Seattle mayor ends re-election bid

Seattle Mayor Ed Murray (D) announced he would withdraw his candidacy to run for re-election this year amid multiple allegations involving sexual abus [View this email in your browser]( [Ballotpedia]( [Facebook]( [Twitter]( [The Tap]( The week in review: May 6 - May 12What's on tap next week: May 13 - May 19 Highlights Local - On Tuesday, May 9, [Seattle]( Mayor [Ed Murray]( (D) [announced]( he would withdraw his candidacy to run for re-election this year amid multiple allegations involving sexual abuse. In April, Delvonn Heckard filed a lawsuit claiming that Murray paid him for sexual favors starting in 1986, when Heckard was 15. Three other men have made similar allegations since Heckard's lawsuit was made public. Murray denied the accusations but stated that he did not want the publicity surrounding them to be a distraction in the upcoming mayoral campaign. Seattle will hold [primary elections]( for mayor, city attorney, and two at-large seats on the city council on August 1, 2017. Seattle is the largest city in Washington and the [21st-largest city]( in the U.S. by population. State - On Tuesday, May 9, [Democratic candidates for governor of Virginia]( participated in a debate in a suburb outside of Richmond. Candidates [Tom Perriello]( a former member of the [U.S. House]( and Lt. Gov. [Ralph Northam]( touched on a range of issues, [including]( education funding, charter schools, immigration, healthcare, drug addiction, and the Trump administration. The primary election will take place on June 13, followed by a general election on November 7. Incumbent Governor [Terry McAuliffe]( (D) is term-limited. The winner of the Democratic primary will go on to face one of three Republican candidates: [Ed Gillespie]( [Corey Stewart]( or [Frank Wagner](. Republican candidates held debates in April.  - In the Democratic primary, Northam has received endorsements from several Virginia Democratic politicians, including Gov. [Terry McAuliffe]( (who is term-limited), U.S. Senators [Mark Warner]( and [Tim Kaine]( and every Democratic legislator in the state. Perriello, on the other hand, has received endorsements from national Democrats such as Sen. [Bernie Sanders]( (I) and Sen. [Elizabeth Warren]( (D) in addition to  former Obama campaign manager David Plouffe and former Hillary Clinton campaign chair [John Podesta](. Ballotpedia has broken down some of the key issues and policy differences between the candidates in the Virginia Democratic primary. [Read more here](. - Ballotpedia [rates]( the 2017 Virginia gubernatorial election as Leans Democrat. This rating is based on [our gubernatorial race rating system](. In particular, Virginia [went to Hillary Clinton in 2016 with less than 55% of the electorate]( and [currently has a Democratic governor]( fitting our definition of Leans Democrat. Polling for the general election remains in early stages since the primaries have not ended. However, a Quinnipiac poll shows a lead of at least 10% for the Democratic candidate, regardless of which candidates are running, which fits Ballotpedia's definition of Likely Democrat. - Virginia is one of 19 states under [divided government](. Republicans control both chambers of the [legislature](. All 100 seats in the [Virginia House of Delegates]( are also up for election in 2017. Republicans have a 66-34 majority in the House. State Politics: The Week in Review Ballot Measures Update 2017: - So far, [seven statewide measures]( are certified to appear on the ballot in 2017 in [Maine]( [New York]( [New Jersey]( [Ohio]( [Texas]( and [West Virginia]( [citizen initiated]( measure, five [legislatively referred]( measures, and one measure [automatically referred]( to the ballot by the state constitution. 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, independence/free association, or the status quo—a commonwealth or territory. 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. - [One new measure]( was 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]( three measures had been certified for the [2013 ballot]( by [this time in 2015]( six measures had been certified for the [2015 ballot](. 2018: - [Twenty-three measures]( are certified to appear on statewide ballots in [2018]( so far—five [citizen initiated]( measures, 17 [legislatively referred]( measures, and one measure [automatically referred]( to the ballot by the state constitution. Over the previous five even-year election cycles, an average of 61 citizen-initiated measures and 173 total statewide measures have appeared on ballots. - [One new measure]( was certified for 2018 ballots last week. - By [this time in 2013]( 23 measures had been certified for the [2014 ballot]( by [this time in 2015]( 22 measures had been certified for the [2016 ballot](. --------------------------------------------------------------- Saturday, May 6 Texas Legislature Puts Home Equity Loan Amendment On 2017 Ballot - The [Texas state House]( voted 143-0 in favor of [a constitutional amendment]( to make changes to the home equity borrowing system in Texas. The [state Senate]( approved the amendment unanimously on April 20. Thus, the approval in the House certified the measure for the [2017 ballot](.  The amendment has provisions (a) lowering the cap on [home equity loan]( fees from 3 to 2 percent but excluding certain additional fees from this cap; (b) allowing [home equity loans]( against agricultural property; (c) allowing the refinancing of a [home equity loan]( with a purchase money loan; and (d) increasing the principal amount allowed for a [home equity line of credit]( from 50 to 80 percent of the fair market value of a borrower's house. Texas is one of [16 states]( that require a [two-thirds supermajority]( vote in both chambers of the legislature to refer an amendment to the ballot. - This is the first measure to be certified for the [2017 ballot in Texas](. - A total of [seven statewide measures]( are currently set to appear before voters in 2017 in six different states. - On [November 4, 1997]( Texans approved [Proposition 8]( which allowed for home equity loans. Prior to Proposition 8, Texans were not permitted to acquire home equity loans because [Section 50 of Article 16]( of the [Texas Constitution]( protected homesteads from forced sales; Texas was the only state that did not allow home equity loans. Proposition 8 provided an exception from this constitutional protection for home equity loans. Read more about voter-approved changes to the state’s laws governing home equity loans [here](. Verbatim Fact Check Texas Central Railroad and Infrastructure, Inc. (TCRI) and its affiliates are pursuing development of a high-speed train between Dallas/Fort Worth and Houston. Five Texas state senators and ten state representatives have filed more than 20 bills to regulate high-speed rail projects. According to state Representative Leighton Schubert (R-District 13), "This group of foreign investors is threatening to seize family farms, physically divide the state of Texas, and have a gravely detrimental impact on the citizens I represent." Is Schubert correct that project investors threatened to seize family farms? Yes. Company officials have repeatedly asserted that TCRI has legal authority to exercise the powers of eminent domain. That would allow the company to survey private property without the owner’s permission, and to forcibly acquire the property for its project upon payment to owners for its fair market value. Whether TCRI actually does have the legal authority to exercise such powers is a matter of dispute. [Is Texas Central Partners threatening to seize family farms?]( Monday, May 8 Colorado Voters to Decide in 2018 Whether to Allow Younger Legislators - The [Colorado state House]( voted 45-20 in favor of [a constitutional amendment]( Concurrent Resolution 1—to lower the minimum age requirement for members of the legislature from 25 to 21; 42 votes were required to pass the resolution. As the [state Senate]( approved the amendment 29-6 on April 25, it now goes to the voters in [November 2018](. The amendment would apply to members of both the [state Senate]( and the [state House](. Colorado is one of [16 states]( that require a [two-thirds supermajority]( vote in both chambers of the legislature to refer an amendment to the ballot. - Due to the passage of [Amendment 71]( in [2016]( a 55 percent vote at the ballot box is required to pass this amendment. - In 2008, voters rejected [Referendum L]( a similar amendment designed to reduce the age qualification from 25 to 21 for electors to be members of the legislature. The vote was 46.5 percent in support to 53.5 percent against. - Currently, [17 other states]( have a minimum age requirement of 25 to serve in the state Senate, and [two other states]( have a minimum age requirement of 25 to serve in the state House. - Currently, [12 states]( have a minimum age requirement of 21 to serve in the state Senate, and [27 states]( have a minimum age requirement of 21 to serve in the state House. Texas Attorney General Files Lawsuit Seeking to Declare New Sanctuary Jurisdiction Law Constitutional - Texas Attorney General [Ken Paxton]( (R) filed a [lawsuit]( with the [U.S. District Court for the Western District of Texas]( requesting that the court uphold the state’s new law on sanctuary jurisdictions as constitutional. In general, the term [sanctuary jurisdiction]( may refer to a city, county, or state that has enacted policies which limit the involvement of local officials in the enforcement of federal immigration law. [Senate Bill 4]( Gov. [Greg Abbott]( (R) signed into law on [May 7]( it a Class A misdemeanor for Texas law enforcement officials who fail to comply with federal immigration policy or refuse to cooperate with federal immigration authorities. The bill also allows law enforcement officials in Texas to question an individual’s immigration status during detainment. Critics of the legislation have stated that it encourages profiling based on race or ethnicity and will discourage cooperation between law enforcement and immigrant communities. Supporters have said that it will help reduce unauthorized immigration and make the state safer. Paxton’s lawsuit names as defendants the city of [Austin]( [Travis County]( Travis County Sheriff [Sally Hernandez]( and the [Mexican American Legal Defense and Education Fund](. Hernandez and government officials in Austin and Travis County have publicly criticized Senate Bill 4. - The state is seeking [declaratory judgement]( with the lawsuit. Any ruling that emerges from the lawsuit will require no action from parties involved but will instead serve as the court’s opinion on the matter. A ruling in the state’s favor could have the effect of limiting future litigation against Senate Bill 4. One lawsuit, however, has already been filed against the law. On May 9, [Maverick County]( and the city of [El Cenizo]( filed a [lawsuit]( arguing that Senate Bill 4 violates the Texas and U.S. constitutions.  - In a [statement]( Paxton said, “This is a public safety issue that requires swift resolution. If a Texas sheriff or other law enforcement authority cannot lawfully honor an ICE detainer, dangerous people will slip through the cracks of the justice system and back into our communities.” - Austin Mayor [Stephen Adler]( responded to the lawsuit, [saying]( “I'm glad the action is moving to court where it's not about politics, it's about the law. A judge will decide whether the United States of America or Texas determines federal immigration policy and whether local police and prosecutors have the discretion to keep their communities safe.” - According to the [Pew Research Center]( an estimated 1.6 million immigrants were living in Texas without legal authorization as of 2014. In February 2017, Ballotpedia conducted a [study]( of sanctuary jurisdictions in the country’s 100 largest cities by population, 13 of which are in Texas. The study found one city in Texas that has been identified as a sanctuary jurisdiction: [Austin]( the state capital.   - The [Senate]( passed Senate Bill 4 on [May 3]( with a 20-11 vote, while the [House]( passed it last month 93-54. Republicans have majorities in both chambers: 20-11 in the Senate and 95-55 in the House. Texas is one of 25 Republican [state government trifectas](. - See also: [Sanctuary jurisdictions]( and [Sanctuary policy preemption conflicts between the federal and local governments]( Proposal For Interstate Compact On Redistricting Vetoed In Maryland - Gov. [Larry Hogan]( (R) [vetoed]( legislation passed by the Maryland [General Assembly]( that proposed changes to [Maryland’s redistricting procedures](. The bill—which [passed]( the [House]( 87-51 and the [Senate]( 30-16—sought to establish an independent redistricting panel that would be responsible for drawing the boundary lines for congressional and state legislative districts in Maryland. Enactment of the bill, however, requires passage of the same legislation in five other states: [New York]( [New Jersey]( [Pennsylvania]( [Virginia]( and [North Carolina](. This type of legislation is called an interstate compact. Supporters of the bill called it the Mid-Atlantic Regional Compact. In vetoing the proposal, Hogan stated, “Instead of choosing fairness and real nonpartisan reform, [the Assembly] pushed through a phony bill masquerading as redistricting reform. It was nothing more than a political ploy designed with one purpose in mind: To ensure that real redistricting reform would never actually happen in Maryland.” In March 2017, Hogan backed legislation establishing a nonpartisan redistricting commission in Maryland (without participation from other states) but the Assembly [rejected]( the proposal. Assembly leadership—[Senate President]( [Thomas Mike Miller]( (D) and [House Speaker]( [Michael Busch]( a joint statement in reaction to Hogan’s veto, saying, “Today's veto reveals that, instead of supporting a true, nonpartisan solution that could restore accountability and cooperation to Washington, Governor Hogan prefers his plan to simply elect more Republicans to Congress.” - Maryland is one of 19 states under [divided government](. Republicans control the governorship, while Democrats have a 91-50 majority in the [House]( and a 33-14 majority in the [Senate](. Democrats had a trifecta in the state from 2007 to 2014.  - Veto [overrides]( in Maryland require three-fifths majorities in both chambers: 85 in the House and 29 in the Senate. - Maryland legislators serve four-year terms and are all up for election in [2018](. Legislators elected or re-elected in 2018 will shape Maryland’s 2020-2022 redistricting process.  - The other five states considered part of the proposed Mid-Atlantic Regional Compact all operate under [divided government](. - A total of 43 states are required to draw new congressional district lines every 10 years following completion of the United States Census (the remaining seven states contain only one congressional district each). State legislatures are primarily responsible for redistricting in 37 states. In four of these states, advisory commissions are involved in the process; in two, backup commissions or procedures are required to draw the lines if state legislatures are unable to adopt plans. In four states, independent commissions draw congressional district lines. In two states, commissions made up of politicians draw the lines. - See also: [State-by-state redistricting procedures]( Florida Governor Rick Scott (R) Calls for Special Election to Fill Senate District 40 - On May 8, 2017, [Florida Gov](. [Rick Scott]( (R) called for a [special election]( to fill [State Senate]( [District 40](. The district was previously represented by [Republican]( [Frank Artiles](. He resigned on April 21, 2017, following an [exchange]( where he used a racial slur in front of two black state senators. The special election will be held on September 26, 2017. There will be a special primary election on July 25, 2017. The qualifying deadline for candidates wishing to run in the special primary election is May 31, 2017. In November 2016, Artiles defeated incumbent[Democratic]( state Senator [Dwight Bullard](. Republicans have a 28-12 advantage in the [Florida State Senate](. Florida is one of 25 Republican [state government trifectas](. Nebraska Legislature Upholds Veto Of Bill Restoring Voting Rights For Felons - The [Nebraska Legislature]( [voted]( against overriding Gov. [Pete Ricketts’]( (R) veto of a bill that would have restored voting rights for felons in Nebraska upon completion of their sentence. Nebraska currently requires a two-year waiting period before felons regain voting rights. The bill—LB 75—[previously]( passed the state’s unicameral legislature 27-13 (nine legislators abstained). Supporters of the bill argued that the immediate restoration of voting rights would increase civic engagement and discourage ex-felons from committing crimes after their release. In vetoing the bill, Ricketts [argued]( that studies have failed to establish a connection between voting rights and reduced recidivism rates. He also cited constitutional concerns with the bill and added that the two-year waiting period provided an incentive to avoid committing crimes. Nebraska’s recidivism rate—the rate at which individuals return to prison after serving a sentence—is [31.3 percent](. Veto overrides in Nebraska require 30 votes. The override attempt fell seven votes short. LB 75 would have affected an [estimated]( 7,800 individuals in Nebraska. - In 45 states (as well as Washington, D.C.), convicted felons cannot vote while they are incarcerated, but may regain the right to vote upon their release or at some point thereafter. Twenty states restore voting rights to convicted felons once they complete their entire sentences, which include prison time, parole, and probation. In two states—[Maine]( and [Vermont]( retain the right to vote during incarceration. In three states—[Florida]( [Kentucky]( and [Iowa]( felons never regain the right to vote. - Nebraska is one of 25 Republican [state government trifectas](. - See also: [Voting rights for convicted felons](       Florida Legislative Session Ends - Florida’s legislative session came to an end. The legislative session was originally scheduled to end on May 5. Lawmakers, however, were required by state law to submit a budget 72 hours before then. The session was [extended]( into this week. On April 26, 2017, lawmakers in the [house]( and [senate]( reached a tentative [agreement]( on an outline for an $83 billion budget. The house had reportedly advocated for an $81.2 billion spending plan, while the Senate has pushed for an $85.1 billion plan. Much of the [disagreement]( revolved around spending on education, economic development, the environment, and potential cuts to the state’s tourism marketing corporation, Visit Florida. Final passage of the $83 billion budget occured on Tuesday. It now heads to Gov. [Rick Scott]( (R). Florida is one of 25 Republican [state government trifectas](. - The legislature considered implementing [legislation for Amendment 2]( approved in November 2016 by 71.32 percent of voters. Amendment 2 was an initiative legalizing medical marijuana. The [state legislature]( had the power to set rules for medical marijuana, but failed to pass legislation to implement the amendment during its 2017 legislative session. As the legislature did not pass a bill, the task of setting the rules and regulations to implement the amendment by July 3, 2017, falls to the Florida Department of Health. [Richard Corcoran]( speaker of the [Florida House of Representatives]( said he would like a special legislative session to address medical marijuana legislation. [Joe Negron]( president of the [Florida Senate]( stated that the legislature has a responsibility to be involved in developing rules and regulations. John Morgan, whose firm was the [largest donor]( to the amendment's support campaign, called on [Gov. Scott]( to convene a special session to address Amendment 2. The state is supposed to issue IDs for medical marijuana patients by October 3, 2017. --------------------------------------------------------------- Tuesday, May 9 Special Elections in the Oklahoma House of Representatives - Two special elections were held for District 28 and District 75 of the Oklahoma House of Representatives.  - District 28 was left vacant following [Tom Newell]( (R) resignation to take a position in the private sector.  [Zach Taylor]( (R) defeated [Steve Barnes]( (D) and [Cody Presley]( (L) in the special general election.  The district was heavily favored for the Republican candidate—[Donald Trump]( won with 73 percent of the vote in November 2016 and Newell won re-election in 2016 by 33 points. [Unofficial results]( for the special election, however, have Taylor winning with just 50.5 percent of the vote: 1,221 votes to Barnes’ 1,165 votes. House District 28 is located east of [Oklahoma City]( and includes some of its suburbs. Democrats controlled the district until 2010, when Newell first won re-election.     - Primary elections were held for state House District 75. [Dan Kirby]( (R) resigned the seat effective March 1 after facing possible expulsion from the state House. [Karen Gaddis]( (D) and [Tressa Nunley]( (R) advanced to the July 11 general election. With three vacancies, Republicans maintain a 72-26 majority in the state House. Oklahoma is one of 25 Republican [state government trifectas](. --------------------------------------------------------------- Wednesday, May 10 Vermont Legislature Passes Marijuana Legalization Bill - The Vermont [Legislature]( [approved]( a bill legalizing recreational marijuana. In doing so, the Legislature became the first state legislature in country to approve marijuana legalization. The [eight states]( that have already approved marijuana legalization did so through [statewide ballot measures](. The bill in Vermont allows individuals to possess up to one ounce of marijuana and, by July 2018, up to two mature marijuana plants. It also establishes a commission to study methods for taxing and regulating recreational marijuana. The [House]( passed the bill [79-66](. The [Senate]( passed it [20-9](. Gov. [Phil Scott]( (R), as of May 11, had not committed to signing or vetoing the bill. He [told]( Vermont’s NPR station, “It’s no secret that I don’t believe this a priority for Vermont.  … I’ll take a look at the bill. But I’ve been pretty clear that I’d like to see some improvements to the bill to make sure we have structures in place that provide safety to Vermonters.” If Scott vetoes the bill, the legislature would need two-thirds [majorities]( (of those present) in both chambers to override the veto. Vermont is one of 19 states under [divided government](. Republicans control the governorship, while Democrats have majorities in the House and Senate.          First Primary Debates For The New Jersey Gubernatorial Election - The first debates for[New Jersey’s gubernatorial elections]( took place at Stockton University in Galloway, New Jersey. Republican candidates debated first. Five Republicans filed for the June 6 primary, though only two [participated]( in the debate: Lt. Gov. [Kim Guadagno]( and state Rep. [Jack Ciattarelli](. Democrats went second. Six Democrats filed for the primary, and four [were]( at the debate: former U.S. Treasury Official under the Clinton administration [Jim Johnson]( state Sen. [Raymond Lesniak]( former U.S. Ambassador to Germany [Phil Murphy]( and state Rep. [John Wisniewski](. The debates were sponsored by the New Jersey Election Law Enforcement Commission, which [required]( candidates to have raised at least $430,000 or have $430,000 in their campaign accounts in order to participate in the debates. Discussion topics for both sets of candidates [included]( pension funding, education funding, transportation infrastructure, marijuana legalization, energy, and tax policy. Incumbent Gov. [Chris Christie]( (R) is term-limited. The general election will take place on November 7.   - Ballotpedia [rates]( the 2017 New Jersey gubernatorial election as Lean Democrat. This rating is based on [our gubernatorial race rating system](. In particular, current polls show Democratic frontrunner [Phil Murphy]( with a lead of more than 20% over Republican frontrunner [Kim Guadagno]( and New Jersey [went to Hillary Clinton in 2016 with more than 55% of the electorate]( fitting our definition of Likely Democrat. However, [the sitting governor is a Republican]( fitting our definition of Toss-up.     - New Jersey is one of 19 states under [divided government](. Republicans control the governorship, while Democrats have a 52-28 majority in the [Assembly]( and a 24-16 majority in the [Senate](. Both chambers of the legislature are holding elections in 2017. All 40 seats are up for election in the [Senate]( and all 80 seats are up for election in the [Assembly](. South Carolina Legislature Overrides Veto Of Infrastructure Bill - The [South Carolina State Legislature]( [voted]( to override Gov. [Henry McMaster’s]( (R) veto of an infrastructure bill that included a gas-tax increase. The [Senate]( voted on Monday 32-12 in favor of the bill, while the [House]( backed it 99-20. The bill proposed a 12-cents per gallon increase to the state’s gas tax, in addition to other increases to driving fees. The increases would collectively generate an estimated $630 million per year for the South Carolina Transportation Department, which previously requested an additional $1 billion per year for infrastructure repairs throughout the state. The state [currently]( taxes gas at 16.75 cents-per-gallon, which generates $600 million per year. McMaster has [opposed]( the gas-tax increase and advocated for requesting funds from the federal government and issuing $1 billion in state bonds. McMaster [vetoed]( the bill on May 9. Both Democrats and Republicans in the legislature backed the veto override: 32 senators and 95 members of the House. Veto overrides in South Carolina [require]( a two-thirds majority in both chambers. - South Carolina is one of 25 Republican [state government trifectas](. McMaster became governor in January 2017, following Gov. [Nikki Haley’s]( (R) confirmation as U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations. The [governor’s office]( will be up for election in [2018](. Republicans have majorities in the House and Senate.   Illinois General Assembly Approves Legislation Allowing For Public Funds For Abortions And Keeping Abortion Legal - The [Illinois General Assembly]( [approved]( legislation allowing for state employee health insurance plans and [Medicaid]( funds to cover abortions. The legislation also removes language in a 1975 state law articulating plans to criminalize abortion in the event that Roe v. Wade is overturned. Supporters of the bill have argued that its second component is necessary due to statements made by President [Trump]( (R), indicating that he intends to nominate [Supreme Court]( justices who are opposed to abortion. The House passed the bill [62-55](. The Senate passed it [33-22](