Arizona Lawmakers Accuse Scottsdale of Adding Red Tape in New Housing Laws

Scottsdale

A Scottsdale city ordinance on housing is raising red flags among some Republicans in the state legislature.

Majority Leader Leo Biasiucci and Majority Leader-Elect Michael Carbone are asking for the city to revise Ordinance No. 4651, which explains how the city would go along with two housing bills recently signed by the governor, according to State Affairs.

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China Poised to Cut Off US Military from Key Mineral as America’s Own Reserves Lay Buried Under Red Tape

Mineral mining

China is planning to restrict exports of a key mineral needed to make weapons while a U.S. company that could be reducing America’s reliance on foreign suppliers is languishing in red tape, energy experts told the Daily Caller News Foundation.

The Chinese government announced on August 15 that it will restrict exports of antimony, a critical mineral that dominates the production of weapons globally and is essential for producing equipment like munitions, night vision goggles and bullets that are essential to national security, according to the Center for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS). Perpetua Resources, an American mining company, has been navigating red tape for years to develop a mine in Valley County, Idaho,  that could decrease reliance on the Chinese supply of antimony, but the slow permitting process is getting in the way, energy experts told the DCNF.

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Tennessee AG Skrmetti Leads Coalition of States in Pushing Back on New Department of Energy Rule Targeting Household Refrigerators, Freezers

Jonathan Skrmetti

Tennessee Attorney General Jonathan Skrmetti led a coalition of 17 state attorneys general in a comment letter opposing the Department of Energy’s direct final rule regulating consumer refrigerators, refrigerator-freezers, and freezers.

The DOE’s rule, scheduled to be implemented on May 16, imposes new energy conservation standards for these consumer items.

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Red Tape Closes Pennsylvania Power Plants Before Replacements Ready

Power Plant

Despite the key positions states like Ohio and Pennsylvania hold to solve future energy problems, shifting the power grid from coal and natural gas to wind and solar isn’t as easy as flipping a switch.

A cadre of Pennsylvania legislators trekked to Columbus for a joint meeting of three House and Senate committees from the two states to be advised by energy officials on PJM, the regional power grid to which both belong.

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Florida Lawmakers Aim to Cut Red Tape for Public Schools with New Legislation

Florida lawmakers have filed a new bill to cut red tape for certain aspects of public and charter school assessments, accountability, instruction and education choice.

Senate Bill 7004 was introduced by the Florida Senate Committee on Education Pre-K-12 and builds on the deregulation of public schools provision in House Bill 1, providing additional authority to school districts related to pre kindergarten programs, school improvements, assessments, reporting and instructional materials.

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Beacon Center of Tennessee Sets Ambitious 2018 Agenda for Its Advocacy Arm, Beacon Impact

On the eve of the return of state Representative and Senators to Legislative plaza, the Beacon Center of Tennessee’s new advocacy arm, Beacon Impact, released its agenda for 2018. Among its initiatives for this year are to reduce regulation and licensing restrictions for blue-collar service workers like locksmiths and hair braiders; to pass meaningful criminal justice reform that emphasizes a productive life after prison; and to pursue Medicaid reforms designed to improve quality of life for the program’s recipients. The statement reads: NASHVILLE – Beacon Impact, the advocacy partner of the Beacon Center of Tennessee, has just released its 2018 legislative agenda, which focuses on the areas of criminal justice reform, reducing occupational licensure requirements, and exploring Medicaid reforms. Beacon Impact’s 2018 policy agenda will focus on the following policy solutions: Reduce and eliminate red tape for the occupations named in the Dirty Dozen. These are occupations where burdensome regulations have made it nearly impossible for low-income and blue-collar workers to earn an honest living. Some examples of occupations in need of reduced barriers include hair braiders, locksmiths, and animal massage therapists. Pass criminal justice reforms that save taxpayer money while also making Tennessee safer. In 2018, this includes working on…

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