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Working part-time, she couldn't afford the hundreds of dollars she would need for an abortion and had to turn to a trusted friend to help cover the costs. New Jersey and nine other states require health insurers to cover abortion services, but it is the only state among that group that doesn't bar out-of-pocket costs, according to KFF, a nonprofit that researches health care issues. A medication abortion typically costs $600-$800, while a surgical procedure could cost up to $2,000, according to Planned Parenthood. It also coincides with a yearslong effort to expand abortion services in the state, as Democratic officials sought to blunt the impact of the Supreme Court's overturning of Roe. New Jersey has already enshrined abortion rights as law, increased funding for abortion services and required regulated health insurance plans to cover the procedure.

Persons: Dawn Ericksen, “, ”, ’, Phil Murphy, Roe, Wade, Murphy, Kaitlyn Wojtowicz, ” Murphy, Teresa Ruiz, it's, ” Ruiz, John DiMaio, Sen, Declan O'Scanlon Organizations: New Jersey's Democratic, Democratic, Supreme, Legislative Republicans Locations: TRENTON, N.J, New Jersey, U.S, . New Jersey, Roe . New Jersey, . California, Jersey

☆ Wisconsin Supreme Court, now under liberal control, overturns Republican-favored legislative maps
▼ + stars: | 2023-12-22 | by ( Andrew Menezes | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +4 min

CNN —The Wisconsin Supreme Court on Friday ruled that the state’s legislative maps, which give Republicans the advantage, are unconstitutional and ordered new lines drawn for the 2024 election. “We are hopeful that the legislative process will produce new legislative district maps,” the ruling stated. During the campaign, now-Justice Janet Protasiewicz, the liberal-favored candidate, called the legislative maps “rigged” and “unfair” and suggested courts should evaluate their constitutionality. After she was seated in August, Democratic-backed groups filed two lawsuits asking the Wisconsin Supreme Court to throw out the Republican-drawn maps. “Fortunately, the U.S. Supreme Court will have the last word.”This story has been updated with additional details.

Persons: “, Sam Hirsch, Tony Evers, Friday’s, ”, ” Evers, Annette Ziegler, Janet Protasiewicz, Protasiewicz, Robin Vos, Vos, CNN’s Eric Bradner, Brad Parks Organizations: CNN, Wisconsin Supreme, US, Badger State, Legislature, ”, ” Wisconsin Gov, Democratic, Republican, U.S, Supreme Locations: Wisconsin, ” Wisconsin, ” “ Wisconsin

RALEIGH, N.C. (AP) — North Carolina Republicans on Wednesday pitched new maps for the state's congressional districts starting in 2024 that appear to threaten the reelection of at least three current Democratic U.S. House members. Senate redistricting committee leaders introduced two proposals that would rework the boundary lines for the state's 14 U.S. House seats. The state House and Senate want to enact a final plan by the end of the month. He said House leaders “worked with Senate leadership on the congressional plan,” but he didn't say which Senate plan the House supported. House and Senate redistricting committees also filed separate legislation Wednesday that would rework their own districts — the House for its 120 seats and the Senate for its 50 seats.

Persons: Roy Cooper’s, Asher Hildebrand, David Price, Jeff Jackson, Charlotte, Wiley Nickel, Kathy Manning, Valerie Foushee, Hill, Don Davis, Greene County —, you’ve, ” Hildebrand, Republican —, “, Cooper, they've Organizations: — North Carolina Republicans, Wednesday, Democratic U.S . House, Republican, General, Democratic Gov, U.S . House, Duke University, Democratic Rep, Current, Democratic, Republicans, GOP, Greensboro —, Destin, Senate, Democrat, Legislative Locations: RALEIGH, N.C, U.S, Cary, Greensboro, Greene County, Wednesday's, Charlotte, Raleigh

Would some deny the results of the last presidential election? But since then, election conspiracy theories have taken root in the rural, heavily Republican county in northeastern Wisconsin. When she’s defended the election process, Pytleski, a lifelong Republican, has been called a RINO — a Republican in Name Only. The group's efforts come as distrust in elections has gained a persistent foothold across the country, especially in rural areas. Even with that level of local trust, the false belief that the 2020 presidential election was stolen permeates the community.

Persons: — Kim Pytleski, didn’t, Pytleski, Donald Trump’s, she’s, ”, Barack Obama, you’re, denialism, Reid Ribble, Joe Biden's, Kathy Bernier, ” Bernier, “ I’ve, ” It’s, Bernier, Trump, there’s, “, Mike Lindell, Douglas Frank, Meagan Wolfe, Wolfe, that’s, Connie Streckenback, Mary Verheyen, Michelle Bartoletti, Bartoletti, “ It’s, who’ve Organizations: Republican, U.S . Capitol, The Associated Press, NORC, for Public Affairs Research, Republicans, House, Republic, GOP, Local, Associated Press, AP Locations: Wis, Wisconsin, Green, Oconto County, Oconto, Michigan, Pennsylvania, Trump, House . Wisconsin, Suamico, Lake Michigan, Wisconsin —, Howard

WASHINGTON (AP) — Republicans in Wisconsin are threatening to impeach a recently elected state Supreme Court justice and raised the possibility of doing the same to the state’s election director. A Georgia Republican called for impeaching the Fulton County prosecutor who brought racketeering charges against former President Donald Trump. None of the targets met the bar traditionally set for impeachment — credible allegations of committing a crime while in office. Over the past two years, Republicans also have sought to pry Democrats and nonpartisan executives from office through recalls, legislative maneuvers and forced removals, even when no allegations of wrongdoing have surfaced. They’re upset with her over a legal settlement as voting began in 2020 that eased some rules for mailed ballots during the COVID-19 pandemic beyond what state law permitted.

Persons: Donald Trump, Republicans didn’t, Joe Biden, It’s, ”, Melissa Agard, Janet Protasiewicz, Ben Wikler, “, Robin Vos, we’re, Vos, Larry Krasner, impeaching Krasner, Fani Willis, Georgia’s, Brian Kemp, Sen, Colton Moore, Kemp’s, Ken Paxton, Paxton, Ron DeSantis, DeSantis, They’re, Gavin Newsom, Newsom breezed, Brian Kalt, ” Richard Hasen, ” ___ Bauer, Brooke Schultz Organizations: WASHINGTON, — Republicans, Georgia Republican, Republicans, Pennsylvania House, Congress, Democrat, Republican, Court, GOP, state's Democratic Party, Philadelphia, Democratic, Trump, Republican Gov, Caucus, Texas, Representatives, Justice Department, North Carolina Republicans, Michigan State University, University of California, Associated Press Locations: Wisconsin, Georgia, Fulton, Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Fulton County, Florida, California, Los Angeles, Madison , Wisconsin, Harrisburg , Pennsylvania

MADISON, Wis. (AP) — Wisconsin Republicans have enjoyed outsize control of the Legislature in one of the most closely divided states for a dozen years. Maintaining that power is now at the heart of a drama involving the state Supreme Court that has national political implications. “Impeachment is an act of pure power politics,” said Ben Wikler, chair of the Wisconsin Democratic Party. In 2020, the state Supreme Court, then controlled 4-3 by conservatives, came within one vote of overturning Democrat Joe Biden's nearly 21,000 vote victory over then-President Donald Trump. The Supreme Court has yet to decide whether it will take either case.

Persons: ”, Ben Wikler, “ It’s, Joe Biden's, Donald Trump, Greta Neubauer, Mark Pocan, Robin Vos, “, ” Vos, Wisconsin Legislature “, Nick Seabrook, Janet Protasiewicz, Protasiewicz, Vos, Tyler August, ” ___ Lieb Organizations: — Wisconsin Republicans, Republicans, Democratic, Wisconsin Democratic Party, Wisconsin Supreme, Donald Trump . Wisconsin Republicans, Republican, Michigan House, Democrat, U.S . Senate, Associated, Democratic U.S . Rep, U.S, Supreme, Wisconsin Legislature, University of North, Wisconsin Democrats, GOP, Legislative Republicans, Democratic Party, GOP . Wisconsin Locations: MADISON, Wis, Wisconsin, Neighboring Michigan, Unlike Wisconsin , Michigan, Wisconsin’s, West Virginia, ” Wisconsin, University of North Florida, Jefferson City , Missouri

☆ A Florida judge struck down a DeSantis-drawn congressional map because it diminished the voting power of Black residents
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-03 | by ( John L. Dorman | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +5 min

A Florida judge has tossed the North Florida redistricting plan engineered by Gov. Judge J. Lee Marsh ruled that DeSantis' congressional map violated the state constitution. Lawson, who ran for reelection in 2022 and lost to Republican Rep. Neal Dunn in the conservative 2nd congressional district, praised the judge's ruling. "I am pleased the Court struck down the DeSantis congressional map, finding that his office and the Legislature violated the Constitution. My only goal right now is to ensure that fair representation is returned to the people of North Florida," he added.

Persons: Ron DeSantis, Judge J, Lee Marsh, Al Lawson, J, DeSantis, Al Lawson's, Cord Byrd, Jasmine Burney, Clark, Duval County —, Lawson, Neal Dunn Organizations: Gov, Democratic, Service, Republican Gov, Black, GOP, Congressional, Republican, Florida Supreme, Politico, League of Women Voters, Jacksonville — Locations: Florida, Wall, Silicon, North Florida, Tallahassee, Jacksonville, Lawson's, Duval County, Gadsden County

☆ A North Florida congressional district that was held by a Black Democrat before it was dismantled by Ron DeSantis could be restored in 2024 under a new agreement
▼ + stars: | 2023-08-13 | by ( John L. Dorman | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +3 min

An agreement could potentially restore a North Florida House dismantled by DeSantis, per Politico. The agreement wouldn't end the litigation over DeSantis' map, but would limit the scope of arguments against the lines. Ron DeSantis, who's currently running for the 2024 Republican presidential nomination, wasn't satisfied, submitting a map that dismantled the plurality-Black congressional district of then-Democratic Rep. Al Lawson. But an ongoing legal challenge to the state's congressional maps has produced an agreement that could restore Lawson's North Florida district for the 2024 election, according to Politico. Another lawsuit involving the congressional maps is currently in federal court.

Persons: Democrat Al Lawson, Ron DeSantis, who's, wasn't, Al Lawson, Olivia Mendoza, DeSantis, Cord Byrd Organizations: Florida House, DeSantis, Politico, Democrat, Service, Republican, Democratic, Florida Supreme, GOP, National Redistricting Foundation, Black, Gov, Florida Republican, League of Women Voters Locations: Florida, Wall, Silicon, Lawson's, Orlando, Tampa Bay

☆ Top North Carolina Republicans privately encouraged then-Democrat Tricia Cotham to run for the state House in 2022, a year before she switched parties and gave the GOP a veto-proof majority
▼ + stars: | 2023-07-30 | by ( John L. Dorman | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +4 min

Two of North Carolina's top GOP leaders encouraged Tricia Cotham to run for office last year, per The Times. Cotham, from a family with deep Democratic roots, flipped to the GOP three months into her new term. And then Cotham in April made a decision that immediately transformed North Carolina politics, as she switched from the Democratic Party to the GOP, giving the latter party supermajorities in both the state House and state Senate. What was previously unknown until now was that top North Carolina Republicans — namely House Speaker Tim Moore and House Majority Leader John Bell — had encouraged Cotham to run for the seat last year, according to The Times. Jonathan Coby, Cotham's former campaign consultant, told The Times that Cotham was irate over her political predicament.

Persons: Tricia Cotham, Roy Cooper, Tricia Cotham mulled, Cotham, didn't, Tim Moore, John Bell —, Bell, Cooper, Jonathan Coby Organizations: GOP, Democratic Gov, Service, North Carolina House of Representatives, Democratic, New York Times, House Democratic, Democratic Party, North Carolina Republicans, The Times, Times, Republicans Locations: Carolina's, Wall, Silicon, Charlotte, North Carolina

☆ A Tennessee RNC member says vote to expel 2 Democratic lawmakers over a gun control protest hurt the GOP brand: 'You've energized young voters against us'
▼ + stars: | 2023-04-09 | by ( John L. Dorman | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +3 min

A Republican National Committee member told The Times that ousting 2 Democratic lawmakers "didn't help" the GOP. Tennessee state Reps. Justin Jones and Justin Pearson were removed from their positions by the GOP-led House. Brock argued that the party should have considered arguments from the lawmakers over gun reform. "You've energized young voters against us. Both Jones and Pearson can be reappointed to their seats, but special elections will also have to be set by the governor.

☆ A North Carolina Democrat's shocking party switch may hand complete power over to the state's Republicans, report says
▼ + stars: | 2023-04-05 | by ( John L. Dorman | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +3 min

A North Carolina lawmaker is expected to switch parties in what would be a stunning turn of events. It would give the GOP a supermajority, meaning they could override the Dem governor's vetoes. As of March 2023, Cooper had issued 75 vetoes — more than all previous North Carolina governors combined — since taking office six years ago, according to The Assembly NC. From 2005 to 2009, Jerry Meek, whom Cotham married in late 2008, was the chair of the North Carolina Democratic Party. According to the North Carolina political blog Watauga Watch, Cotham and Meek are no longer married.

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