In most states, the end of legislative session has arrived. Here’s our last Legislative Roundup for a while!
Arizona
- Ballot Drop Boxes
- Why we’re watching: Arizona Republicans are at it again! This year, they’ve been trying to ban the use of ballot drop boxes to further limit minority electoral participation. Thankfully, the measure failed to go anywhere, but the question of voter efficacy is very real for the Black and Brown community in Arizona.
Connecticut
- Juneteenth Holiday
- Why we’re watching: This week, as the end of session approached, the Connecticut Legislature debated a bill to designate Juneteenth an official state holiday. As a reminder, Juneteenth, or Freedom Day, is the annual celebration marking the end of slavery. Many states have established the occasion as a holiday since the murder of George Floyd.
Federal
- Police Accountability Executive Order
- Why we’re watching: President Joe Biden has long supported measures to reform police departments and this week, he took matters into his own hands. On the second anniversary of the murder of George Floyd, the White House published an executive order creating a database of disciplinary infractions and publicizing more information than ever. While the order only applies to federal agents, it’s a good start.
New York
- Public Housing Financing
- Why we’re watching: Amid rising costs and continuing evictions, New York City Mayor Eric Adams urged the Legislature to unlock billions of dollars to repair public housing. As the end of session approaches, not all public housing residents are sold on the issue, given federal guidelines that would make it more difficult to pass on apartments to younger generations.
- Street Renaming
- Why we’re watching: New York City has only one army post and up until now, it’s bore the name of Confederate General Robert E. Lee. Last week, officials renamed the street “John Warren Avenue,” after a 22-year-old Black Brooklyn solider who threw himself on top of a grenade to save his platoonmates during the Vietnam War, earning him the Medal of Honor.
What do you think of the news in this week’s legislative roundup? Did we miss anything? Drop us a line on any of our social channels or hit us up through our contact us form. Let us know what’s happening in YOUR neighborhood!
