Healthy Indiana Plan extended to end of February

Gov. Eric Holcomb announced yesterday that Indiana has received an extension to continue operation of the state's Healthy Indiana Plan through Feb. 28. The current HIP program was set to expire Jan. 31. "We had hoped to receive approval of our expanded HIP program by Wednesday. We're close but we are still working through the final details of our new plan with the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services ," said Governor Eric Holcomb.

Kansas attorney general urges independent audit of K-12 appropriations

Attorney General Derek Schmidt recommended Monday to legislative leaders, the governor and public education officials an independent audit be performed of state appropriations to K-12 schools following disclosure $45 million was delivered during the past five years in apparent violation of Kansas law. Schmidt recommended the 2018 Legislature, the Kansas Board of Education and the Kansas State Department of Education collaborate on an examination to determine whether improper allocations were limited to transportation aid for more urban districts.

Sic ‘Em On The Oil Industry – Climate Change Activist Uses Scare Tactics To Get His Way

Bill McKibben - journalist, gadfly, Bernie Sanders supporter, and briefly an inmate of Washington, D.C.'s Central Cell Block - is one of America's foremost environmental activists. As the founder of an organization known as " 350.org ," he leads a global network of climate change zealots who believe that persecuting energy companies involved in the production of fossil fuels is necessary to achieve "climate justice."

Senate rejects bill to ban abortions after 20 weeks

The Senate on Monday rejected legislation designed to ban abortions after 20 weeks of pregnancy, a vote that put vulnerable Democrats on the record on the issue during an election year. The vote was 51-46, short of the 60-vote threshold to advance the bill.

Washington governor rejects permit for oil-by-rail terminal

This file photo taken Jan. 5, 2016, shows Maureen Hildreth, center, attends a public hearing on a proposed southwest Washington state massive oil-handling facility in Ridgefield, Wash. Washington Gov. Jay Inslee on Monday, Jan. 29, 2018, rejected a permit for a massive oil-by-rail terminal proposed along the Columbia River.

Letters: Jindal wasn’t perfect; no one is

Stephen Waguespack, President & CEO of the Louisiana Association of Business and Industry, speaks outside the House Ways and Means Committee after HB628 by sponsor State Rep. Sam Jones,D-Franklin, concerning the commercial activity tax, or 'CAT,' effectively died for the legislative sesssion, after Jones voluntarily deferred it in the committee, Tuesday, April 25, 2017. The bill was the centerpiece of Gov. John Bel Edwards' tax package.

Pence to headline fundraiser at Trump hotel

Mike Pence is headlining a fundraiser Monday at the Trump Hotel in Washington to benefit his leadership PAC to help Republican candidates in the 2018 mid-term elections. The fundraiser is expected to raise about $500,000 and Pence is expected to be introduced by Donald Trump Jr., the president's son.

Philippine leader tells Suu Kyi to ignore rights criticism

Philippine president said he pities Myanmar leader Aung San Suu Kyi for being the focus of international criticism over her country's handling of the Rohingya refugee crisis. Suu Kyi and Duterte met in New Delhi this week at a summit of Southeast Asian leaders on the 25th anniversary of ASEAN-India ties.

3 Northeast states to sue feds over GOP’s tax overhaul plan

New Jersey and Connecticut are joining New York in planning to sue Washington over the Republican-led federal tax overhaul, the Democratic governors of the three states announced Friday. Andrew Cuomo of New York, Dannel Malloy of Connecticut and Phil Murphy of New Jersey announced Friday that they're talking to leaders of other states that stand to be hurt by the federal tax plan that's expected to cost taxpayers in their states billions of dollars.

NY To Keep Medicaid Benefits For Young Immigrants

New York will continue to provide Medicaid benefits to people who were brought to the U.S. illegally as children - no matter what officials in Washington do with the program that protected them from deportation, Gov. Andrew Cuomo announced this week. The Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals program created by former Democratic President Barack Obama protected certain immigrants who entered the country as children from deportation.

Brown looks back, pushes forward in final State of the State speech

In the opening scene of his final act on California's most prestigious political stage, Gov. Jerry Brown used much of his last State of the State address to remind everyone, in California and across the nation, of what's been accomplished in recent years. "Very few places in the world can match that record," he said Thursday to an audience of state lawmakers and guests gathered in the Assembly chamber of the state Capitol.

US criticizes Russia for arming Myanmar amid Rohingya crisis

The United States criticized Russia on Wednesday for approving sales of fighter jets to Myanmar's military despite its deadly operations against Rohingya Muslims, warning that Moscow's actions could make the situation worse. Russian defense officials used a visit to Myanmar this week to announce a deal to deliver six Su-30 fighter jets to the country's military.

Vote by Pence advances nominee for religious freedom post

Senate Republicans needed a deciding vote from Vice President Mike Pence to advance Kansas Gov. Sam Brownback's bid to be ambassador for international religious freedom in the Trump administration. Pence arrived in the chamber Wednesday afternoon and cast the final vote to cut off debate on Brownback's nomination.

Walker calls for swift, bipartisan action on agenda

Gov. Scott Walker on Wednesday urged Republicans and Democrats to unite to quickly approve a $100-per child tax credit and a host of other election-year priorities, including guaranteeing insurance coverage for people with pre-existing conditions. Walker issued the call during his eighth State of the State address, which came at a time of record-low unemployment in Wisconsin and with more than a dozen Democrats vying for the chance to deny the Republican governor a third term in November.