The news: Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer signed a package of bills this week aimed at protecting reproductive rights, including
ending the state’s ban on paid surrogacies. Starting later this year, families in the state who conceive using in vitro fertilization can pay for a surrogate to carry a child. The bills also add protections for IVF.
Why this matters: The debate over reproductive rights in this country has flared up over fertility treatments. Alabama’s Supreme Court declared that frozen embryos, created through IVF,
are legally protected persons, while some conservatives
push for more limits on IVF services. Michigan is among states
going in the other direction. Along with ending a ban on surrogacy contracts, the new laws also increase protections for fertility treatments, surrogates and LGBTQ+ parents.
3. In New Jersey, a historic loss for party bosses
The news: Democratic and Republican party leaders in New Jersey can no longer give their handpicked candidates
a major advantage on primary ballots. A federal judge eliminated the so-called “county line” power, in which local political party officials could give selected candidates a prominent, and sometimes victory-sealing, placement on primary ballots.
Why this matters: The ruling dramatically reconfigures how congressional primaries will work in the Garden State’s June primary. This year, the process will be more like those in other states, with candidates grouped together by the office they’re seeking.
4. West Virginia’s Republican governor protects vaccine requirements
The news: Despite pressure from lawmakers and others, West Virginia’s Republican governor has
vetoed a bill that would exempt some students in the state from vaccine requirements. Current requirements will stay in place, as the legislature does not have enough time or momentum to override his veto.
Why this matters: Vaccine denialism
continues to run strongly through Republican ranks, yet Gov. Jim Justice said he was more swayed by pressure from health workers to protect vaccine requirements for kids in schools. Another reason why Justice’s move is significant? He is running for the U.S. Senate in the Mountain State and needs support from all brands of Republicans.
5. One Oregon county moves hundreds of unhoused residents into shelters
The news: Washington County, Oregon, is quickly implementing a program that
uses a special tax to try to address homelessness, using the money to move those living in encampments to significantly expanded shelters.
Why this matters: The cost of housing remains a critical concern across the country, as does homelessness. States are trying to find solutions. While California
narrowly passed a measure to change the way it spends money on housing and mental health services, this latest county push in Oregon offers another look at how a small version of a robust program could go.
Bonus: Laramie, Wyoming, says goodbye to a giant “Joe Biden head”
The news: A big, human head sculpture that some locals believe looks like President Joe Biden is moving out of Laramie, to the relief of many.
Why this matters: We embrace public art, and this story may not matter on a large scale. But the
visuals demand we forward this to you.
WE WOULD LIKE TO HEAR FROM YOU!
Which and what kinds of political stories matter to you? And which ones have become oversaturated? What’s happening in your state, city, town or neighborhood that ought to get more attention?
Email your responses to [email protected].
Your suggestions can help guide our coverage this election year.
