State of the States
Gulf of America
ALABAMA
GULF OF AMERICA BILL SINKS
An Alabama House bill oficially recognizing the Gulf of America on state documents and maps stalled in the Legislature because an Alabama Senate bill requiring public schools to broadcast or perform The Star-Spangled Banner did not receive consideration in the House. “We were going to go at the same time,” Garlan Gudger, state Senate president pro tem, said. “If they were doing that
one, we would do the Gulf of America bill up here and were ready for that,” the Cullman Republican explained. “We were ready to pass that if they were passing [the Star-Spangled Banner bill] in the House.”
While Alabama House
Speaker Nathaniel Ledbetter, R-Rainsville, didn’t connect the two bills, he expressed disappointment that the House didn’t debate the Star- Spangled Banner bill.
VERMONT
FREE LUNCH SPAT Burlington City Council members have directed the mayor to move a daily free lunch distribution program after over 100 businesses said the program was harming the area. Food Not Cops has offered
free hot meals to a mostly homeless population in a
downtown garage for five years. An open letter circulated by the local businesses noted, “Some attendees have repeatedly stolen from businesses or caused harm. We respectfully ask that this program be relocated to a more appropriate and secure setting — not eliminated.” A volunteer with Food Not Cops said the project actually makes the city safer because people tend to behave more rationally when they aren’t experiencing hunger. “As a community, we owe it
to each other to work harder for better outcomes for all of us,” council member Buddy Singh, a Democrat, said.
NEW MEXICO
BASIC INCOME POT TAX A basic income program is being funded by a recreational marijuana tax. The program distributes
$750 a month to 80 families in the Albuquerque area. The plan, funded earlier
this year, costs $4.02 million; $2 million of that comes from the cannabis tax. The families are from two
districts where children have low academic performance. City oficials say that the program is prioritized for
people who have been adversely affected
by the criminalization of cannabis. Council member Klarissa Peña says the program must have clear implementation strategies and measurable outcomes.
WEST VIRGINIA
SNAP WORK REQUIREMENT Gov. Patrick Morrisey is making changes to the state’s Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program that will include work requirements, along with different choices for eligible food. “We’re promoting health
bundles. That’s fresh produce and lean meat and good opportunities for some hot foods for West Virginians, for some products that you’ve never been able to have before,” the Mountain State Republican said. He referenced Health and
Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. and Agriculture Secretary Brooke Rollins for inspiration regarding the new changes. “This is the way we have to do it. We have to get West Virginia healthy again,” said the governor. Among food items included in the new plan will be rotisserie chicken, pot
roast, and barbecue ribs. Work requirements are meant to inspire participants to take part in job training programs.
FLORIDA
‘PORNOGRAPHIC’ BOOKS REMOVED Hundreds of books have been taken out of Hillsborough County School District after state oficials called for their removal. Attorney General James Uthmeier sent a letter to the school board stating materials that were “patently pornographic” must be removed immediately. This letter reiterated an earlier missive from the Florida Department of Education. The county has taken
out 389,073 books from its collection, totaling over 2 million library materials.
WASHINGTON
PERMIT REQUIRED FOR GUN BUYS Democrat Gov. Bob Ferguson has signed a new law that requires a permit to buy a gun. Prospective purchasers
must first complete the Washington State Patrol (WSP) firearms background check program, which includes having fingerprints taken at their local police precinct, proof of having completed certified firearms training, and other ID checks. Approval for a permit
application may be denied if the applicant has outstanding felony or misdemeanor warrants; cannot purchase or own a firearm under state or federal law; has a court order or injunction in connection with a restraining order; or has not completed a firearm background check within the last five years.
JULY 2025 | NEWSMAX 29
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