Oklahoma caps monthly insulin co-pay at $30
Over 450,000 Oklahomans suffer from diabetes, while the American Diabetes Association says that over 1 million in the state are on the verge of it.
States & provinces
Nevada becomes first U.S. state to recognize gay marriage in state constitution
Nevada voters overturned an 18-year-old ban on same-sex marriage, making the state the first to enshrine gay couples’ right to marry in its constitution.
District government in Indonesia formally recognizes indigenous clan’s rights to its ancestral lands
The decree is the first of its kind in Sorong, West Papua province. It moves the Gelek Malak Kalawilis Pasa clan closer to having its rights officially recognized by the central government.
Assisted dying is rapidly becoming legal and accepted – currently in 11 countries and 10 U.S. states
Since 2015, Belgium, Luxembourg, Canada, New Zealand, Spain, the Netherlands, Colombia, Germany, Austria, Portugal, five Australian states, ten American states, and D.C. have legalized assisted dying.
Indian state of Andhra Pradesh to buy 7 GW of solar power
The state will enter perhaps the largest solar power purchase agreement with the Solar Corporation of India. Utilities will supply the power to over 1.8 million farmers for nine hours a day for free.
California to ban gas-powered leaf blowers and lawn mowers by 2024
A gas-powered leaf blower for just one hour produces the same amount of emissions as a drive from Los Angeles to Denver.
Hawaii pledges to conserve, restore or grow 100 million trees by 2030
The One Trillion Trees Pledge is part of the 24-hour Global Citizen Live event today to “defend the planet and defeat poverty” and is meant to achieve net-negative carbon goals and combat climate change.
New California laws make housing more affordable and sustainable
California got three new laws that allow more homes to be built. Denser cities should shorten commutes, lower emissions, and make for more equitable housing.
Alabama begins removing racist language from its constitution
The state government is drafting amendments to its 1901 State Constitution that would remove discriminatory language. The changes would mark the end of the last remaining legal remnants of what are generally referred to as Jim Crow laws.
Queensland passes historic bill legalizing voluntary assisted dying
The Australian state’s new laws — which take effect in January 2023 — allow people 18 and older who are expected to die within 12 months, and who meet strict eligibility criteria, to seek medical assistance to end their lives.