TheRepublic.com - Constitutions News

Retiring justice glad Legislature tackled marriage

Tue, 21 May 2013 20:41:15 -0400

ST. PAUL, Minnesota - Outgoing state Supreme Court Justice Paul Anderson says he's relieved the Legislature and not the courts made the call on same-sex marriage in Minnesota.

Senate approves tax break for veteran spouses

Tue, 21 May 2013 16:42:23 -0400

AUSTIN, Texas - The Texas Senate has approved a plan to give property tax relief to the spouses of military members killed in combat.

Georgia editorial roundup

Tue, 21 May 2013 14:43:39 -0400

Recent editorials from Georgia newspapers:

NM judge poised to uphold law on private schools

Tue, 21 May 2013 13:20:19 -0400

SANTA FE, New Mexico - A judge appears poised to rule that the state can continue to pay for textbooks for private school students in New Mexico.

Ballot question could add foreign law protections

Tue, 21 May 2013 13:11:51 -0400

MONTGOMERY, Alabama - In a swift-moving late-night session, the Alabama Legislature approved a bill that will put a Constitutional amendment in the hands of the voters.

Atlanta council approves 20-story Ferris wheel

Mon, 20 May 2013 19:14:23 -0400

ATLANTA - The Atlanta City Council voted Monday to allow a 20-story Ferris wheel to be installed downtown.

German FM criticizes remarks by Hungarian PM

Mon, 20 May 2013 12:35:18 -0400

BERLIN - It started out simple enough: German Chancellor Angela Merkel criticized constitutional changes that have been made in Hungary. But Hungary's leader not only objected, he also found what he called a veiled reference to Adolf Hitler's occupation of his country in 1944.

High court to weigh in on legislative prayers

Mon, 20 May 2013 12:01:20 -0400

WASHINGTON - The Supreme Court said Monday it will hear a new case on the intersection of religion and government in a dispute over prayers used to open public meetings.

Parents fuming over locked doors at graduation

Mon, 20 May 2013 10:14:14 -0400

ATLANTA - Several parents of Spelman College graduates are furious after locked doors prevented them from seeing their children's commencement.

Zimbabwe PM: We will end police, military abuse

Sun, 19 May 2013 12:55:10 -0400

HARARE, Zimbabwe - Zimbabwe Prime Minister Morgan Tsvangirai said Sunday his party will end years of bias and abuse by the police, military and intelligence services and will make sure the services uphold the country's new constitution which demands impartiality in their duties.

Mo. lawmakers give mixed results on business aid

Fri, 17 May 2013 20:58:28 -0400

JEFFERSON CITY, Missouri - Missouri lawmakers revamped four of the state's main business incentives on the final day of their legislative session, but failed Friday to pass a broader measure that would have scaled back costly tax credits for developers.

Mo. lawmakers OK measure aimed at child sex abuse

Fri, 17 May 2013 17:29:17 -0400

JEFFERSON CITY, Missouri - Prosecutors in Missouri could use evidence of past criminal behavior in child sex abuse prosecutions under a proposed state constitutional amendment approved Friday by the state Legislature.

Arkansas lawmakers formally adjourn session

Fri, 17 May 2013 13:33:11 -0400

LITTLE ROCK, Arkansas - The Arkansas Legislature wrapped up this year's legislative session Friday, passing a $4.9 billion budget and a package of $140 million in tax cuts as well as approving $125 million to help land a major employer for northeast Arkansas.

Zimbabwe PM confident he'll oust Mugabe in vote

Fri, 17 May 2013 12:04:32 -0400

HARARE, Zimbabwe - Zimbabwe Prime Minister Morgan Tsvangirai said Friday he is poised to sweep to victory in upcoming presidential elections and return the nation to the world community after years of isolation.

Texas budget deal still elusive despite confidence

Wed, 15 May 2013 23:59:48 -0400

AUSTIN, Texas - Compromise on a new Texas budget remained elusive late Wednesday as House and Senate negotiators worked deep into the night with no word of a deal after earlier confidence that one was imminent.

Texas House defeats term limits referendum

Wed, 15 May 2013 20:25:35 -0400

AUSTIN, Texas - A proposed constitutional amendment that would have let voters decide whether to limit statewide officeholders to two consecutive terms ran into a buzz saw in the Texas House late Wednesday, with lawmakers voting overwhelming to defeat it despite none voicing opposition from the floor.

New court overhaul plans surface in Kansas House

Wed, 15 May 2013 19:59:31 -0400

TOPEKA, Kansas - An influential Kansas House member outlined three new proposals Wednesday for overhauling the state's two highest courts.

Court denies US asylum to German home-schoolers

Wed, 15 May 2013 17:35:24 -0400

NASHVILLE, Tennessee - A federal appeals court has denied asylum to a Christian family that fled Germany so they could home-school their children, after ruling that U.S. immigration laws do not grant a safe haven to people everywhere who face restrictions that would be prohibited under the Constitution.

Kan. court plan founders; backer faces allegation

Tue, 14 May 2013 23:28:27 -0400

TOPEKA, Kansas - A plan to change how Kansas fills vacancies on its two highest courts foundered Tuesday when the Kansas Bar Association's board decided to oppose it.

For Minnesota gay marriage sponsors, it's personal

Tue, 14 May 2013 22:24:30 -0400

ST. PAUL, Minnesota - As a crowd of thousands roared from the lawn of the state Capitol, Minnesota Gov. Mark Dayton signed the bill Tuesday that makes gay marriage legal here come Aug. 1.

Officials say gay marriage movement unlikely in ND

Tue, 14 May 2013 19:09:23 -0400

FARGO, North Dakota - North Dakota is not likely to join neighboring Minnesota in allowing gay marriages anytime soon, some political and legal experts say.

Arizona House passes bill to fight federal actions

Tue, 14 May 2013 18:12:30 -0400

PHOENIX - The Arizona House of Representatives has passed a bill that would prohibit state officials from recognizing unconstitutional federal actions if voters approved a proposed change to the state constitution.

Gitmo prisoner: Obama has 'abandoned' detainees

Tue, 14 May 2013 15:24:36 -0400

WASHINGTON - A Guantanamo Bay detainee says he feels abandoned by President Barack Obama and the world after more than 10 years at the U.S. prison.

Mo. lawmakers pass farm constitutional amendment

Tue, 14 May 2013 13:38:29 -0400

JEFFERSON CITY, Missouri - Missouri lawmakers are asking voters to approve a constitutional amendment that would protect the rights of farmers.

Colin Quinn has fun with the US Constitution

Tue, 14 May 2013 07:28:16 -0400

NEW YORK - There aren't that many jokes in the U.S. Constitution and it's never really been a big generator of belly laughs. Unless, that is, you are Colin Quinn.