in panels of three to hear arguments and decide cases. Not every case submitted to the Court of Appeals has an oral argument.
Accommodation
Any person with a disability who requires accommodation to access the docket should notify the judicial branch ADA coordinator as early as possible, preferably 10 working days before the event.
ADA Coordinator
ADA@kscourts.gov
785-296-2256
TTY at 711
9 a.m. Tuesday, April 8
Fort Hays State University
Memorial Union, Black and Gold Room
600 Park Street
Hays
Appeal No. 126,818: State of Kansas v. Manuel Medina-Castro
Saline: (Criminal Appeal) A jury convicted Medina-Castro of one count of intentional second-degree murder. On appeal, he argues the instructions given to the jury did not accurately reflect the State's burden of proof. Medina-Castro believes the inaccurate instructions meant the jury was not required to find he acted with the intent to cause a death. In addition to finding fault with an instruction given, Medina-Castro believes the district court should have instructed the jury on other, less serious crimes.
Appeal No. 127,858: State of Kansas v. Raven Dakota Abbott
Saline: (Criminal Appeal) Police officers responded to a call about a domestic battery. When they arrived, they found Abbott walking away from the residence. Officers spoke with the person who called the police. Based on that information they claimed probable cause to arrest Abbott. A search after the arrest revealed drugs and drug paraphernalia. Abbott asked the district court to suppress the evidence found after the search, claiming the arrest violated K.S.A. 22-2401(c)(2), which regulates law enforcement's ability to arrest someone for committing a misdemeanor offense. The district court agreed, and the drug evidence was suppressed. On appeal, the State claims the arrest was justified by probable cause even if it technically violated the statute, meaning Abbott's Fourth Amendment right to be free from unreasonable searches and seizures was not violated. The State asks the suppression be reversed.
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Original text here: https://kscourts.gov/Newsroom/News-Releases/News/2025-News-Releases/March/Kansas-Court-of-Appeals-to-hear-oral-argument-at-F
Kan. A.G. Kobach, AG Coalition Score Victory for Corporate Accountability
TOPEKA, Kansas, March 29 -- Kansas Attorney General Kris Kobach issued the following news release:
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Kobach, AG coalition score victory for corporate accountability
TOPEKA - (March 28, 2025) - Attorney General Kris Kobach and a coalition of 16 state attorneys general today announced the conclusion of an investigation into Wells Fargo following the company's decision to abandon certain Environmental Social Governance (ESG) policies.
"This announcement marks an important success for America's Republican attorneys general. Americans expect their assets to be managed wisely and in their financial
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TOPEKA, Kansas, March 29 -- Kansas Attorney General Kris Kobach issued the following news release:
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Kobach, AG coalition score victory for corporate accountability
TOPEKA - (March 28, 2025) - Attorney General Kris Kobach and a coalition of 16 state attorneys general today announced the conclusion of an investigation into Wells Fargo following the company's decision to abandon certain Environmental Social Governance (ESG) policies.
"This announcement marks an important success for America's Republican attorneys general. Americans expect their assets to be managed wisely and in their financialbest interest-not to be used as part of an ideologically driven environmental campaign," Kobach said.
The attorneys general coalition has been investigating whether Wells Fargo and five other American banks--Bank of America Corporation; Citigroup Inc.; The Goldman Sachs Group, Inc.; JPMorgan Chase & Co.; and Morgan Stanley--violated antitrust or consumer protection laws by implementing net-zero emissions policies and restricting financing. By joining initiatives like the Net-Zero Banking Alliance, which required member banks to align their portfolios to achieve net-zero emissions by 2050 and set specific targets for "carbon-intensive sectors" by 2030, these banks potentially compromised their fiduciary obligations to customers and investors and simultaneously usurped the policy-making authority of America's elected representatives.
Recently, Wells Fargo announced that it was ending its membership in the Net-Zero Banking Alliance. Wells Fargo further announced that it was "discontinuing our sector-specific 2030 interim financed emissions targets and our goal to achieve net zero by 2050 for financed emissions." While other banks have also recently ended their Net-Zero Banking Alliance memberships, only Wells Fargo has publicly ended the ESG goals mandated by the Net-Zero Banking Alliance. The Office of the Tennessee Attorney General will continue to lead the coalition's investigation into the other five banks.
In addition to Kansas, the coalition includes attorneys general from Alabama, Alaska, Arkansas, Indiana, Kentucky, Louisiana, Mississippi, Missouri, Montana, Nebraska, Oklahoma, South Carolina, Utah, Virginia, and West Virginia.
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Original text here: https://www.ag.ks.gov/Home/Components/News/News/164/1292
Arizona Commerce Authority: NEW - Arizona's International Trade Reaches Record Levels
PHOENIX, Arizona, March 29 -- The Arizona Commerce Authority issued the following news on March 28, 2025:
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NEW: Arizona's International Trade Reaches Record Levels
Growing International Partnerships Lead To Historic Jobs, Investment In Arizona
PHOENIX, AZ (March 28, 2025) - International trade and investment continue to fuel new economic opportunities across Arizona, new data shows.
Arizona's international trade reached a record $74.4 billion in 2024, Governor Hobbs announced during her International State of the State Address on Thursday. Exports by Arizona companies rose to $32.2 billion,
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PHOENIX, Arizona, March 29 -- The Arizona Commerce Authority issued the following news on March 28, 2025:
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NEW: Arizona's International Trade Reaches Record Levels
Growing International Partnerships Lead To Historic Jobs, Investment In Arizona
PHOENIX, AZ (March 28, 2025) - International trade and investment continue to fuel new economic opportunities across Arizona, new data shows.
Arizona's international trade reached a record $74.4 billion in 2024, Governor Hobbs announced during her International State of the State Address on Thursday. Exports by Arizona companies rose to $32.2 billion,an 11.6% increase from 2023, and more than five times faster than the U.S.
"Arizona's international partnerships will chart the course and set the standard for human technological achievement in the years and decades to come, while providing good-paying jobs and generational opportunity for Arizonans of all backgrounds," Governor Hobbs said during her International State of the State address.
More than 50 diplomatic partners from over 35 countries attended Governor Hobbs' International State of the State address, which was hosted by the Phoenix Committee on Foreign Relations, and the ACA's international forum - a two-day event focused on highlighting Arizona's premier investment environment.
"Projects from global industry leaders continue to be a sizable source of economic growth for Arizona," said Sandra Watson, President and CEO of the Arizona Commerce Authority. "We've worked closely with Governor Hobbs to expand Arizona's international ties and create more opportunities for Arizona companies to enter global markets, and appreciate the close collaboration from so many of our diplomatic and industry partners."
Record exports from Arizona companies
Among states, Arizona leads in multiple export categories, including:
* 1st in metal ores with $2.8 billion exported,
* 5th in semiconductor and other electronic components with $3.4 billion exported,
* 5th in computer equipment with $3 billion exported, and
* 10th in aerospace parts and products with $5.4 billion exported.
Arizona's top export countries in 2024 included Mexico ($9 billion), Canada ($2.8 billion), the Netherlands ($1.9 billion), China ($1.7 billion), and the United Kingdom ($1.4 billion).
Arizona imported $42.2 billion worth of goods in 2024, a 19.4% increase ($6.9 billion) from 2023. Arizona's top import countries in 2024 included Mexico ($11.6 billion), China ($5.4 billion), Taiwan ($3.6 billion), Canada ($2.7 billion) and Japan ($2.4 billion).
Surging international investments
Since 2023, Arizona has attracted more than 100 foreign direct investment (FDI) projects representing more than $35 billion in investment and 11,000 new jobs, the Governor announced during her address. These figures come in addition to TSMC's record-breaking $100 billion announcement recently. Notable foreign direct investments in Arizona in recent years include LG Energy Solution's $5.5 billion battery manufacturing complex; Nestle's $675 million advanced manufacturing facility; and ASM's $300 million headquarter expansion.
Expanding international ties
In addition, the Governor announced that Arizona has established an Arizona Trade and Investment Office in Canada. Arizona currently operates Trade and Investment Offices in Mexico, Israel, Europe, Taiwan, Republic of Korea, and Canada to increase global competitiveness and expand mutually-beneficial economic, trade and foreign direct investment opportunities.
Governor Hobbs also highlighted the state's international trade missions, including the most recent delegation visit to Taiwan in March and a trade delegation led by the ACA to the Netherlands and Belgium last October.
Last May, Governor Hobbs and Canadian Trade Minister Mary Ng announced the Canadian Ministry of Foreign Affairs will open a new Canadian trade office in Arizona. The trade office will strengthen the bilateral relationship between Arizona and Canada. From 2018-2023, there were over 30 FDI projects from Canada into Arizona, collectively representing more than $3 billion in investment.
Arizona continues to foster international partnerships, including signing an MOU with the Netherlands to enhance semiconductor collaboration and opening the Netherlands Business Support Office in Phoenix.
Learn more about Arizona's international trade programs HERE.
Media Contact
Alyssa Tufts, Arizona Commerce Authority, alyssat@azcommerce.com
About the Arizona Commerce Authority
The Arizona Commerce Authority (ACA) is the state's leading economic development organization with a streamlined mission to grow and strengthen Arizona's economy. The ACA uses a three-pronged approach to advance the overall economy: attract, expand, create - attract out-of-state companies to establish operations in Arizona; work with existing companies to expand their business in Arizona and beyond; and help entrepreneurs create new Arizona businesses in targeted industries.
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Original text here: https://www.azcommerce.com/news-events/news/2025/3/new-arizona-s-international-trade-reaches-record-levels/
