Charter School Legislation in Kentucky

Stay in the know this week: No Images? [Click here]( [Ballotpedia: The Encyclopedia of American Politics]( The week in review: March 11 - March 17 What’s on tap next week: March 18 - March 24 State - On Wednesday, March 15, the [Kentucky General Assembly]( approved [legislation]( that would allow charter schools to begin operating in the state during the 2017-18 school year. The [state Senate]( approved the measure 23-15, while the [state House]( voted 53-43 in favor. The bill allows for school boards and the mayors of Louisville and Lexington to approve charter schools in those districts or cities. Students would be prevented from crossing county lines to attend a charter school unless a regional charter school is established. While he has not explicitly said he would sign the legislation, Gov. [Matt Bevin]( (R) testified in support of the legislation during a committee hearing last week. Kentucky became one of 25 states with a [Republican trifecta]( following the 2016 legislative elections and would be the 44th state to enact charter school legislation. Local - On Thursday, March 16, a pair of federal and state investigations connected to [New York City]( Mayor [Bill de Blasio]( (D) and his aides concluded after prosecutors [announced]( that they would not bring charges. The mayor was previously [interviewed]( on January 25, 2017, by prosecutors from the Manhattan district attorney’s office regarding a state investigation into fundraising practices. The state inquiry investigated whether limits on individual campaign contributions to candidates were sidestepped via contributions to county party committees that spent on behalf of the candidates instead. A separate federal inquiry investigated whether contributions to the mayor’s campaign or a separate nonprofit resulted in the contributors receiving favors from city officials, including the mayor. - In their announcement, the prosecutors stated that the mayor and others had violated the “intent and spirit” of campaign finance laws but that they could not prove that crimes were committed beyond a reasonable doubt. The prosecutors explained their decision to make a public statement about their investigations by stating, “[...] we believe it appropriate in this case at this time, in order not to unduly influence the upcoming campaign and mayoral election.” Mayor de Blasio had previously denied all allegations of wrongdoing related to the inquiries, and he responded to the announcement by stating, "This confirms what I've been saying and what all my colleagues have been saying.” New York City is the [largest city]( in the U.S. by population. - New York City is holding [municipal 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. The city’s [boroughs]( will also be holding elections on the same dates. [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. - No new measures were certified for the 2017 ballot last week. - The next [signature filing deadline]( for citizen initiatives in 2017 is in [Ohio]( on July 5. - By [this time in 2013](, one measure had been certified for the 2013 ballot; by [this time in 2015](, five measures had been certified for the 2015 ballot. - 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 - [Eleven 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 was sent to the legislature, which approved it. If the governor signs the initiative, it will be enacted. Otherwise, it will be sent to the voters. Over the previous five even-year election cycles, an average of 61 citizen-initiated measures and 173 total statewide measures have appeared on ballots. - Two new measures were certified for 2018 ballots last week. - By [this time in 2013](, 9 measures had been certified for the [2014 ballot](; by [this time in 2015](, 11 measures had been certified for the [2016 ballot](. Monday, March 13 Sanctuary State Bill Advances to California Senate - The [Appropriations Committee]( of the [California State Senate]( sent a bill to the full chamber that would expand sanctuary status to the entire state. If it passes, California would become the first state in the country to have a statewide sanctuary policy. The bill would prohibit state and local law enforcement from spending money on enforcing federal immigration laws and ban the enforcement of immigration laws in state schools, health facilities, and courthouses. The state would also notify federal authorities 60 days before violent felons are released from jail. California is currently one of six states with a [Democratic trifecta]( and has nine cities among the nation’s 100 largest cities by population with [identified sanctuary policies](. - In a February 5 interview with[Fox News]( host Bill O’Reilly, President Trump reiterated that he was open to leveraging federal defunding in an attempt to halt California's sanctuary state legislation. Trump said the state was “out of control,” adding, “If they’re going to have sanctuary cities, we may have to [defund them]. Certainly that would be a weapon.” Legislative leaders in California responded to Trump’s message the next day. Senate President Pro Tem[Kevin de Leon]( (D) said in a statement that the “threat to weaponize federal funding is not only unconstitutional but emblematic of the cruelty he seeks to impose on our most vulnerable communities.” Nevada Legislature Approves Automatic Voter Registration - The [Nevada State Legislature]( approved an [indirect citizen initiated state statute]( to [allow for automatic voter registration]( of qualified citizens when receiving services—such as applications and renewals—from the Department of Motor Vehicles. The group Nevadans for Modern and Secure Elections collected more than the [55,234 signatures required]( to get the initiative sent to the legislature for consideration. The bill now heads to the desk of Gov. [Brian Sandoval]( (R). If he signs the legislation, it will become law. Otherwise, it will go before voters on the [November 2018 ballot](. Sandoval publicly said on March 8 that he did not know whether or not he would sign the legislation. The initiative was delivered to the governor on March 16; the governor is required to either sign or veto the law within five days of it reaching his desk. Nevada is currently one of 19 states under [divided government](. Colorado House Considers Marijuana Legislation - The Democratically-controlled [Colorado House of Representatives]( voted 55-10 to approve [legislation]( that would restrict the number of marijuana plants that residents could grow in their homes. It would impose a cap of 16 plants per home, while current laws allow for as many as 99 plants to be grown by medical patients and caregivers. The Denver Post identified the bill as an attempt by Gov. [John Hickenlooper]( (D) to clean up a gray market in the state, where marijuana is being grown legally and then sold illegally. To become law, the bill would still need to pass the Republican-controlled [state Senate](. Colorado is currently one of 19 states under [divided government](. South Carolina Filing Deadline - The filing deadline passed to run for two [South Carolina House of Representatives]( seats in a June 20 [special election](. A primary election will take place on May 2. - The [District 48]( seat is vacant following[Ralph Norman]('s (R) resignation. One Democrat and two Republicans will compete for that seat. - The [District 70]( seat is vacant after[Joseph Neal]( (D) passed away. Nine Democrats will compete in the primary for that seat, while one Republican is running unopposed in that party’s primary. VERBATIM FACT CHECK [How has marijuana legalization impacted state revenue and crime?]( Maryland State Sen. Richard Madaleno is sponsoring legislation to legalize the adult possession of small amounts of marijuana, and to regulate and tax its sale. He claimed, “[Colorado and Washington are bringing in hundreds of millions in revenue without any increase in crime, with a more sensible approach to the issue of cannabis use](.” Decriminalization, by definition, has reduced arrests for marijuana possession, use, and sale in both states. However, there is no reliable data on trends in other marijuana-related crime. The nation’s primary source of crime data does not track drug crimes. Both Colorado and Washington have issued reports on the impacts of decriminalization, but the scope and methodologies of each are very limited. Madaleno is correct about the revenue generated by marijuana sales. Between fiscal years 2014 and 2016, Colorado collected nearly $234 million in taxes and license fees related to sales of marijuana. Washington collected nearly $256.5 million in excise taxes, license fees, and other marijuana-related revenue. Tuesday, March 14 Iowa Senate Passes Abortion Legislation - The [Iowa State Senate]( voted 32-19 to approve [legislation]( that would prohibit abortions after 20 weeks. The chamber’s 29 Republicans were joined by two Democrats and an Independent in the vote. The bill will now move to the [state House](, where similar legislation died earlier this session. The legislation would make knowingly terminating a pregnancy after 20 weeks a Class C penalty, which carries a maximum sentence of 10 years in prison. It provides an exemption for abortions performed between 20 and 24 weeks in cases of fetal anomalies incompatible with life. Iowa is currently one of 25 states with a [Republican trifecta](. North Carolina Senate Approves Income Tax Rate Cap - The [North Carolina State Senate]( voted [36-13]( to approve a [constitutional amendment]( that would lower the state’s income tax rate cap from 10 percent to 5.5 percent. The state’s current income tax rate in 5.499 percent. In order to become law, the amendment must also pass the [state House]( during this session, which is expected to run through July, by a 60 percent majority. If it is approved by the state House, the amendment would then appear before voters on the [November 2018 ballot](. West Virginia House Passes Insurance Exchange Legislation - The [West Virginia House of Delegates]( voted 68-31 to approve [legislation]( that would repeal provisions in state law that established a health insurance exchange under the [Affordable Care Act](. [Insurance exchanges]( are places where consumers can browse and purchase health insurance and are aimed at making it easier to buy insurance and encouraging lower prices through increased competition. Under current law, the state partners with the federal government to provide the insurance exchange. West Virginia is one of seven states with such a federal partnership. If the state rescinded its role in the partnership, the federal government would move in to manage the exchange on its own, as it does in 27 other states. VERBATIM FACT CHECK [Has the Office of the Ohio Public Defender lost a third of its staff since 2000?]( In preparation for his fiscal year 2018-2019 budget, Ohio Governor John Kasich asked department heads to submit two budget plans: one for the current funding level and one accounting for a 10 percent cut. According to the Columbus Dispatch, Public Defender Tim Young responded that his office, which represents indigent criminal defendants, has already lost a third of its staff since 2000. [Is Young correct](? Full-time equivalent staff positions in the Public Defender's office decreased 27.5 percent between fiscal years 2000 and 2017. In the same period, the budget for the Office of the Ohio Public Defender (OPD) increased six percent (adjusted for inflation). The proportion of the state budget allotted for the OPD has decreased by 0.04 of a percentage point in those years. Wednesday, March 15 North Carolina Redistricting Deadline - March 15 was the deadline set by a [U.S. district court]( for the [North Carolina General Assembly]( to redraw the lines for 28 state legislative districts in preparation for [special elections to be held in November 2017](. The order was made in November 2016 following the court’s ruling in August that nine state senate districts and 19 state house districts constituted a racial [gerrymander](. In January 2017, however, the [U.S. Supreme Court]( granted a stay of the November order while it considers an appeal from state officials. The court has made no movement on the case since January, and the status of the special elections set for later this year is uncertain. North Carolina is one of 19 states under [divided government](. Arizona Supreme Court Upholds 2016 Measure - The [Arizona Supreme Court]( rejected a [challenge]( to [Proposition 206 (2016)](, which voters approved to raise the minimum wage to $10 in 2017, and then incrementally to $12 by 2020, and create a right to paid sick time off from employment. Business groups filed litigation against the proposition, claiming that it increased costs to the state by requiring a higher wage for certain contractors, but did not provide a funding mechanism for these costs. Ballot measures that create costs to the state but don't provide a funding mechanism are prohibited by the state constitution. Chief Justice [Scott Bales]( announced that the seven justices of the Arizona Supreme Court unanimously rejected the argument that Proposition 206 was unconstitutional. Proposition 206 was approved 58-42 by voters in [November 2016](. Idaho Senate Passes Marsy’s Law Amendment - The [Idaho State Senate]( voted [unanimously]( to approve an [amendment]( that would establish a Marsy’s Law in the state. The measure would provide crime victims with rights to (a) reasonable and timely notification of criminal justice proceedings; (b) reasonable and timely notification of an escape or absconsion from probation or parole; (c) full and timely restitution for economic loses; (d) a reasonable and timely opportunity to read presentence reports; and (e) reasonable protection from the accused. To become law, the amendment must be passed by a[two-thirds vote]( in the [state House]( and then approved by voters on the [November 2018 ballot](. - The type of crime victim legislation addressed by this measure is often referred to as a Marsy's Law.[Henry Nicholas](, the billionaire co-founder of Broadcom Corp., organized a nationwide campaign for this kind of legislation to increase the legal rights and privileges of victims. The law was named after Henry Nicholas' sister Marsy Nicholas, who was murdered by her ex-boyfriend in 1983. - In 2018, Marsy’s Law could also be on the ballot in [Georgia](, [Nevada](, and [Oklahoma]( through [legislatively referred constitutional amendments](. A 2017 initiative petition drive is ongoing in [Ohio]( as well. - Nicholas was the primary sponsor of the original 2008 Marsy's Law in California and was behind similar 2016 initiatives in[Montana](,[South Dakota](, and[North Dakota](—which all passed—and legislative proposals in multiple states. Stand Your Ground Legislation in Florida - The [Florida State Senate]( voted 23-15 to approve [legislation]( that put the burden of determining the application of stand your ground laws on prosecutors rather than defense attorneys. The law would make Florida the first state where prosecutors would need to prove beyond a reasonable doubt that the use of force was not justified. Currently, defendants are responsible for submitting a claim of self defense before a judge and providing evidence to support that claim. Gov. [Rick Scott]( (R) is expected to sign the law if it reaches his desk. Florida is currently one of 25 states with a [Republican trifecta](. South Dakota Governor Signs Pair of Meth Bills - South Dakota Gov. [Dennis Daugaard]( (R) signed a [pair]( of bills aimed at curbing meth use in the state. The first piece of legislation appropriates $600,000 to the state’s Department of Social Services to expand meth treatment services. The other new law increases penalties for drug use by people on probation or parole and provides incentives for offenders to complete drug treatment. According to KSFY, meth-related arrests in the state rose from 1,500 to 2,100 from 2015 to 2016. South Dakota is currently one of 25 states with a [Republican trifecta](. Concealed Carry Law in Arkansas - The [Arkansas General Assembly]( sent a [bill]( to Gov. [Asa Hutchinson]( (R) that would expand the public places where concealed carry permit holders can carry guns, including the capitol building and sporting events. Courtrooms, prisons, and public schools are exempt from the new law, while churches and bars can choose to ban guns but must post a notice if they do so. Hutchinson has publicly said he would sign the bill if it made it to his desk. About 220,000 of the state’s 3 million residents have concealed carry permits. Arkansas is currently one of 25 states with a [Republican trifecta](. Thursday, March 16 Alabama House Approves Abortion-Related Amendment - The [Alabama House of Representatives]( voted [67-14]( to approve a [constitutional amendment]( that would acknowledge, declare, and affirm that the state's public policy is to recognize and support "the sanctity of unborn life and the rights of unborn children, including the right to life," and "ensure the protection of the rights of the unborn child in all manners and measures lawful and appropriate." The measure, sponsored by Rep. [Matt Fridy]( (R), would also add that "nothing in this constitution secures or protects a right to abortion or requires the funding of an abortion." The amendment would need to pass the [state Senate]( by a [60 percent vote]( during the current legislative session in order to appear on the [November 2018 ballot](. North Carolina Governor Vetoes Judicial Elections Legislation - North Carolina Gov. [Roy Cooper]( (D) announced his [veto]( of a bill that would have made trial court judge elections in the state partisan. Republicans currently hold veto-proof majorities in both chambers, though enough Republicans voted against the bill in the [state House]( to cast doubt on their ability to override the veto. Judges have been elected in [nonpartisan elections]( at the trial court level since the late 1990s. Prior to that, judges ran with party labels in partisan primaries. It is currently one of 22 states that uses nonpartisan elections at the trial court level. North Carolina is currently one of 19 states under [divided government](. Tennessee Filing Deadline - The filing deadline passed to run for one seat in the [Tennessee House of Representatives]( seats in a June 15 [special election](. A primary election will take place on April 27. The [District 95]( seat is vacant following[Mark Lovell]('s (R) resignation. Friday, March 17 Louisiana Filing Deadline - The filing deadline passed to run for one seat in the [Louisiana State Senate]( in an April 29 [special election](. The [District 2]( seat is vacant following[Troy Brown's]( (D) resignation on February 16, 2017, after he pleaded no contest to misdemeanor charges of domestic abuse. New Mexico Legislature Sends Two Amendments to 2018 Ballot - The [New Mexico State Legislature]( referred two constitutional amendments to the [ballot]( for the election on [November 6, 2018](. No other measures have been certified in New Mexico for 2018. The state government is permitted to call for an earlier special election to address the ballot measures. - [Senate Joint Resolution 1]( was [designed]( to give the state legislature power to determine the appeals process from [probate courts]( and other inferior courts to higher courts. The measure would also allow the legislature to determine which cases originating in inferior courts and tribunals fall under the [appellate jurisdiction]( of [district courts](. Currently, the [New Mexico Constitution]( requires that appeals originating in inferior courts go to district courts and that districts courts have appellate jurisdiction over all cases originating in inferior courts and tribunals. - [House Joint Resolution 8]( would create a seven-member state ethics commission tasked with investigating alleged unethical conduct by state officials, executive and legislative branch employees, candidates, lobbyists, government contractors, and others as provided by law. On March 9, 2017, the [House of Representatives]( first approved the amendment. The [Senate]( approved an amended resolution on March 16. The two chambers could not agree on the details of the proposal; the House rejected the amended version, and the Senate voted against rescinding the changes. A [joint House-Senate conference committee]( was established to negotiate the bill. An agreement was reached, and both chambers [approved the bill]( between 9:40 and 10 p.m. local time. The legislature was set to adjourn at noon on the following day, March 18. - New Mexico is one of [eight states]( with no independent ethics commission having jurisdiction over at least certain elected officials, according to the National Conference of State Legislatures. Special elections and appointments As of this week, [11 state legislative seats]( have been filled through special elections in 2017. Another 31 elections (not including primaries or runoffs) have been scheduled in 17 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 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]( April 4, 2017 - [New Hampshire House of Representatives District Carroll 6]( (primary) - [New Hampshire House of Representatives District Hillsborough 44]( (primary) What’s On Tap Next Week Tuesday, March 21 Pennsylvania Special Election - A [special election]( will take place for the [District 197]( seat in the [Pennsylvania House of Representatives](. [Lucinda Little]( (R) was the only eligible candidate filed for the district. 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. - Other candidates filed to run for this race or attempted to run, but were not approved for the ballot. Democrat[Freddie Ramirez]( was removed from the ballot via residency challenge. Democratic Party officials then nominated[Emilio Vazquez](, but did so past the filing deadline. Commonwealth Court Judge[Anne Covey]( rejected efforts to see Vazquez added to the ballot. Green Party candidate[Cheri Honkala]( was also denied a spot on the ballot after her nomination was submitted a day past the deadline. VERBATIM FACT CHECK [Has public opinion changed on the medical use of marijuana?]( Legislation in North Carolina to legalize the use of marijuana by patients who have received a recommendation from a physician passed its first reading in the state House on February 27 and was referred to committee. While discussing the bill with the Winston-Salem Journal, sponsor Rep. Rodney Moore (D-District 99) claimed, “[Medical marijuana is something that the public has changed its mind on, even in North Carolina](.” Polls do show North Carolinians’ support for the medical use of marijuana increasing, from 58 percent of respondents in 2013 to 74 percent in 2016. The results of national polls have varied, but a majority of respondents have consistently supported allowing doctors to recommend marijuana, and that support has increased over time. Support among Republicans is less than support among Democrats and independents. [Local politics]( The Week in Review Elections Update - In 2017, Ballotpedia is covering [municipal elections]( across 54 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 six city elections, one county election, and 22 school board elections. Ballotpedia will cover approximately 100 local ballot measures in California in 2017. - Local ballot measure elections occurred in California on [January 10](, [February 28](, and [March 7](. On March 7, local voters decided 20 measures; 11 measures were approved, six were defeated, and three were too close to call with certainty until results are certified. Los Angeles city voters decided four measures, including [Measure S](, a development-related initiative. Measure S was defeated. - On March 7, [St. Louis]( voters approved [Proposition S](, authorizing an annual fee of $5,000 for businesses that offer short-term loans, also known as a payday loan. - The next local ballot measure elections Ballotpedia will cover are on April 4 in Alaska, Colorado, and Missouri, and on April 11 in California. Sunday, March 12 Atlanta mayoral election poll released - [Atlanta]( City Councilwoman [Mary Norwood]( is [leading]( the field in the city’s upcoming mayoral election, according to a [poll]( released by Channel 2 Action News. The race, which already features multiple city council members and a state senator, will be on the [general election]( ballot on November 7, 2017. Norwood received support from nearly 29 percent of the poll’s respondents, and State Sen. [Vincent Fort]( (D) came in second with more than 9 percent support. The poll was conducted on March 8, included 1,200 likely voters, and had a margin of error of 2.9 percent. - If no candidate wins a majority of the vote in November, a runoff election will be held between the top two vote recipients on December 5, 2017. Mayor [Kasim Reed]( (D) is term-limited and cannot run for re-election. Sixteen seats on the city council will also be on the November ballot. The filing deadline to run in the election will be on August 25, 2017. Atlanta is the largest city in Georgia and the [40th-largest city]( in the U.S. by population. Monday, March 13 Seattle sued by group of Uber and Lyft drivers - Eleven [Seattle]( residents who drive for Uber and Lyft [filed]( a [lawsuit]( against the city. The lawsuit requests a restraining order stopping enforcement of a 2015 city ordinance allowing the unionization of independent contractors for ride-sharing services, taxi businesses, and other for-hire companies. Neither Uber nor Lyft support the ordinance. The plaintiffs, who are represented by National Right to Work Foundation and Freedom Foundation attorneys, argue that the ordinance conflicts with both the Driver’s Privacy Protection Act (DPPA) and the National Labor Relations Act (NLRA) on the grounds that union organizers would be able to access the personal information of drivers, which would violate their right to privacy under the DPPA, and that the NLRA’s lack of regulations granting collective bargaining powers to independent contractors preempts the city’s ordinance. A city spokesperson responded to the lawsuit by stating that, “the city will vigorously defend the ordinance.” Seattle is the largest city in Washington and the [21st-largest city]( in the U.S. by population. - 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 and local law in a similar manner. [Click here]( to learn more about preemption conflicts at the state and local level. Providence recall election scheduled - In Rhode Island, the [Providence City Council]( [voted]( 9-0 to schedule a [recall election]( for City Councilman Kevin Jackson on May 2, 2017. Jackson was indicted in July 2016 on charges that he embezzled $127,153 from a youth sports team, including $67,000 in city donations, to fund his 2014 re-election campaign. In response to the recall effort, Jackson has stated that he wants to continue serving on the council and that it is motivated by politics rather than legal reasons. The city's board of canvassers verified 2,383 signatures on March 3, which exceeded the 2,000 signatures necessary to force a recall election. Providence is the largest city in Rhode Island and had 178,042 residents as of 2010, according to the United States Census Bureau. Tuesday, March 14 Detroit school board voted to sue state - The [Detroit Public Schools Community District]( school board [voted]( to sue the Michigan state government, the state’s School Reform Office (SRO), and an SRO official in order to prevent school closures within the district. In January 2017, the SRO announced that 25 Detroit schools were under consideration for closure due to their academic placement in the lowest 5 percent of state schools for three consecutive years. Sixteen of the 25 schools are within the district itself, eight are under the supervision of the Education Achievement Authority, and one is an area charter school. The SRO listed a total of 38 Michigan schools that were in the same position. Following this announcement, the Michigan Department of Education contacted the school districts overseeing these schools and agreed to halt school closures in exchange for the districts partnering with the department on turnaround plans. - The school board’s president, [Iris Taylor](, released a statement about the lawsuit that said, “We want to make it clear that filing suit is not a rejection of MDE's offer to enter into a partnership agreement. It is simply the Board and the district ensuring that all options are available to us as we work through these challenges.” The lawsuit will be the third of its kind against the state after both the Kalamazoo Public School District and the Saginaw Public School District sued the state government on similar grounds. Detroit is the state’s largest school district and served 47,277 students during the 2014-2015 school year—approximately 3 percent of all public school students in the state. Phoenix held runoff election - A [runoff election]( was held for the District 3 seat on the [Phoenix City Council](. Incumbent [Debra Stark]( (D), who was appointed to the seat in June 2016, defeated challenger [Chris DeRose]( (R) in the runoff to win re-election. The runoff election followed a special election in November 2016 in which neither Stark nor DeRose obtained a majority of the votes cast. They defeated two other candidates, James Mapstead and Dan Carroll, in order to proceed to the runoff. Stark will be sworn in on March 23, 2017. There are nine members of the city council, including the mayor. Phoenix is the largest city in Arizona and the [sixth-largest city]( in the U.S. by population. Wednesday, March 15 Illinois committee passed bill for elected Chicago school board - An [Illinois House of Representatives]( committee [voted]( 18-1 in favor of a bill that would replace the Chicago Board of Education’s seven appointed members with 21 elected members. School board members are currently appointed to four-year terms by the [mayor of Chicago](. The new board would include 20 members elected by geographic district within the city and a board president elected at-large by the city as a whole. The bill was sponsored by Rep. [Robert F. Martwick Jr.]( (D), who stated that the purpose of the bill was to prevent Chicago residents from being taxed for the school district without having a direct vote in who served on the school board. The district’s chief education officer, Janice Jackson, expressed her opposition to the bill during the committee hearing and [stated](, “Nobody knows that having an elected school board is going to lead to higher outcomes for our students. So in a district like Chicago, with a large population of minority students and low-income students, why would we threaten that when we're on the right trajectory?” She also stated that “revenue is at the root of our problem” for the Chicago school district. A [similar bill]( was passed by the state house in 2016 but did not receive a vote in the state senate. [Chicago Public Schools]( is the state’s largest school district and served 392,558 students during the 2014-2015 school year—approximately 18.9 percent of all public school students in the state. Joe Arpaio launched nonprofit organization - In Arizona, former [Maricopa County]( Sheriff [Joe Arpaio]( [announced]( he was forming a new nonprofit advocacy group called the Sheriff Joe Arpaio Action Fund. In an email to supporters, Arpaio [wrote](, “Obviously, I am not a billionaire who can write a personal check to buy elections across this country (like Soros!). But what I can do is reach out to loyal supporters like you and ask for your help. Together we can build an organization that promotes a conservative agenda, helps conservative ideas become law and help those conservatives win office.” The email also linked to [a donation site]( featuring images of a border wall. Arpaio was first elected as sheriff in 1992 and lost his campaign for re-election in 2016. As sheriff, he was known for his [criticism]( of the federal government’s immigration policies under the [Obama]( administration. Virginia governor vetoes two election policy bills - Virginia Governor [Terry McAuliffe]( (D) [vetoed]( two [election policy]( bills, [HB 2343]( and [SB 872](. [HB 2343]( would have required the Virginia Department of Elections to submit to local registrars lists of voters identified as having been registered to vote in another state. HB 2343 was sponsored by Delegate [Robert Bell]( (R), who said, "Information would be provided to the general registrars from each county or city when it's found that one of their voters is also registered in another state, and it gives them the liberty to do what they want to do with that information." McAuliffe vetoed the bill, saying, "This bill would invite confusion and increase the possibility of violating federal law. Moreover, it would expose eligible and properly registered Virginians to the risk of improper disenfranchisement." SB 872, which was sponsored by Senator [Amanda Chase]( (R), would have required a voter applying for an absentee ballot by mail, fax, telephone, or electronic transmission to submit a copy of a photo ID. The bill would have exempted military and overseas voters, as well as voters with disabilities. SB 872 was identical to [HB 1428](, which was vetoed by McAuliffe on March 3. In order to override the vetoes, each chamber of the state legislature must approve the bills with a two-thirds majority. Thursday, March 16 Oregon filing deadline - The deadline passed to run in the [general election]( for 50 school board seats across 14 of Oregon’s largest school districts by enrollment. The election will be held on May 6, 2017. The largest school district holding elections is [Portland Public Schools](, which served 47,806 students during the 2014-2015 school year—approximately 8 percent of all public school students in the state. Friday, March 17 Idaho filing deadline - The deadline passed to run in the [general election]( for 16 school board seats across six of Idaho’s largest school districts by enrollment. The election will be held on May 16, 2017. The largest school district holding elections is the [West Ada School District](, which served 36,804 students during the 2014-2015 school year—approximately 12.9 percent of all public school students in the state. What’s On Tap Next Week Monday, March 20 Portland City Council to vote on school bond - In Maine, the [Portland City Council]( will be [voting]( on whether to put a $64 million school bond measure on the ballot in 2017. The vote will require support from at least seven of the council’s nine members in order to pass. In 2016, the city’s school district requested a $70 million bond measure that led to the current proposal. If approved, the $64 million bond measure is estimated to cost a total of $92 million with interest included. Three city council members have expressed support for putting a smaller school bond measure on the ballot instead. Portland is the largest city in Maine and had 66,194 residents as of 2010, according to the United States Census Bureau. Thursday, March 23 Montana filing deadline - In Montana, the deadline will pass to run in the [general election]( for three of nine school board seats in Billings Public Schools. The district will hold its general election on May 2, 2017. [Billings]( is the state’s largest school district and served 11,348 students during the 2014-2015 school year—approximately 7.9 percent of all public school students in the state. [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. 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