March elections for Los Angeles and St. Louis

Stay in the know this week: No Images? [Click here]( [Ballotpedia: The Encyclopedia of American Politics]( The week in review: February 25 - March 3 What's on tap next week: March 4 - March 10 State - On Wednesday, March 1, Maryland Gov. [Larry Hogan]( (R) signed an executive order declaring a state of emergency and committing $50 million over five years to fund enforcement, prevention, and treatment services related to opioids. Hogan said his declaration underscores the need to address rising rates of heroin, opium, and fentanyl use. According to The Washington Post, heroin and fentanyl were responsible for the deaths of almost 1,500 Maryland residents in the first nine months of 2016. That number was a 62 percent increase over that same period in 2015. Maryland is currently one of 19 states under [divided government](. Local - On Tuesday, March 7, elections will be held for municipal offices in two of the largest cities by population in the country: - In [Los Angeles, California](, a [primary election]( will be held for mayor, eight city council seats, city attorney, city controller, and three community college board of trustees seats. Any race where no candidate earns a majority (50 percent plus one) of the primary votes cast will advance to a general election on May 16, 2017. Campaign finance is in the forefront of this election in light of recent efforts by the council and other groups to limit the influence property developers have in city government through political contribution restrictions. Winners in this election cycle will join the rest of the city's government in dealing with local issues, such as budget shortfalls and a potential city charter change to increase civilian roles in police disciplinary hearings. The victors will also see entanglements with national politics over the matter of immigration. Los Angeles is the largest city in California and the [second-largest city]( in the U.S. by population. - In [St. Louis, Missouri](, a [primary election]( will be held for mayor, comptroller, and board of aldermen. The general election will be held on April 4, 2017. Fourteen of the 29 seats on the board are up for regular election in 2017. Additionally, the Ward 16 seat held by [Donna Baringer]( (D) is up for special election following her successful election to the state house of representatives in 2016. Since Mayor Francis Slay is not running for re-election, the seat is open to a newcomer. St. Louis is the second-largest city in Missouri and the [58th-largest city]( in the U.S. by population. [State politics]( The Week in Review Ballot measures update: 2017: - So far, [five statewide measures]( are certified to appear on the ballot in 2017 in [Maine](, [New York](, [New Jersey](, and [Ohio](. Over the previous five odd-year election cycles, an average of about seven citizen-initiated measures and 34 total statewide measures have appeared on ballots. Moreover, voters in Puerto Rico will decide [a referendum]( on June 11—and another in October depending on the results of the June referendum—asking whether they want statehood or independence/free association. - The next [signature filing deadline]( for citizen initiatives in 2017 is in [Ohio]( on July 5. - Two [indirect initiatives](—one addressing [casinos]( and [one addressing Medicaid expansion]( under the ACA—were certified as valid and sufficient and sent to the legislature in Maine; they will go before voters if the legislature does not approve them unaltered. 2018: - [Seven measures are certified to appear on statewide ballots in 2018]( so far, and a signature petition for a [citizen-initiated measure in Nevada]( designed to establish an automatic voter registration system was certified as sufficient. It will be sent to the legislature and later to voters if the legislature does not approve it within the first 40 days of its 2017 session. Over the previous five even-year election cycles, an average of 61 citizen-initiated measures and 173 total statewide measures have appeared on ballots. Saturday, February 25 Delaware Special Election - Partisan control of the [Delaware State Senate]( was decided in the most closely watched [special state legislative elections]( of the year thus far. Democrats will retain control of the chamber following [Stephanie Hansen](’s (D) victory over [John Marino]( (R) and Libertarian [Joseph Lanzendorfer](. Hansen won the seat 58-40. The chamber became split 10-10 in early January 2017 after Democrat [Bethany Hall-Long]( vacated the [District 10]( seat to be sworn in as [lieutenant governor of Delaware](. Republicans had an opportunity to control the chamber for the first time in more than 40 years and break the state’s[Democratic trifecta](, which has been in place since 2009. The race drew national attention as one of the first electoral contests to take place since President [Donald Trump]( (R) took office. In the [2016 presidential election](, District 10 voters backed Democrat [Hillary Clinton]( over Trump 54 to 41 percent. Hansen’s margin of victory surpassed Clinton’s by five points. The last time the District 10 seat was up for election was in 2014. Democrats carried it by just 267 votes in that race. - Spending in this race was high relative to usual elections in this chamber. The News Journal reported that more than [$1 million]( had been spent in the race as of February 21. Hansen had raised $414,000 and spent $231,000. A [PAC]( supporting her had spent an estimated $550,000. Marino had raised close to $150,000 and spent $96,000. A PAC supporting him had spent $35,000. Comparatively, winners of elections in the past across the full chamber had [spent]( between $50,000 and $100,000, on average. - Both [former]( Vice President [Joe Biden]( (D) and [former]( Governor of Maryland [Martin O’Malley]( (D) spent time campaigning on behalf of [Stephanie Hansen]( (D) in Delaware. - See also: [Delaware state legislative special elections, 2017]( Monday, February 27 DoJ Rescinds Intent Claim in Texas Voter ID Case - The [United States Department of Justice]( filed a [motion]( in federal court seeking to dismiss the department's earlier claim that [Texas' voter ID]( law had been enacted with racially discriminatory intent. The Justice Department did not seek to reverse its position that the law had a racially discriminatory impact. Opponents of Texas' voter ID criticized the move. [Danielle Lang](, an attorney for the [Campaign Legal Center]( (one group that sued Texas over its voter ID law), said, "It's a complete 180. We can't make heads or tails of any factual reason for the change. There has been no evidence that's come to light." Lang characterized the development as an "extraordinary disappointment." Meanwhile, proponents of the state's voter ID law praised the Justice Department's decision. [J. Christian Adams](, president and general counsel of the [Public Interest Legal Foundation](, which describes itself as a "public interest law firm dedicated entirely to election integrity," said, "We are seeing early reminders of what a Justice Department looks like when it drops the ideological pet projects and follows the law." Texas' voter ID law has been the subject on ongoing litigation since its adoption in 2011. To learn more, see [this article](. Arizona Passes Faithless Electors Law - The [Arizona State Legislature]( [approved]( [House Bill 2302](, which will make it illegal for an elector to vote for any person other than the presidential candidate who won the popular vote in the state. Under the new law, any such individual would be deemed ineligible to serve as an elector and would be replaced by another individual chosen by the state party chair. In the 2016 presidential election, [seven electors across three states]( voted for a person who was not the candidate who won the popular vote of that state. Three electors from Washington voted for Colin Powell, while Bernie Sanders, John Kasich, Ron Paul, and a Native American tribal leader from South Dakota named Faith Spotted Eagle also received electoral college votes. Arizona is currently one of 25 states with a [Republican trifecta](. Minnesota Repeals Sunday Alcohol Ban - The [Minnesota State Senate]( voted [38-28]( to approve legislation that would repeal the state’s ban on Sunday alcohol sales. Because it had already passed the [state House]( the previous week, it will now head to Gov. [Mark Dayton]( (D) for a signature. If Dayton signs the law, Minnesota would no longer be one of 12 states with a Blue Law on the books. According to the Star Tribune, 31 legislators between both chambers who previously voted against similar legislation voted in favor during this session. Minnesota is currently one of 19 states under [divided government](. Abortion Legislation in Indiana - The [Indiana House of Representatives]( voted [53-41]( to require abortion providers to give patients information on abortion-reversing drugs prior to giving them abortion drugs. Six of the chamber’s 21 female members voted in favor of the bill. Of the chambers 70 Republicans, 52 voted for the measure. On the other side of the aisle, two of 30 Democrats voted for the bill. Similar laws have been passed recently in Arizona, South Dakota, and Arkansas. A court challenge to the Arizona law led to the legislature rescinding it and the state’s attorney general conceding the court case. Indiana is currently one of 25 states with a [Republican trifecta](. Virginia Governor Vetoes Legislation - Virginia Gov. [Terry McAuliffe]( (D) announced a [pair]( of vetoes, which Republicans in the [Virginia State Legislature]( will not have the votes to override. The first bill would have lowered the required age of concealed handgun permits from 21 to 18 for active duty military and veterans. The other legislation, which McAuliffe also vetoed last year, would have allowed home schooled students to participate in public-school sports. Virginia is currently one of 19 states under [divided government](. VERBATIM FACT CHECK [Has Kentucky recovered more manufacturing jobs than neighboring right-to-work states?]( In January, Kentucky became the 27th state to adopt a right-to-work law. Prior to the introduction of the right-to-work bill, Anna Baumann of the Kentucky Center for Economic Policy argued there was no evidence that the law would create new manufacturing jobs in the state. “Looking at statewide manufacturing job growth in Kentucky and our RTW neighbors, all are still below December 2007 employment levels before the Great Recession hit, but Kentucky is the closest to regaining the jobs that were lost.” [As of November 2016, the number of manufacturing jobs in Kentucky equaled 97.1 percent of the number there had been in December 2007](. Each of the neighboring states cited by Baumann had a lower percentage. However, Baumann’s comparison does not reflect whether right-to-work laws help or hinder manufacturing job growth. Her calculations do not account for changes in the right-to-work status of the various states between December 2007 and November 2016. Nor has she accounted for the variety of other factors that affect manufacturing employment. Tuesday, February 28 Virginia Anti-Gerrymandering Lawsuit Moves Forward - Virginia circuit court judge [W. Reilly Marchant]( rejected a [motion]( filed by state House leadership to dismiss a lawsuit seeking to change 11 state legislative districts. The lawsuit, brought by the group OneVirginia2021, claimed that lawmakers failed to meet standards of compactness by creating districts that cut across city and county lines. The case is expected to go to trial some time in March. Virginia is one of [37 states]( where the legislature is responsible for the redistricting process. Utah LRCA Certified - The [Utah State Legislature]( approved a [constitutional amendment]( that would change the required amount of time served in the military under an order of active duty to receive a property tax exemption from 200 days in a calendar year to 200 days in a 365-day period. The [measure]( passed unanimously in both chambers. Voters will have the final say on [November 6, 2018](. So far, it is the only 2018 measure to be certified in Utah. Connecticut Special Elections - Partisan control of the [Connecticut State Senate]( was up for grabs with a pair of seats up for special election. Connecticut Democrats headed into the November 2016 election with a 21 to 15 majority in the Senate but left in an even 18 to 18 split with Republicans. In early January 2017, two resignations from the Senate—[Eric Coleman](, a Democrat, and[Robert Kane](, a Republican—dropped the chamber's partisan balance from 18-18 to 17-17. The special election returned the balance back to 18-18. In December 2016, Democratic and Republican leadership in the Connecticut Senate announced a power-sharing agreement in which Sen. [Martin Looney]( (D) and Sen. [Len Fasano]( (R) would share the authority that comes with the position of [senate president pro tempore]( and each committee would have Democratic and Republican co-chairs. Democrats, however, can technically claim a functional majority in the chamber because the lieutenant governor—Democrat [Nancy Wyman](—can cast votes in cases of ties. - The chances of these races actually altering the Connecticut Senate’s partisan composition were slim based on historical results in the districts. In three elections between 2012 and 2016, the[District 2]( seat—vacated by[Eric Coleman]( (D)—leaned heavily Democratic. Coleman's margins-of-victory ranged from 58 percentage points to 71 percentage points.[Hillary Clinton]( (D) won District 2 over [Donald Trump]( (R) in the 2016 presidential election, 83 to 14 percent. In the special election, Democrat [Douglass McCrory]( won with 74 percent of the vote. [District 32](, on the other hand, leaned heavily Republican in elections between 2012 and 2016. [Robert Kane]( (R), who vacated the seat in January 2017, won three elections in this time period with margins-of-victory ranging from 27 percentage points to 35 percentage points. Donald Trump won District 32 over Clinton in 2016, 57 to 39 percent. In the special election, Republican [Eric Berthel]( defeated Democrat [Greg Cava]( 54 to 44 percent. - A seat in the [Connecticut House of Representatives]( was also up for election. Democrat [Dorinda Keenan Borer]( was the winner. The seat was previously held by Democrats. - See also: [Connecticut state legislative special elections, 2017]( Wednesday, March 1 Supreme Court Rules in Virginia Redistricting Case - The [Supreme Court of the United States]( issued its [ruling]( in [Bethune-Hill v. Virginia Board of Elections](. The case involved [12 Virginia state legislative districts](, which the plaintiffs alleged constituted an illegal racial gerrymander. The [United States District Court for the Eastern District of Virginia]( found that race was not the predominant factor in drawing 11 of these 12 districts. The Supreme Court rejected this argument, finding that the district court had utilized an incorrect legal standard in making its ruling. The high court ruled 7-1 on the matter, remanding the case to the district court for further consideration. Associate Justice [Anthony Kennedy]( penned the majority opinion, which was joined by Chief Justice [John Roberts]( and Associate Justices [Ruth Bader Ginsburg](, [Stephen Breyer](, [Sonia Sotomayor](, and [Elena Kagan](. Associate Justice [Samuel Alito]( concurred in the judgment, filing a separate opinion. Associate Justice [Clarence Thomas]( filed an opinion that concurred in part with the majority opinion and dissented in part. Meanwhile, the Supreme Court upheld the district court's ruling on the remaining district, finding that the lower court's ruling was consistent with precedents established in [Alabama Legislative Black Caucus v. Alabama](, a Supreme Court ruling from 2015 which held that race can be predominate in redistricting if the districting legislation is narrowly tailored to serve a compelling state interest. Arizona House Passes I&R Requirements Resolution - The [Arizona House of Representatives]( voted [33-23]( to pass [HCR 2029](, which would change signature requirements for putting initiatives on the ballot. The measure passed along party lines, with two members of each party abstaining. It would impose a [requirement]( to collect signatures from each of the state’s 30 legislative districts in proportion to the number of votes cast in the last gubernatorial election. The [state Senate]( would have to approve the measure in order to place it on the [November 2018]( ballot, where voters would get the final say. - This is one of [six separate proposals]( introduced in the Arizona 2017 legislative session to add restrictions on the initiative and referendum process, including bills to allow [legislative amendment or repeal of initiatives](, ban out-of-state contributions to ballot measure campaigns, ban [pay-per-signature](, and require certain notices on petition forms. - [Two of the other bills]( propose constitutional amendments—requiring voter approval—to allow the legislature to amend or repeal citizen initiated measures. Arkansas LRCA Certified - The [Arkansas General Assembly]( [approved]( a [constitutional amendment]( that would change rules regarding attorney’s fees and damages in lawsuits. The measure would limit the fee paid to attorneys if the claimant recovers money from a civil lawsuit, also known as a contingency fee, to one-third (33.33 percent) of the net money recovered. It would also limit the punitive damages awards for claimants in lawsuits for personal injury, property damage, or wrongful death to the greater of $500,000 or three times the amount of compensatory damages awarded. Awards for non-economic damages would be capped at $500,000. This measure is the first one certified for the [November 2018]( ballot in Arkansas. Georgia House Passes Pay Raise for Next Governor - The [Georgia House of Representatives]( voted [141-22]( to approve House Bill 202, which would raise the salary of the state’s next governor from $139,000 to $175,000. The bill will not affect current Gov. [Nathan Deal]( (R), who is term-limited and ineligible to run for re-election in 2018. [Jay Powell]( (R), who chairs the [Ways and Means Committee](, sponsored the bill. HB 202 also reinstates a commission to examine the salaries of all constitutionally elected officials and members of the legislature before providing recommendations to the legislature. Georgia is currently one of 25 [Republican trifectas](. - See also: [Comparison state legislative salaries]( Mississippi Legislature Passes Fantasy Sports Bill - The [Mississippi State Senate]( voted 46-6 to approve a [bill]( that would allow the state Gaming Commission to regulate fantasy sports in the state and charge providers an 8 percent tax on their Mississippi-based income. The 8 percent figure is the same tax that the commission imposes on casino revenue. Because the bill had already passed the state House, it will head to Gov. [Phil Bryant]( (R) for his signature. The bill’s sponsors say that it is estimated to generate about $5 million per year initially, but that the revenue will grow if the industry continues to grow. Mississippi is currently one of 25 [Republican trifectas](. Friday, March 3 Candidate Rejected from Pennsylvania Special Election - Judge [Anne Covey]( of the [Pennsylvania Commonwealth Court]( [ruled]( that a replacement Democratic candidate would not be allowed to run in an upcoming state legislative [special election]( because his paperwork was submitted after the filing deadline. [Freddie Ramirez](, the initial Democratic nominee, was removed from the ballot via a residency challenge. Green Party candidate[Cheri Honkala]( was also denied a spot on the ballot after her nomination was submitted a day after the deadline. This ruling leaves [Lucinda Little]( (R) as the lone name on the ballot for a seat that has been held by Democrats since 2000. Republicans in the [state House]( currently hold a 121-81 majority over the Democrats. - A[special election]( for the [District 197]( seat in the [Pennsylvania House of Representatives]( has been called for March 21, 2017. The seat is vacant following[Leslie Acosta]('s (D) resignation on January 3, 2017. In late September 2016, it was revealed that Acosta had secretly pleaded guilty to one charge of conspiracy to commit money laundering, a federal felony, in March 2016. Paid Sick Leave Legislation in Maryland - The [Maryland House of Delegates]( [passed]( a bill 88-51 that would require companies with 15 or more employees to offer seven paid sick leave days per year. Similar legislation has been sponsored the past three years by Del. [Luke Clippinger]( (D). A companion bill is still under consideration by a committee in the [state Senate](. Gov. [Larry Hogan]( (R) has offered his own version of the legislation, which would set the bar for companies at 50 employees in one location. Both chambers of the legislature are controlled by Democrats, but a Republican governor leaves Maryland under [divided government](. Special elections and appointments As of this week, [10 state legislative seats]( have been filled through special elections in 2017. Another 23 elections (not including runoffs) have been scheduled in 15 states to fill vacancies. Due to redistricting, additional [state legislative special elections]( may be held in North Carolina in 2017. The special elections have been called in response to a federal court order that ruled 28 state legislative districts unconstitutional because of racial gerrymandering. The U.S. Supreme Court issued an [order]( on January 10, 2017, that would cancel the 2017 special elections in North Carolina. The change would move elections under new maps to the regularly scheduled 2018 elections. The court is expected to decide whether to take up an appeal of this order. - An average of 89 seats were filled through special elections in each of the past three odd years ([2011](: 94, [2013](: 84, [2015](: 88). - An average of 44 seats were filled through special elections in each of the past four even years ([2010](: 26, [2012](: 45, [2014](: 40, [2016](: 65). Upcoming special elections include: March 7, 2017 - [Alabama House of Representatives District 58]( (primary) - [Oklahoma House of Representatives District 28]( (primary) March 21, 2017 - [Pennsylvania House of Representatives District 197]( March 25, 2017 - [Louisiana House of Representatives District 8]( - [Louisiana House of Representatives District 42]( - [Louisiana House of Representatives District 92]( What’s On Tap Next Week Tuesday, March 7 Alabama Special Primary - A[special primary election]( for the [District 58]( seat in [the Alabama House of Representatives]( District 58 will be held. If no candidate receives more than 50 percent of the vote in the primary, a runoff will be held on May 23, and the general election will be on August 8. If no runoff is necessary, the general election will be held on May 23. The seat is vacant following[Oliver Robinson]('s (D) resignation on November 30, 2016. He retired wishing to avoid conflicts of interest resulting from his daughter's appointment as the Governor's Liaison to the House of Representatives. [Rolanda Hollis](,[James Howell](, and[Rodney Huntley]( will face off in the Democratic primary. No Republican qualified for the election. Oklahoma Special Primary - A [special primary election]( for the [District 28]( seat in the [Oklahoma House of Representatives]( will be held. The general election will take place on May 9. The seat is vacant following [Tom Newell]('s (R) resignation to take a position in the private sector. Five candidates will face off in the Democratic primary, while four other candidates will compete for the Republican nomination. [Cody Presley]( is running as a Libertarian candidate and will automatically appear on the general election ballot. Pennsylvania Filing Deadline - The filing deadline to run for seats on the [Pennsylvania Supreme Court](, the [Pennsylvania Superior Court](, and the [Pennsylvania Commonwealth Court]( will pass. A total of nine judges' terms will end across the three courts; three are up for retention and six must stand for partisan election to remain on the bench. The most noteworthy race will be for [Sallie Mundy](’s (R) seat on the state supreme court. [Chief Justice Tom Saylor]( (R) and Justice [Debra Todd]( (D) must also stand for retention to the state’s highest court this year and have already filed the paperwork to do so. [Local politics]( The Week in Review Elections Update - In 2017, Ballotpedia is covering [municipal elections]( across 52 of America's 100 [largest cities]( by population and several of the [largest counties]( by population, [local judicial elections]( across six states holding elections for general and limited jurisdiction trial courts and one state holding elections for municipal jurisdiction trial courts, [school board elections]( across 463 of the 1,000 largest school districts by student enrollment, all [local recalls](, all [local ballot measures]( in California, and notable local ballot measures across the United States. - So far this year, Ballotpedia has covered three city elections, one county election, and 22 school board elections. Ballotpedia will cover approximately 100 local ballot measures in California in 2017. - [One local ballot measure election]( occurred in California on February 28, when a property owner-only election was held on a measure to form a water district in parts of [Santa Barbara](, [San Luis Obispo](, and [Ventura]( counties. The district formation was approved, with “yes” votes representing 57,295 acres of land and no votes representing 2,214 acres. - The next local ballot measure election in California is on [March 7](—when local voters will decide 19 measures. Los Angeles city voters will decide four measures, including [Measure S](, a development-related initiative. Monday, February 27 Immigration Protests at Charlotte City Council Meeting - In North Carolina, a [Charlotte City Council]( meeting was disrupted by an estimated 200 protesters who called on the council not to cooperate with the federal government’s immigration policies. An [article]( from The Charlotte Observer stated that protesters chanted “No more ICE!” On February 6, 2017, City Attorney Bob Hagemann [stated]( that the city cooperated with state and federal immigration laws and that he did not believe Charlotte could be considered a [sanctuary city](. A sanctuary city limits cooperation between its local law enforcement agencies and U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) in order to prevent the deportation of immigrants living in the country illegally. In these cities, government workers and police officers are barred by city policy from asking residents about their immigration status, and compliance with ICE detainer requests is limited. North Carolina state law prohibits non-compliance with ICE detainer requests. Tuesday, February 28 Chicago Special Election - A [special election]( was held for the Ward 4 seat on the [Chicago City Council](. [Sophia King](, who was appointed in April 2016 to fill the vacancy left by the resignation of [William Burns](, won the election and will serve the remaining two years of Burns’ term, which expires in 2019. Five candidates, including King, filed to run in the race. In January 2017, former president [Barack Obama]( (D) endorsed King. If no candidate had won a majority of the vote, the top two vote recipients would have advanced to a runoff election on April 4, 2017. Chicago is the largest city in Illinois and the [third-largest city]( in the U.S. by population. Burbank School Board Primary in California - A [primary election]( was held in the [Burbank Unified School District]( for two of five school board seats. The unofficial results indicated that incumbent Charlene Tabet and challenger Steven Frintner won the seats with a majority of voters casting ballots for them. It is possible that the official vote totals will change who won the race, however, since incumbent Larry Applebaum came in a close third with 111 fewer votes than Tabet. Depending on the outcome of the official vote totals, a general election could be held on April 11, 2017. Burbank USD served 16,332 students during the 2014-2015 school year—approximately 0.3 percent of all public school students in the state. New York City Mayor Proposes Homelessness Plan - In [New York City](, Mayor [Bill de Blasio]( (D) announced a plan to address [homelessness]( in the city that involves the establishment of 90 new homeless shelters. He described the plan as a “blood-and-guts war strategy.” The mayor announced a five-year target of reducing the number of homeless residents in the city’s shelter system by 2,500, which is 4 percent of the approximately 60,000 current shelter residents. He referred to the figure as an "honest goal” and argued that it would be both achievable and sustainable. The proposal may encounter city council resistance due to its proportional distribution approach for the new homeless shelters. District 39 Councilman [Brad Lander]( (D) stated that the mayor’s system could result in “an over-concentration [of homeless shelters] in poor communities of color.” The city currently [operates]( approximately 275 shelters. - New York City is holding [elections]( for mayor and city council this year. A primary election is scheduled for September 12, 2017, and the general election will be held on November 7, 2017. New York City is the [largest city]( in the U.S. by population. St. Louis Minimum Wage Hike Enabled by State Supreme Court - A [ruling]( from the [Missouri Supreme Court]( will allow the city of [St. Louis]( to set its own minimum wage separately from the state’s minimum wage. The court’s ruling was based in part on the city’s charter status. The court also wrote that [HB 722](, which was approved by the state legislature in September 2015 after overruling then-Governor [Jay Nixon's]( (D) veto, could not preempt a city ordinance passed before the bill’s enactment. Associated Industries of Missouri President and CEO Ray McCarty responded to the ruling by stating it was "the liberal Supreme Court’s gross misinterpretation of state statute." Heartland Center for Jobs and Freedom Executive Director and Staff Attorney Gina Chiala praised the ruling and stated, “The court rejected our opponents’ absurd argument that Missouri’s minimum wage law is there to protect businesses rather than workers.” - The St. Louis ordinance would raise the city’s minimum wage to $11 per hour by 2018. The state’s minimum wage is $7.70 per hour. A minimum wage measure may also appear on the [Kansas City]( ballot on August 8, 2017, once all steps of the ordinance approval process have been completed. If approved, the ballot initiative would increase the city’s minimum wage incrementally from $10 per hour this year to $15 per hour in 2021. St. Louis is the second-largest city in Missouri and the [58th-largest city]( in the U.S. by population. Kansas City is the largest city in the state and the 37th-largest city in the U.S. by population. - Ballotpedia covers [statewide]( and [local]( minimum wage ballot measures. - HB 722 was a form of government preemption. At the state and local level, preemption is a legal concept that allows a state law to supersede a conflicting local law due to the state's power to create cities as granted by state constitutions. The federal government can preempt state law in a similar manner. [Click here]( to learn more about preemption conflicts at the state and local level. Vermont Judge Resigns - Vermont Superior Court Judge [Paul Kane]( resigned from his position on February 28, 2017, following an [ethics investigation]( by the Vermont Judicial Conduct Board. The board filed a complaint in June 2016 alleging that Kane violated judicial ethics rules by making claims against an estate he managed from 2010 to 2014. Hearings on the complaint are set to begin this month. Probate attorney Raymond Massucco told the Windsor Probate Court that the estate had a zero balance in 2014 after an approximately $800,000 balance in 2010. Kane's resignation letter countered that the estate's funds remained intact and that media reports on the case did not account for the full extent of facts. Wednesday, March 1 Budget Cuts on Table for Boston Schools - Funding would drop for 49 public schools in [Boston]( under the district’s current [budget proposal](, according to an [article]( by The Bay State Banner. Boston Public Schools has 125 schools in total. Those schools that would receive reduced funding as part of the proposal would see between a 1 to 21 percent drop. Overall, the proposed budget would raise general fund expenditures from approximately $1.03 billion in FY 2017 to $1.06 billion in FY 2018 for an increase of about $29 million. The school district is overseen by a seven-member board appointed by the mayor of Boston. Boston Public Schools served 54,312 students during the 2014-2015 school year—approximately 5.7 percent of all public school students in the state. Georgia Judge Retired - In [DeKalb County, Georgia](, Probate Judge [Jeryl Rosh]( left [office]( less than one year after winning re-election in an unopposed race. Rosh, who had served as the county’s probate judge since 2003, announced her retirement two days into her new term, citing a family medical issue that arose in November 2016. Under Georgia law, the probate court’s associate judge assumes the position for the remainder of the four-year term if the job becomes vacant. Associate Probate Judge [Bedelia Hargrove]( replaced Rosh effective March 1. Critics argued that Rosh’s move allowed her to hand-pick a successor and shut out other candidates by using state law to prevent an election for the open seat. The associate probate judge position was first created when Rosh appointed Hargrove in December 2016. At that time, Rosh did not mention her intention to retire when seeking approval for the appointment. Neither Rosh nor Hargrove responded to interview requests with The Atlanta City Journal. Atlanta is the largest city in Georgia and the [40th-largest city]( in the U.S. by population. Nebraska Filing Deadline - In [Omaha](, the filing deadline passed to run in the [election]( for seven city council seats. Five of seven incumbents filed for re-election; District 4 incumbent Garry Gernandt and District 6 incumbent Franklin Thompson did not seek re-election. Every seat but the District 5 seat is contested by at least two candidates. Prior to the election, the city has a 4-3 Democratic majority that could change as a result of the race. A primary election will be held on April 4, 2017, and the general election will be held on May 9, 2017. Omaha is the largest city in Nebraska and the [42nd-largest city]( in the U.S. by population. Thursday, March 2 Philly Mayor Proposes Budget Hike - Philadelphia Mayor [James Kenney]( (D) made his annual budget address to the city council. He [proposed]( a 2017-2018 city budget of approximately $4.4 billion, which would be approximately $200 million more than the previous year’s budget. Prior to the mayor’s address, the city’s finance director told reporters, “These are really necessities we were funding.” The budget additions include initiatives to hire more first responders, address opioid addictions and lead poisoning problems, and subsidize public housing. Council President [Darrell L. Clarke]( (D) responded to the address by [stating]( his belief that the council would “quickly get around” to supporting the budget proposal with minor adjustments. The budget would go into effect on July 1, 2017. The city’s fund balance is estimated to drop from $100.7 million to $87.5 million by 2018 due to the budget’s expenditures exceeding the city’s anticipated revenue. Kenney previously served as an at-large member of the city council from 1992 to 2015. He will be up for reelection in 2019. Philadelphia is the largest city in Pennsylvania and the [fifth-largest city]( in the U.S. by population. Friday, March 3 Nebraska Filing Deadlines - In [Omaha](, the filing deadline passed to run in the [election]( for mayor. A primary election will be held on April 4, 2017, and the general election will be held on May 9, 2017. Omaha is the largest city in Nebraska and the [42nd-largest city]( in the U.S. by population. - In [Lincoln](, the filing deadline passed to run in the [election]( for three seats on the city council and the airport authority. A primary election will be held on April 4, 2017, and the general election will be held on May 2, 2017. Lincoln is the second-largest city in Nebraska and the [72nd-largest city]( in the U.S. by population. What’s On Tap Next Week Monday, March 6 New Jersey and Texas Filing Deadlines - The filing deadline will pass to run in elections for seven school board seats across three of the largest school districts by enrollment in two states: - In [New Jersey](, the filing deadline will pass for three school board seats each in [Newark Public Schools]( and [Passaic Public Schools](. Both districts will hold a general election on April 25, 2017. These two districts served a combined total of 49,076 students during the 2014-2015 school year—approximately 3.6 percent of all public school students in the state. - In [Texas](, the filing deadline will pass for one school board seat up for special election in the [Judson Independent School District](. Steve Salyer resigned from the District 1 seat in January 2017, which required a special election. This election will be held in conjunction with the regular general election for four other school board seats on May 6, 2017. This district served 23,340 students during the 2014-2015 school year—approximately 0.5 percent of all public school students in the state. Tuesday, March 7 Alabama and California School Board Elections - Elections will be held for 15 school board seats across three of the largest school districts by enrollment in two states: - In [Alabama](, [Tuscaloosa City Schools]( will hold a [general election]( for eight school board seats. Six of the eight races are contested. Tuscaloosa served 10,249 students during the 2014-2015 school year—approximately 1.4 percent of all public school students in the state. - In [California](, the [Los Angeles Unified School District]( and the [Pasadena Unified School District]( will both hold primary elections. These are functionally general elections; if a candidate receives a majority of the vote, he or she will win the election outright in the primary. If necessary, the general election would be held on April 18 for Pasadena and May 16 for Los Angeles. - In Los Angeles, three of the seven seats on the school board will be up for [primary election](. The board members elected in this race will be tasked with shrinking the district's $1.46 billion cumulative deficit over the next three years. The district notified the state and county of its economic troubles in December 2016. Throughout 2016, the Los Angeles Unified School District's inspector general investigated allegations of fraud and fiscal mismanagement by a charter school network that operates seven charter schools in the district in the 2016-2017 school year. The board of education denied the renewal of two of the network's charters in October 2016. In January 2017, state and federal authorities investigated the network due to similar allegations. Los Angeles served 646,683 students during the 2014-2015 school year—approximately 10.3 percent of all public school students in the state. - In Pasadena, four of the seven seats on the school board will be up for [primary election](. Unlike the most recent past two election cycles, every incumbent whose term is up for election in 2017 is running to keep his or her seat. Pasadena served 18,586 students during the 2014-2015 school year—approximately 0.3 percent of all public school students in the state. Pennsylvania Filing Deadlines - In Pennsylvania, the filing deadline will pass to run in the [Philadelphia]( and [Pittsburgh]( municipal primary elections. The Philadelphia race will include the offices of district attorney, city controller, judge of election, and inspector of election. In Pittsburgh, the election will include the mayor and four seats on the city council. In both cities, a primary election will be held on May 16, 2017, and the general election will be held on November 7, 2017. Philadelphia is the largest city in Pennsylvania and the [fifth-largest city]( in the U.S. by population. Pittsburgh is the second-largest city in Pennsylvania and the [62nd-largest city]( in the U.S. by population. - The filing deadline will pass to run in [elections]( for 71 school board seats across 17 of the largest Pennsylvania school districts by enrollment. Primary elections will be held on May 16, 2017, and the general election will be held on November 7, 2017. The districts served a combined total of 225,431 students during the 2014-2015 school year—approximately 12.8 percent of all public school students in the state. Friday, March 10 Riverside Filing Deadline - In [Riverside](, the filing deadline will pass to run in the [election]( for four seats on the city council. The general election will be held on June 6, 2017. Riverside is the 12th-largest city in California and the [59th-largest city]( in the U.S. by population. [Donate Securely Online]( The Lucy Burns Institute, publisher of Ballotpedia, is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization. All donations are tax deductible to the extent of the law. Donations to the Lucy Burns Institute or Ballotpedia do not support any candidates or campaigns. Ballotpedia The Encyclopedia of American Politics 8383 Greenway Blvd., Suite 600 Middleton, WI 53562 Only want to receive federal news? Adjust your Ballotpedia subscriptions by clicking "preferences," below. [Like]( [Tweet]( [Share]( [Forward]( [Preferences]( | [Unsubscribe](