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EXPLAINER: How Texas Republicans aim to make voting harder
AUSTIN, Texas (AP) — Texas took a major step Sunday toward becoming the nation’s largest state where the GOP is making voting harder following the 2020 elections , with the Senate approving a bill that would empower poll watchers, create criminal penalties and add new restrictions on where, when and how to vote.
State Supreme Court to hear case involving farmworkers
KENNEWICK, Wash. (AP) — The state Supreme Court is scheduled to hear a case this spring that could affect farmers and farmworkers across the state. The court is being asked to decide whether farmers are required to pay farmworkers — who earn wages based on how much they pick — additional money for rest breaks. Farmworkers are guaranteed to earn the state's minimum wage, but fast harvesters can earn quite a bit more. A class-action lawsuit was filed by farmworkers Ana Lopez Demetrio and Francisco Eugenio Paz against Sakuma Brothers Farms, a berry farm in Burlington. The farmworkers and Sakuma Brothers Farms finalized a settlement agreement resolving most of the claims in November. The farmers did not admit any wrongdoing, but did agree to pay $850,000 to settle claims and avoid the time and expense involved with a lengthy lawsuit. But the workers and the farm could not come to an agreement over claims made by the workers that they should receive extra pay for the 10-minute break they can take every four hours, according to court documents. Seattle attorneys for the workers — Daniel Ford of Columbia Legal Services and Marc Cote of Terrell Marshall Daudt & Willie — said in court documents that pay earned while a worker is working can't be used to compensate them for rest breaks. The lawsuit also asserted that employers should be required to pay workers for rest breaks based on the average hourly earnings from piece work or the minimum wage, whichever is more. Adam Belzberg, a Seattle attorney representing the farmers, argued that pay for rest breaks already is part of the piece rate calculation. The state Department of Labor and Industries decided against requiring separate and additional pay for rest breaks when developing state rules in 1990. The plaintiffs are asking for a retroactive change, meaning farmers would have to pay additional money for work breaks to piece rate workers for previous seasons. The Washington Farm Labor Association and Washington State Tree Fruit Association estimate that could cost tens of millions of dollars. The Supreme Court is scheduled to hear arguments in the case March 17 at Heritage University in Toppenish.
Online sports betting in Virginia nearing its debut
FALLS CHURCH, Va. (AP) — Virginians have long been sidelined when it comes to gambling, but it's a safe proposition that sometime before the upcoming Super Bowl they will be able to wager from the comfort of their couches as Virginia joins a growing list of states that allow sports wagering.
Online sports betting in Virginia nearing its debut
FALLS CHURCH, Va. (AP) — Virginians have long been sidelined when it comes to gambling, but it's a safe proposition that sometime before the upcoming Super Bowl they will be able to wager from the comfort of their couches as Virginia joins a growing list of states that allow sports wagering.
Hong Kong government slams US decision to suspend treaties
HONG KONG (AP) — The Hong Kong government on Thursday condemned the U.S. decision to suspend extradition and tax exemption treaties with the semi-autonomous Chinese city, saying it was being used as a pawn in geopolitics.
Hong Kong government slams US decision to suspend treaties
HONG KONG (AP) — The Hong Kong government on Thursday condemned the U.S. decision to suspend extradition and tax exemption treaties with the semi-autonomous Chinese city, saying it was being used as a pawn in geopolitics.
A season of fear, not cheer, as virus changes Christmas
Montserrat Parello lost her husband eight years ago, and Christmas gatherings with children and grandchildren had helped her deal with her loneliness. But this year, the 83-year-old will be alone for the holiday at her home in Barcelona, due to the risk of infection from the coronavirus.
Oregon business tax greeted with confusion, consternation
PORTLAND, Ore. (AP) — Ross Stock has known since last spring that his softwood lumber mill in Toledo would be subject to Oregon’s new, $1 billion business tax. Nine months later, though, he still doesn’t know what it will cost him.
Oregon business tax greeted with confusion, consternation
PORTLAND, Ore. (AP) — Ross Stock has known since last spring that his softwood lumber mill in Toledo would be subject to Oregon’s new, $1 billion business tax. Nine months later, though, he still doesn’t know what it will cost him.
Oregon business tax greeted with confusion, consternation
PORTLAND, Ore. (AP) — Ross Stock has known since last spring that his softwood lumber mill in Toledo would be subject to Oregon’s new, $1 billion business tax. Nine months later, though, he still doesn’t know what it will cost him.
Georgia lawmakers say they'll avoid worst cuts in budget
ATLANTA (AP) — Georgia lawmakers say that they've scraped up enough money to prevent state agencies from sending employees home for unpaid furlough days in the coming year, and say K-12 school districts should be able to spend savings to avoid teacher furloughs.
Georgia lawmakers say they'll avoid worst cuts in budget
ATLANTA (AP) — Georgia lawmakers say that they've scraped up enough money to prevent state agencies from sending employees home for unpaid furlough days in the coming year, and say K-12 school districts should be able to spend savings to avoid teacher furloughs.
City officials appreciative of roads funds, explain timeline
On behalf of the Moses Lake City Council and staff, I would like to thank the citizens of Moses Lake for their support and passage of city proposition 1. This proposition increases the sales tax collected by 0.2 percent for the purpose of constructing, improving and funding transportation improvements in the city. While the final certification of the vote is not yet final, it appears that the proposition will be approved.
Trump signs immigration order featuring numerous exemptions
WASHINGTON (AP) — President Donald Trump claimed Wednesday that he had signed an executive order “temporarily suspending immigration into the United States.” But experts say the order will merely delay the issuance of green cards for a minority of applicants.
Study: Pandemic eats into LGBTQ representation on network TV
NEW YORK (AP) — LGBTQ and gender inclusiveness on television has retreated slightly this season due to delays and shutdowns caused by the COVID-19 pandemic, according to a new study out Thursday by the advocacy group GLAAD.
US budget deficit up 14.8% for first 5 months of fiscal year
WASHINGTON (AP) — The U.S. budget deficit through the first five months of this budget year is up 14.8% from the same period a year ago, keeping the country on track to record its first $1 trillion deficit since 2012.
US budget deficit up 14.8% for first 5 months of fiscal year
WASHINGTON (AP) — The U.S. budget deficit through the first five months of this budget year is up 14.8% from the same period a year ago, keeping the country on track to record its first $1 trillion deficit since 2012.
Forecast raises state revenue $1.46 billion
OLYMPIA — A new report from the Washington State Economic and Revenue Forecast Council estimates an increase of $1.46 billion in tax collections for the state’s current two-year budget, which was passed in 2021. In a forecast released on Wednesday, the council attributed the increase in tax revenue to the continued strong housing market in Washington, low levels of unemployment, and more spending prompted by rising rates of inflation...
AP News in Brief at 6:04 a.m. EST
Top officials: Nov. 3 election most secure in US history
Budget proposals look to increase spending on homelessness
OLYMPIA, Wash. (AP) — At the start of the 60-day legislative session last month, lawmakers in both parties said homelessness needed to be a focus in the supplemental budget.