Wisconsin lawmakers introduced seven bills to address a campaign finance system perceived to favor wealthy donors.

The proposed campaign finance reforms include lower contribution limits for statewide candidates; a broader definition of political action committee; a prohibition on making expenditures for certain mass communications if coordinated with a candidate; a prohibition on corporate or labor organization contributions to a segregated fund; and disclosure of donor employment information for cumulative contributions of more than $100.

Kentucky Rep. Robert Goforth, who won reelection despite facing criminal charges for allegedly choking a woman during a domestic dispute, resigned from his House District 89 seat.

A House panel dismissed a citizen’s impeachment petition seeking his removal from office after determining impeachment does not apply to legislators under the state’s constitution.

Gov. Andy Beshear will set the date for a special election to fill the seat.

On August 19, the Texas House of Representatives once again held quorum for the first time in over a month.

With the House in quorum, lawmakers can take up several bills including House Bill 77 and 87.

House Bill 77 prohibits the use of public funds by political subdivisions for the purposes of lobbying activities.

House Bill 87 places limitations on campaign contributions to state candidates from persons and committees.

Illinois House Speaker Emanuel “Chris” Welch and Senate President Don Harmon issued a joint proclamation calling on the Legislature to convene on August 31 for a one-day special session to make changes in the new state legislative district map after official 2020 population numbers were released last week by the U.S. Census Bureau.

The House and Senate approved the state legislative map on May 28 with only Democratic votes, and Gov. JB Pritzker signed the map into law on June 4.

Republicans have filed a lawsuit in federal court to invalidate the map and give the redistricting commission remapping authority, claiming if a valid redistricting plan with the full force and effect of law was not completed by June 30, the Illinois Constitution shifts the responsibility for drafting a plan from the General Assembly to a redistricting commission.

Massachusetts State Rep. Brad Hill resigned to accept an appointment to the state’s Gaming Commission.

His current term is set to expire on January 3, 2023.

Gov. Baker is expected to call for a special election to fill the vacant Essex 4th District seat.

Rhode Island State officials scheduled a special election on November 2 for the state Senate seat in Providence District 3.

The seat became vacant when Sen. Gayle Goldin resigned to accept a position as a senior adviser in the U.S. Department of Labor Women’s Bureau.

A primary will be held on October 5, if necessary.

On August 16, the Ethics Review Board of New Orleans voted unanimously to recommend the city’s Code of Ethics be revised to bar City Council members and candidates from accepting political contributions from utility firms regulated by the city.

These firms would include Entergy New Orleans, Cox Communications, and any vendor that works on a contract awarded by the City Council or the Sewerage and Water Board.

Additionally, the recommended rule would ban contributions from any political action committee or executive staff member of the firms.

Texas Gov. Abbott announced a special election on November 2 for eight proposed constitutional amendments approved by the Texas Legislature during the 87th session.

The amendments include a prohibition on state or local restrictions on religious services and a provision allowing certain charitable raffles at rodeo venues.

Cleveland City Council adopted rule changes at the August 18 meeting to allow public comment at regular council meetings beginning at the September 20 Meeting.

The new rules make public comments the fifth item in the order of business at council meetings.

Anyone may speak, regardless of whether they are a resident of Cleveland and public comments will not be limited to current agenda items, but anyone who wants to speak must register.

Registration will open at noon on Wednesdays before a Monday council meeting and will close at 2:00 pm on the day of the council meeting.

Speaking slots of up to three minutes each will be allotted by order of registration up to a maximum of 10 speakers.

On August 6, Gov. Greg Abbott announced a special election for State House District 10 is to be held on August 31 to fill the vacancy caused by the election of Representative Jake Ellzey to the 6th Congressional District on July 27.

As of the candidate filing deadline of August 12, there are a total of eight candidates running for this seat.

If necessary, a special general runoff election will be scheduled.

The winning candidate will serve the remainder of Ellzey’s term through January 2023.

The Alaska Legislature convened for their third special session of this year Monday, August 16.

Gov. Dunleavy has tasked lawmakers to consider amendments to the Alaskan Constitution relating to the Constitutional Budget Reserve fund and the Alaska Permanent Fund.

The amendments seek to alter the appropriation limits from these funds to help repair infrastructure and aid in the recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic.

State Senator Otoniel “Tony” Navarrete of Arizona resigned on August 10, following his arrest on felony charges involving sexual abuse of two minors.

The resignation was immediately effective.

The Maricopa County Board of Supervisors will choose a replacement from a list of nominees presented by a citizens’ committee.

The replacement will serve out the rest of Navarrete’s term, which ends in January 2023.

Gov. Kate Brown announced Monday she is accepting applications to fill a seat on the Oregon Supreme Court.

Justice Lynn Nakamoto is set to retire December 31 and the new appointee will fill the vacancy on January 1, 2022.

Illinois Gov. J.B. Pritzker signed legislation changing the vendor disclosure due date.

Effective immediately, Senate Bill 581 requires the Vendor Payment Program financial backer disclosure to be filed on August 1 of each year for the previous fiscal year.

The former deadline was July 1.