Virginia becomes first Southern state to ban conversion therapy for minors
On Monday, Gov. Ralph Northam signed a bill that made Virginia the 20th state to ban the practice for minors.
States & provinces
British Columbia government to offer 24/7 mental health support to post-secondary students
The Province has selected Morneau Shepell to develop a free mental health counselling and referral service for post-secondary students throughout British Columbia.
Minnesota will pay homeowners to make their lawns bee-friendly
A new spending program approved by lawmakers in 2019 called Lawns to Legumes sets aside $900,000 annually to pay homeowners who replace traditional lawns with bee-friendly wildflowers, clover and native grasses.
Utah bans conversion therapy for LGBTQ children
The discredited practice of conversion therapy for LGBTQ children is now banned in Utah, making it the 19th state and one of the most conservative to prohibit it.
Florida moves to purchase land to protect Everglades from oil drilling
Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis (R) on Wednesday announced that the state plans to buy a 20,000-acre section of the Everglades to prevent oil drilling in the area, according to the Miami Herald.
California offers up to $9,500 to purchase electric vehicle
The incentives are up to $9,500 towards the purchase of a new or used plug-in hybrid electric vehicle, fully battery electric vehicle, or fuel cell electric vehicle and will be prioritized for low-income families.
Illinois governor clears thousands of marijuana convictions
Illinois’ governor granted more than 11,000 pardons for low-level marijuana convictions, describing the step as a first wave of thousands of such expungements.
New Jersey Gov. Phil Murphy restores voting rights for 80,000 on probation or parole
“I am proud to sign one of the most progressive expungement laws in the nation, which will allow more New Jerseyans the opportunity to fully engage in our society,” Murphy said.
The state of New York sees first drop in opioid deaths since 2009
After years of rising opioid-related overdoses deaths among state residents, 2018 finally saw a drop, from 2,170 deaths in 2017, to 1,824 deaths – a 15.9 percent decrease.
Michigan bans cages for egg-laying hens
Michigan joins California, Washington, Oregon and Rhode Island in adopting a cage-free requirement.